Do Car Dealerships really pull this stuff?

[Pie]

I bought my honda when they were having troubles keeping up with demand, so there was no haggling on price -- full MSRP, take it or leave it. I had already lined up my own financing. There were literally no factors for negotiation.

It was about as emotionless a transaction as buying a paperback from Amazon.

[Undertoad]

There aren't a lot of things in your life that you buy for over $10,000.

One thing I bought is a house. Like almost every real estate deal, it was a multi-step haggle. My house was bought from the previous owner for like $15,000 less than they offered.

The real estate haggle was well understood by people who looked into real estate. You learned that every house was priced 10% over what sellers really wanted. You learned that houses could sit on the market for a year before purchase if the offer price wasn't appropriate.

So, my theory is that all highly expensive deals result in some level of haggle or bureaucracy intended to wrangle more money out of the deal. There is merely too much money on the table, and too many people motivated to offer full price to catch the sucker bets. And the haggle doesn't have to be painful if people research how the deal will generally be structured etc.

[jinx]

Think about how many people make money when you buy a house, even if you get a 'good deal'.... why are their paychecks not frowned upon like the car dealers?

[lumberjim]

don't let your meat loaf?

[squirell nutkin]

There's a lot of love in this thread. Someone PM me when you are all ready to sing Kumbaya.

[Shawnee123]

It's just an interwebz forum.

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

It's just an interwebz forum.

I like that. Modern day zen.

Forums should have front door pages that display entrance messages as you enter. Something that sort of sums up the place.

Kinda like the car bumper sticker message bleep.

[classicman]

HA HA HA - Thats a trifecta!

[lumberjim]

Redux,
Does your bank tell you that they mark up the rate the Fed sells them the money for? Did you not already know it? If the rate you get is still lower than you can find, have you still been 'manipulated'? Also, it says "The Annual Percentage Rate May Be Negotiable With The Dealer" in bold type right on the face of the contract....

my main objection is the way people point to this or that practice and act like they've been wronged somehow. I'll grant that there are deceptive practices in any business (usually related to advertising), but with the level of regulation and disclosure there is today, you are usually safe at a New Car Dealer.

Originally Posted by lumberjim

Redux,
Does your bank tell you that they mark up the rate the Fed sells them the money for? Did you not already know it? If the rate you get is still lower than you can find, have you still been 'manipulated'? Also, it says "The Annual Percentage Rate May Be Negotiable With The Dealer" in bold type right on the face of the contract....

my main objection is the way people point to this or that practice and act like they've been wronged somehow. I'll grant that there are deceptive practices in any business (usually related to advertising), but with the level of regulation and disclosure there is today, you are usually safe at a New Car Dealer.

I dont disagree with most of what you said (the Fed analogy is a bit extreme, since car dealers are not in the business to lend money), but simply that it is a matter of perception and perception is often based or influenced to some degree by personal experiences when it comes to buying a car. IMO, its not enough to say its in bold type in the contract....better customer service would involve the dealer explaining financing options rather than simply promoting their own product...but maybe you do that.

I agree most with the acknowledgment of consumer protection regulations that were sorely needed, IMO, because of a long history of deceptive practices.

But fear not, you beat members of Congress for the first time.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/124625/ho...tarnished.aspx

...and probably would have beaten telemarketers and lobbyists if they were included this year.

From 2008:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/112264/Nu...s-Ratings.aspx

But, actually, I was more amused by lookout's comment.

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by Redux

I dont disagree with most of what you said (the Fed analogy is a bit extreme, since car dealers are not in the business to lend money)

There is a banking license hanging in my office. I'm a Notary. I'm a licensed insurance producer.

While we do not actually lend the money, we DO write the contracts (indirect lending), and are bound by the same laws that govern a lending institution.

So, I have a 'buy rate' and I can 'sell' it for x points of margin depending on the particular lender's program. I cannot offer a lower rate in order to induce some one to purchase an ancillary products. I cannot present the purchase of ancillary products as a condition of credit approval. I must excercise Fair Lending Practice with respect to race, religion, age etc....If I decide that some one is not worthy of credit, I must generate an adverse action letter detailing WHY I've declined them. I have to check your name against the OFAC list, I have to perform Identiy verification, I must safeguard your personal information, I must keep these records for 7 years..... et-friggin-cetera.



I'm just saying....

This aint no Disco

[squirell nutkin]

I fucking can't believe realtors don't make that list.

[jinx]

Srsly, they're the worst...

[monster]

Or cellar owners -'cause we all know Unterdoad is robbing us blind here.....

(hit the fricking tip jar, people)

[Clodfobble]

This ain't no honkey-tonk either.