Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Selling something and people trying to low ball you with insulting offers

COGENT · 07-08-2009, 01:56 PM

I would typically agree with you Rerun but a recent experience has changed my views.

I am looking at buying a used Honda Element. My wife and decided to go to a dealership to just test drive one then to go buy it privately. Generally IMO dealerships sell used cars at a much higher price than a private sale. Anyway, went to look at a 2006 and they had a 2008 demo on the lot so for fun I decided to drive the 2008 which was way out of my price range. Anyway loved the car and humored the salesmen to talk prices. He tells me the car retails for $32k but because it was a demo and had 2,000 km on it he would give it to me for $29k. I just wanted to leave his office so I was relentless when denying him. After much discussion he asked me how much it would have to be for me to buy it so I whipped out the number $24k, again just trying to leave his office. Long story short he said his final offer was $25k... $7k below retail.

Now without even trying I got $7k knocked off of a brand new car and your trying to tell me it's wrong to bargain with someone? The scary part is, if I knew I wanted a 2008 the old Cogent would have taken it for the $29k. Lesson learned.

07-08-2009, 01:56 PM	#78
COGENT Powerplay Quarterback Join Date: Jun 2008 Exp:	I would typically agree with you Rerun but a recent experience has changed my views. I am looking at buying a used Honda Element. My wife and decided to go to a dealership to just test drive one then to go buy it privately. Generally IMO dealerships sell used cars at a much higher price than a private sale. Anyway, went to look at a 2006 and they had a 2008 demo on the lot so for fun I decided to drive the 2008 which was way out of my price range. Anyway loved the car and humored the salesmen to talk prices. He tells me the car retails for $32k but because it was a demo and had 2,000 km on it he would give it to me for $29k. I just wanted to leave his office so I was relentless when denying him. After much discussion he asked me how much it would have to be for me to buy it so I whipped out the number $24k, again just trying to leave his office. Long story short he said his final offer was $25k... $7k below retail. Now without even trying I got $7k knocked off of a brand new car and your trying to tell me it's wrong to bargain with someone? The scary part is, if I knew I wanted a 2008 the old Cogent would have taken it for the $29k. Lesson learned.