What does no haggle car buying really mean?
No-haggle car buying means the dealership reveals the true cost of the vehicle upfront. What you see on the sticker or online is what you pay. This can save time that would be spent negotiating and offer buyers some peace of mind going in for the purchase.
No-haggle pricing can lead to a better deal on a car, but this isn't a guarantee. Sometimes the opposite can occur. For instance, a dealership may lock the price above MSRP for cars low in supply and high in demand.
Many drivers loathe the car buying process. It takes time and energy to browse lots and joust with trained salespersons. It's hard to walk away without feeling like you could have saved more when it comes to both time and money. No-haggle car buying helps streamline the process and eliminate some of the anxiety associated with spending your day off in a car lot.
One important thing to note about no-haggle pricing — it is the promise of transparency and convenience, not the promise of a low price. You should do your research beforehand and determine the market price of the vehicle before going through with a purchase. Just because a car is listed as no-haggle doesn't guarantee you're getting a deal. However, some drivers may be willing to pay extra to avoid the hassle of negotiating.
Can you negotiate a no-haggle price?
Haggling is sort of a lost art in today's economy. Most people don't haggle for groceries or furniture unless they're at a garage sale or farmer's market. Car prices, however, continue to be negotiated; whether they're at a large corporate dealer or a local mom-and-pop shop, people expect to haggle.
That said, most dealers who advertise no-haggle policies, especially larger ones, have ingrained it into their business model. This means you are usually unable to negotiate the price of a no-haggle vehicle. You may, however, be able to find exceptions at local dealerships with less strict guidelines.
Remember to take other factors into account that could affect the overall price you pay. For instance, are you trading in a vehicle, and how much are they are offering? If a dealership offers no-haggle pricing but shorts you on your trade-in, it could cut into your potential savings. Beware of "no-haggle" dealers who sell expensive add-ons and warranties. Also, you still have to pay taxes and service fees. If you took out a loan to pay for the car, there may be administration fees for that as well. In short, prepare to spend more than the sticker price, even when buying from a no-haggle car dealer.
The bottom line
Shoppers unsure of the no-haggle price meaning may wonder if dealerships mean this literally. The vast majority of the time, the answer is yes. A no-haggle price means the sticker price is the true price you pay for the car, not a starting point for negotiations.
No-haggle car buying lets shoppers easily compare the price of vehicles from different dealerships. It saves time and effort, which many drivers deem invaluable, even if it may not always save money. No-haggle usually refers only to the sticker price of the car. That's not, however, the only price involved in buying a car. Taxes and fees, plus finance charges should be taken into account. If you have a trade-in you're looking to part with, be ready to negotiate the price of that as well. Do your research beforehand so you know the market value of your old vehicle.
