New tow option, Mercedes Metris

[Darwin Maring]

They are building a new plant in Carolinia and will build this vehicle there.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Just remember that everyone is free to do as they please, so long as no one else is directly affected by their choices and actions, whether they be frugal or spendthrift. Only they are the ones that have to deal with the consequence of their actions, while others are free to what they see fit for the situation.

I always negotiate for a deal when and where I can, but there are times when it is not possible, and if I want or need that item, I pay the listed price.

Price fixing obviates both the frugal and spendthrift.
When the majority accepts price fixing they coerce those who would negotiate.
Every consumer must then suffer the consequences.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: floyd... Is being responsible haggling the lowest price... then complaining about the quality of product you are getting?
When I bought my current tug I was able to negotiate a fair price but not at the expense of my self dignity. At 130,000km's I'm still glad I bought when I did as I did.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Price is an element of both quality and utility.
Perhaps being responsible only means negotiating a fair price as you did. At least you see the value in it.
If a car salesman can take a person's dignity, there are other issues to be resolved!

The complaining thing is a non-sequitur.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by floyd

Price fixing obviates both the frugal and spendthrift.
When the majority accepts price fixing they coerce those who would negotiate. Every consumer must then suffer the consequences.

The majority rules, and drives the market.

I do custom building and renovations. I set my pricing for the work I do at a fair price, at a competitive level, and where I need be too make a living. If someone tried negotiating a better deal, I politely refuse. Almost always they go with what I propose anyway.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[honda03842]

We did not pay list for our CRV or Odyssey. There are a number of sites that suggest what you COULD pay.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[Darwin Maring]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

The majority rules, and drives the market.

I do custom building and renovations. I set my pricing for the work I do at a fair price, at a competitive level, and where I need be too make a living. If someone tried negotiating a better deal, I politely refuse. Almost always they go with what I propose anyway.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

----------------------
I would guess that you have a great reputation for doing quality work at a fair price.

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by floyd

Price is an element of both quality and utility.
Perhaps being responsible only means negotiating a fair price as you did. At least you see the value in it.
If a car salesman can take a person's dignity, there are other issues to be resolved!

The complaining thing is a non-sequitur.

Hi: floyd... I have looked at car sales from both sides of the bargaining table. Made many trips to the bosses office with a less than sincere offer.
How much of a negotiated price did your New Scamp command?
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: floyd... I have looked at car sales from both sides of the bargaining table. Made many trips to the bosses office with a less than sincere offer.
How much of a negotiated price did your New Scamp command?
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Scamp has a completely different pricing and marketing structure from auto manufacturers and dealers. Understanding that, I got everything I wanted at a price we agreed upon....
10% off of the accumulated price of the options, a few minor and moderate concessions and favors,plus everything the dealer would have made. Plus a stipend for every sale which results from showing it.
Tangential as it is, I get your point.

I don't make less than sincere offers.
It took three years to get what I wanted when I bought my Ranger and at a 30% discount off retail. I never missed a ride in the mean time.

[Bobbie Mayer]

I've done a variety of things- negotiated hard and gotten a good deal, had a friend in the business get me a good price, and used online bids to find the cheapest price without haggling. (I did get a good deal though who knows if being there in person could have saved me a few hundred?) For me, it is worth it not have to haggle. I hate that part of car-buying. I wish everyone would just offer the best price and let me choose what I want.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

I've done a variety of things- negotiated hard and gotten a good deal, had a friend in the business get me a good price, and used online bids to find the cheapest price without haggling. (I did get a good deal though who knows if being there in person could have saved me a few hundred?) For me, it is worth it not have to haggle. I hate that part of car-buying. I wish everyone would just offer the best price and let me choose what I want.

Given a complacent consumer, what do you think the odds are of your wish coming to fruition? Wish in one hand....

[Jon in AZ]

Lots of people feel the same, enough to make Costco the #2 "seller" of new cars, second only to the Auto Nation chain of dealers.

Whether or not that makes 400K people stupid will continue to be debated, I'm sure…

[Bobbie Mayer]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Lots of people feel the same, enough to make Costco the #2 "seller" of new cars, second only to the Auto Nation chain of dealers.

Whether that makes 400K people stupid or not will continue to be debated, I'm sure…

Possibly stupid if they think it is the best possible deal. But quite likely happier than if they had to go haggle with a car dealer. Money isn't everything.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

Possibly stupid if they think it is the best possible deal. But quite likely happier than if they had to go haggle with a car dealer. Money isn't everything.

Had too??? What could be more fun fully dressed??

[Jon in AZ]

What could be more fun than haggling with a car salesman?

Going to the dentist, washing and folding three weeks of kids' clothes, changing the rear bank of spark plugs on a transverse V6 engine in a minivan, unclogging a toilet, stomach flu, digging 50 post holes in hard packed clay,...

But perhaps you do all those things naked?

I'll give you this: I'd take the car dealer over a kidney stone.

[Bobbie Mayer]

And maybe over childbirth...plus the car comes out cleaner.

[Jon in AZ]

Our second child was a projectile vomiter, especially in the car. I actually thought of mentioning that, too…

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

What could be more fun than haggling with a car salesman?

Going to the dentist, washing and folding three weeks of kids' clothes, changing the rear bank of spark plugs on a transverse V6 engine in a minivan, unclogging a toilet, stomach flu, digging 50 post holes in hard packed clay,...

But perhaps you do all those things naked?

I'll give you this: I'd take the car dealer over a kidney stone.

I guess you have graphically explained why so many people gladly pay at least $4000 too much for a new car! (about a month's salary)



Truthfully, the No Haggle method will likely become universal.
My response will simply be to give them my No Haggle fair price in writing at the bottom of the build sheet with my phone number and an expiration date by which they must respond.
Lets face it, there is no vehicle so desirable that it can't be resisted,and none so unique that it can't be bought used.

I once worked in a refinery, most often outdoors, in all sorts of weather.

While negotiating, I got within a small amount of buying a new car.
The salesman said " c'mon,its only $xxx"
I took the salesman outdoors to the car, ostensibly to ask a question or two about it. It was 39 degrees outside and misting rain. After about five minutes, the shivering salesman begged to go back inside.
I turned to him and said...
"Five minutes? and you want to go back inside? I have to spend two days out in this weather to earn $xxx"...
He met my price.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by floyd

...Lets face it, there is no vehicle so desirable that it can't be resisted,and none so unique that it can't be bought used....

Exactly!

I'm sure you understand that my previous post was intended as humorous hyperbole to express how distasteful many find the whole process.

I do not negotiate; I simply have a price in mind that I am willing to pay for a vehicle and I do not budge. The dealer tactics I have encountered are deliberately designed to prolong the process and wear down the buyer's resolve. At the end of the day, whether there is a car in my driveway or not, I always feel like I need to take a shower... or at least shake the dirt from my sandals.