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Everything is a "guide".Yep - see previous post - BA will have a less complex correction to make using TMV than KBB . The only absolute is the number on the sales contract that you sign your name onto. I disagree on this . The only 'absolutes' that I am sure of are death and taxes . You may feel differently . In the next category , 'almost sure' , I would put that this vehicle's price has a large sum that can end up in either BA's pocket or the Dealers .
Problem is, when looking at it regionally, TMV only adjusts the prices on this car by $40. (Fourty dollars).And the point is - ie why is this a 'problem? ? 'Soft markets' tend to 'flatten out' esp. this time of year . Right now , the local market (La.) as well as the national market is soft , and worth noting , specifically , the midsize car market .
I spot checked the value on this car in 7 areas of the country. The variance from the lowest value (Texas) to the highest (Michigan) was a whopping $40. See above . In terms of large numbers over a long enough period of time , no surprise at all . Did you check KBB the same way ? Any of the others ? You need to do that if you even want to try and make this point - much less make it stick .
And why TMV values a salty 'rust belt' car higher than one from salt free Texas is a complete mystery to me. Short answer here , buyer preferences are different in the two areas . Yes , while it is "true' that 'saltbelt' used cars do 'tend' to run lower ( really more about year 3 + after the original new car price performance in both areas is considered) it is perfectly normal both in terms of new and used vehicles to have 'salt belt prices' on specific vehicles run substantially ahead of 'salt free' Southwestern markets , just as it is to have others run the same or less .
A 'local market' is made by buyers and sellers in that area . Keep in mind , the final 'corrections' can widen or narrow this difference , and that this is a dynamic situation . The guides lag . Overall , the dynamics here are headed down .
I'm sorry, but when these "adjustments" for "right now local market conditions" across the entire country are less than the price of a tank of gasoline, then those adjustments are really insignificant here.
Bottom line is, you can shove any price guide that lists any number into a dealer's face, Nope , not if you value politeness , fairness , a 'more' pleasant buying experience and want to be successful .( You also may want their goodwill later ) . You can 'offer' a low price politely . but they are still not going to take any less for a car than whatever they feel is their bottom line. This bottom line is exactly what number ? And I can expect them to disclose this number forthrightly and immediately upon entry ? Should I pay for a dealer that bought a car high or got stuck as the market changed ? Plain and simple. It's a business, not a charity. Yep . Which is why the Dealer will typically post the highest possible Retail price on the window . More often than not , this will be KBB (Many times an old out of date one with a higher price ) . Also as a general rule , most people do not want to pay more than they have to for a used car . A reasonable strategy for the typical consumer here is to look up three or so price sources find the lowest one of the three ,( Yes Virginia , I do mean the 'correct' low wholesale price from the lowest source - adjust for 'local custom' as needed . ) offer that up and go from there - you will probably meet somewhere in the middle - if at all .
Could have you made this any more difficult to read, and more difficult yet to respond to??
Oh well, it was likely an intentional move on your behalf.
Not worth the time or the effort.
A guide is a guide, and it is only that.
