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My sister bought a new car in 2014. She used one of the services that shops your requirements to dealers within your area. The night before her scheduled test d
by faster 8y ago
My sister bought a new car in 2014. She used one of the services that shops your requirements to dealers within your area. The night before her scheduled test drive with the dealer who had the best price and didn't seem sleazy, a friend of hers told her to check with a fleet broker. Within a few hours, the fleet broker sent her a price that was about $100 less than the dealer's.
I went to the dealership with her, we both drove the car and made sure it would fit in her driveway (steep with sharp angles, a recipe for ripping off front trim). On the way back to the dealership I asked how long the paperwork would take. The salesman (actually the sales manager) said it takes a couple hours because of 'state requirements'.
She asked him to match the fleet broker's price, he said it had to be a scam and refused so we drove away. On the way to lunch, she called the fleet broker and had her insurance agent send him proof of insurance (she already had financing arranged). As we sat down to eat, the fleet broker called back and asked when she wanted the car delivered. She got it delivered 2 days later and spent less than 5 minutes doing the paperwork.
I have always fantasized that the next time I buy a new car, I'll figure out a reasonable price and take a cashier's check for that amount to the dealer. I imagine telling them that I want to be on my way out the door with the keys in my hand in 15 minutes or I will leave. But really, why waste time on that when I can just call a fleet broker?
- gautamdivgi 8y agoIf you have a Costco membership and buy cars through them they always send you to the fleet or wholesale section of the dealership. There isn't any negotiation with fleet sales but their price is almost always at invoice or a few hundred less. In fact for one of the cars I bought through Costco the fleet sales guy threw in a manufacturers discount of $2k in addition to giving me a base price of about $500 below invoice.