What exactly is an auto-buying service?

In the truest sense of the term, an auto-buying service and the consultant representing it, orchestrate the entire vehicle-buying process for their clients. The idea supporting their existence, and the subsequent relationships they enjoy with their clients is simple – because auto-buying services have extensive experience, knowledge and understanding of how the retail sales process is structured, they are in a position to save the consumer clients they represent significantly more money than they otherwise would have on their own. This results from the consultant knowing what the dealers know, enabling them to negotiate effectively for their clients, realizing a savings that can reach into the thousands. The end result is actually a two-fold benefit, with the client having avoided the stress and intimidation many inexperienced consumers encounter when entering the dealership to represent themselves.

However, all buying services are not created equal, as the level of service they offer can vary quite substantially. The majority of buying services offer little more for their clients than contacting the dealer to arrange the selling price they will pay for the vehicle. The value of this limited type of service can be difficult to measure at best, for a number of reasons. For one, it’s not always easy to really know if an exceptional selling price was arranged, as many services are paid a commission by the dealership for having referred business to them, which can only originate from money their clients didn’t save, but should have. In addition, because the consumer is handed over to the dealership after a selling price is assigned to the vehicle, they are still quite exposed to overpaying in the many other areas comprising the deal in its entirety. Since we believe the buying or leasing process extends much further beyond that of selling price, the case could be made that other outfits would be more accurately described as price-setting services.

Why should I consider the consulting services of GCBT for my next vehicle purchase or lease?

For a number of reasons. First of course, to keep from overpaying for your vehicle, as well as for the many other peripheral aspects of the transaction. This is because dealerships quite frequently make more money on the back-end of a transaction, than they realized on the purchase price. Unfortunately, most consumers do poorly in both areas, paying much more than they had to, due mostly to their being unfamiliar with the process and having lacked the information critical to their success. Simply put, because we have studied all aspects of the process in detail and possess the experience that only comes from working in this arena regularly, we are knowledgeable with regard to the dynamics of all dealer profit centers. In short, the clients we work with are those who realize it is in their best interest to retain us, because the end result of that expenditure will prove to be a many fold savings, easily reaching well into four figures in most cases.

Secondly, because we have the means to compile all the necessary pricing and dealer rebate and incentive information pertaining to your vehicle. This quite frequently translates into a savings for our clients reaching into the thousands in this one area alone, which they would not have realized without us.

Additionally, to save yourself plenty of physical stress and anxiety. A recent study cited the purchasing or leasing of a new vehicle as being a top ten stressful activity of daily life. It is quite natural for someone to feel intimidated at the dealership, which is attributable to the fact that the average consumer is just not very savy with respect to the process. It is this lack of vehicle-buying knowledge on the part of the consumer, however well armed they may think they are with pricing information gotten from an hour or so surfing the internet, which affords the dealership the upper-hand over most customers who walk through their doors. The dealership has the upper-hand because they transact car deals every day, while the typical consumer only does so every four or five years.

The bottom line is that an inexperienced buyer or lessee, will almost certainly pay more than they have to, sometimes to extreme degrees, because they do not go through the process very often. They are therefore unable to pinpoint exactly where, how, or if the dealership is making this happen, which leads to the stress and trepidation all buyers experience. GCBT removes that stress for you by being at your side throughout the process.

Remember, provided it’s done ethically, the dealership has every right to try to make as much profit as it can on your deal. Conversely, it is your right to be as prepared as possible to not let that happen at your expense. Best Car Buying Tips feel that with us at your side you are prepared as possible.

What distances Great Car Buying Tips from other auto-buying services?

Several factors. First, because most other services operate on a national level, personal interaction with the dealership, as well as with you the client, does not exist. This means that you still must be placed in the stressful situation of having to interact with the dealership, because once other services have negotiated your selling price over the phone, you are simply sent to the dealership to bring the transaction as a whole to a conclusion. In our opinion, taking the interaction with seasoned sales staff out of the equation for our clients, is what we feel the whole concept of an auto-buying service should be predicated on and why our business is exclusive to New Jersey. With GCBT, you never have to enter the dealership by yourself during any phase of price and contractual negotiations. To that end, we know of no other auto-buying service which is physically present during all stages of your buying or leasing experience.

Additionally, Best Car Buying Tips has the informational means to be kept abreast of dealer incentives and rebates on all makes and models. GCBT captures this available money to incorporate into our client’s deal, further reducing their purchase price. This is just one area at our disposal which can be taken advantage of to obtain a cost well under dealer invoice for our clients. Unfortunately, most consumers do not benefit from such a promotion when one exists, because they simply do not have the means to obtain the information necessary to know that it is available to them.

Furthermore, inherent to our services is a thorough calculation and contract provision check to be absolutely certain no errors or surreptitious charges have made their way into the contract. Other services are unable to provide such an important check because they are simply not present to do so.

Lastly, GCBT does not receive any payments whatsoever from any dealership at any time, as many services do, so there is never a conflict of interest in the business relationships we enjoy with our clients. By our not having any business arrangement with any dealership, coupled with the much larger scope of the service we provide, GCBT is afforded the ability to pursue every area of cost savings when shaping your deal.

Once our prospective clients come to understand that there is no substitute for in-dealership representation, it quickly becomes apparent how GCBT distances itself from other auto-buying services.

I’ve heard of auto brokers - is GCBT an auto broker?

No. GCBT is an auto-buying consulting service, not an auto broker. While on the surface there may appear to be some similarity, auto brokerships and car-buying services are very different. For one, our understanding has it that auto brokers are no longer permitted to operate in several states, New Jersey included. One reason for this seems to stem from the fact that auto brokers physically buy the vehicles their clients are in search of, then resell them to those clients. A big problem with that dynamic, was that it opened the door for the more unscrupulous dealerships to set up extensions of themselves, posing as car brokers to act in their own interests, instead of those of the client which it operated under the guise of. Of course, the end result of this charade was the unsuspecting client paying an inflated price for the vehicle, comparable to that which they would have realized had they walked into such a dealership alone in the first place.

Another problematic component for those working with an auto broker, lies in the fact that because their profit is derived from the setting of a spread between what they paid for the vehicle and what they sell it to their customer for, there is obviously a direct conflict of interests. In addition, the auto broker being the original owner of record can lead to many other snags. These can range from recall notifications and other manufacturer communications not being passed on to the client, to servicing department issues arising from the customer in all actuality being the second owner of what is considered to be a used vehicle.

Conversely, because Great Car Buying Tips is a car-buying service and does not act on behalf of any specific dealership, or ever buy the vehicle, our livelihood instead depends on how well we serve the interests of our clients. It is our clients who on most occasions dictate which dealership we will be transacting with, and who always become the original owner, thus negating any such conflicts of interests as described above.

Does GCBT really physically accompany its clients at the dealership?

Absolutely. A more accurate way to describe it would be to say that our clients come to the dealership with us, because we approach the transaction as if we were buying or leasing the vehicle for ourselves. We like to use the analogy of an attorney representing a client at a court appearance, the only differences being that our representation takes place at the dealership and our reason for being there makes for a much happier occasion! GCBT clients are afforded the opportunity to watch the process unfold, needing only to assist when an issue requiring their personal choice or preference presents itself.

This is the hallmark aspect of our service and what makes GCBT unique. It is also responsible for our success, in that our handling of each client transaction allows us a certain sense of accomplishment, which permits our clients to drive home in their new vehicle with the feeling that using our service was money well spent. GCBT feels there is no achievement to be realized on our part by simply collecting a fee to then hand our clients over to a dealership, the way so many other auto-buying services are set up to function.

In what other ways do I benefit from working with GCBT?

As an additional benefit, GCBT scrutinizes many other areas of your purchase or lease deal, making sure we have minimized dealer profit to a fair level. One such area we will target are the additional costs and fees many dealers charge to effectually pass their cost of doing business to you.GGCBT isolates which costs and fees are justified and which simply are not. Sometimes a legitimate cost or fee may be exorbitantly priced, and GCBT will require its adjustment. This is a glaring example of another area where other auto-buying services fall short by simply arranging a selling price for you.

To many individuals, saving a substantial amount of money they otherwise would not have is equally important as their avoiding the stress and trepidation that almost always accompanies an impending interaction with a dealership and its sales staff by someone unfamiliar with the process. GCBT affords its clients the peace of mind that comes from their feeling prepared, because we control the pace and direction of the transaction.

May I find the vehicle I wish to purchase or lease on my own?

Certainly. Once the vehicle type is decided upon, our clients may either take advantage of the location services we offer, or choose to visit a dealership near them to find a suitable unit in current stock. For our future clients who will be locating their own vehicle, it is important to remember that this is the sole purpose of such an initial visit to the dealership.

Some tips to keep in mind prior to setting out for the dealership:

• When first approached by a salesperson upon your arrival, be polite but clear that you are only at their dealership to see if the vehicle you are seeking is in current stock. If so, state that you would be happy to take a test drive, however nothing else beyond that will transpire during the visit.

• Remember that even after making it clear you are just in the initial phase of locating your vehicle, a salesperson will attempt to extract as much information from you as possible. Do politely decline to volunteer any information you feel isn’t necessary for the salesperson to have at this stage, however innocuous the questions may seem on the surface.

• Once certain you have found the vehicle of your choice, do take it for a test drive to be certain everything is to your liking.

• Do not ever leave a deposit on the vehicle, regardless of the sense of urgency that is most likely to present itself. The deal available today will most certainly be available tomorrow.

• Do record the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This is usually visible through the bottom of the driver’s side windshield.

• Do record the dealer stock number for that vehicle if possible, which is usually attached to the rear-view mirror to be visible through the windshield.

• Do record all significant optional equipment, as well as the MSRP figure from the vehicle sticker.

Does GCBT treat my transaction differently whether I choose to purchase or lease?

No. There is absolutely no difference in how GCBT approaches a purchase or lease situation with its clients, in regard to any of our provisions or services. In fact, the process that will unfold at the dealership on your behalf is almost identical be it a purchase or a lease, because from a dealer perspective the vehicle is technically being purchased in either instance. Even though a lessee is in essence renting the vehicle and does not ever assume ownership, the leasing company does, so either way the dealership is still selling the vehicle outright.

The only differences lie in how purchase and lease arrangements are structured in their mechanics, and the subsequent checks GGCBT conducts to ensure the deal we have negotiated on your behalf is the same deal that gets drafted into your contract.

I’m not sure if I would like to purchase or lease, will GCBT assist me in deciding?

Certainly. Best Car Buying Tips is happy to discuss the differences inherent to both with their registered clients, helping them arrive at a cost effective decision based on their individual situation, preferences and driving habits. For further information, see the Leasing vs. Buying section of our site.

Am I still eligible for all manufacturer to consumer rebates and incentives when working with GCBT?

Yes. Best Car Buying Tips simply act as agent to their client while working towards finalizing a deal on their behalf that is infrequently realized by the typical consumer. GCBT never assumes ownership of the vehicle, therefore, all available manufacturer to consumer rebates and incentives certainly apply as if you had represented yourself throughout the purchase or lease process.

Furthermore, GCBT is kept abreast of all manufacturer to dealer rebate and incentive information not released to the general public and captures this money for our clients when such a program is in effect. This is an area of the transaction rarely capitalized on by the typical consumer, which translates into a missed savings opportunity that can range from hundreds to thousands, depending on the particular program and vehicle.

What must I do prior to retaining GCBT’s services?

First and foremost, our clients must have arrived at a decision regarding the make, model, and options of the vehicle they wish to purchase or lease.

Secondly, in the absence of any manufacturer sponsored rate programs our purchase clients are confident they would qualify for, we recommend securing pre-approved financing from an independent lending source.

It is important to remember to apply for an amount in excess of that which you will ultimately be borrowing, as the exact amount of needed financing isn’t known until the deal in its entirety is complete. Financial lenders recognize this dynamic and condone the use of such an estimate by giving you subsequent ability to adjust the amount of the actual loan to match the final purchase price, once it is determined at the dealership. GCBT is happy to offer guidance with the setting of the above mentioned estimate, should a potential client choose to contact us in advance for assistance. For more information explaining why pre-arranged financing should be sought in most cases, see the Financing Tips section of our site.

How do I retain GCBT’s services?

Clients wishing to retain the consulting services of Great Car Buying Tips can do so in minutes via our 128-bit encryption secure server in the Register With Us area of our site.

GCBT will first collect and compile all the data specific to your new vehicle of choice, as well as that of any current vehicle you may wish to trade-in at the dealership.

After having the opportunity to read our consulting agreement, as the last step of the registration process our future clients will be prompted to furnish a non-refundable retainer fee in the amount of $79.00, which is required for GCBT to begin the involved process of researching all information specific to their vehicle of choice, as well as beginning its location search should a client not choose to find the actual vehicle on their own. The registration process also enables GCBT to work with clients who understand the value of our services and are earnest in their decision to transact a new vehicle purchase or lease at the time they contact us.

It should be noted that while Great Car Buying Tips and their clients have a business arrangement, no contract with the dealership or manufacturer is effectuated until you sign the prepared contract documents at the dealership, drafted as per the terms previously negotiated by us in your presence.

Great Car Buying Tips welcomes their future clients to Contact Us prior to registration with any questions or concerns they may have.

What happens after I have retained GCBT’s services?

Once you have registered with Best Car Buying Tips, a confirmation e-mail verifying your success with the process is instantaneously generated and sent to you. GCBT is simultaneously alerted to your registration and within one business day contacts you for a preliminary discussion to gain a further understanding of all the particulars that simply cannot be gathered via an online form.

After having become completely familiar with all the specifics of your case, GCBT is able to offer guidance in all the relevant areas of importance that will ultimately contribute to your impending transaction being as cost effective as possible.

Our clients may also certainly feel free to Contact Us at their leisure during this phase of the process, should there be any important communications or developments they are in need of sharing with us.

Am I obligated to go through with the deal GCBT negotiates on my behalf?

Never. GCBT is confident that this would rarely, if ever be the case. However, for the comfortability of our future clients, Great Car Buying Tip’s consulting agreement stipulates that should a client be displeased with our handling of negotiations on their behalf for any reason, there is absolutely no monetary or contractual obligation to move forward with any transaction.

What is the cost of hiring GCBT to orchestrate my purchase or lease deal?

Much less than the cost of not hiring GCBT to orchestrate it, according to industry statistics which show the typical auto consumer on average pays $2,000 more than what would have been acceptable to secure the same deal.

As for GCBT’s pricing specifics, there are two components comprising our fee.

~ A retainer fee in the amount of $79.00, which is required for GCBT to begin the involved process of researching all pricing and program information specific to your vehicle of choice, as well as beginning its location search, should you wish for us to conduct it.

~ An in-dealership representation fee, the amount of which is determined by our performance negotiating on your behalf, as per the schedule below. All other buying services we’re familiar with employ a fixed pricing structure, which GCBT feels leaves little motivation on the part of the service to work towards getting the best possible deal for their client. Instead, Best Car Buying Tips employs a graded approach to its fee structure, congruently tied to the relationship of your negotiated price to the dealer invoice cost. This dictates that GCBT gets compensated for performance, a correlation more in line with the interests of the consumer. Best Car Buying Tips’ in-dealership representation fee schedule is as follows:

1.75% of the final vehicle selling price, when negotiated at $1,000.00 or more below invoice price.

1.60% of the final vehicle selling price, when negotiated at $500.00 to $999.00 below invoice price.

1.45% of the final vehicle selling price, when negotiated at $1.00 to $499.00 below invoice price.

1.35% of the final vehicle selling price, when negotiated at invoice price.

1.15% of the final vehicle selling price, when negotiated at $1.00 to $249.00 above invoice price.

0.95% of the final vehicle selling price, when negotiated at $250.00 to $499.00 above invoice price.

0.50% of the final vehicle selling price, when negotiated at $500.00 to $749.00 above invoice price.

0.00% of the final vehicle selling price, when negotiated at $750.00 to $999.00 above invoice price.

0.00% of the final vehicle selling price, when negotiated at $1,000.00 or more above invoice price.

When referring to the schedule, invoice price is not to be confused with manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP or sticker price), which is significantly higher.

To provide an example of how GCBT calculates its in-dealership representation fee as per the above schedule, we will use a hypothetical transaction where GCBT has used all available avenues to arrive at a negotiated pre-tax selling price of $21,500 for a client on a vehicle having an MSRP (sticker price) of $25,000, with a corresponding dealer invoice price of $23,000. Because GCBT secured a deal for its client in this example that saved $1,500 off the dealer invoice price, the corresponding fee percentage as found in the above schedule is 1.75%. Therefore, the $21,500 negotiated selling price multiplied by the 1.75% fee rate would yield a final payment due GCBT of $376.25 for realizing the $1,500 savings in this example.

Is GCBT compensated by the dealership at any time?

Never. In fact, because our clients dictate which dealerships we will be transacting with on most occasions, any such possible conflict of interests is negated. Best Car Buying Tips feel that not having any vested interest in, or allegiance to the profit level of any particular dealership, allows us to truly represent the interests of our clients by aggressively pursuing the absolute lowest costs attainable in all areas of the deal.

Will GCBT help me with a trade-in?

Yes. However, Best Car Buying Tips vehemently encourages its clients to sell their existing vehicles via their own private party sale, in order to capture the best resale value possible, which is always significantly higher than that obtained from a trade-in. For more information and guidance pertaining to existing vehicle disposition, see the A Word About Vehicle Trade-In section of our site.

In the event a client wishes to forgo attaining the highest return possible for their vehicle, for any reason that would prohibit it, GCBT will incorporate your trade-in into the new vehicle transaction. We will approach the negotiation of a trade-in as being an independent component of the transaction in its entirety, after having conducted the thorough wholesale market value research pertaining to it.

Does GCBT offer consulting services for the purchase of a used vehicle?

No. At this time Best Car Buying Tips solely focuses on providing buying services for newly purchased or leased vehicles.