I noticed under the "what did you pay" thread that in a lot of areas (NY) inventory is low and dealerships aren't dealing. While other areas, Phoenix? California? seem to have some people who got good deals. Maybe it's an option to look in to buy a car from out of state and have it shipped.
After test driving and making your offer, go on-line and look up 'California Mazda Dealers' - or wherever. Check their on-line inventory, call them up and say exactly this "I saw your car stock no. S1212 on-line, I'm ready to buy it today, right now, for $XX,XXX". Dealerships ship cars to customers all the time and can even arrange transport. It may seem like a lot of trouble to go through, but I look at it this way.... If they can sell me a car for $2,500 - $3,000 less than a local dealer, and it costs me $1,200-$2,000 to ship it, I'm ahead $1,000 - $1,500. I don't know about you, but I'll spend a day of my time to save (make) $1,000.
Too many people resolve themselves to 'it is what it is' when buying locally. They figure, "the car is $30,000, so in the scheme of things $500 really isn't that much. - they don't want the "hassle". Again, it's $500 (or more) in savings which is exactly the same as if someone is going to give you $500 for a day's (actually less) effort in buying and shipping
I've mentioned this to others who said "that's too much time and effort" Really??? But you'll spend 30 minutes driving EACH WAY to save $60 on a 75 inch TV?
After test driving and making your offer, go on-line and look up 'California Mazda Dealers' - or wherever. Check their on-line inventory, call them up and say exactly this "I saw your car stock no. S1212 on-line, I'm ready to buy it today, right now, for $XX,XXX". Dealerships ship cars to customers all the time and can even arrange transport. It may seem like a lot of trouble to go through, but I look at it this way.... If they can sell me a car for $2,500 - $3,000 less than a local dealer, and it costs me $1,200-$2,000 to ship it, I'm ahead $1,000 - $1,500. I don't know about you, but I'll spend a day of my time to save (make) $1,000.
Too many people resolve themselves to 'it is what it is' when buying locally. They figure, "the car is $30,000, so in the scheme of things $500 really isn't that much. - they don't want the "hassle". Again, it's $500 (or more) in savings which is exactly the same as if someone is going to give you $500 for a day's (actually less) effort in buying and shipping
I've mentioned this to others who said "that's too much time and effort" Really??? But you'll spend 30 minutes driving EACH WAY to save $60 on a 75 inch TV?