If you are looking for a new car, and you want a great deal, you will have to do some research first. During this research, you will find terms like MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) and new car invoice prices. The MSRP is what dealers would like you to pay, and the new car invoice price is supposed to be what a dealer pays for the vehicle. Here is some important information on each of these items, to help you get the best deal on your next new vehicle. The MSRP represents the maximum that one should pay for a particular model. This is the price that you see on the window, and the dealer would love for you to pay this price. However, when you discover the new car invoice price that the dealer is paying, you may see a large discrepancy. In fact, new car invoice prices are usually at least one or two thousand dollars lower than the retail price. Sometimes you may not be able to negotiate a lower price. For example, high demand and low inventory for a certain model creates ideal conditions for the dealership. They know that they can get the full retail price when there are more buyers than vehicles. In times like these, you may have few options: either pay full retail now, or wait for lower prices. Under most circumstances, you will be able to negotiate price with a dealership. In fact, you are free to make a ridiculously low offer if you wish. However, the dealership does not have to accept the offer. Yet, if you make an offer that is fair, you can usually get a good deal. And if you are aware of the actual dealer cost, you have a good bargaining position.
If you could find out what a dealer pays for their new cars, you would have a good idea of their bottom line on your new vehicle. However, their real cost is hidden from the public for obvious reasons. Thanks to the vast resources of the Internet, one can find dealer costs by searching the right places online. When you locate a reputable online pricing service, you should see the retail prices (MSRP) as well as the new car invoice prices of all the new models. Yet, this is not always the bottom line because you can often find deals that are below the invoice price. Car dealers typically get special rebates from the manufacturer for selling new cars, and these rebates provide substantial hidden profits for the dealership. This means that dealers can still make a good profit when selling at the new car invoice price, so smart shoppers always try to buy at or below the invoice price. When you’re looking for a new car, knowing the difference between wholesale and retail prices can help you get the best deal possible. The new car invoice price (what you want to pay) is far below the retail price, which the dealer wants you to pay. But when you know what the dealer’s cost is, you have a better idea of what to offer. And don’t be afraid to offer less than the invoice price, because dealers sell at or below invoice all the time.