Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Art of the deal

In the past seven months or so, I've learned a few things. It's mostly about bikes, which is awesome, but also about selling bikes. I'm good at selling bikes ... and shoes, and clothing and helmet. Had I known that earlier, I might have done something about it.

Anyway, when you know how to sell stuff, other salesmen pick up on that. For example, Chris is ready for a new(er) car. So I started looking at cars last week. Here's how the conversations went:

"So, what do you do for a living?"

I'm the sales supervisor at the Trek Store.

"Oh? (pause) Hey, what's one of those race bikes going for, like Lance's?"

$9,000, maybe $10,000.

"Really? Wow." (followed by a long pause where the salesman realizes, "hey, wait. that's like a car. he knows how to sell things like cars.")

And then, suddenly, several layers of BS get stripped away. It was somewhat refreshing.

So today, Chris and I are going to go all salesman v. salesman and come home with something new. Or, rather, the plan is to come home with something new. If it doesn't work out, we do hold the trump card: we can leave.

It's going to be a fun day/night. Put on the coffee.

8 comments:

munsoned said...

One thing I read recently from a guy who represents potential buyers for a living is that you should be knowledgeable of the car you want and always say that you have another car you're interested in on another lot. That way, like you said, you can strip through some layers of bs by knowing what you want and then promote competition in the salesman to keep you there. I have yet to try that, but I hope you guys have some luck!

bryan said...

Oh, I've been working that angle for a week. There literally is another car exactly like the one Chris likes at a different lot. Almost identical mileage, same color, same interior and everything.

I'm actually really looking forward to this throwdown.

Mike Miles said...

Mike,
I tried that tactic when buying Nicole's car at an unnamed dealership and the guy proceeded to slam the competition and seal his own fate in a matter of minutes. It didn't matter that the car was overpriced at that point.

Bryan, just stick to your bid level. You'll be golden. Cars are like houses, buses, and cats. If something happens to this one there will always be another one.

Mark S said...

The golden ruling of negotiating is maintaining your ability to "walk away."

Mike Miles said...

oh yeah, never ever give them the keys to the old car if you are planning to trade it in. that'll hamper your ability to drive away.

RD said...

good luck dude,
the force will be with you always

bryan said...

mike - That's the plan. We have a pretty specific range of numbers that will work, so we won't talk about the next set of numbers until the first one is resolved. It'll work out.

mark - I've made it clear that we're ready to go if the price is right. So it's just going to be up to them to make sure the price is right. If not, we're out.

RD - Thanks, Obi Wan.

johnny said...

Rude as it seems, print the NADA retail sheet take it and pay a little above the trade in value. I just go a new Suburban for 1500 over trade in value. Way less than retail asking price.