Dealer Price Negotiation at a Distance

[Steve vRS]

I am looking at cars on the AT website at dealers some distance away (200 mile search radius). How likely are they to do a deal over the phone? The cars are less than a year old so unlikely to have issues so I feel comfortable buying blind.

Or should I just phone them and see what happens?

Octavia vRS petrol Estates if anyone was interested.

[66HFM]

I never have a problem with trying to negotiate buying a car over a distance, as long as you come across as a serious purchaser. The only issue would be if you had something to part ex and agreeing a 'price to change' on a car they haven't seen.
Many will do you a walkaround video.

Good luck as I also fancy another VRS, petrol this time though

[119]

I’ve done deals over the phone and email before and even agreed a part ex by sending them detailed pictures.

Once agreed car ordered and then travelled in the part ex to pick up the new car.

Mind you, furthest I have driven to collect a new car this way is about 70 miles.

A decent salesman will ‘know’ if you are genuine or not.

[Steve vRS]

Thanks. I'll start phoning!

[K50 DEL]

I did exactly this when I bought my Mum a 4yr old Nissan Micra a while back...

Made even more suspect by the fact I was in Angola at the time, the Manchester based dealer was a pleasure to deal with, I ended up arranging it so that I flew into Heathrow, got a train to Manchester, he collected me, I'd already insured the car, we taxed it at the dealership and about an hour after arrival I was on my way home.

It was a painless process and I got about £500 off an already well priced car so everyone was happy

[edc]

I've had success over the phone negotiating when committing to leave a deposit. I basically said I'll pay a deposit now if we can agree at £X. Inevitably they go away and call you back with another number.

[ACCYSTAN]

My pal is currently doing something similar

Car he wants is up for sale £18,995 the cheapest one on autotrader

73 plate

He has been talking to salesman, received a video, etc

Dealer will only take £100 off but has offered him a CAP clean price for his part ex

The car CAP clean trade value is at £16,990 he has offered £18,000 and to pay a deposit if agreed.

No deal

I told him if he’s serious then offer to pay £18,500 but he won’t pay a penny more than £18k know he is aware of CAP price.
Tried telling him he isn’t a trader so can’t buy at CAP but may as well be speaking double Dutch.

Dealership is 4 hours away, so no value in driving in the hope of doing a deal, will need to have price agreed in advance.

[Dimebars]

CAP clean and retail are two different things though. You can't use trade value to compare against asking price.

I'd wager that a £2k spread between clean and sale price isn't nearly enough

[ACCYSTAN]

£2k difference is about right, after all costs should leave a nice 4 figure profit for a high volume dealership who prices them keenly

I see some dealerships with £4K-£5k difference and the cars don’t move fast.

[griffter]

Petrol vRS estates are in demand - at least the ones on my watch list don’t last long. I think you’ll be lucky to get much off, but don’t ask, don’t get. Good luck!

[Steve vRS]

I was offered £400 off one yesterday without much asking so there is wiggle room. Might go and see it tomorrow as ironically after the title of the thread, it’s only 30 mins away!!

[fflump]

I got a 2 grand knocked off the price in exchange for sending them a holding deposit.
It was all pretty painless