What is the proper negotiating etiquette?

billh1963 · billh1963's Garage

I thought I had seen this thread before but can't find it...

I'm close to buying a 993 C4S and the next step is the PPI. I haven't negotiated price at this point. Is the proper technique:

1. Negotiate the price before the PPI and then discuss the results of the PPI and any additional price adjustments

or

2. Wait until the PPI and then negotiate price?

With the second option you take a chance that the car checks out great and the seller holds firm or that the seller has no intention of negotiating price.

All opinions welcome!

arrivederci · 12-24-2002, 06:32 AM

I would go with option 1. Negotiate your best price before the PPI, and make sure the seller knows that the offer is contingent upon an uneventful PPI. After the PPI, take the cost to fix anything significant (that you didn't already know about), and subtract that from your offer price.

weber92037 · weber92037's Garage

I'm assuming there is an asking price. You can inquire wheter or not that asking price is negotiable, then proceed with ppi, and then make your offer (which could most likely be lower). I think that most people expect an ofer lower than the asking price. Any small, anoying, but not significant, items on the ppi could help you negotiate a better price. The owner may not want to take the time to correct minor issues. This assumes you have the time to spend on a ppi before you have a firm deal set. Good luck.

Dantilla · 12-24-2002, 09:01 AM

I'm a big fan of playing the nice guy- "There's no reason for me to waste your time with a PPI if we can't agree on a price"

Seller knows I won't buy without a PPI, so we have to jump through the price hoop before we go any further.

Two chances to negotiate.

MarkY · MarkY's Garage

There really is no point in spending the time and money for a PPI if a selling price hasn't been negotiated. The price can always be re-negotiated depending on the results of the PPI.

89911 · 12-24-2002, 12:24 PM

negotiating etiquette?, there's an oxymoron if I ever saw one. A PPI is much like a home inspection, you go in expecting everything is perfect and go down from there. Your buying price should be something you are comfortable with as long as the car is as stated with all problems brought to the forefront. Example, if your car is in need of new tires, this should come right off the price. That said, if the car is highly desirable and you have many buyers, your leverage lessens. This shouldn't be the case for this car at this time of the year. If you really like the car and your willing to pay a little extra for it, do it. There is tons of post here about how great cars slipped away for just a few bucks more.

makaio · 12-24-2002, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89911
If you really like the car and your willing to pay a little extra for it, do it. There is tons of post here about how great cars slipped away for just a few bucks more.

That's what I did with my CAB. I knew the price was higher than others, but it has had such good care, all maintanence done and documented, & it is in excellent condition.

yelcab1 · 12-24-2002, 02:54 PM

I get really pisssed off if you come back after the PPI and nickle and dime me to death. Hold off on your negotiation, do a PPI, and come in with your best fair price.

dgcate · dgcate's Garage

Both!!

BUT...the first thing you need to do is to know within yourself what you're able and willing to pay for the car, given various PPI results. If the car is really a good deal, and there really is, to you, nothing significantly wrong with the car, I'd advise tact in negotiating after the PPI.

Good luck,
David Cate
Knoxville, TN

dgcate · dgcate's Garage

Also...

Even if compressions are low, or anything else of a serious and/or very expensive nature is wrong, that doesn't necessarily necessitate an end to the negotiating! It could become a real bargain, if it's something he believes he will have to fix in order to sell it, that's just the point at which you might could help him with HIS problem.

Paul W · Paul W's Garage

Depends with whom you are negotiating.

If an 'arms length' transaction definitely option 1 - and use every little issue brought up in the PPI to knock the price down further in a second round of negotiations.

Go hard and unless it's a special car be prepared to walk away. Its your money and the less you pay in the purchase, the more there'll be to spend on mods and those unanticipated repairs.

Good luck.

Regards

JackT · 12-25-2002, 01:18 PM

As the buyer you are better off negotiating the price and then getting the PPI done. But if I am selling I will not negotiate until the PPI is done, and once done will come down on the price according to the results. If the asking price is to far from what the buyer wants to pay before the PPI is done, the seller is probably going to have to drop the price a lot to sell to that buyer, regardless of the PPI results.

billh1963 · billh1963's Garage

Based on the boards sage advice I have negotiated a price and am now scheduling the PPI..Thanks, everyone, for the advice!

Bart911Man · 12-25-2002, 02:19 PM

Earn some serious money and negotiate twice.
First go for a clean honnest price,
after PPI, have them throw in the extra's (floor mat's, new tires, radio, depth cleaning, waxing, ...) but don't accept a raise in price, this allways worked nice for me.

arrivederci · 12-25-2002, 08:52 PM

Also, it depends on how the car is priced relative to the market. If its on the high side (which people often do knowing that they'll be negotiated down), it -may- warrant negotiation prior to PPI. Why is it priced higher than typical market value? Can the two of you even get in the same ballpark? These are the things you have to ask yourself prior to investing in a PPI. If you don't try to agree to terms prior to PPI, you'll never know if you can agree on a price. The PPI may be a sunk cost that you didn't have to incur.

Again, I say cut to the chase and work out a deal prior to PPI. That way a high asking price (typical) doesn't become a sticking point after you've invested in the PPI. Its all been worked out prior to the PPI, assuming the condition of the car checks out.

Would you have a home inspection done prior to agreeing on the price?

twin plugged targa · twin plugged targa's Garage

It can sometimes depend on 'who' you are dealing with- a car salesman/dealer or someone down on luck and gutted cos he is parting out his baby!
My P/O said he had to clear $15K and so I offered $16 - because I knew the car was worth well in excess of that.
This guy is a friend who is down on luck and I gave him 1st refusal to buy back when he gets back on his feet- IF I decide to sell!.

Basically there are not hard and fast rules maybe a gut feeling about the deal and the car.
Some cars I have bought on the character of the person selling and the conditions under which the car is kept/owned.
Another I walked away from as the guy had no idea what oil he put in it and spent alot of time expaining about the new stereo and yet the tires were bald!- He also loved showing me how he could spin the wheels on take off!

PPI's are important but some judgement on the 'family' and home the car has had are also relevant!
rgds Ben