Eight Ways to Annoy a Used Car Salesman

I'm not going to tell you how to get the best possible deal on a used car. As soon as you start thinking about buying any car you might as well prepare for some tap dancing robo sleaze doing the bait and switch. All I can tell you is how to make the experience as annoying for the salesperson as it is for you.

Don't tell the salesperson this is your dream car

In fact, you might want to first look at some vehicle which is totally different from your dream car and then start pretending you might buy your dream car on a whim. Unless you're shopping for the same make on the used side that is sold exclusively on the new, like a certified pre-owned Lexus at a Lexus dealership, your salesman probably isn't going to get an offer on the fantasy ride today. Especially if you shop on an off day like Tuesday. So with the pretense that you may change your mind back to the sensible car you looked at first, you can get a good deal on your dream car.

Don't bring your kids

This tip is twofold on purpose. First of all the salesperson will try to make your deal drag on longer to exhaust you into giving in to his ridiculous demands if he sees your kids are there. Your kids can wring every inch of resistance out of you when they're all three fighting over the same toy truck on the floor of the salesman's cubicle. And two of your kids are girls.

Also, the free babysitting school provides makes it seem less contrived when you show up during school hours. School hours are not the busiest hours for car shopping, so there will be a lot of sharks bored and waiting for you. And to make their daily quota they will do whatever they can, including giving you a good deal.

Begin by negotiating as if you're not going to trade in the car in which you arrived

This will force them to give you the best price without a trade-in. Of course you have checked on the Blue Book value or whatever used car guide by which you swear. If your sudden decision to trade in doesn't get the additional amount off the price you'd like, threaten to leave without buying. If they let you leave, obviously don't buy the car. Unless the salesman is crying.

Don't buy on your first trip to the dealer

Tell them you have to go check other dealerships. That way when you come back they may be ready to haggle.

Test drive the car on the interstate or at least on a 55 mph highway

They always make you drive in a parking lot or just around the block. How will you know what they may be hiding about how the car handles at high speed if you don't insist on revving it up a bit? Plus the salesman will be so grateful he wasn't kidnapped or killed in a wreck when you get back that he will make you a deal.

If you are test driving a car with a sunroof, test drive it through a car wash

Sunroofs always leak.

Don't let a dealer check your credit before you're really ready to buy

This one is obvious. Recent credit checks lower your credit score. Also, refusal to allow your credit to be run prolongs the threat that you may leave at any time and makes them nervous enough to be accommodating. This goes double when faced with those jerky, aggressive salesmen who won't tell you the price of the car until you start paperwork to buy it.

Get the warranty if available

Of course the $500 whoseawhatsit will need to be replaced as soon as the warranty runs out, but at least you know you tried.