When I was 19, I bought my first car - it was a 1996 Mercury Mystique - 4 years old, and in awesome condition. When I was 24 - I traded it in and bought a 2004 Toyota Corolla - I loved that car...it drove well, great on gas and it was just "me". However, I have always dreamed of owning a jeep - when I was pregnant with Mr. K - hubby and I talked about trading in the Corolla for an SUV - but nothing seemed right. We couldn't afford NEW - so we would keep our eyes peeled on used ones we saw advertised.
One day, hubby found a good price on a Chrysler Pacifica - when we got to the dealer, we found out it had been sold. We toured the lot and saw 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees - a 2005 and a 2007. There was obviously a price difference between the 2, and we ended up deciding on the 2005.
What I find funny, the whole time we were looking around the sales man kept talking to my hubby. He talked to me to - but when he was talking about the vehicles etc, he was talking to hubby. Hubby kept telling him that it was my vehicle, and would ask me what I thought.
After I test drove it - I was happy - and I knew I wanted it. BUT - I also knew that there was a minimum value I would take as a trade in for the Corolla. When we went inside to talk - the finance guy automatically spoke to my hubby - who turned to me. He asked what I was looking for (so I obviously said higher than my minimum) he said no way - and I said ok. I thanked the sales man for his help, and we left.
The next morning, I got a phone call from the sales man. He apologized for the curtness of the finance guy the day before, and asked if I would come in and have the car appraised. I said sure. Hubby had a golf tourney that day - and I went with Mr. J. The first thing that they asked when I got there was if my husband was coming. I said no, it's my car - I would be the one making the decision.
They looked at the car and came back with a number - still not high enough for me. I told him flat out that I had this much to spend - if they wanted the sale they either had to come up in the trade in value, or lower the sale price. Otherwise, I would be going home. He agreed, and we signed all the papers.
My husband has never bought a car. We are VERY fortunate and his vehicle is provided by his employer. I am a woman, and have bought 3. Yet, when I was with my hubby - the car people automatically assumed he would be the one making the decision and haggling over the price.
What has your experience been? Who does the negotiating on price in your family?
Great post, and good haggling skills!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! Interesting that car people automatically assume the hubs would be the one making the decision and haggling over price. SAME here! Funny thing is I'M the one who haggles. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm not good at negotiating things like that but I am better at standing my ground than my husband is. I'm not rude or anything...I just believe you have to stand up for yourself or you'll be walked over by a lot of people in life. It's unfortunate that it has to be that way though. Good for you for getting the vehicle you wanted!
ReplyDeleteI'm the negotiator....and usually sales folks catch on VERY quickly with me....I'm not exactly shy ;)
ReplyDeleteWow! Good for you mama! This is really impressive. I bought my first car on my own too but the salesman was my dad so it doesn't really count! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly my experience every time I buy a car. Every piece of mail still arrives in husband's name. It's my van and its always me doing the wheeling and dealing. Snap out of it car companies!
ReplyDeleteIt drives me crazy when salespeople speak to my husband and exclude me from the decision making. It is still very much an old boys club when it comes to things like that. {sigh}
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! So glad you stuck to your guns and made sure they knew it was YOUR car and you were more than capable of making the decisions - woman or not. It's funny how some men automatically assume us women know nothing about cars, when in fact, many of us know quite a bit. One of my highest grades in high school was in Auto Class...97%. He said he couldn't give out perfect. LOL
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