A top car saleswoman has revealed the red flag to look out for when buying a new car – and said dealers do it to ‘hide something’
One of America’s top car salespeople has revealed a major red flag to watch out for when buying a new car, warning that dealers might do it to “hide something”.
Andrea Anderson, 40, who ranks among the top 100 Cadillac dealers in the US, has been in the car selling business for over a decade. She pointed out that it’s a “red flag” if dealers display two different prices for cash and card payments, as the price shouldn’t vary based on your payment method.
The Nashville, Tennessee mom advises caution with anyone who doesn’t provide a breakdown of additional costs – this could indicate hidden charges for extras like keys, warranties, and tinted windows.
“The biggest thing is transparency; if they are trying to hide something, they will just not give you just enough to be able to make a purchase,” she warned.
“When they go to present numbers, if they show you the price and payment, but nothing else, there is a reason for that. They are trying to hide some type of information, and that is the wrong way to negotiate a car deal.
“When I am negotiating a deal, I go into a lot of depth about how I got to the number, and I provide them with a lot of details. I always think of myself in their shoes, I go into lots of details, and if they have a question, I will have the answer.”
Andrea noted that one way to identify a dubious car deal is when they quote a different price for cash payment compared to card payment.
Andrea warned that some dealers might attempt to offer two different interest rates, depending on whether you purchase with a warranty or not.
She advised challenging such dealers on where they sourced these numbers from, as the prices should be identical.
Andrea cautioned: “These are all red flags you need to look for when negotiating a car deal. Whenever they show there is a different cash price, you need to ask questions because it should not be a different price for cash.”
She further explained that if dealers present a different interest rate with a warranty compared to without one, this is incorrect.
“They should be the same interest rate whether you buy with a warranty or not.”
Andrea also revealed that some dealerships might try to charge extra for add-ons – including spare keys, tinted windows, or a tank of gas – but she strongly recommends removing these from the final price and negotiating them separately.
She stated: “A dealership trying to charge for add-ons, including a spare key, tank of gas or tinted windows. Those are things you can negotiate, so get that taken out. You should get a spare key for free, especially if it is for a new car.”
According to Andrea, the car negotiation process begins even before you step foot into the dealership. She suggested it’s good practice to call the dealership ahead of time and request photos of the car you’re interested in.
Andrea believes this will indicate whether they know their product well or can provide you with accurate information.
She advised: “Call the dealership and ask the salesperson a question about the car you know, also ask if they do add-ons such as paint protection film or other things as a mandatory add-on.
“Next, ask them to take a photo with their phone of the car you’re interested in. Ask them to email or text. This will tell you if the salesperson listens and will take that extra step for you. It also tells you if the car is available.
“If they follow through, I would schedule an appointment with them. If not, then it’s your out for not working with that person. This will make it a much more pleasant experience when you visit the dealership.
“Knowing that you have already spoken with the salesperson, the car is actually there, and they won’t switch you to another car, and you know if they have mandatory add-ons.”
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