Effective Car Buying Tips for Women

When it comes to selling to women, many car dealerships count their commissions as soon as a female drives onto the lot. Some of the shadier salesmen will stop at nothing to confuse a woman and trick her into agreeing to a deal that the salesmen end up getting the better end of. Don't be that lady. Here's how you can protect yourself against the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing while browsing the car lot.

Plan your defense ahead of their offense

Have some kind of an idea of the kind of car you want to buy. Don't be tricked into impulse buying just because the salesman says you would look "so cool" in a red convertible. Stick to your guns and don't be swayed by pretty, shiny things. Name your car, your price, and specifications right down to the last cylinder. This way, you won't waste time by looking at all the "much nicer" (read: more expensive and generating more commission) cars they will try to show you.

Know when to hold them and know when to fold them

Don't discuss your ability to pay, the kind of note you're looking for, or if you have a trade-in. All of these things can and will work against you in the final outcome of your purchase. The salesmen like a challenge so they will try to push you into spending more than you wanted to if you name your price right off. This is collateral damage (and higher commission) at your expense. Get your final, financed price before you offer your trade-in or else you could find that you were actually paying them to take your old car later. Also, know the trade-in value of your old vehicle to make sure you get the best deal. You can check with Kelly Blue Book to find out what the trade-in value is and additionally, see if you would be better off to sell it to an individual. You can also find out the private party resale value in the Kelly Blue Book. If you're in the market for a used car, Kelly Blue Book will tell you exactly how much the vehicle you're looking to buy is worth. That way, you can negotiate accordingly. Some dealerships mark up the vehicles by thousands of dollars. Be informed. Visit www.kbb.com for more information. Make sure you get any and all rebates and cash back incentives that are available for the vehicle you purchase.

You're not here to make friends

The salesman is not your friend, no matter how charming or harmless he seems. Although some dealerships may pride themselves on making repeat customers by giving great deals, the truth is they probably wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire. They really don't care if you're unsatisfied because you're not their concern anymore after you sign your life away on their dotted line. They want your money and that's the bottom line. Many dealers have adopted the motto, "There's a sucker born every minute". Don't be the next sucker. Don't let them patronize you, either. If you are not totally and completely comfortable with the salesman that attends to you, ask for a sales manager. They are there to serve you. Make sure they give you what you pay for.

Drive it, but not like you stole it

A test drive should last a minimum of 20 minutes. You should travel a route that is familiar to you to avoid any surprises in terrain. Check it out in light and heavy traffic. Hills, curves, and bumps will tell you how well the car handles. Check out the brakes by feigning an emergency stop to see how they react. Try parking it and re-parking it in a parking lot. Weave in and out of tight spaces to see how well it responds. Is it a quiet ride or would you have to shout to the person in the back seat to be heard? Get familiar with all the control knobs and seat levers. Check out which gauges and buttons do what. Locate airbag on/off switches. Open up the trunk and see which kind of spare tire it comes equipped with. If it is a used car, do all these things and then take it directly to a mechanic that you trust to check out the engine for you. Even if it costs you a little bit to get an OK, it will end up costing you a whole lot more in the long run if you don't. When you get back to the lot, even if you are in love with the car, don't sing its praises to the dealer. This gives him the upper hand in negotiations. Do not accept his offer to take it home for the night or weekend. You don't want to be beholden to him for any reason.

Sit and Simmer

You don't have to decide on a car in one day. If your salesperson makes you feel that you do, move on to the next dealership. Before you leave, have them give you a print out of the terms of the purchase so you can mull your decision more effectively. You can research and compare the price you got to actual retail values as well as with other dealerships in the area. Give yourself time to think about what you're signing and don't be pressured into hasty dealings in the florescent lighting of an office. Do it in the comfort of your home.