What happened? that’s the common reaction I receive towards my story. This begun with an example of a friend who’s constantly crying and being afraid of everything on planet earth however she was a lioness at the showroom while me a person who’s up for any challenge was looking for a place to be invisible. How strong are you mentally? A question I decided to answer and here are a few answers I would like to share with the world. They say sharing is caring hence I’m sharing my answers with you.
1. Teaches You How Manipulation Works.
That very morning, I received a call from a friend of mine who wanted me to follow her to a showroom. Based on my previous experience there’s always something to observe and write about. Making our way there, we were taken hostage by a salesman who followed us around like a puppy. I was getting flustered and frustrated as I often avoid such situations. For example, even in a store, I prefer to go to stores where the sales people don’t quite care hence avoiding the eagle eye situation. However, my friend wasn’t disturbed instead she just walked around until she found a car that she would like to test drive. During the test drive, the conversation shifted and the mind games had begun. My friend who’s generally a frugal person wasn’t intending to pay more than what she bargained for. Hence despite the temptation and the charming words from the salesman we walked out the showroom with the car within the budget and nothing more If you’re going to a showroom, always keep in mind to research thoroughly about your desired car. You need to be certain of the car you want or need as a number of choices will leave you vulnerable to manipulation and spending. Never get flustered or frustrated when a salesman is following you, as he’s only trying to do his job instead have a confident conversation with him. this will deter him from manipulating you towards unnecessary expenses. Confidence is always good if you’re making a huge investment on your own.
2. Enter The Showroom with A Strict Budget.
Growing up entirely independent I enjoy making precise budgets and I generally stick to the allocated amount. It eventually turned into my favorite hobby but I never knew it’s importance until I was in the showroom. In a showroom, prices can increase in a blink of an eye as you find opportunities and offers to “pimp” up your ride. What happens if you don’t have a model or a budget in mind? Then you might be shelling out money on the unnecessary additions you purchased. Therefore, to avoid such situations it’s always best to take along with you a friend or someone who could be an expert with cars and who can help you with a budget. This gives you an ammunition to secure yourself a good deal. A strict budget allows you to stay focused and not sway according to the charming propositions of the salesman. Why pay more when you can save more?
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Question.
Everyone have their moments where they feel trapped and are afraid of asking questions. We tend to agree or stay silent if we were taken hostage in a conversation, a lump that’s caught our tongue. However, this is the wrong attitude to possess if you’re in a car dealership. You’ll be hassled and haggled and the salesman would be talking without a full stop. Your mind might be swaying and you might just want to nod to everything that he’s saying without even asking a single question. However, you know that this attitude could lead you towards disappointment. So take it upon yourself to ask any question about the car and never feel intimidated to ask for any information. The more you know the better it is for you to make a wise decision. If you aren’t certain of the answers or don’t understand car lingo, then be sure to take someone who knows best with you. Sometimes two brains are better than one.
4. Read Through All the Papers and Contracts.
At the car dealership, the biggest problem you might face is facing the paperwork. Personally, I hate paperwork, it’s a trigger point for my anxieties. However, it’s a part of life that’s unavoidable so I’ve learnt to deal with it by reading it thoroughly. I learnt an important lesson to read through every word in a contract properly and understand their definition. At the car dealership, you’re on your own with no legal representation. It can be terrifying being alone and trying to make sense of all the documents. Putting in a down payment and negotiating installment deals can be frustrating, therefore, always take your time and read through the papers. Often times you’re allowed to take the documents with you to think about the clauses as well as refer to someone. Take this opportunity to look into your documents and make sure to understand the words in legal terms. Sometimes legal terms may have a different definition compared to normal terms. When you’re confident that this would be the right deal, you will be able to make a purchase without any buyer’s remorse. In a nutshell, buying a car is a big step which impacts you financially and personally. You need to have a strong mentality and confidence to ensure you secure the best deals. Therefore, if you’re purchasing a vehicle anytime soon I’m sure this would be a great read for you. Featured photo credit: Google Images via gearheads.org
