Slightly edgy but useful Internet negotiating method

This is a method I've used to smoke out the personalities of the people behind the emails and here's how it works...

Find an willing dealer and get a lowest price on a car via email and ask them to reply with the invoice sticker for the exact car you are getting.

Say OK to the price and that you'll seal the deal n person, but that the'll have to agree to some rules first.

You'll only accept that exact VIN car. Everything is to be completed in about 2 hours and the only people you will negotiate with is one salesman and the finance manager. If they can't do that, forget it. Be polite but firm.

Now most smart salepeople will look at this and answer with an, "OK, you're the valued customer' response. But the bad ones usually can't help answering in such a way that their personalities shows through - badly. They give long tirades on their long history in business, their reputations or they have policies that are thrust on them by the manufacturers. All BS of course but, you've baited them and it's the sharks that often take the bait.

In my latest car deal done this way, the first dealer's sales manager resonded with a rudely worded email about their shining business practices. He then change the rules and demanded a non-refundable $500 deposit before he'd get the car from another dealer. Needless to say, he was done.

The next dealer passed the test with a statement that he would keep the process as simple as possible. He did. Only once and rather sheepishly did he attempt to sell thier financing without success.

I have a nice new 06 Mustang in my garage and part of the process was to eliminate the jerk dealer and replace him with someone that was at least reasonable to work with.

Try it! It works