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4 Tips from the TTCU Auto Advisor for getting the price you deserve!

You are the only person who can look out for your best interests when you are buying a vehicle.  However, are you aware of TTCU’s Auto Advisor service?  Our Auto Information Officer, Bill Bryant, is here to assist you in making your next auto purchase.  He will help you with what you should be paying for a new vehicle purchase as well as assist you with what is a fair market value for your existing vehicle.  And the best part Bill is here to help you, our TTCU members, all at no cost ... that’s FREE! Below are a few tips from Bill to help make your next vehicle buying experience a great one!

Before you buy, visit Bill at our Main office or contact him via phone at 918-749-8828 Ext. 2263 or 800-234.8828 Ext. 2263 or by email at wbryant@ttcu.com.  He is here to help you make your vehicle purchase the best it can be! 

1 Do your homework  Many people go into the vehicle buying experience without doing any type of research to find out some preliminary pricing on the model and options of the vehicle they are interested in buying. This can leave you vulnerable and gives the dealer too much control in the buying process.

Research works. Be sure to look at a variety of reviews for all models you are considering. Check the reliability, safety, fuel economy and pricing before you ever set foot on the showroom floor. And, don’t wait until the day you are ready to purchase to go to a dealership to test drive the vehicle.

Visit Bill at the Main office to find out the approximate value for your trade-in.  This will depend on the vehicle’s age, condition, mileage and equipment, as well as where you trade it in. Be sure to focus on the car’s wholesale price, as the retail price is what you would expect if you were selling the car outright.

2 Don’t assume that the sticker price is the purchase price To receive the lowest price, go in with a starting price that’s based not on the sticker price, but on how much the dealer paid for the vehicle. The dealer invoice price is commonly available and Bill can help you. But, the invoice price isn’t necessarily what the dealer paid. There are often other bonuses, such as dealer incentives and holdbacks, that give the dealer additional profit margin to negotiate with on any given vehicle.

3 Negotiate one item at a time Only after you’ve settled on the price of the vehicle should you discuss trade-in value, financing, rebates or warranties as necessary. Negotiate each item individually. Remember, you’re buying the vehicle and you can leave at any time and choose to return.  

4 Meet your TTCU loan officer first  It's a good idea to pre-qualify for a vehicle loan so you know just what you can afford when you visit the dealership. TTCU does have agreements with multiple automobile dealerships to offer TTCU loans in the financing office of the car dealer, so you can purchase your vehicle at participating dealers and get your financing at TTCU, all without leaving the dealer's lot.

Don’t pay for extras you don’t need. Often you will be offered extras such as rust-proofing, fabric or paint protection or Vehicle Identification Number window etching to deter thieves. Many times these are unnecessary extras that add to the vehicle costs and to your monthly payment.

Visit preferred TTCU dealerships. TTCU has established relationships with many area dealerships that have agreed to offer certain pricing discounts to TTCU members. Bill will be happy to help you find a reliable dealership for the model of vehicle for which you are looking to buy. 

Before you buy, visit Bill at our Main office or contact him via phone at 918-749-TTCU Ext. 2263 or by email. He is here to help you make your vehicle purchase the best it can be!