I'm currently looking around to get my yearly new (or new to me) car fix. I love the whole pallaver (?) of it - wake up middle of the night thinking: 'Yeah, how about one of them. ..2-3 years old, could stretch to that....let's check the write-ups, user reviews, long-term reviews residuals, ideal spec....' etc etc, - you've been there, you know what I mean.
Because of my in-the-sticks location, I do most buying by main dealer with manufacturers or approved used warranty & buy on the dog, sight unseen - slightly risky , but minimised as much as poss., given my buying context.
Anyway, that's the prologue- what question/query/irritation whatever, is this: Why do main dealers expect you to accept offers way less than book (be it CAP, Glass's , Parkers etc, you name it) for the trade-in? I always ask if when a deal is offered what they underwote my trade-in for (as most main dealers underwrite via 3rd parties) whether they've 'pre-sweetened' it & what the trade-in value was - they're either lying by saying 'Oooh, we couldn't get more than book minus 'X' ... it's a lumpy car you've got...' or they really can't get the value - either of which turns me away.( I always try to get the value for my car before discussing the value of theirs) Now, I'm not unreasonable or unsophisticated, variables like time of year, correct spec, provenance, value adjusted for mileage and so on I understand & appreciate.
Maybe though, they're being straightforward & are being 'let down' by their underwriters who perhaps imagine they're bidding for a car belonging to an eager shiny faced ingenue who's sitting transfixed & awe struck in the chrome & plate glass showroom, willing to accept any old trade-in offer to get the car of his dreams.
Anyway, thanks for listening, rant over!
The hunt continues...
cheers
woodbines
ps sorry if there are some grammatical or spilling erras, it's late & I've had a couple.
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Main dealers are nothing but glorified horse-traders, but with smarter premises. At the end of the day they'll work to get as much money out of you as possible.
If you are buying/selling in this way on an annual basis then its an expensive hobby. Could you not travel to an auction - even if you have to go 80miles it would be worth it - or try an auction buyer?
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I love the whole pallaver (?) of it... ... you've been there, you know what I mean.
Its funny you should say that. I love cars but I hate buying them!
Fantasizing about them is a daily pastime. Choosing which make/ model to buy is entertaining. But then trying to find one that is the right price/ spec./ mileage/ colour is a nightmare to me. I end up spending so long deliberating that I think, "well that one is not quite right, I'll wait a week and see what else comes up for sale".
I once went 4 months without a car because I couldnt find what I wanted (at the time I could get lifts to work, and I was also a bit skint).
Also I've never traded in a car. In the past I've sold private to try to get the best price, and then bought private or from a backstreet, non-flashy dealer...
;o)
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