CarSeekBlog

The ever-useful Lifehacker offered up a post on June 23 entitled “Car Dealer Tricks to Avoid.” In addition to pointing to the original piece by Car and Driver, the post also directs readers to Lifehacker advice on top ten negotiating tips and traffic tip myths.

The Car and Driver article specifically addresses:

- Juggling the Foursquare
- Profiting from Rebates
- Inflating Payments
- Fees and Extras
- Interest Rate Bumping
- Altering the Bill of Sale
- Ransoming Your Check
- Eavesdropping
- Lying About Your Credit Score
- Misplacing Trade-in Keys

Just because the industry is hurting — to the point of practically giving cars away on some lots — doesn’t mean that a car salesman is going to change his stripes. Protect yourself before you hit the dealership by knowing all the sly tricks these guys can and do pull to get more of your money. And remember, you can walk away at any time. (Don’t bother to look over your shoulder. The salesman will be right there and probably with a much better attitude toward making a reasonable deal than he had two minutes before.)

Filed under: General by Shorty