Haggling For Car Price

[VHG]

I am not great at haggling.

My wife needs to replace her car and I have seen a Ford Focus at Bristol St motors (a large national chain).

The car is an "oldish" car compared with most of the cars on the forecourt (a 56 plate registered Jan 2007).

It has been on their forecourt for 2 weeks (according to their web site).

How much will they accept?

I am tempted to try to get it for £4,500

I have looked at other web sites for used cars and that seems the going price for that car.

If anyone has a Parkers Guide or other car guide it is a Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec 5 door (Climate Pack) Petrol Hatchback with 45,000 miles on the clock.

What is the guide price?

[EcclesCake]

You haven't mentioned the make, model or asking price.

It might help those that can answer your question.

[ToraToraTora]

it's worth about £3500 max, see here for an example:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-1-8-ZETEC-5-DOOR-1-OWNER-FULL-SERVICE-HISTORY-ABSOLUTELY-IMMACULATE-/221384716748?pt=Automobiles_UK&;hash=item338b8eb1cc#ht_1086wt_1141
in fact I'd say this one on ebay is probably better.

[SlackAlice]

EcclesCake

it is a Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec 5 door (Climate Pack) Petrol Hatchback

You've left off the best bit. How much are they asking for it?

[EcclesCake]

Sorry, I obviously missed that bit.

[shoota]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/ford/focus/postcode/bb73er/radius/1500/keywords/zetec/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/maximum-age/up_to_8_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_45000_miles/fuel-type/petrol/sort/default/price-to/5000/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew

[VHG]

Sorry, they are asking £4,995

I don't mind paying a bit more to buy from a dealer rather than a private individual.

[ToraToraTora]

but £1.5K more!

[ToraToraTora]

In fact that one from shoota is even better, you'd get that for £3k. Why do you think buying from a dealer is any safer?

[andy-hughes]

Haggling over anything anywhere comes down to the same basic premise - if the seller is not making the profit margin they want, they won't sell.

That applies when buying tablecloths in Spanish markets, they may grumble and swear at you in Spanish, but if they sell, they are making money, if not, they refuse.

So offer a lower price, and be prepared to up ot to a level you have set for yourself. Depending how keen they are to sell, they will meet your price, or not. If not, smile and walk out. If they don't follow you outside to try again, they are confident of selling at the price offered to someone else.

You have to decde how much you want this car, and how much youi are willing to pay for it. Armed with that info, in you go and see what happens.

Don't be 'British' about not hurting the guy's feelings - they are salesmen, they leave their feelings at home when they come to work!

[TWR]

You have the money, they want to sell the car, its too costly at that price, £3800 is enough, check the mileage, has the cam belt been replaced, service history, Test / Tax, did it belong to a smoker, how many owners, check for HP, has the car had any accidents, there are cars out there, do not go for the " SO CALLED WARRANTEE" they are rubbish & a waste of time, if you see one take someone with knowledge that knows a bit.

[SlackAlice]

The 'British' attitude of not trying to offend anyone by not haggling is misplaced here.

Haggle, Haggle and again haggle. Its your money you want to hang onto. I've always haggled and looked down in the mouth at the condition of the car, even if it was pristine. Take someone else with you who can take a good look around and shake their head worryingly at the car.

I've always put a rock bottom value on any car and work up to my limit, walk away (but leave them your 'phone no.) if necessary. You would be surprised at how often this works, with you getting a 'call' within a couple of days.

I'd offer £3000 and stick at £3500/£3600, if the car was as good as advertised.

[TWR]

To add, check the alloy wheels for kerb damage, the spare, the radio code,
spare key, & the service history book & check it, 56000 to my mind is 4000 miles short of a belt change, myself I would chage that ASAP with a service, check the windcreen for chips /cracks, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS working etc.

[josadler7]

Try Autotrader webpage or even better - the app which allows you to dial in all the detail and find similar cars, then make an offer - remember you can go up if they turn you away but they will never reduce the price below your offer!