# Buying a new vehicle, negotiating question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 24, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-new-vehicle-negotiating-question/1014749 "2025-02-24T22:43:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-new-vehicle-negotiating-question/1014749/21 "2025-02-26T00:59:01Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > but not everyone gets financing through the dealer “Going through financing” means meeting with the finance officer who writes up the contract and sell you on all of the worthless add-ons. The actual financing of the car is a small part of going through the financing. Of note in this thread, the finance officer is the one that prints up and signs the contract. So if the OP had a contract, he would already have all of those fees and add-ons in the paperwork. ---
**Author:** ![ZurBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71e660/32.png) [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-new-vehicle-negotiating-question/1014749/22 "2025-02-26T01:29:35Z")
Man, you must’ve had some bitter experiences buying autos based on your comments. My occasions, while not exactly pleasant, were pretty straightforward…the salesperson and I come to terms on the price, the finance officer then gives me the bottom line after about a five minute Q&A (of which I answer NO, NO, NO, etc) I sign, and we’re done. I leave, go get my financing, come back with the loan commitment and pick up my car. Then I drive away in my new car with a big smile on my face. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-new-vehicle-negotiating-question/1014749/23 "2025-02-26T01:39:00Z")
Not at all. I’m simply pointing out that I doubt the OP actually signed a contract based on the fact that he’s hasn’t gone through the financing process. Also that car salespeople are not above making you think you have signed something binding (in their favor) when you haven’t. ---
**Author:** ![ZurBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71e660/32.png) [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-new-vehicle-negotiating-question/1014749/24 "2025-02-26T01:54:05Z")
Sure, that’s part of the game…if you let it be. Some people approach such purchases as a battle of wits…a life and death struggle to beat the salesperson/dealer at their own game. This will **NEVER, NEVER, NEVER happen** … **EVER!** All I’m saying is: When buying, keep your wits about you, arrive at what you feel is fair price, pay it, and drive away happy. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-new-vehicle-negotiating-question/1014749/25 "2025-02-26T01:56:15Z")
> [@ZurBob](#): > > Some people approach such purchases as a battle of wits…a life and death struggle to beat the salesperson/dealer at their own game. This will **NEVER, NEVER, NEVER happen** … **EVER!** I just walk in knowing I won’t agree to any add-ons and I am ready to walk out until my signature is on the contract … which I read completely before signing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-new-vehicle-negotiating-question/1014749.md?page=1)