Before a smart shopper buys a new car, they thoroughly research everything to ensure that they will end up with a truly great deal. They know that the sticker price (MSRP) is full retail, which they never pay, and they know that new car invoice prices are supposed to be the dealers cost on new vehicles. They also know that they can buy at or below the new car invoice price in most cases. The MSRP is the sticker price that you see on the window and it represents the maximum that one should pay for a particular model. Car dealers usually try to get buyers to pay this price. However, when you discover the new car invoice price that the dealer is paying, you may see a large discrepancy. In fact, new car invoice prices are usually at least one or two thousand dollars lower than the retail price. Supply and demand can have a large effect on the prices of new cars. For example, if there is a bad winter, many people may be looking for four wheel drive vehicles. If dealers are sold out and only getting a few vehicles per week, you may have to pay the full retail price if you want one immediately. Under most circumstances, you will be able to negotiate price with a dealership. In fact, you are free to make a ridiculously low offer if you wish. However, the dealership does not have to accept the offer. Yet, if you make an offer that is fair, you can usually get a good deal. And if you are aware of the actual dealer cost, you have a good bargaining position.
When you discover the price that a dealership pays for a specific model, you have a good idea what to offer. However, most dealers do not want you to know their cost so they can make more money. If you take some time to search the Internet, it is not hard to find dealer cost on new cars. When you find an online pricing service, you should be able to see the new car invoice price and the MSRP. This gives you an idea of the dealership’s profit margin on that vehicle. But there are often ways to buy a vehicle below the invoice price. New car dealers enjoy a lot of special incentives from the manufacturer. When they sell you a new vehicle, they usually receive a substantial rebate, which enables them to profit even when selling at the invoice price. Because of this secret rebate, smart car buyers always try to buy at or below the new car invoice price. If you want to get a great deal on a new car, you need to understand the difference between retail and wholesale prices. Most of the time, you will not have to pay anywhere near the higher retail price (MSRP) that is on the window sticker. And remember that dealers usually get rebates and incentives that reduce their cost below the new car invoice price, so your goal should be to buy at or below the invoice price.