If you are trying to buy a car, then you should understand that there’s an art to the negotiation process. Some people relish it. They like going into a car dealership and trying to bargain to get the best possible deal.

Others dread this process. These are usually the individuals who are either introverts or who don’t like bargaining.

Whichever category you fall into, though, whether you’re in the market for Waxahachie used cars or you would prefer a brand-new one, you need to be strategic about how you approach the process. In this article, we’ll discuss five of the best methods of negotiating for your next vehicle.

Bring in the Doubtful Friend

If you know a lot about cars, and you are trying to find your new one, then you will have an advantage. If you know the features of the vehicle you’re looking for, you understand how much it should cost, and you can demonstrate your expertise when talking to a salesperson, then they should immediately sense that they shouldn’t try any underhanded tactics with you.

However, there are plenty of people who don’t know a whole lot about cars, but who still need to purchase new vehicles. If you’re in this group, you don’t want to reveal during the negotiation process that you’re a novice in this area.

It can be helpful to bring someone with you who knows more about cars than you. That could be a friend, a relative, a neighbor, or anyone else you know who can protect you from predatory tactics by vehicle salespeople. While most of them won’t try anything devious, there is still the occasional individual who will.

While having someone with you who knows about cars can be helpful, it’s often even better if you make it clear while negotiating that you trust this person’s opinion, and they’re portraying the skeptical advisor. You can discuss this role with them beforehand.

While talking with the salesperson about whether you might get this particular car or not, you can continually defer to your friend’s opinion. You can let them ask a lot of questions. They might indicate their skepticism with facial expressions.

If the salesperson sees that this individual is trying to talk you out of the sale, they are liable to sweeten the deal to make sure it happens. They might extend the vehicle’s warranty offer or knock some money off the sale price.

Walk Away from the Deal and Stall for Time

You should also realize that as the buyer of a vehicle, you hold all the power, not the salesperson who represents the car lot or manufacturer. You always have the option to walk away from any deal.

You can wield that power and use it to your advantage if you care to do so. Even if you feel that a particular car you’re looking at would fit your needs perfectly, you can act dubious. You might even leave the dealership to make it appear as though you need to think it over.

These delaying tactics can make a salesperson offer various incentives that they otherwise would not. Remember that most salespeople work on commission. They have the power to change the structure of a sale so that it’s more to your benefit if they think that’s what it will take to get you to pull the trigger.

Go to the Dealership at the End of the Year

The time you decide to go to the car dealership matters. For instance, if you go toward the end of a calendar year, that often benefits you.

In December, there should be holiday sales going on, but it’s also likely that the dealership will be getting next year’s models. They will want to clear out some of the inventory for the current year.

They will be motivated to move the older stock, so you can usually get a better deal than you would if you went in the fall. That’s why it’s helpful to delay till close to New Years if you’re looking at getting a car in the latter half of the year.

Go to the Dealership at the End of the Month

You can also go to a dealership toward the end of the month rather than at the beginning. Again, this tactic is helpful because salespeople often work on commission.

They might be asked by their boss to sell a certain number of cars per month. They will want to hit that target amount.

If they are having a slower month, then if you go to the dealership during the last few days before the calendar turns over, you can probably get better terms on a car. The combination of acting unconvinced as a buyer and going to the dealership on one of the last days of the month can often get you a more advantageous deal.

Head to the Dealership During a Holiday Sale

If you can’t get to a dealership toward the end of the year or the end of the month, then going during a sale is the next best thing. While the sales that happen around Christmas are usually the best for buying a car, you can also go during a 4th of July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day sale. You might even see dealerships that have President’s Day sales that feature good deals sometimes.

Holiday sales are times when dealerships will be eager to move their stock, so if you go with financing already lined up, you can probably drive away in the vehicle you want.

Any of these tactics can work, but what’s most vital to keep in mind as you go car shopping is that you’re the one in control of the negotiations. Individuals who are nervous about the process can center themselves and go into a dealership without fear if they understand that they’re not under any real pressure. They’re the one who ultimately gets to decide if a particular vehicle and terms are what will work best for them.

Driving after drinking is never a good idea, but it’s even worse when the driver is behind the wheel of a huge truck. The size and weight of a commercial truck make accidents way more dangerous, and the chances of serious or even life-changing injuries are much higher.

If you’ve been hurt in a drunk driving truck accident, getting the compensation you deserve can be tricky. The trucking company and their insurance might try to pay you less than what you deserve or even deny your claim completely.

If you have a trucking accident lawyer, the chances of this happening are less. These lawyers can help prove that the truck driver’s negligence caused the crash and make sure you get the settlement you deserve.

Steps to Take If You’re Ever Involved in an Accident Caused by an Inebriated Driver

Below are the steps to take if you’re involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver:

Move to a Safer Place

If you can, and if it’s safe, move your vehicle off the road. You don’t want to be a hazard to other drivers or get stuck in traffic. If you’re unable to move your vehicle, that’s okay. Just stay inside, put your seatbelt on, and wait for help.

Call Emergency Services

After an accident, don’t hesitate to call 911. Even if the other driver insists everything’s fine or asks you not to call, you still need to contact the emergency services. Police need to be aware of the situation, especially since it involves a drunk driver.

When the police arrive, tell them exactly what happened, how the driver was acting, and anything else that stands out. Even if you don’t feel hurt immediately, it’s still a good idea to get checked by a doctor. It is better to be safe and have a professional take a look to make sure everything is okay.

Getting Evidence

Once the dust has settled a bit, the next thing you’ll want to focus on is gathering evidence. Start by taking photos of your car, the truck, the surrounding area, and any injuries you might have. These photos will be invaluable later if you need to prove the extent of the damage or your injuries.

If anyone witnessed the crash, contact them and get their contact information. A witness can provide an important perspective on what happened, and their statement might help your case if there’s any question about what went down.

Get in Touch With Your Lawyer

At this point, it might also be a good idea to think about hiring a lawyer. If the situation feels overwhelming or if there’s a lot at stake, having someone on your side who knows the law can make things a lot smoother.

A truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of dealing with a drunk driving accident and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Give them all the details of what happened, and let them know that a drunk driver was involved.

Commit to the Process

After the initial rush of everything, work still needs to be done in the days and weeks ahead. Make sure you keep up with all your doctor appointments and treatments. Even if you start feeling better, you should never skip follow-ups or therapies.

Some injuries require ongoing care, and skipping out on treatment could affect your recovery in the long run. Stay in touch with your lawyer throughout the process. Even though things may feel slow, updating them and checking in regularly will help ensure that everything is progressing as it should.

Most importantly, be patient and don’t rush the process. These kinds of cases can take time to resolve, but if you stay on top of things and keep moving forward, you’ll get through it.