Today Auto Trader have revealed that only 56% of us haggle when it comes to buying a new car which I must admit is more than I would have thought but it is still just over half of buyers surveyed. I am typically British in the respect that I have never haggled when buying a car (new or used). Another stat from the report shows that 71% of younger buyers also avoid haggling as it makes them uneasy which makes sense as buying the car in the first place can be daunting for a young buyer.
The 56% from this report is a 12% rise compared to last year and Auto Trader suggest that this is because buyers find this scenario daunting. Around a third of the people surveyed also said that they found haggling more uncomfortable then asking for a pay rise, complaining about food or a free upgrade on a flight. But surely this is the British way? We are well mannered, polite and we daren't kick up a fuss.
A stat that stood out for me was that over a quarter of female buyers would rather go to the dentist than negotiate prices! Nathan Coe, Auto Trader Director Operations Director said, “Consumers are now approaching car buying in the same way they do with most other large purchases. Online search has evolved to the point where consumers can compare cars of the same age, similar mileage and engine size - amongst a huge variety of other variables that could affect price – and when these searches are more comprehensive: prices become more transparent.”
What have been your experiences when haggling for car, good, bad, indifferent?
Get in touch and let me know, I'd love to hear your stories.