
One of the most exciting examples is actually a manufacturer: Tesla Motors ( NASDAQ:TSLA).

Fourth-level servicesĪs the market continues to evolve, even more powerful car-buying services are beginning to emerge.

With this service, you have an industry expert in your corner who can guide you past the early rounds of the negotiation process and thereby shorten the time it takes for you to make your best deal. Without this kind of service, you're negotiating alone against sophisticated and experienced salespeople who encounter prospects like you all the time and routinely get them to sign. And these pre-negotiated prices do not include any of the fees you must pay the negotiating service itself. Tough-minded customers can usually get the dealer to agree to packages even more attractive than the bargaining service's best offers. However, hard bargainers will discover that these pre-negotiated prices are not much better than the normal prices available to the general public. By working through these services, you can get the vehicle you want for a lower price much more quickly and easily than you could on your own. Third-level servicesĪnother helpful resource is the "negotiating service." Available through AAA, Costco, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, and a variety of local "brokers," a negotiating service has a knowledgeable automotive insider pre-negotiate lower prices for you with a variety of dealers. With it, you have a valuable tool to help you to play one dealer against another, along with documented evidence that you're among the more eager buyers, whom dealers are likely to tempt with a somewhat better deal. Without a second-level service, you're subject to all the tactics and subterfuge of savvy salespeople, who can play you like a trout on a hook. Unless you're careful, you're right back in the traditional, heavy-handed sales process. But guess what? It's slightly more expensive. He or she will then helpfully steer you to another car that's almost the same.

That's a great feeling, until the sales expert explains that the one and only car available at your promised price has unfortunately been sold.
