While we'd all like some more photos, be careful no numpties run into you once the snow starts to lie.
So are your local dealers aware of your deal making skills?
Well, yes they definitely are as ironically I bought the car from the same franchise so have helped them too! You'll know them well Mike as it's Aberdeen vs. Dundee. I spent a great deal of time in Aberdeen, and we bought the wife's car from them (used 2013 ONE), but always got the feeling that they just weren't going to give in with the price - they did offer me a substantial discount, but only on cars they had in their showroom at the time and the discount ranged from an additional £1k off a showroom cooper to £1.5K off a cooper s. Coupled with the fact that they were offering a trade in value which was only £250 more than webuyanycar and I decided to walk.
A friend of mine who buys a lot of BMWs suggested going to Tayside to get a better deal, quoting the fact that the two camps often like to compete (I'm putting it nicely here), or even further south where there's more competition so that's what I did. The reception I received from Dundee was much better - they knew I was serious as I'd taken the time to visit them and the salesperson I dealt with there was friendly, personable and professional. I also got the impression they were passionate about the cars themselves which impressed me after previously having had to deal with Arnold Clark where cars are seen as conveyor belt commodities.
Even then I had to do my homework and the first quote I got was okay, but nothing special. It was only when I started directly comparing prices with much bigger franchises that they perked up. In my case I looked at Sytner.
So, hopefully I'm not being misread here - I'm not bragging about getting a discount, just hopefully helping people to realise that the more work you do the bigger saving you can get. Pick a good time of year - end of december, end of feb and end of september are all good dates and go armed with as much info and comparable deals to a couple of dealerships and let them fight a little to get your money. Sytner has a good service where you can search all their cars and elect to receive emails if the prices go down... in other words, some of the leg work is automated for you.
If there's three bits of advice I would recommend they would be - do your homework, always be good natured and pleasant and don't be afraid of silence. The latter especially comes from my dear late father who did it all the time when buying a car. People hate silence. When you're near to the deal you want but aren't quite there, just go quiet. No one likes it and even hardy salesmen crumble a little and start offering a few incentives (I did this on the phone, and they offered to waive the cherished number fee transfer). It also helps if you have your keys to hand. Just casually tap them on the table in front of you. Drives people insane.
Oh yes - another bit. Gap insurance. Do your homework again. Mini were offering Gap at £299, I got them down to £150 which was cheaper than the cheapest site I could find... again because they'd rather get something than nothing.
At then end of this I know they've still made lots of money from me, and that's absolutely fine - you never ever make money on a car. I've driven away feeling I've got a good deal and they know that when the time comes for my next car I'm likelier to go with them than the dealership who was more concerned with making that little bit of extra profit than customer loyalty.
