How do you get taken seriously at a car dealership?

Asked by: Michelle Dickinson  |  Last update: August 30, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (33 votes)

Learn about Your Dream Car Before you ever step foot on a dealer lot, you need to know the specifications of the vehicle you want to purchase. Include safety ratings and check out Consumer Reports. Sales staff will know you are not messing around when you can tell them more about the vehicle than even they know.

How to be taken seriously at a car dealership?

Confidence is the key to a good deal

Research multiple vehicles, know the value of your trade-in and get preapproved for financing before you go to the dealership. You don't need to be a pro. You just need to be firm on how much you're willing to spend and what you really need.

What not to say to a dealership?

What are some things you never say to a car dealer? Do not express or suggest that you urgently need a vehicle. Give an indication that you are able to walk away without a purchase. When I bought my Focus new, I was ready to buy that day, but prepared to walk if I couldn't get the numbers I wanted.

What is the red flag rule for car dealers?

The Red Flags Rule (the Rule), enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), requires automobile dealers to develop and implement a written identity theft prevention program designed to identify, detect, and respond to warning signs—known as “red flags”—that indicate that a customer or potential customer could be ...

Who is the boss at a car dealership?

A General Manager in a larger dealership may be in charge of all that facility's operations, including Sales, Service and any other business the dealership might handle.

How To Talk To A Car Salesman: Tactics and Questions for a Car Dealership

19 related questions found

Who do I complain to about a dealership?

If you've been misled or believe that a used car dealership has committed fraud, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) encourages you to take action. The DMV Investigations Division provides an online filing portal where you can lodge an official complaint.

Who is the main person at a car dealership?

The dealership's general manager is the highest authority at the business. He or she presides over both the sales and service departments.

What is it called when a car dealer lied to you?

So, if you can truthfully allege that the dealer lied to you about the condition or history of the vehicle, then that is fraud, and you can take him to court. You were induced to buy the car based on the car dealers misrepresentation about the car.

What car is a red flag?

Hongqi (Chinese: 红旗; pinyin: Hóngqí) is a Chinese luxury car brand operated owned by the automaker FAW Group. Hongqi was launched in 1958, making it the oldest Chinese passenger car brand. In Chinese, hongqi means "red flag." Originally, Hongqi models were only for high-ranking government officials.

What action should be taken if a red flag is detected?

Prevent And Mitigate Identity Theft

The Guidelines in the Red Flags Rule offer examples of some appropriate responses, including: not trying to collect on an account or not selling an account to a debt collector. notifying law enforcement. determining that no response is warranted under the particular circumstances.

How to win against car dealership?

It's better to time your car buying by looking at the calendar. Dealerships and their salespeople have monthly, quarterly and annual goals. If they haven't quite met them as the end of the period nears, they'll be much more likely to make a deal. Of course, it only works if they haven't met their goals.

What questions not to answer at a car dealership?

Six Questions Your Auto Dealer Hopes You Can't Answer
  • 1) How do dealerships secure financing? ...
  • 2) When should I tell the dealership I already have financing? ...
  • 3) How do dealerships make money offering 0% financing? ...
  • 4) Does my salesperson benefit from financing my car purchase?

How much does a car salesman make on a $30k car?

If the invoice cost of a vehicle, for example, is $30,000, then the normal 5-percent profit would be $1,500 and the 25-percent sales commission on the sale would be $375. But if the dealer adds a $400 pack, the adjusted cost is $30,400 and assuming the sales price remains the same, the profit isn't $1,500, but $1,100.

How do you beat a car salesman at his own game?

You research the price you should pay before visiting the dealer. Use invoice less holdback less any known incentives. You never negotiate down from MSRP or the dealer's offer. That plays into the dealer's game.

What to say to a car salesman to lower price example?

When negotiating, it helps to be able to justify what you're asking for, he adds: "Instead of saying, 'I want to pay this,' try something like: 'I've looked at five or six different cars that are similar to yours in the market. The price range goes from $19,500 to $20,700. I'm comfortable making an offer of $19,100. '"

Should you tell a car salesman how much you want to spend?

When you tell a sales rep how much you can pay, they'll move all the numbers around in the deal to fit that payment. That may entail a large down payment and/or very long-term financing. Unscrupulous dealers will also tack on fees and add-ons to bring the payment up to the maximum you said you could pay.

What is a red R on a car?

For one year after obtaining a full licence, R-plates (for restricted) must be displayed and speed is restricted to 50 mph (80 km/h) (even on unrestricted Manx roads). Unlike the R-plate in Northern Ireland, an Isle of Man R-plate is a red R on a square white plate.

How to tell if a used car has been taken care of?

Verify with a vehicle history report, such as from Carfax. Do you have service records? You want a car that has been well cared for. It should have had maintenance done at the manufacturer-specified intervals.

What is a red flag when buying a car?

A title issue is one of the most significant red flags to be aware of when buying a used car. A vehicle history report should reflect any title problems, such as salvage titles. Be cautious if the seller can't provide a clear title or if the title is from a different state.

How do you know if a car dealer is cheating you?

How Car Dealers Cheat You
  1. Changes to the Advertised Price / Misleading Ads: ...
  2. Watch out for “included” products: ...
  3. Trade-in Overestimation: ...
  4. Failure to Disclose Material Facts about a Vehicle: ...
  5. Violating the “Single Document” Rule: ...
  6. Failure to Provide a Contract in Your Own Language: ...
  7. Selling a Used Car as “New:”

What to do if a car dealership lies to you?

If the dealership refuses to cooperate or if the issue is severe, report the fraud to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Most importantly, regardless of whether you choose to pursue legal action or not, seek legal advice from an auto fraud attorney.

How do you tell if a car dealer is scamming you?

  1. Number 1: Bait and Switch – False statements about the price of the car. ...
  2. Number 2: “Packing the Contract” – Adding unwanted options and accessories. ...
  3. Number 3: Advertising Bait and Switch. ...
  4. Number 4: Hiding a Lemon or Wreck. ...
  5. Number 7: Trade-in Fraud. ...
  6. Number 10: “Yo Yo Sale”

Who is the boss of a car dealership?

The general manager of a car dealership oversees all departments, motivates employees and helps in meeting sales goals for a dealership's success. Strong skills in areas such as sales, business, automotive knowledge and management contribute to a car dealership general manager's success.

What is GSM at a car dealership?

Automotive General Sales Manager (GSM) - Essential Duties. Hires, trains, supervises and monitors the performance of the new- and used-vehicle department managers.