What does internet price mean for cars

It's ideal to talk to them directly on the phone and tell them what you're looking for. Don't be afraid to tell them that their price is good, as well, but get the conversation to continue by letting them know you're serious about buying if they're willing to be flexible on price.

Set an appointment if they can confirm they're open to talking, and make sure they have the car you want.

Some dealers will try to get you in and then let you know the car has been sold. Once you've talked on the phone with the Internet Sales Manager and agreed to meet to discuss price, set an appointment and keep it. Dress decently without overdressing, and they'll know you're serious. Go in having done your homework about the car, what they've typically been selling for online. Talk to the salesperson or Internet Sales Manager to finalize things. Follow these tips when you're negotiating.

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It might be a great price, but it's always worth seeing if they can do better. Even Samuel L. The first thing you need to know is what are the conditions of that "internet price"? Does it already include manufacturer incentives? If so, do you qualify for all of them? I have seen several dealerships advertise a great deal, but in order to get it you would have to be: a recent college graduate, active or retired military, and already have a car from that brand in your household.

So be sure to read the fine print, and get that price in writing. So lets say that internet price does not come with any qualifying conditions, the next thing you need to find out is are those discounts being made up for elsewhere.

Often dealers will advertise the lowest price but will tack on extra fees thus neutralizing the deal. This is why it is important to get an itemized out-the-door quote. A good dealer will break out how it arrived at the price advertised. That is the right way to do it.

One dealer I ran across was pricing cars online and buried in the website, on a different page were the words "all prices plus freight charges". I have seen some shady stuff over the years, but this was really bad. Freight charges are built into the dealers' cost. In another instance, a dealer quotes a low-ball price and you see: price does not include dealer-installed options.

I have heard stories of people shopping dealers outside their area, sometimes driving for hours, even flying to an out-of-state location, only to find out they were somehow misled and cannot get the price they saw online. By now, they are tired and often have no way to get home, so the negotiation games start. They don't want to start over again, so they give in and pay more than they could have gotten the same car for at their local dealer.

Here is the sad thing- many times people see these fraudulent prices online and take them to a good, honest dealership who tries to explain why it cannot match the price. Of course, the good dealer looks like a bad guy and probably misses out on a sale, while the consumer falls for the bait and switch at a different dealership. I urge you not to reward the bad dealers with your hard-earned money.

At the first sign of a bait and switch, leave. Then tell your friends. From police officer to top-selling Ford dealer to on-air car expert, Jerry helms our weekly radio show.