Lowballing...

No seriously! We're keen to know.

For as long as we've remembered, it was the natural thing to do to haggle with a person selling a vehicle. Whether that be brand new, used, garage or private.

However, it has become almost bordering on the stupidity in the last few years that see really insane offers from some, in the belief that the market has bottomed out, because Sheila down the pubs boyfriend, has a mate called Keith, who knows someone in Bristol who can guarantee that there is a slightly downward slump going on at the moment, which will call for drastic measures, so everyone selling a vehicle will have to sell at 50% of the asking price or they'll go under. So why not grab yourself a bargain and make them a serious offer!

Really?

If this is you, take a long hard look at yourself in a mirror and have a word. And then have another one. And then possibly give yourself a slap. A hard one!

Yes, by all means, haggle with a dealership / garage. In fact, they'll most likely do it for you in some cases. But a message in to an establishment asking to buy an £18995 vehicle for £10000 is not only wasting your own time, but the time of the person who has to sweep through the leads daily.

So, don't be offended if no one replies to you. If you do get a response, it will only be out of common courtesy and most likely be asking whether your offer is in fact a deposit and how will you be financing the remainder.

Do it the proper way, with a bit of old fashionedness thrown in. Enquire about the vehicle, arrange to see it, test drive it and if you really really are interested about owning it, start negotiations. But never ever ever EVER! Expect a dealership / garage to sell a vehicle way below their margin.

If you think that you're doing them a favour, by buying it off them at almost half the price in order to keep them afloat, think again (If its possible). It would be the complete opposite. So, don't be a moon trumpet.

-Will B ;)