It's really a bad rap.
I'll leave the used car end of the business out of the discussion, since each used car is an individual example, while all new cars of any given model are identical. New cars are fungible goods.
Now, most people don't get mad when they realize that they paid double for an item of clothing compared to what they see it on clearance for four or five months later. Most don't get angry when they see the price of a good imported cheese or a decent or very good wine.
Why do people get all bent out of shape when they buy a new car?
Probably because the clothing retailer won't negotiate price with any buyer nor will the high-end grocer haggle over the price of a fine cheese or wine.
With cars, everything is negotiable, from the selling price of the car to what's included in that price as well as the cash value given for any trade-in.
If a buyer walks in with no idea of the going low retail on a new car nor any clue as to a realistic wholesale value on his trade, then he is asking to get hosed.
It is not the job of the dealer to give every buyer a stellar deal, rather it's the job of a buyer to figure out what a good price is and to refuse to pay more.
I don't think that we can blame new car dealerships for trying to get every last dime out of a buyer. I think that a buyer needs to take some responsibility in educating himself as to what a good selling price is before walking in the door.
If buyers did their homework and knew what they should be paying, I think there'd be a lot less disgruntlement with dealerships, since paying too much is really the buyer's fault.
Caveat emptor!
I'll leave the used car end of the business out of the discussion, since each used car is an individual example, while all new cars of any given model are identical. New cars are fungible goods.
Now, most people don't get mad when they realize that they paid double for an item of clothing compared to what they see it on clearance for four or five months later. Most don't get angry when they see the price of a good imported cheese or a decent or very good wine.
Why do people get all bent out of shape when they buy a new car?
Probably because the clothing retailer won't negotiate price with any buyer nor will the high-end grocer haggle over the price of a fine cheese or wine.
With cars, everything is negotiable, from the selling price of the car to what's included in that price as well as the cash value given for any trade-in.
If a buyer walks in with no idea of the going low retail on a new car nor any clue as to a realistic wholesale value on his trade, then he is asking to get hosed.
It is not the job of the dealer to give every buyer a stellar deal, rather it's the job of a buyer to figure out what a good price is and to refuse to pay more.
I don't think that we can blame new car dealerships for trying to get every last dime out of a buyer. I think that a buyer needs to take some responsibility in educating himself as to what a good selling price is before walking in the door.
If buyers did their homework and knew what they should be paying, I think there'd be a lot less disgruntlement with dealerships, since paying too much is really the buyer's fault.
Caveat emptor!