This really should be regulated. It is unscrupulous and unsavory practice. Everyone hates it.

I don't like to haggle because my experience is that there is a significant imbalance in information and experience. I always have figured out later that I had been taken.

A chunk of the profit skimmed by dealers goes to buying politicians to make sure that the current dealership model is ossified into the law forever. I don't like the haggling but I really hate the laws that mandate the current system.

I think this is a very American thing to hate haggling. I absolutely hate haggling and it makes me feel gross inside. But why aren’t the no haggle places cheaper? With just a little haggling you can get a car a lot cheaper than them.

I actually bring my relative with me car shopping. She negotiated the entire thing (and enjoys it) and then I just hand over the cash. Last time they were surprised the car was really for me.

I love buying a car in person. You just have to have all the necessary info, like how much it should cost and what is a competitive interest rate, and confidence in yourself. And be prepared to get up and walk out if you don't get what you want.

Best method ever:
http://the-toast.net/2014/07/11/how-to-buy-a-car/

I just bought one. Test drove everything I wanted to consider, narrowed it down to one, figured out the best pricing online, emailed every dealer in MD/VA/WV/PA/NJ to see who could give me the best price and negotiated between the better priced ones via email. MD has less dealer fees than VA so even if VA price matches it may not be cheaper. Then, it took 30 minutes in person to buy.

Best method ever:
http://the-toast.net/2014/07/11/how-to-buy-a-car/

Buying cars and houses are the absolute worst. I don’t trust anyone involved and the whole process leaves me feeling cold.

Anonymous wrote:Use a buying service like the one through consumer checkbook magazine. It cost a few hundred dollars, but saves you more than that. And you don’t have to negotiate. You tell them the car and options they want and local dealerships put in bids. Made the process way less painful

I used Checkbook’s service and it was completely painless. Did a ton of research beforehand and am convinced I got a better deal in the end than I ever could have on my own.

Anonymous wrote:I went with truecar.com and worked with someone directly, no hassle. Costco has a program as well.

you pay for that. you don't get absolute low price without haggling

I went with truecar.com and worked with someone directly, no hassle. Costco has a program as well.

There’s an old toast article written by Nicole Cliffe about how to buy a car without having to talk to anyone, I’ve found it very useful.

Use a buying service like the one through consumer checkbook magazine. It cost a few hundred dollars, but saves you more than that. And you don’t have to negotiate. You tell them the car and options they want and local dealerships put in bids. Made the process way less painful

I agree. And I believe that my distaste for buying cars prevents me from buying more frequently. I wanted a new car for over a year before I finally resolved to get it over with. Car buying should be fun but it isn’t.

Why is this a part of our culture? It's the absolute worst. I am so overwhelmed by the choices and don't know how to factor negotiated prices into the equation.