In this day and age, everyone is out to make a buck...whether it be you selling your car through the Nickel Ads, or the dealership selling you one of their's. It is completely inevitable that money WILL change hands, therefore, profit will also be in play.
How can we, as consumers, make sure we get the best deal possible at our neighborhood car dealership? How can we be sure we are treated fairly when making such a large purchase? Although some of us will never completely be able to find the answers to these questions, here are a few tips to make the car-buying process that much easier.

1.) We have to realize that, yes, the dealership WILL make money on a car deal. Why else would they do it? This is one of the biggest downfalls of some consumers. They do not understand that an honest and fair deal does not mean the dealership will lose money in order to give it to you.

2.) In car sales, the employees go through training to learn benefits and features of all the vehicles they carry. Many times, you will not qualify, based on your credit, for the car of your choice. Because of their training, they will then attempt to sell you a vehicle you, sometimes, did not even know existed. Most likely, this vehicle will be equipped with many of the features you are looking for. It usually has a lot smaller price tag, and may even have a different body style (i.e. a car instead of an SUV).
The thing to remember here is that the banks could not, or would not, qualify you for a loan in the amount needed to purchased the car you originally wanted. Perhaps they could have, or would have if you increased the amount of down payment or monthly payment you were willing to spend.
The second place car is not necessarily a bad deal. Yes, it is not what you wanted, but remember, your credit is hanging in the balance. Your credit has so very much to do with how "fair" of a deal you will receive. The reason why the sales person will turn you to a new car is basically because there is NO WAY of getting the car you wanted for the payments you are willing to pay. The dealership wants your business. There is nothing worse than working a deal with a customer, only to have them leave with nothing.

Which bring us to...
3.) You are in control. You have a choice. You choose which dealership you walk into, and you choose if you leave with a car or empty-handed. Yes, the dealership knows this, but can attempt to assume power if you let them.

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