I'm a retired salesman

monkey44 wrote:
Vulcaneer: No doubt you made a good deal and went in there armed with good information.

But one other thing your deal illustrates, the dealer will always 'force' the buyer to "tell us your highest offer" sorta, and when you do, will always go to the "in charge guy' (of course, salesman has no authority for a deal the great) and come back with something a little higher. It never fails, and supports again what I said earlier. The salesman/manager will never tell you his lowest price, he will always make the buyer give it, and then come with a little bit higher price than you offer. Not positive, but I'd be willing to bet if you'd have walked out, you'd have gotten the price you sent in first. But, it takes walking out, and you gotta be willing to do that. You can always come back the next day ... or, wait for his call. :) :) :)

Yes, buyer is in charge, more or less, because you can always walk.

And giving a credit card to a salesman without a signed deal on the table? Never happen with me, but apparently it worked out for you this time. Good luck with your new one, and happy camping.

I know you are never going to give up the idea that the salesman is going to give you the lowest possible price but trust me...it just isn't going to happen. LOL

Here also is a tip from negotiating 101. As a sales manager, never accept the first offer if it is any less than MSRP. As well, never make the deal as long as the customer is still going up. Only make the deal when the customer has said absolutely no with no counter offer.

The reason I say that, 99% of customers have no idea what is a good deal and what is not. When asked, they have no clue what the dealer should make on a transaction even if they know the cost. On numerous occasions I have stood on a showroom floor and asked customers if they would pay a price for a vehicle that was at least $10,000 less than my cost. Inevitably they either want to know if that is the best I can do or tell me they already have a lower price.