Car Salesman Reveals All

How You Can Keep From Being Ripped Off

Sure, I was a car salesman. Only for a few months, but during that time I learned a lot about cars and people and why and how people buy cars. People approach car-buying from a base of fear. They're afraid they'll get taken: unwittingly buy a lemon, end up with something they don't want, or pay waaaay more than the car is worth. Most car buyers start out blind: they figure the salesman will have their best interests at heart and will give them a good deal.
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Hah! First mistake. Don't assume that, don't assume anything. Study up on the subject, go out armed with knowledge, and buy smart.

HOW TO AVOID BUYING A LEMON�

First, rid yourself of all your fairy notions about who the car salesman really cares about. He cares about himself. That's the bottom line. Then the dealership, and only then about you. That's the cynical line, I know, but when you're getting ready to buy a car, it's the best approach. If you're not expecting them to rip you off, you may not recognize it.
Next, consider the car. If it's a new car, be aware that every once in a while, a new one comes off the assembly line complete with problems. If that proves the case, will the dealership fix the car? If it's a used car, is there any warranty remaining? Ask! What does it cover, and what does it not cover? What happens if the thing just quits on you? What if the master cylinder goes out, the battery proves to be moribund after two days, if all the tires go flat at once? Will the dealership help you? Will they come get the car? What about a loaner? Before you buy, that's the time to negotiate all these little extras, and get them in writing.
If you're buying a used car, you may want to know who owned the car before, what kind of problems they had with the car, and did they furnish documents to validate the repairs they say they made? Tell them firmly that you want your mechanic to check the car out. If they won't cooperate, go elsewhere. Look for a dealership that will give you at least 30 days to determine if the car is a lemon.�

GET WHAT YOU WANT�