Buying a New or Used car????

    After 20 years in the automobile business and having sold thousands upon thousands of cars, please read this if you are looking. No matter what your gram pa told you and no matter what your dad did when he went to the lot an embarrassed you. You are not prepared to car shop!!! There is a fine line to getting a great deal and getting your head caved in!! First pointer is this,,, DO  NOT get multiple bids!!! that's right,,, it does nothing other that make the guy you are working with try harder to get your wallet, and he can believe me ( even if you think he can't he can ). You will buy 5 to 6 cars your whole life,,, even the most inexperienced sales person sells more than that in a month,,, they are the expert in this area you are not. Pick a store that is convenient to you and go there in person,,, have 2 to 3 hours to sit and do your deal. When you show up and say ,,, "you have 5 minutes to get me a price" all you do is set the stage for frustration and disappointment... you need time to get the right deal. When you meet your sales person ,, ask to speak to the desk manager right away... not to get past your guy but to get your face in front of him so when your deal stalls he feels good coming out to save the day!! On a used car ,, DO NOT compare cars against each other,, there is only one car like the one you are looking at. Even if there is 100 of the same model they are all different like snowflakes!!! pick the one you want and zero in on that car only, you will be much happier. Never talk rate at the desk, they can't tell you the rate unless it is set by the manufacturer. Always talk rate in the business office, concentrate on the price of the car only and handle your financing in the finance office. If you are concerned over payment , you are on the wrong car...buy only what you can afford not what you want.... you are setting the stage for disaster if you over buy!! Always ask for a copy of the invoice while you are negotiating... if they wont show you ,, leave! Always remember , when you think you went in and got in the dealers pocket ,,, you didn't!!! When you treat a salesman and a dealer with respect you will get a good deal, when you act like a know it all and try to push them around you will surely pay more for your car! It is all about a relationship , and that means you need to build one not just them,,,   just a few thoughts....  Disclosure::::: I am no longer in the car business....And if you need a good place to shop I can point you there, there are a lot of good places to shop,,, and a lot of bad ones!!!!! I am not beholding to any of them and will always shoot you straight!!!