How stupid do car dealers think we are?

This is how it's done boys and girls. As a salesman I love dealing with people like you! You know what you want and you sound like you know the market. You are the kind of buyer that will get a great deal and the salesman will make very little profit and I'm ok with that. I would rather spend fifteen minutes with you and make very little money opposed to three weeks with a buyer that makes me more money. Speed is Power! Keep up the good work!

 

+1 The MMR and Black book are the standard for DD car (Daily Drivers)! MMR and Black book are no good for Ferrari or Lamborghini, since most do not go through the Manheim, and the one that do ware cars passed up by thalist dealers and Ilux....

 

If buying a "mainstream" vehicle (like a Ford F150 I had)....
1. I did my research online and new what type of truck I wanted.
2. I went to the dealership when it was closed and walked around the lot until I saw a truck that was to my satisfaction.
3. I wrote down the VIN.
4. I called USAA the next morning and asked them to close the deal (buying service they have).
5. A couple hours later USAA called and said I could have the truck for "x," and based upon their information it was a "fair" deal.
6. I went to the dealership, said Hi to the internet manager, said "I am the guy USAA called you about," and drove the truck to make sure I liked it.
7. Paperwork was done before I arrived, so all I had to do was sign some papers.
8. Left the dealership with my truck (this was all done in about 30 min during lunch).
9. Picked up my car later off the lot when I had a ride.

When buying "high end" cars.
1. Walked in already knowing more than the salesguy about every aspect of the car in question, the brand, and their competition (I'm a car guy afterall).
2. Went for test drive in Maserati, of course it lived up to my expectations.
3. Said to the dealer, "What is the lowest price you will take for this car?"
4. He told me number.
5. I pulled out check book (sort of, a little poetic license here) and gave him that money.
6. Could I have gotten another $5K out of him? Maybe, maybe not.
BUT....far far more importantly for a High end dealer and customer relationship....since the deal is so smooth:
a) we are extremely friendly.
b) I call if I have a question, they take care of me immediately.
c) I bring my car in for service there is always a nice loaner for me.
d) I look forward to going in and kicking tires, we laugh together, we joke around. Relaxed and fun.

Bottom line:
For Exotic cars a happy dealer-client relationship is worth much more to me that a few grand.
For "boring" utilitarian cars....I let someone else negotiate the deal.