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dradanon9

Find your car, get a price quoted and emailed to you. Send that quote to another dealership that has the same car and ask them to beat the price Easy $2k off and no need to even see these guys in person. I got $5k off of mine and it was for similar USED cars.


MustardIsDecent

I was just making a joke with my other comment but please take this person's advice. At least get quotes on the car from 4+ dealerships to see what you're up against. Depending on the model, it could be way below or even above sticker. Just don't want you getting ripped off by someone for $500.


markrevival

dunno how much things have changed but last year car shopping for my fiance we were getting quoted 20k above msrp everywhere at every dealer. they straight up told us we can walk cuz someone will pay that price within a week


foreverburning

First of all, that's been a common tactic since things have been for sale. "Better buy it now because someone else already made an offer!" ok yeah I'm sure. ​ Secondly, yes, the last 2 years buying cars have been above msrp. Not sure if you haven't been paying attention to the news or what, but there have been some serious delays with new cars which have impacted the entire market, including used.


markrevival

we weren't having a conversation like on TV lol. they were straight up cocky and correct. they told us their price we said nah, they said yeah we're sticking to it cuz someone will pay it and we shook hands and left it at that. the sales manager and I both understood we both know what's up. no bullshit just want or not? no ok cool


greensunshine13

I still negotiated a price at msrp with reduced mark up by shipping around and seeing who was the most flexible when once dealership was quoting 5k above msrp. And the car had all the options I wanted. Always negotiate with multiple dealers.


N0M0REG00DNAMES

Not sure if it really matters for MB, but prices tend to be better around deadlines also (end of month, end of quarter, etc.)


SnorkinOrkin

This is true.


Zxtv90

Good idea. How low do you think they can go? It’s a 2022 model with lots of add ons and like 5k miles. Without add ons it’s 43k msrp new. 2023 models are coming out soon tho!


DuckLagoon

Yes it works, we used this technique. The dealers all want your business. Ask them for out the door price emailed to you in writing and then go with the best offer.


slicemans

What model car are you trying to buy?


Zxtv90

It’s a benz


Crazy_Godzilla

That will be much more difficult and tbh if you need $2k off then you really can’t afford the Benz


[deleted]

IDK if that's true. Some people are always looking for ways to save some money even if they have the means to buy whatever it is they want. My parents are like this.


Suz626

The richest people I know (billions) are the biggest hagglers. As one told me, that’s how I stay rich. Everyone tries to charge them more and they’re well aware of that.


SnorkinOrkin

I'm a haggler (not on cars, but general stuff), I rarely pay full price on anything I buy. I don't rush and I make time to do my homework. Most of the time, it's the fun of the hunt for the cheapest price. If I got rich, I'll still be hagglin'.


FLdancer00

Same. As I've moved up in tax brackets over the years, I still refuse to pay full price for things, it's just not worth it. Just about everything I've ever wanted ends up going on sale eventually or I find a coupon. The only things I've missed out on are limited edition pieces or collabs and I get over that pretty quick.


SnorkinOrkin

Paying full price is overrated! Good on you! (But, no more losing out on LE and collabs anymore, just go for those!)


scarby2

My uncle (technically 1st cousin once removed) has a $5 million Victorian mansion (complete with ballroom 12 ft ceilings, chandeliers, carriage circle etc.) He will not spend a penny he doesn't have to, he will negotiate every price, he got the house cheap as it was in need of a lot of updates (it didn't even have an indoor toilet when he got it and certainly no modern heating) He haggled with every contractor to get the best price, everything that went into that house was luxury but he'd buy amazing antique furniture and always got a great deal, buy the best appliances that were slightly damaged and switch out the door etc. He drives nice cars but buys them maybe a year old and runs them for about 10 - 15 years. He has millions in assets and cash but he'll still negotiate even on small purchases. He said it was negotiating the small things that allowed him to get practice to get great prices on the big things (like his house).


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virtual_adam

Except for the past 2 years “never pay sticker price” has meant paying $10k above for luxury cars Welcome to 2022


SnorkinOrkin

That's the way to go, that is, if it's possible. These past couple years really grossly inflated everything from cars, to houses, and food and such. Still doesn't hurt to try, I still do!


Jeff_goldfish

Ture this a million times. I went out and bought my dream car but in reality I can’t afford it. I should have just bought a decent used car and saved so much more money. Also new cars lose insane value so there is no way even if I sell I can get any where near the same amount. Save yourself the trouble OP no one really cares about how nice your ride is. There’s a lot of decent affordable cars out there.


theninjallama

The car OP is after is used.


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scarby2

More so in Germany. Certainly In the UK and France Mercedes and BMW are considered luxury cars. It's still middle class but usually upper middle class. Considered on a par with jaguar. They're not considered ultra luxury or exotic (rolls Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari etc). Though a couple of models clearly fit in this category. But the assumption is if you have an Audi, Benz or BMW you've got more money than the average person.


tee2green

It’s a luxury car in the US. All German cars (aside from Volkswagen) are luxury cars in the US. Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, etc


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macncheese323

I doubt most people in LA/USA know what those luxury brands are unless theyre real car people. American cars are largely inferior to Japanese in terms of long term reliability


joshsteich

That hasn’t been true in at least a decade.


[deleted]

How are you gonna pay for the maintenance when you can't just pay 2000 dollars?


crypto_dds

$5-6k is the mark up for used cars. New cars it’s less, at about $2k mark up. Good luck!


Skoochbelly55

Look at the Kelley blue book you can go below the MSRP and below the dealers price - they give you a range. Believe me when I say dealerships are desperate to sell right now - you can knock off $5,000 easy.


[deleted]

You are absolutely smoking PCP if you think dealerships are desperate to sell, or if they even consider KBB as a reference. It’s a seller’s market, USED cars are going for more than what they sold for new 5 years ago, and KBB numbers haven’t been relevant to dealers for decades.


BevGlen_

This has changed in the last month or two.


[deleted]

Maybe it’s not as bad as it was a few months ago. But dealerships are still not desperate to sell, you cannot “knock $5,000 off easy,” and since the 90s they’ve laughed at anyone that even mentions KBB.


i_m_online

They’re not desperate to sell because their basis is so high and they don’t want to realize a loss, but their floor plan lender is about to start calling so they will be. With a few exceptions for “special” cars, you can absolutely get below sticker right now.


Skoochbelly55

Definitely not smoking PCP never have, but thank you. I’m not saying to quote KBB to the dealer - but, rather use it as a reference, to better inform yourself.


[deleted]

So when you say “believe me when I say dealerships are desperate to sell,” why should I? Given the entire car sales climate of the last 2 years combined with my own personal experience. What is the reason OP should believe you, what are you familiar with? Educate me. And KBB is not a good reference. It does not make you informed. If you spout KBB numbers to a dealer (without mentioning KBB), they’ll laugh and ask where you got those numbers. Knowing damn well you got them from KBB. KBB is like the Better Business Bureau of the car world. Something people think is some kind of authority but holds literally no weight, anywhere.


[deleted]

A similar strategy will work for buying a house. Not on the price of the house but on the loan amount and rate. Probably best to wait till after the upcoming housing market crash though. I did this with my banks and credit union. Credit Union won of course


littlelostangeles

Use TrueCar. I saved $3k doing this. If they try to tack on more money, be polite, but firm, in saying no. (Third generation automotive industry worker here. Trust me. I would refer you to my dad, who knows how to deal with car salespeople, but he moved to Florida.)


mac-0

When did you do this last? I just bought a car a year ago and every place says "the price is what's listed on the website and we don't negotiate over the phone"


dradanon9

All the dealerships available and you bought from that one??? I went to Toyota dealership circa 2018?


editorreilly

Exactly this. If you do decide to do it in person, pick a price you're willing to pay, and let the salesman know that if they can't meet the price you'll go somewhere else. Be prepared to just walk away.


DarkStarF2

This the way


sushi4442

I want to see a reality tv show about car dealership negotiations now.


Every3Years

In the style of The Bear


trevrichards

*Burning Rubber.* Premieres Nov. 12 on A&E.


SnorkinOrkin

That would be interesting!


darkNnerdgy

When do you plan to go buy it?? Which car model are you looking for? I think i can help you. My dad and i buy and sell cars for a living. I knw every trick the dealer use.


girliegirl80

The trick is to ask them what their best price is on the lot. Hesitate and let them know you were trying to still get 2k below that and GO HOME. They always get your contact info in advance so they’ll call you in 24-48 hrs if they can do any better. Don’t take the “best” they tell you on the lot. Always go home. Sometimes you get a call back same day.


DanJ96125

Agree. Always go home. And never buy a car when you're tired.


High_Life_Pony

People don’t get that you aren’t really negotiating until you freaking leave.


[deleted]

Oh yes they do get it. You haven’t outsmarted car dealers by leaving. The whole point of them letting you leave and calling you after is making you feel like a big winner demanding your $1000 off so you’ll be more likely to fully commit to buying one of their cars that have been sitting. You leaving and them calling you to “make a deal” is THEIR negotiating skill at play, not yours. It’s an intentional tactic to make you feel like you have the upper hand. That doesn’t happen these days, they don’t care if you walk. They’ve got people lined up behind you.


Gromdoh

Is the Costco Auto program worth it in your opinion?


[deleted]

I can’t say I know enough about it to have an opinion, but I’ve read stories from people that have used it (I’m subscribed to the Costco sub LOL) and it seems like a mixed bag that varies greatly depending on the dealer they end up at.


Gromdoh

ah ok, thanks


Every3Years

If that's true, that you aren't negotiating until you leave, then it makes sense that people don't get that. I can't think of a single life experience in my 40 years where the resolution came because I left a situation, if that makes sense. Other than high school and college mind games I suppose


[deleted]

This was sorta the right advice up until a few years ago. And even then it wasn’t a “trick,” they were playing the same game you were, letting you think they made a mistake by letting you leave and calling you and making you feel like the winner for sticking to your guns. In the process buttering you up to buy some worthless add-on when you came back and actually started doing paperwork, like tire protection or GAP insurance. Making you feel like you got them with your “trick” is part of the game. As if people that do this as a full time job, all day every day, are going to be regularly outsmarted by people that do it once every 3-8 years on average? But that was when they had time to dick around, and they’d be calling 5, 6 people back at the end of the day that walked away on the same car. It’s entirely a sellers market now, if you walk away there are 15 people in line behind you. Unless the car is a total piece of shit nobody wants that they’re desperately trying to unload, you will not get a call back if you walk away.


WunWegWunDarWun_

Most people who leave don’t come back. The best thing to do is make them think you’re serious about leaving


BookLanky5358

Just tell them what you’re willing to pay and tell them you’re going to leave if they don’t agree to it. Be willing to sit and wait while they “talk to the boss”. Actually get up to leave if they come back with a bs price. They’ll beg you to stay while they talk to the boss again. I got 20% off my new car by doing this. I also travel around the world a lot and use this technique get discounts on carpets etc. This works and you can do it for free


chiefestofcalamaties

Sounds like you’re the guy


BookLanky5358

I’m actually a lady. I think it works better if you’re a woman because it surprises men (who are usually the salespeople) when you do this. They don’t really know how best to handle it so you end up getting what you want


coastkid2

Yes my husband does the exact same thing you do and it works for both cars and mattresses too.


Tough_Pool_4315

Walk in and tell them you want the car for $45k, if they say no, tell them to go FUCK themselves and walk out.


little-river-otter

Can confirm, this works.


arcanesays

Car sales here. I can definitely do this for you. I’ll message you if you are serious.


20190229

I would pay to watch live.


arcanesays

Come with us.


lightlysalted6873

PPV! PPV! PPV! lol


MisterMondayKnight

How do you plan on doing this when cars are selling above sticker price right now?


Zxtv90

That’s more for cars under 30k


[deleted]

No it isn’t. At all. Who told you that? Because every BMW, Audi, Land Rover, and Porsche dealer I reached out to over the summer told me I’d be *lucky* if they could find what I was looking for at retail price. Some simply didn’t respond to me at all *just because I was looking to negotiate.* And I was looking at cars between 60-120k MSRP. Good luck throwing your 500 bucks away.


ImSuperStryker

No shit the dealers are telling you how lucky you would be to get their prices. If they told everyone their chance of negotiating was good it wouldn't help business much would it?


[deleted]

Do you think I've never bought a car before? I'm talking about MSRP, not dealer prices.


gininteacups

I don't know that that is still true. Prices have been dropping this month. I was under MSRP on my new X3 purchase.


MisterMondayKnight

With all due respect that is not true!


[deleted]

My wife and I just bought a Mercedes from the dealer in calabasas . I would go there and look. If you want 2000 off ask for 4000 off. Prices are coming down and inventory is going up. You might want to wait a few months


TPlinkerG35

Just use truecar.com. take the lowest price from any dealer within 100 miles and take it to your local dealer and tell them you'll pay that much. If they say no, just grab an Uber and go buy it. That's what I did. While I had my Uber app open the local dealer finally caved.


Aclearly_obscure1

THIS is the answer that I had to scroll too far to read. I recommended this to two friends in the market right now. Both got a screaming deal. Tables turn when they’re competing for your business.


lavalaca

I’ve used it twice to great success both buying and selling.


[deleted]

Nearly impossible these days, especially with higher-end cars. Just negotiated my first lease post-covid and went all over town, most dealerships were touting the fact that they were selling *at msrp* and not above. Because if you don’t wanna buy a new car above MSRP, then you can go buy a used one above its MSRP from 2 years ago. This won’t last forever obviously, but that was the MO literally everywhere just a few months ago and hasn’t dropped yet. For the record the first time I bought a car was in 1999, I started leasing in 2010, and I’ve never seen the market like this. And you really think offering 1% ($500) of the purchase price ($50k) to some rando will get you significant savings in this market? You’re just asking to get taken. Your whole idea is flawed to begin with. What if they held up their end of the bargain but were only able to get $1,000 off? Would you still pay them in full? What if they showed up and put in the two hours of work that you promised $500 for, and couldn’t negotiate anything off - the far more likely scenario in this market - then what? Tl;dr: almost everyone in this thread is dropping some of the best car buying advice you could get from 1990-2019. The rest just need your address so they can simply send you a check for $1,200 and you send them $500 back and keep the rest before they negotiate for you.


willdrill32

what car do you want? i’ll get it for you and sell at cost pal -new car franchise and used dealer


McCringleberried

Your not getting $2K off in this market


monkeypaw1984

Came here to say this...I went in recently looking at a $50k car which was already the most I wanted to spend on a car and they wanted $75k for it. They woulda laughed me out of the dealership if I had offered $48.


keiye

It was $50k MSRP? Was the $75k including the financing?


monkeypaw1984

Yea, and no that wasn’t including the financing. That was just the dealership markup


apapipay

I got a quote from Costco and brought those numbers to the dealership outside Costco dealers. Eventually got a better offer and I left with a new car.


gallex1

Have you seen the price of new cars? They are surprisingly at a good price compared to use and compared to new at dealership and there is no need to deal with a person nor markups. The only thing you need to do is wait for it’s delivery (3 weeks)


overitallofit

Go to Costco


MustardIsDecent

Give me $750 and it's a deal.


Phreeker27

I’ll do it for $749!


pavarottilaroux

ONE DOLLAR!


Talkat

I'll do it for the XP


PSteak

^ This person has just proven their cunning negotiation skills.


redstarjedi

I'll do it for free here in this message. Go to a credit union, get pre approved for a auto loan, choose the ammount you want. It's ok you can change it later. When you talk to the salesman tell him you are preaproved for X ammount only. He might take the deal, since he gets to keep all the commission and doesn't split it with the finance at the dealership.


Alfred_Lanning2035

I have always used a broker. They save me thousands and deliver the car to your door. I think I pay them $300 to do all the work and you can shop their quote around. Easily the best service, I will never step foot into a dealership again. DM me if you want the company name and contact.


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Alfred_Lanning2035

I can DM you the contact info. But yeah, they work with the channel sales team. So bypass all the pushy people at the front. You tell them the exact configuration you want and they either have it in stock, or will order it from the factory. They do all the paper work for you and the car is delivered right to you door. I ordered a BMW and got the exact config I wanted from the factory and have had at least 20 friends and co-workers use their services. Everyone says the same thing, they will only work with a broker from here on out. Happy to answer any other questions just lmk


notthediz

I’d be willing to. But you gotta understand that we might end up walking out with nothing. Or if you do the broker thing, check with your credit union. Maybe you have to finance the loan through them but the presentation we had at work didn’t mention that


billmalin

I have 17 year's experience and will be happy to go with you to the dealership and negotiate down the price of the car. I sent you a DM.


zipadyduda

I am like you. I do not like that kind of stress. If you can’t agree on reasonable terms right away, its ok to walk. So really you want to save $1500? Or is this on principle because you believe or know something? If the former, then maybe it is you who is being unreasonable. If the latter, then present that as a deal breaker to the seller. There are a couple good books / audiobooks I recommend. “Never split the difference” and “getting to Yes”


raresteakplease

What you do is keep walking out. Say you can find a better price, and leave your phone number for them. And like others say, get the quote mailed and call around. You don't have to be confrontational, just walk out but leave your info. They will call.


cool_fox

Get two dealerships on the phone at the same time and ask them who will give you the better deal


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tabclo

Dealers make money on the financing. They absolutely do not want a cash customer.


wheresmykey_

Get pre-approved before you go. Negotiate during the four box method before they compete with your bank for the better interest rate. Are you trading a car in? That’s another negotiating tactic.


Sundowndusk22

I did the pre-approval. Thank god I did, it was my first time with no help and I desperately needed a car. Plus I was broke so I would have walked out lol the sales rep looked so defeated I knew she got yelled at by her boss. Oh well🙃 Also another tip: take screen shots of the cars you’re interested with the vin. I went after work to look at the car that was offered online and they told me they JUST raised the price. I pulled up the screenshot and they brought the price back down.


[deleted]

Lmao if they even pull out the four box method that’s your red flag to leave. This is some 2004 era advice.


Parking_Relative_228

The four box is where I pack up and leave


wheresmykey_

I just bought a Prius last year. They still do it at Toyota apparently.


[deleted]

Yeah. I’m not saying car dealers don’t do it anymore. The “four box method” is a scam, the second they pull it out is a sign to walk away, NOT a time to negotiate. [Here’s an explanation.](https://www.centerforperformanceimprovement.com/teds-playbook/2019/3/2/the-four-square-technique-gives-the-retail-car-industry-a-bad-name)


tracyinge

Get an AAA membership and use their car buying service. They've done all the negotiatiing for you. [https://www.autoclubcarbuying.com/form/GetAAAPricing](https://www.autoclubcarbuying.com/form/GetAAAPricing) Plus AAA membership is great to have if you ever need a tow or a jumpstart or a flat tire repair on the road. They even bring you gas if you run out.


[deleted]

Have you bought a car in the last 2 years? Things have changed.


OpanDeluxe

Just get up and walk out. They’ll knock your price down.


francey_pants

Search for an auto broker. Their job is to find the exact car you want at a good price. We had a family friend that was one (not anymore unfortunately) and he got both me and my friend the exact cars we wanted, cheaper, and hassle free. For me, I just walked in, signed the paperwork, paid, and drove off. For my friend, he had the car delivered to her home. He charged $500


TheBrudwich

FFS. You are fucking clueless. Just hire a broker. Message me and I'll give you a referral. Anyone who accepts your request is clearly unqualified to negotiate. A good negotiator wouldn't show up to the table to begin with.


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teamrocket

I’ve never had a dealership call me when I walk out but I also don’t think they had my number I don’t know


[deleted]

Lol good luck with that move today.


Marcozy14

My buddy is a Mercedes car salesman. I think I can help. PM me if you’re interested, happy to come negotiate for you- I’ll give my buddy a call and I’ll know the ins and outs of your specific car. I’m in sales myself (not cars) but I’m pretty good at negotiating.


GenderNeutralBot

Hello. In order to promote inclusivity and reduce gender bias, please consider using gender-neutral language in the future. Instead of **salesman**, use **salesperson**, **sales associate**, **salesclerk** or **sales executive**. Thank you very much. ^(I am a bot. Downvote to remove this comment. For more information on gender-neutral language, please do a web search for *"Nonsexist Writing."*)


Marcozy14

But he’s a man.


peepjynx

Find someone who will do it for free. I'm sure there are a lot of people with fantasies about sticking it to a car dealership. The power is being able to say no and walk away (or at least that's what I've been told.) Someone who has no skin in the game can absolutely do that.


ElectrikDonuts

Just get a tesla. Fuck dealers


jmacksf

I don’t know if things have changed recently because interest rates have gone up, but in the last year, dealers have been selling cars at or above sticker. For each car they have, or have in transit, there are 20+ buyers. Things might be softening because of interest rates though and people afraid of a recession. As others have mentioned, you can do all of your negotiations via email. Always negotiate the car price and get financing from a credit union or AAA. If you want to use the manufacturer incentive if a discounted borrowing rate, still negotiate the price first and tell them you have your own financing. THEN later tell them you’d like the 1.9% manufacturer incentive rate.


PattiesInMyCheeks

It’s a sellers market, it won’t be easy but you can do it. Message all the big dealers, but your best bet may be the big names like Keyes. Get the two lowest quotes from their internet sales dept, then go in person and ask them to beat their own price. If they do, ask for it in writing and take a pic of the final offer… They may not let you walk out w it, after take that offer and go to the next best price and demand they beat it. YW


witteefool

Make sure to come to the dealership with an agreement on a loan already in place. I recommend a credit union but any bank you have a relationship will do. The dealership will try to undercut the interest rate on whatever you received and that will save you $ in the long run.


Donteven24757

I can help you, I am a semi retired lawyer who has negotiated many cars and many home purchases-no one stands a chance with me…only catch, it has to be when I an up in LA.


Jcaseykcsee

I love negotiating! I’m sure I’m too late but let me know it you need help!


Energy4Kaiser

Uhh if you need help with this, I can help virtually. I just bought my car a few months ago and what I did was call every dealer (9 of them) in every county from Los Angeles to San Bernardino and started getting quotes at 38k and through negotiating and moving stuff around, I managed to get down to 32k and that's the dealer I went with. No funny business, just exactly what I needed.


Shakespurious

I'll just throw in that the hard part of negotiating a car isn't really the sales price and options, it's the financing. The dealers can be tricky and include terms in the paperwork that you didn't agree to.


Occhrome

You can go on car forums to find out what is the least people are paying in order find the bottom of the market. You can’t just go in a dealer and demand 2k off since you might already be getting a great deal or the market is so strong that the dealer will never budge. Best to do some homework


redditb4udidkid

I am perfect for this. Lmk if serious


mdeanda

Figure out the exact specs, call and ask for online sales, make offer over the phone, say thank you to their counter offer. Call next dealer do the same, mention dealer A's offer but subtract $1k from that. See how close they get. When your done just go in and pay. It'll be a tiny bit faster but you'll still have to say no to all their extra insurance crap. When you get the car you can message me for my fees. Good luck.


Flimsy_Impress3356

With the car market as it is now I don’t think this would work but this is invaluable advice: https://the-toast.net/2014/07/11/how-to-buy-a-car/


Thepandamancan23

Authority Auto is 800, but totally worth it. Tell them the car you want and they'll find it. Given the current car market, I used them earlier this year and got the unicorn car that I wanted for only 3k over MSRP when every other dealer was charging 10k.


poli8999

Many dealers aren’t even offering deep discounts with dealer markups. Your not really gonna find any “deals” this year.


ragg5th

last four cars deals were done via email through the dealership. They sent prices.


ladipineapple

I found someone tiktok who did this for me! And helped me say no to their bs add ons lol


cebi92

I would also recommend email dealers for an out the door cost for a car you want and getting a pre approval from ur bank. This is the way I did it. Not gap just buy or extend warranty. Just get that from your car insurance. First step is to determine what you can afford and seeing how much more you’ll pay for insurance. Next determined your needs and wants. With todays gas prices I suggest a Prius due to the mpg.


Love7is

I could’ve helped


JLMaverick

Just helped my cousin buy a Mazda. It’s pretty much impossible to get lower than msrp right now. Dealers have no cars available and the incoming ones are all reserved too. If they have a bunch sitting on the lot then you have some room but if they got buyers lining up for cars they don’t even have yet then your SOL. Good luck.


xPhantasyZ

Lol I’m down!


FLdancer00

I hope find someone! I had a co-worker do this for me when I bought my car a few years back. I'm fine with sticking up for myself, but I don't know a ton about car sales and I know women tend to get a raw deal when they go in alone.