25 Devious Car Dealership Tactics You Need to Beware of

Buying a car can be an exciting experience, but it’s also a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Car dealerships are known for their sneaky tactics to get you to spend more money than you originally planned. From hidden fees to high-pressure sales tactics, it’s important to be aware of the tricks that car dealerships might try to pull on you. Here are 25 devious car dealership tactics you need to beware of.

One common tactic used by car salespeople is the ‘good cop, bad cop’ routine. In this scenario, one salesperson will act friendly and understanding, while the other takes on a more aggressive and pushy approach. They may use this tactic to pressure you into making a decision or to make you feel like you’re getting a ‘good deal’ from the more sympathetic salesperson.

The bait and switch is a tactic where the dealership advertises a specific car at a great price to lure customers in, only to claim that the car has been sold when they arrive. The salesperson will then try to push a more expensive alternative on you, hoping you’ll be more likely to buy after being disappointed by the original deal.

Some dealerships may try to inflate your monthly payments by adding unnecessary fees and extras to your loan. These can include extended warranties, gap insurance, and other add-ons that you may not need or want. It’s important to carefully review the breakdown of your monthly payments before agreeing to any deal.

It’s not uncommon for car dealerships to sneak in hidden fees at the last minute. These could be for things like ‘administration fees,’ ‘vehicle preparation fees,’ or ‘advertising fees.’ Be sure to ask for a detailed breakdown of all fees before finalizing your purchase.

The ‘four square’ method is a classic sales tactic used by car dealerships to confuse and mislead customers. The salesperson will draw four squares on a piece of paper, each representing a different aspect of the deal: price, down payment, monthly payments, and trade-in value. They will then try to manipulate the numbers in each square to make it seem like you’re getting a good deal, when in reality, they’re just shifting the numbers around to their advantage.

Once you’ve agreed on a price for the car, the dealership may try to pressure you into buying expensive add-ons like paint protection, fabric protection, or VIN etching. They may claim that these are essential or offer them at a ‘special discounted rate,’ but in reality, they’re just trying to pad their profits.