You aren't making it easy on yourself either.
That's an old trick that worked about 2 times.
Here's how this goes: " sir, do you have a trade"?
you: "nope"
"Ok, I can sell you this $35,000 item for $32,000"
You: "oh I just had a call from my wife asking to trade in our old whatever"
Sales: "no problem, your trade is worth $5000". That brings the total price to $27,000.
You " what! my trade is worth at least $8000"
Sales: "So you want full retail for your trade sir"?
You: "yes I do"
Sales: "no problem if we're going to do full retail" $35,000 - $8000 = $27,000.
You: "You said $32,000"
Sales: " Yes I did but that was a discounted price without the encumbrance of going through your machine, fixing whatever is wrong with it, putting it on the floor with a warranty and standing by the customer if something goes wrong". "You don't have to do that if YOU sell it but we are governed by law to take care of the customer if we sell it". "That takes money and we don't know how much it's gonna take" "So because we are not in the business of losing money, this is what we have to do to guard against that and deal with the 50 more people behind you who want the same type of deal".
If you go into a sale scenario that becomes derisive and contentious, nobody wins.
It is much easier if you do your homework, know what you want for your trade and request if the dealership is able to handle what you want.
So it goes like this: You: I have a trade and would like to get $8000 for it and pay $32,000 for your whatever." "That brings my total price to $24,000.
"Are you able to do that"? This way you stay in control of the sale and it will be a yes or no answer.
Everything is up front...no dissension...honesty abounds and hopefully, you get what you want. If not, you at least get an education you can bring to another dealership or remain where you are.
Unless you simply like the sport of dickering, the method I just describe is way easier with no ill feelings or negativity manifested for all parties concerned..
And, allow me to relate something else to you. The mark up margins of yesteryear no longer exist today with autos, tractors or refrigerators. They have been reduced because of increases in costs for manufacturers. I mean the Burger King kid is now making $17 an hr. Margins are getting tighter and tighter.
The manufacturers say to the dealers: "if you want more money, you're gonna have to sell more stuff". Add to that what's happened to borrowing rates, insurance increases, wage increases, the lack of workers and the general malaise and distrust our entire culture seems to be living with these days, makes for one big, lousy soup.
It has become vicious out there with the dealerships on the low end of the totem pole and the sales people lower than a rattle snake's belly in a wagon wheel rut.
