HOW DO I NEGOTIATE FOR A CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP?

Negotiating, particularly for women can be difficult. Most women don't do it because they're uncomfortable with it. As a matter of fact, studies show that women will pay upwards of $1,300 more for a car because of their failure to negotiate. You can easily see why it's a good idea to negotiate --- you save money. But how does one go about negotiating? It's really starts with your mindset and the realization that everything is negotiable. With that being said, keep in mind that the dealership has taken this into account. They know exactly how much they need to make off a vehicle to maintain a profit, the problem is you don't. There are just a few exceptions to this. There are some car dealerships that take the "haggling" out of car shopping. In many instances, these dealerships are more attractive to women who prefer the convenience of not having to negotiate. The downside is you may end up paying more so you have to decide if it's worth it or not.

You can start by bringing up the subject and letting the dealership know that you're doing some comparitive shopping and looking for the best price and the best deal at the dealership. The goal is to create a win-win situation -- a good deal for you and some profit for the dealership, after all, it is a business.

If you're buying a new car, forget about the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) and see what the invoice price is. Negotiate from the invoice price.

Consider when you go into the dealership and keep in mind that more demand provides less options. In other words, the more people that are buying or coming into the dealership the more options the dealership has in terms of selling.

Remember, the sales staff does this more often than you. This is what they do everyday so they know what to say, but don't get intimidated by them. If you have a good idea of the kind of car you want, what it's worth and what the dealership actually paid for the car, you won't have to fall for someone saying they're not making a profit.

See these articles on negotiating:

Negotiating at the Dealership – 8 Tips for Getting the Price You Want
Car Negotiations: A Woman's Right to Negotiate!