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Are you looking for a new set of wheels? You may be surprised to learn that the day you choose to visit the dealership can have a major impact on your car buying experience.
We’ve gone the extra mile and consulted car buying experts to bring you these tips. As you embark on your car buying journey, remember that these tips are more like general guidelines, as every situation is unique. Factors such as location and specific dealership policies play a role. Here’s some information on when — and when not — to buy a car.
Best day to buy a car: Tuesday
“The best days to visit a car dealership are usually weekdays, especially early in the week,” said Nick Musica of Cash For Your Junk Car. “Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be less busy as many people are busy with work and other weekday commitments. By visiting the dealership on these days, you are more likely to receive prompt attention from salespeople and have more bargaining power. Also, early mornings or weekdays around opening time are good options as you can avoid the rush later and have more time to discuss your preferences and options.
Different experts we spoke to cited Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday as key days to get to the dealership. But all agreed that by doing it you’d avoid competition from crowds and get some one-on-one time with a salesperson.
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Worst day to buy a car: Saturday
As expected, Saturday is likely to be the busiest day at a car dealership. With all the other buyers out there, the sales staff might be more eager to work with you.
“Generally, weekends, especially Saturdays, tend to be the busiest and busiest days at car dealerships,” Musica said. “This high foot traffic can lead to longer wait times and less individual attention from vendors. Therefore, if you want to avoid the rush and have a more personalized experience, it’s best to avoid visiting the dealers on Saturday.
Imagine this: long wait times, hordes of people and overwhelmed vendors scattered around. Not exactly the personalized attention you deserve, is it? So for a more relaxed visit, with the facetime you’ll need to bargain, do yourself a favor and skip the Saturday dealer madness.
Other times to consider
“The worst day of the week is the first week of the month,” said Lauren Fix, founder of YouTube channel CarCoachReports. “They have already paid their financing on the vehicle and they are less flexible. As the month progresses they are more flexible and pricing on the last day of the month is the best day.
Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing at CFR Classic, agrees. “Synchronize your purchase with the end of sales and quota cycles, which typically occurs on the last day of the month, quarter, or fiscal year. Dealers often receive bonuses or other incentives for meeting their quotas, and they may be more willing to offer better deals as the day progresses. Taking advantage of this situation can save you money, especially when you have done your research on the prices and discounts available.
When we combine all of these valuable tips, we discover that the best time to visit the dealership would be the last day of the month, preferably if it falls on a Tuesday.
This way you position yourself for maximum advantage. Dealers will be looking to hit their sales targets and may be more willing to negotiate and offer great deals. And Tuesday is the sweet spot where the weekend rush has set in, letting you enjoy the dedicated attention of the sales team.
More ways to save
Here are some other tips to help you cut costs when buying your next car.
- Do your research about the car you want beforehand, including its make, model, features and market value. This knowledge will empower you during negotiations, build your confidence and ensure you get the best deal possible.
- Determine your budget. Consider how much you’ll need for down payment, monthly payments, and total cost of ownership.
- Get pre-approved for a loan if you intend to finance the car. This step also improves your bargaining power during negotiations.
- Test drive the car to make sure you like it and the features work the way you want. Also try other cars to make sure you get the one that suits your needs and preferences.
- Above all, don’t be afraid to negotiate.
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