The short answer is yes. The long answer is the internet and email has turned fax negotiating into the “VCR” of negotiating a new or used car’s price. It all comes down to the speed of modern technology and the fax machine is just not as fast as email.
I highly suggest you contact dealerships by email since the technique is much faster and more up-to-date with today’s technology. You’ll also have a better chance someone will respond to you in a timely manner and your request will not end up in the trash.
At one time negotiating price with a car dealership by fax was the best way to get huge discounts on new and used cars without ever having to step foot into a car dealership. Negotiating by fax is basically doing the same thing as you would through email, just slower.
A couple problems with using a fax to negotiate a new car’s price is taking time to track down the dealer’s fax number and knowing if it will ever get into the right person’s hands.
Fax machines are very busy in a dealership, people are always faxing or receiving something. You don’t want your fax to be scooped up by one of the accounting ladies or service personnel. Not recognizing what it is, your request may be discarded unintentionally.
As long as your fax request gets in the right hands you can still receive a very good deal. In this section I’ll show you the most effective way to format a fax letter and how to use this technique to negotiate the lowest price on your next new car.
Have local car dealers compete for your business. Start an online bidding war between dealers from the comfort of your computer.
Ryde Shopper
MotorTrend
CarsDirect
Competition between dealers is the best way to ensure you get the best price. You win when dealers compete!
There are a few things you’ll need before beginning this process. You will need a fax machine, the car dealerships fax numbers, and the vehicle information in which you’d like to buy.
Pick out the car you want to buy
The first thing you want to do is pick a vehicle out you’re interested in. You can go to a car dealership when they’re closed and write down the information or gather it from online automotive listing sites such as Ryde Shopper and Motor Trend. You will need the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN). You will also need the dealership’s fax number.
The best online car buying sites have made the fax contact technique outdated because of their ease of use. You can easily get free new car quotes delivered to your inbox and then use them to negotiate an even better price between dealerships in your local area.
Find the dealership’s fax number
You now need the car dealer’s fax numbers. Call the dealers within a 50 to 75 mile radius of you that carry the vehicle you want to purchase. Ask the receptionist for the fax number the new or used car sales managers use. You will also want the manager’s name over the department of the type of car you want, new or used. This will make the fax more personal when received and make the manager more inclined to get a response to you quickly.
Sometimes there are several fax machines in a car dealership. You want to make sure your fax goes to the sales department or internet department, whichever is applicable. If your fax ends up in a different department, like service or accounting, it may be thrown in the trash and lost forever.
Ryde Shopper 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.
MotorTrend is one of the best kept secrets on the Internet. Best known for their automobile magazine, MotorTrend also has a vast dealer network across the nation. Their referral service is 100% free and there’s no obligation to purchase. Just pick the vehicle you’re interested in, select all your local dealers, and receive deep discount Internet 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.
Dear [Sales Manager’s Name]
Thank you for providing me with a price quote on the [year] [make] [model] [trim] [VIN if applicable]. I really prefer to buy the vehicle from your dealership because your history of great customer service by your quote takes you out of the race.
As I stated before, I am prepared to give a 100% CSI score to whomever I buy my new vehicle from and I will be servicing my vehicle at your facility also.
If you’d like to review your numbers and fax another quote today, I’d still consider it.
Yours truly,
[Your name]
[Your fax number]
The above fax will stroke the manager’s ego a little and you may or may not get a return response with a lower price. The dealer may send you a fax back that tells you there is “no way” another dealer beat their price and demands you tell them the price you were quoted before they’ll give you another quote.
This is a negotiation technique used by many dealerships to get you to tell them the price you’ve been quoted. DO NOT GIVE THEM A PRICE! Respond to the dealership with dealership fax template #3.
As the old saying goes, “knowledge is power.” This certainly applies to knowing how much your vehicle is worth to a dealer.
Find your vehicle’s trade-in value here.
Take the guesswork out of trading your car.
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