How many have found success negotiating great deals virtually?

Ask the Hackrs
, , , ,
21

I’ll ask a hard question, are you asking for a unicorn deal? Because those are a lot different imo.

1 Like
22

Unicorns or GTFO
/s

23

I have not stepped foot in a dealership to buy a car since 2014 and have gotten LH worthy deals on all my leases since then

3 Likes
24

IMG_1937

1 Like
25

I can help you:

Step 1: Walk into nearest dealer
Step 2: Find the car you want
Step 3: Start Slappin the hood and yelling “WHO WANTS TO SELL ME A CAR TODAY!”
Step 4: Dealer calls security to escort you, the unicorn customer off the premise.

Congrats you have unlocked the “unicorn” badge.

7 Likes
26

If one has a good (but still realistic) deal in mind, has a sense that the dealer is “workable,” and is fairly sure they can walk away if the dealer doesn’t budge, then I think it makes sense to go to the dealer (esp if the dealer is not far).

I think the advice on the board about NOT going into the dealership except to sign is b/c so many people have not through any of the above b/f going into a dealership and are vulnerable to getting a very, very bad deal.

2 Likes
27

Not true at all for me. I’ve managed to get the best deal on the phone. You just need to dial more dealers and offer a large deposit on the spot with the promise of closing right away. You need to sell the need for an immediate car. They often ask you the question of when you’d be picking up or so. The answer is always today or tomorrow, depending on how fast you are with the paperwork as a dealership.

3 Likes
28

My last 2 leases have been done through email and text. I have noticed some dealers dont really want to deal with customers like this for various reasons that others have mentioned but the larger volume dealerships will definitely accommodate you. Im a bit spoiled being in a large market (NYC) and have plenty of dealerships to shop around so that may also effect your success rate.

29

Sure, but I don’t have hours to waste with guys that go back and forth talking to “the manager” (aka, themselves in front of a mirror). I tend to prefer banging out 6 dealerships in an afternoon over the phone. You’ll know right away if they are willing to deal.

I’ll come into the dealership once I have an agreement in principle. I only step into a dealership if I have a car to test drive. Once I test drive, I sit back down and unleash the aggressive offer, which is normally followed by outrage.

I must say, I live in Miami which is a horrible market for dealerships. Too many suckers abound this city.

3 Likes
30

Wow 30 comments and no Borat great success meme

31

Oh, I don’t have that kind of time, either! But if OP does, I’m glad it worked out well for them. :slight_smile:

1 Like
32

To be absolutely transparent about it, I still spend a lot more time than I should researching, chatting on the forums, etc. I enjoy it. The reality is that the whole car buying experience has become a pastime for me. Hehe

1 Like
33

Question for the seasoned members, when researching to determine what price to target, where do you all look or what’s the process you use to know what’s possible for a dealer versus presenting an unrealistic offer? i.e. is shooting for invoice the route to go? This forum has been invaluable especially looking at signed offers but of course there are vehicles not necessarily with a large volume of deals on here as well. Appreciate the insights!

34

It’s all about supply & demand. So that question is very specific to year, make, model and trim.

If it’s not in Marketplace in major markets such as CA, NY, etc then start a new topic in Ask the Hackrs

3 Likes
35

What is an unrealistic offer vs realistic offer?

The definition widely varies.

36

I make all my offers in the metaverse. Virtually.

37

I negotiated my last deal virtually and it beat all brokers in this market to my knowledge. Any time a dealer asked that I come in to negotiate rather than dealing over text or phone, I thanked them for their time and stopped talking with them. This might vary car to car, but in general, those offering the best deals are also willing to talk virtually.

3 Likes
38

Invoice is for chumps especially for Stellantis vehicles. Typically here’s what you should do in terms of target prices: (assume your target vehicle is an BMW M240i)

  1. Check model forums for discounts. (none)
  2. Check Facebook groups for discounts (none)
  3. Check LH for discounts from both signed and brokers. (MSRP, and IAC has it for 4% off)
  4. Check Truecar (1% off)
  5. Call a million dealers the last week of the month. (ask for 10% off or double what a broker can do, most of the time they’ll tell you to drive off a cliff but some will get close to 4% and some will do 8%. Maybe you get lucky and get 10%.)
  6. Profit!!
2 Likes
39

Well, since this is “Lease” Hacker… I target a monthly payment and use all the acronyms to get there (MSRP,RV,MF,etc). :slight_smile:

2 Likes
40

A realistic offer is one that you have some evidence that a dealer will accept. An unrealistic offer is one that is not based on any proof that someone has achieved it. Example, you’re not getting 10% off on a vehicle that is hot or in short supply and dealers can sell at MSRP all day long.

Since you’re on LH, search for what has been achieved by other hackers/brokers. That’s a good starting point for what is realistic.

1 Like