I have never negotiated a car price through email. I was just looking at a car online and it had a listed price and a covered up internet price. To unlock the internet price, you had to provide your information- name, phone, and email. After providing info, got the internet price, which was a WHOPPING $200 less than original price. Also, of course got a bunch of voicemails and emails from a salesperson, which I ignored.

Anonymous wrote:Since this summer aren't all dealers required to give an out the door price?

What state? Are you referring to a new state consumer protection law?

Since this summer aren't all dealers required to give an out the door price?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last time I shopped I found most dealers weren’t responding anymore to the “give me your best price emails”. I ended up buying used and I didn’t try that many but it was interesting to me that they seemed to be pushing back on that approach.

I had the same experience. I wonder how recent some of these purchases were.

We recently bought car. I think if you send email with “give me your best price” you might not be taken seriously. It’s good to show urgency “I am buying car this week and give me your best price” or even better to provide the price you are willing to pay “I want Honda Civic EX Sedan and my OTD offer is $XXX”.

Anonymous wrote:Last time I shopped I found most dealers weren’t responding anymore to the “give me your best price emails”. I ended up buying used and I didn’t try that many but it was interesting to me that they seemed to be pushing back on that approach.

I had the same experience. I wonder how recent some of these purchases were.

IMO internet price is a lower price than the window sticker or price they have shown on the lot. you deal with internet sales people. you can haggle. you just don't have as much "let me go ask my manager." they then add TTL to the final agreed on price.

Last time I shopped I found most dealers weren’t responding anymore to the “give me your best price emails”. I ended up buying used and I didn’t try that many but it was interesting to me that they seemed to be pushing back on that approach.

Anonymous wrote:What does that mean exactly? As in a car is listed on a dealership at 21k "Internet price", but also 24k "final sale price".

It stands to reason that taxes, fees, freight (if new) will add another $3,000 to an "internet price."

Although at a $21K price point i guess this isn't a new car, so there's no freight. But even taxes and fees will add another $3k.

What you want to ask for is the "out the door" price.

[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:Never negotiate in a dealership.

Visit a dealership too see cars and test drive, then walk out and email your offer from home.

Email offers from multiple dealers.

Any reputable dealer will be happy to negotiate a sale via email.

Commit: If at any moment the number goes above the emailed agreed price, walk out and ghost that dealership.

I agree. This is what we did (years ago), and had in writing what the total price including taxes & fees would be. I printed the email & brought it with us. Thankfully, they honored the price they’d quoted me & all was fine. But if not, we would have left.

Anonymous wrote:How much do you actually save when going through a tough negotiation? Is it 1-2% of car price, 5%, 10%? Just trying to gauge whether the hassle of negotiating is worthwhile, vs. buying for list price. Will need to buy a new car in a few months and historically have probably not negotiated enough (or at all), but I am more focused on getting in and out. I don't have days to spend haggling over a car.

I think the answer here is “it depends”. It depends on the demand of the car and how many other places you can buy it. Meaning if you are looking for an Accord EX, you likely have a lot of choices. If you are looking for something much more unique, not so many choices.

I’ve negotiated price down via email rather quickly and easily. If you’re trying to get every penny, then you might get push back. Sometimes the extra penny isn’t worth the effort.

If you don’t go the email negotiation route, try a buying service like Costco. You’ll get a pretty good price and it won’t take up too much of your time.

How much do you actually save when going through a tough negotiation? Is it 1-2% of car price, 5%, 10%? Just trying to gauge whether the hassle of negotiating is worthwhile, vs. buying for list price. Will need to buy a new car in a few months and historically have probably not negotiated enough (or at all), but I am more focused on getting in and out. I don't have days to spend haggling over a car.