Anybody tried reverse auctions for new cars?

[Barry Ward]

OK -- I'll admit it -- I'm a lousy buyer. A good car salesman can smell me
from a mile off. So, what about the "reverse auction" as described in
"Current Affair" a couple of days ago. I'm definitely in the market for a
particular new vehicle - I know it's recommended price and also know that it
is generally selling for that price- but this website says that they can
start the "reverse auction" at $500 less than that before the so-called
bidding even starts . They charge 10% of the "savings" between the RRP and
what the final offer is -- even assuming that no offer is made, I have
still saved $500 - 10% = $450.

OK -- sounds good -- but has anybody tried it -- what traps await the
unwary??

Barry

[Scotty]

"Barry Ward" <wardb3@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:42d8b49a@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> OK -- I'll admit it -- I'm a lousy buyer. A good car salesman can smell me
> from a mile off. So, what about the "reverse auction" as described in
> "Current Affair" a couple of days ago. I'm definitely in the market for a
> particular new vehicle - I know it's recommended price and also know that
> it
> is generally selling for that price- but this website says that they can
> start the "reverse auction" at $500 less than that before the so-called
> bidding even starts . They charge 10% of the "savings" between the RRP and
> what the final offer is -- even assuming that no offer is made, I have
> still saved $500 - 10% = $450.
>
> OK -- sounds good -- but has anybody tried it -- what traps await the
> unwary??
>
> Barry
>
>

ya gotta ask yourself why are they trying to sell cars cheaper? Maybe you
could just walk in and say to the sales guy that you want product XXX and
heres what I want to spend, offer the guy $5k less than marked price and see
how far he goes. If he wont do anything just get up and walk out. What have
ya got to lose, worst case is that you get slightly embarrassed.

[DalienX]

Barry Ward wrote:

> OK -- I'll admit it -- I'm a lousy buyer. A good car salesman can
> smell me from a mile off. So, what about the "reverse auction" as
> described in "Current Affair" a couple of days ago. I'm definitely in
> the market for a particular new vehicle - I know it's recommended
> price and also know that it is generally selling for that price- but
> this website says that they can start the "reverse auction" at $500
> less than that before the so-called bidding even starts . They charge
> 10% of the "savings" between the RRP and what the final offer is --
> even assuming that no offer is made, I have still saved $500 - 10% =
> $450.
>
> OK -- sounds good -- but has anybody tried it -- what traps await the
> unwary??
>
> Barry

I reckon its a con, the dealers have all pre-agreed to only go to a
certain price or something.
So you get to watch them fighting for your money, but in reality they
are just lowering their already inflated prices.


--
DalienX

[kevcat]

DalienX wrote:
>
> Barry Ward wrote:
>
> > OK -- I'll admit it -- I'm a lousy buyer. A good car salesman can
> > smell me from a mile off. So, what about the "reverse auction" as
> > described in "Current Affair" a couple of days ago. I'm definitely in
> > the market for a particular new vehicle - I know it's recommended
> > price and also know that it is generally selling for that price- but
> > this website says that they can start the "reverse auction" at $500
> > less than that before the so-called bidding even starts . They charge
> > 10% of the "savings" between the RRP and what the final offer is --
> > even assuming that no offer is made, I have still saved $500 - 10% =
> > $450.
> >
> > OK -- sounds good -- but has anybody tried it -- what traps await the
> > unwary??
> >
> > Barry


I always tell the sales person what I want, how much I want for a
trade(if any) and then how much I am going to offer

since I pay cash for my cars my price is final, if they don't agree,
there will always be another car somewhere, I just say "thanks for your
time" and "see ya"

I have had a couple change their minds, especially if the cars has been
on the lot for longer than a couple of weeks

new cars are different but they still want to seel a car and don't
really like the other dealers getting their business



> I reckon its a con, the dealers have all pre-agreed to only go to a
> certain price or something.
> So you get to watch them fighting for your money, but in reality they
> are just lowering their already inflated prices.


NOOOOOO WAYYYYYY, A Current Afairs is on the side of the people not the
dealers, they would never advertise a new way to rip people off, surely
not

Kev

[Albm&ctd]

In article <42d8b49a@dnews.tpgi.com.au>, wardb3@tpg.com.au
says...
> OK -- I'll admit it -- I'm a lousy buyer. A good car salesman can smell me
> from a mile off.

Don't know if this still applies but ask if they offer a no trade
discount. ie: you don't want to trade your old car on the new
one.

Al
--
I don't take sides.
It's more fun to insult everyone.
http://kwakakid.cjb.net/insult.html

[John B]

Barry Ward wrote:
> OK -- I'll admit it -- I'm a lousy buyer. A good car salesman can smell me
> from a mile off. So, what about the "reverse auction" as described in
> "Current Affair" a couple of days ago. I'm definitely in the market for a
> particular new vehicle - I know it's recommended price and also know that it
> is generally selling for that price- but this website says that they can
> start the "reverse auction" at $500 less than that before the so-called
> bidding even starts . They charge 10% of the "savings" between the RRP and
> what the final offer is -- even assuming that no offer is made, I have
> still saved $500 - 10% = $450.
>
> OK -- sounds good -- but has anybody tried it -- what traps await the
> unwary??
>
> Barry
>
>
I dont think you can really "lose" anything over just walking in and
paying retail.
Have you tried <http://www.discountnewcars.com.au/>?

No ideas personally, last new car we bought I reckon we got ripped so I
cant really offer any good pointers :)

JB