Black Friday Car Buying Tips and Advice
Know Before You Go
Is Black Friday a good day to go car shopping? It really depends on how you decide to go about it.
Know Before You Go
Is Black Friday a good day to go car shopping? It really depends on how you decide to go about it.
Table of Contents
We’re a nation of bargain hunters. That’s why Black Friday has become so big. In 2018, some 154 million of us hit the stores, both physical and online, the day after Thanksgiving, spending an average of almost $300 each. (Those National Retail Federation figures were quoted in a CNN news story from November 27th, 2019.)
But the thing about averages is, some people will have spent much more. Quite a few will have gone Black Friday car shopping and some will have returned home with a great car or truck bought at a knock-down price. Others however will have spent needlessly more than they wanted or needed to.
Black Friday can be a great day to buy that vehicle you’ve been dreaming of. Dive in unprepared though and you risk some serious buyer’s remorse by the time Cyber Monday rolls around. Here’s some background on those Black Friday car sales and some car buying tips for getting the best deal.
Must-Read Guides and Resources
The days are getting shorter, the weather cooler, and people are thinking about turkey and the Holidays. They’re not thinking about buying a new car. That’s why November is usually a lean time for car salespeople and the dealers they work for.
When Thanksgiving grows near people start thinking about looking for bargains on the bigger purchases they’ve been delaying for the past few months. TVs, laptops, and yes, cars, are on that shopping list, and the dealerships know. That’s why they put out the balloons and banners. And spend thousands of advertising dollars buying spots on the Internet, newspaper, local radio, and TV channels: dealers are hungry and they want your business.
Now the Auto Cheat Sheet will show you how you turn their bad situation into your advantage with some Black Friday car shopping tips.
A Black Friday sales event is how retailers shift the inventory they’re struggling to move. Car dealers are no different. If you see a car advertised discounted thousands off of the list price there’s a reason. Rebates and “incentives” are other words used but they amount to the same thing: money off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (M.S.R.P.).
The number one reason for steeply discounting a car is that it’s last year’s model and it’s costing the dealer every minute it doesn’t sell. The factories have been building the 2022’s since midsummer, making 2021 model year cars hard to move. That’s especially true when there’s been a big model change, like a facelift, additional options, technology, or new engines. The only way of persuading buyers to pick the old model over the new is with a substantial discount.
The other reason is that the dealer is finding it hard to move a particular vehicle. Midsize sedans are a good example. Right now SUVs are selling fast but few buyers are lusting after cars with trunks. As a result, you may well see good deals on them, (but not on SUVs.)
Car buying tips you should know
The terrific deals you see advertised in the run-up to Black Friday usually have some conditions attached. They might apply only to specific trims, engines, or just the vehicles they have on their lot. Sometimes the deals are only for select groups – auto company employees or veterans perhaps – or related to specific financing terms like a minimum credit score.
The same applies to perks dealers advertise. They might be offering a “free” iPad or TV with every truck, but make sure you know the qualifying criteria. You don’t want to be demanding an advertised deal or “freebie” only to be told you’re not eligible. That can lead to an uncomfortably red face, so read the ads carefully and always read the “fine print.”
Recognize that every showroom will be full of people chasing a Black Friday car sale bargain. Everyone – well most everyone – is off work and they have plenty of time on their hands.
Plus, they’ve watched endless car commercials during the football games on television the day before and are in a mood to buy. In other words, don’t walk in expecting the salesman’s undivided attention or the opportunity to test drive a few vehicles.
Know what you want to buy, and how much you’re willing to pay for it. We’ve covered this before but it bears repeating: all the information you want about every car and truck ever built is online. Let Google do the work for you. You can also email dealers and ask for internet quotes ahead of time. That way you’ll know how special the deal you’re offered really is.
If you plan on test driving a couple of candidate vehicles, and you should, try to do this about a week before Black Friday. Be careful, don’t get talked into buying while you’re there – stick to your plan. That way you’re not going to waste time waiting for the vehicle you want to become available. If Black Friday is your only free day, go prepared with license and insurance information in hand.
Another good tip is to check the inventory at the dealerships you plan on visiting. Many have this on their websites so you can search for the exact combination of trim and color that will make your life complete. Again, before you visit! Dealerships will trade vehicles between themselves to get a buyer the model they want, but it takes a few days, and when they’re busy they may not want to spend time doing this. Driving a few extra miles could be a better use of your time.
Best New Car Quote Services
RydeShopper has one of the largest new car dealership networks in the world. Select the make and model you’re interested in and they will instantly search clearance pricing within your local area. Don’t forget to select as many dealers as possible to increase your chances for the greatest discounts and savings.
Find Local Car Clearance Deals >>
Edmunds is one of the oldest and best new car research and review sites on the internet. Their huge dealer network allows you to shop, research and compare millions of new cars so you can find the exact vehicle you’re looking for.
MotorTrend is one of the best kept secrets on the Internet. Best known for their automobile magazine, MotorTrend has a vast dealer network across the nation. Their referral service is 100% free and there’s no obligation to purchase. Pick a vehicle, select local dealers, and receive discount pricing.
CarsDirect has been in online vehicle research business since 1998 and has all the right tools to help you find your next car, truck or SUV. They offer a no-hassle experience from configuring a car to making the final purchase. You’ll find your next car quickly and easily.
You can usually get pre-approved for a loan, which speeds up the buying process. Alternatively, if you plan on leasing you should also do some research on what deals are out there. Be aware though that some dealerships may be able to offer financing on better terms than you can get from the bank.
You might also want to check your credit score before venturing onto the car lot as this affects the terms you will be offered. November is a bit late to start trying to boost your number for Black Friday car shopping though, although there’s never a bad time to work on your credit.
What auto finance sites can help?
The dealership will be busy, (See “Brace for crowds” above) so they’ll quickly offer the best deal they can.
Sitting at the table another hour is unlikely to see them go any lower because they’ll already be at their limit.
If you’re prepared to spend the whole day at the dealership haggling over price, you may be in for a surprise. Dealers will not want to waste time with you over a couple of hundred dollars. They will either do the deal with you or not.
They will want to use their time wisely. Missing three or four buying customers while dealing with you is not in their plan.
Everyone loves a sale, and car dealerships have been eager to pile onto the Black Friday shopping mania. They’ll be running ads on local TV and radio for days before Thanksgiving, hoping to whip up some excitement about the models they particularly want to shift. And that’s the key to successful Black Friday car shopping: remember that if a model is selling well there won’t be much in the way of extra incentives. You might get a free tablet or TV thrown in, but you’re still paying for it one way or another.
If however, you’re happy to drive last year’s model – it will still be new, just not the latest styling or engine, Black Friday can be a great time to buy a car. This is especially true if you keep your vehicles for a long time. The same applies if you’re not a follower of automotive fashion. Right now it seems everyone wants an SUV but if you prefer the sedan experience you could be in line for a terrific deal.
Regardless of the time of year though, it also pays to be a smart shopper. Make sure you understand the car buying process before hitting the streets.
The number one tip for saving the most money when shopping for a new or used car is to always, “DO YOUR CAR BUYING HOMEWORK FIRST!” For more hints and tips on navigating the new and used car buying process, spend a little time upfront before beginning your car shopping journey by browsing through my 100% free online car buying guide – AutoCheatSheet.com.
As always, I recommend using an online referral service such as Ryde Shopper, Edmunds, Motor Trend, and Cars Direct before visiting a car dealership. Their free online price quotes will automatically include any discounts or cash-back incentives currently available in the marketplace.
Leading up to Black Friday weekend, learn how to find & research new cars online before ever stepping foot inside a dealership.
Is Black Friday a good time to buy a vehicle?
If you’re in the market to buy a car, Yes Black Friday weekend is a great time to buy.
For most dealerships, November is a slow month for automobile sales. Instead of purchasing a car, many individuals are traveling and making preparations for the forthcoming holidays.
Many dealers look forward to Black Friday weekend and are prepared to go to any length to liquidate inventory to increase sales.
Do dealers have Black Friday car deals?
Yes.
Dealers and manufacturers will run specials, rebates, and incentives geared to boosting sales beginning Black Friday weekend. These deals are specifically geared towards boosting sales throughout the end of the year and also to move current year inventory.
When do Black Friday car sales start?
Dealerships begin their Black Friday sales on Friday, November 26th, and continue through Cyber Monday, November 29th, 2021. Many dealers will honor advertised deals for the entire month of November if you inquire.
Are dealers closed on Thanksgiving weekend?
Traditionally, many vehicle dealerships close on Thanksgiving and reopen on Black Friday for massive deals. However, whether or not their dealership lot is physically open, most dealers will continue to push sales online.
My name is Carlton Wolf and I have been in the retail and wholesale car business for well over 20 years. I created the Auto Cheat Sheet to better educate buyers on the deceptive sales practices found in many dealerships across the country. Please understand, not all car dealers are dishonest. However, you never know who you will be dealing with.
I’m willing to share my knowledge and experience with anyone willing to listen. Please understand that I am a car guy, not a writer.