PSTSTX

Wanted to hear yalls thoughts on this.

Went to trade in my 2018 and had a number in mind based off research. I got low balled and explained why I wanted more, then was met with a response that included a piece of paper showing the amount I spent on my truck the day I bought it....

I have traded more than a couple handfuls of cars but have never been presented evidence of what I bought the truck for as justification for what their trade in offer was.

Have dealerships always been able to see initial purchase price or is this something new?

BareBonesXL

Seems logical, not a surprise, especially within a corporation. Big corporations all have huge databases that they use to track consumers. I called my insurance company once just to see about filing a claim for a small ding, and they added it to the database as an incident, on my insurance record. The database is shared by all insurance companies, I discovered later when I changed companies. No hiding.

Regardless, you should just tell them that it doesn't matter. Value does not come from what you paid it comes from what the next guy will pay.

PSTSTX

....another shocker..they also know what other dealerships have offered you for your trade...

I walked and will be avoiding corporate dealerships like the plague. AutoNation and Berkshire have ruined the joy of haggling.

BareBonesXL

Just know your number and stick to it. Who cares if they know? If their next sale is going to walk out the door because they low-balled them, they'll fold. You have the advantage. You should just walk in and tell them right away what you paid for it and what shape it's in and what you expect to get for trade-in value. Take it or you leave.

PerryB

We should go car shopping together someday. I think we'd have fun with some poor salesperson. I realize there is always some give and take in any deal, but I'm real quick to advise the salesman not to insult my intelligence and to sharpen his pencil in advance. My time is valuable and the country is polluted with dealerships full of new trucks.

AricsFX

iTrader: (3)

BadaBing1

iTrader: (1)

In texas, I am aware the DMV report shows purchase price. I can't confirm, but I remember when a friend was appraising a vehicle, he was able to see what another dealer had offered recently, and even the name of the guy who did it. The two stores were not affiliated or same chain. Reading this post just made me think of that.
Try another dealer.... get two to compete with each other for your business.

BareBonesXL

My Dad had a story about telling the salesperson what he'd pay, leaving his phone number, and getting a call to buy the car like two months later. He got his price. It was an 80's 4 door Pontiac Bonneville, but still. He knew his numbers and wasn't going to waste time haggling. Really, you should never start haggling unless you know your limit. Take a hit on the trade-in, knock them down on list price, or vice-versa. The haggling is for the extra little bit. But you have to do the math in advance. That's why the guy pulled out the "we know what you paid" piece of paper. He was trying to get on top.

AricsFX

iTrader: (3)

BareBonesXL

There's probably a Facebook page you don't know about... Facebook knows everything.