One of America’s top salespeople has identified some major red flags to watch for when buying a new car from a dealer. She says these red flags often mean dealers are trying to “hide something.”
Saleswoman Andrea Anderson from Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the top 100 Cadillac salespeople in the United States. She has been selling cars for over a decade and often shares tips such as these on TikTok.
Red flags to look for when buying a new car from a dealer
She claims that a new car dealer who hesitates to give you a breakdown of additional costs, such as extra keys, warranties, and tinted windows, is a red flag.
“The biggest thing is transparency; if they are trying to hide something, they will just not give you just enough to be able to make a purchase,” she said. “When they go to present numbers, if they show you the price and payment, but nothing else, there is a reason for that.
“They are trying to hide some type of information, and that is the wrong way to negotiate a car deal.”
Anderson also says that when car dealers show you two different purchase prices, one for paying with cash and one for credit, that’s a major red flag. The car’s price should not change based on your payment method.
Shady new car dealers will also try to give you two interest rates. One for whether you buy with a warranty, and one without it. Anderson suggests challenging where the dealer got those numbers, since they should be the same price.
“These are all red flags you need to look for when negotiating a car deal,” she said.
How to make buying a new car easier and safer
“Call the dealership and ask the salesperson a question about the car you know, also ask if they do add-ons such as paint protection film or other things as a mandatory add-on,” Andrea Anderson suggests.
“Next, ask them to take a photo with their phone of the car you’re interested in. Ask them to email or text. This will tell you if the salesperson listens and will take that extra step for you. It also tells you if the car is available.”
She says if they are willing to do that, then it should be okay to schedule an appointment with them. If not, then don’t.
“Knowing that you have already spoken with the salesperson, the car is actually there, and they won’t switch you to another car, and you know if they have mandatory add-ons,” she said, adding that it “will make it a much more pleasant experience when you visit the dealership.”
