If you’re in the market for a new car and don’t want to buy it online, here’s a helpful car shopping tip from Edmunds.com: When you walk into the dealer, ask to work with an Internet salesman rather than the traditional sales staff.
According to Edmunds.com, this strategy can lead to savings of “hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your next new car.”
The tip is based off the experience of Phil Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com, who asked to work with an Internet salesman at a Toyota dealership he walked into. This salesman quoted a price for the 2011 Sienna SE that was $500 over invoice, well below the average price other buyers pay for the vehicle.
Mr. Reed, who detailed his experience on Edmunds.com, wrote that the Internet salesman told him he had saved so much because the deal “ didn’t go through the finance and insurance office,” as is usually the case, and the dealership didn’t get a chance to push additional services.
So how do you make sure you get to see the Internet sales staff? Mr. Reed recommended scheduling a test drive with the dealership’s Internet manager and requesting that the document preparation be handled by the Internet manager, among other tips.
Have you tried this approach? Who do you find to be the most helpful at car dealerships? Share your experiences below.