A step by step process of leasing for rookie, plus negotiation tips?

[retart13]

I’m gonna write what I think is the step-by-step process right now. Please comment on what I’m doing wrong (or right).

1. Do your research! Find out MF, RV, and Edmund’s TMV.
2. Select a handful of nearby dealers and start negotiating. One’s goal should be to get the biggest discount off the MSRP (10-15%)?
3. Play dealers against each other.
4. Profit?

I’m really interested in the best way to actually haggle with the dealers? Do you guys straight up tell them, I know the MF, and RV and I want this $price$ for the car, etc? Or are you sweet talking them, trying to become friends, and play nice and polite to get them to like you and cut a deal?

Also, how long do you guys normally take to lock down a deal from start to finish for a relatively popular car? 1 week? <1 month?

Thanks!

[ng0]

I’ve heard all kinds of strategies. Many people say they just e-mail a bunch of dealers until they get the sale price they’re looking for. That never seemed to work for me because dealers hate to answer questions through email. With our BMW, I just went in to test drive, had no intention of even talking numbers, was courteous with the guy and gave him a shot and he came back with a crazy awesome offer. So really the moral of the story is, if you have time, try out different things. Depending on time of month/year, how desperate the dealer is, etc, you might be surprised. Just don’t let the dealers play games with you. Go in with a # and if you don’t get it, move on. The other thing I recommend, is going in on the last 45 minutes of the day. Gives the dealer significantly less time to try and jerk you around.

[max_g]

Negotiation Strategy

Stage 1: Shotgun 15 (or however many) dealers with an initial email. Stage 2: Send a followup email to the handful of dealers that actually respond with legitimate interest in making a deal. What Randy was saying is you can “pretend” you already did stage 1 and email the dealers you may actually get the car from, making them think they have “made the cut” of a larger bidding process. Then they may be more responsive in negotiating a deal.

How to start the negotiation?

Hi! How do you start the conversation when you sit down to discuss numbers? Do you let them put down their numbers first and then eliminate the down payment and try to reduce the monthly? Should you wait until after that to offer putting MSD down as well (if they accept that)? Or do you tell them your full bottom line and what you’re willing to do for it all at once? Thanks very much!