Alas

Must admit some dealers really getting on my wick recently. Looking to change the wife's car. I am not an unrealistic person as I had about 10 different motors in the last 5 years. Always do my sums and have a fair idea of what my trade in will be worth.
Until today.
2 garages quoted me. One a Ford garage, 1 a Saab. The cars I was looking to buy were similar price(just under 10k). Difference in the trade in value of £2100!!!!! from the 2 garages. And the Ford was the best quote.
Just phoned the Saab garage and was told well they'd spent a lot of money on the car (not my problem), they'd added alloys(big deal), you get rac cover, mats and a half tank of fuel....Wow.
Rant over.
Alas

brickboy

What car are you trading, and against what new car?

With car dealers, it's all about the time of the month

BOB.T

It's simple really, it's not Saab garage trying to rip you off, they just don't want your car! Sell it privately

robby

just after xmas when no-ones spending you'd think the dealers would fall over themselves for a sale.

is it a used car your after? new year now so used values gone down in glasses guide so p/x worth less but dealers don'r remember this on their used car prices :-(

Alas

Trading in a baby merc so should be no problem from Saab on the quality side.
Ford are offering for a used focus.
Saab for a used 900 convertible. Cannot understand how Ford can make a 2.1k better price than Saab. Like soft tops are really popular in January.
Looking at a 206 now. Any thoughts.
Alasdair

Alas

Forgot to say both cars that are for sale are near enough book price. Ford are offering about £200 more than book for mine. Saab - 1800 less!!!
Alasdair

pslewis

Ford want your business, SAAB dont - its quite straight forward really. No use getting all wound up ..... know your supply and demand and you will be quids in!!

ps. You WILL NOT get a bargain from a car dealer on a car - they KNOW the market VERY well, its their business ..... we look into their world once in every few years - we havent a hope in hell of getting one over on them!!

Good luck

Pete

Alas

Pete
Don't expect to get a bargain from a car dealer. Just expect to be able to negotiate a deal that conforms with the book values of their market. Appreciate what you say that Saab obviously don't want the business as the price they offer proves that. Would have assumed though that making a deal that returns 15% to them would be good in January. Obviously not. Just have to buy a Saab softop from a non-franchise dealer to get a realistic price.
Cheers
Alasdair
PS good deal on the batteries

BOB.T

that just it though, they won't make any money if they have a car on the front being valeted and advertised for X weeks, or taking a loss on it by putting through the trade.

He could of been straight with you though and just said he didn't want it

Alas

Bob T.
I think you've hit the nail on the head here. If they just said yes we'd like to sell you the car, but we don't feel its worth our while taking yours. If you can sell it privately you'll do better. A honda dealer told me this quite a few years ago and I always use them for buying or servicing even to this day when we have a Honda(and they are not the nearest).
For the last 15 years I've negotiated deals and find the attitude of some car dealers blinkered.
Do they think people are stupid and will accept their offer.
or
Do they think people will be upset and not go back to them.
Sometimes I feel that some used car dealers think the public are thick and treat them as such. Oh well, time to get on the Autotrader website.
Alasdair