It's Not Over Yet - In The Business Office (You're Almost Done!)
Once your offer has been accepted, you will be asked to sign a plethora of paperwork. This is where most people get taken on some unnecessary expenses. Most people will be in a big rush at this point to get in that car and get home with it.
After all, you've worked pretty hard to get a good deal, and you've probably had it up to your ears with dealerships and negotiations and test drives and inspections by now.
Getting in a rush at this point will only play you right into the dealer's hands. The most important document that you want to take your time reading is the main contract document, usually referred to as the Buyer's Order". Read through the price calculations section carefully.
Most dealerships will try to rush you through this process and in so doing, try to add in a few extra charges. If the Buyer's Order says tax, tag and title C.O.D." then you will pay extra for the tax, tag and title. If the Buyer's Order says there is a dealer's handling fee" or a P.D.I (pre-delivery inspection)" just point back to your little piece of paper that says I will buy this car today for this price which includes tax, tag, title and no additional fees."
That's it. That's what you agreed to and right now is one place you'll be glad you wrote it down. Don't back down from this or let them try to tell you this is required".
Dealers and salesmen will sometimes be adamant on this point, as it's a nice little earner for them. If you have to, thank him for his time, and tell him goodbye. He'll cave in on this eventually; after all, you have your offer in writing that he agreed to, so stick to it. The salesman might also tell you he has to run a credit check on you at this point, as you'll next be introduced to the Business Office".
Even though you already have a loan waiting for you, let him run his credit check. It can't hurt to compare their finance offer to the others you have already looked at.
The final step in this process of getting your car is when you get into the business office. There is one specific person whose one specific job is to do the title work.
Oh yeah, this person has a couple other specific duties, like try to get you to use their lender, buy an extended warranty, buy a service contract, buy an oil change package, buy a car alarm, buy a keyless entry package, buy underbody protection--you name it. Everything extra that they can possibly get you to spend money on the business office will try to sell you.
When it comes to the issue of using their lender, tell him I have already arranged financing on this car. If the dealership wants my business, then give me your best interest rate and loan terms, and then I'll decide". You will undoubtedly then be asked what kind of terms you already have in place. Politely tell them That doesn't concern you. Tell me the best terms you can offer me and then I'll decide".
If this gets frustrating, then you can politely tell them This conversation is over. I am going to use my own financing. What's next?", and mean it when you say it.
Extended warranties, service contracts, oil change packages, alarms, and anything else this person tries to sell you can most likely be found elsewhere for a cheaper price. The person in the business office will try to pressure you into making a decision right now to buy these items from them, by saying You have to decide now….". You don't have to decide anything about any of these issues now. Tell them you want a price list for these items they want to sell you. If you shop around and then decide a few days later that you would like to buy any of these from the dealership, then you can stop by a few days later and get them.
The final step in this process of getting your car is when you get into the business office. There is one specific person whose one specific job is to do the title work.
Oh yeah, this person has a couple other specific duties, like try to get you to use their lender, buy an extended warranty, buy a service contract, buy an oil change package, buy a car alarm, buy a keyless entry package, buy underbody protection--you name it. Everything extra that they can possibly get you to spend money on the business office will try to sell you.
When it comes to the issue of using their lender, tell him I have already arranged financing on this car. If the dealership wants my business, then give me your best interest rate and loan terms, and then I'll decide". You will undoubtedly then be asked what kind of terms you already have in place. Politely tell them That doesn't concern you. Tell me the best terms you can offer me and then I'll decide".
If this gets frustrating, then you can politely tell them This conversation is over. I am going to use my own financing. What's next?", and mean it when you say it.
Extended warranties, service contracts, oil change packages, alarms, and anything else this person tries to sell you can most likely be found elsewhere for a cheaper price. The person in the business office will try to pressure you into making a decision right now to buy these items from them, by saying You have to decide now….". You don't have to decide anything about any of these issues now. Tell them you want a price list for these items they want to sell you. If you shop around and then decide a few days later that you would like to buy any of these from the dealership, then you can stop by a few days later and get them.