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Step Three : Sealing the Deal

• Shop around: If you want the best deal, nothing can replace pitting one offer against another by shopping around. Do research on what discounts are available and ask about manufacturer specials and impending price cuts. You should also consider calling a Direct Sales Agent for a quote; they work in a close collaboration with dealerships and survive on wafer thin margins.
  

• Finance deals: Shopping around for financing can also uncover fabulous deals. Make a point of checking the actual interest rate rather than the quoted one – you’ll be surprised at the discrepancies this can reveal. To find out more on getting the lowest possible equalized monthly payment (EMI), click HERE (ARTICLE: How to get the lowest EMI & the best Finance Deal).
  

• Considered Leasing?: Some corporates / businessmen may realize more benefits from leasing rather than financing. To view the Team-BHP article on the pros and cons of a lease, click HERE (ARTICLE: Lease OR Loan? Which EMI is better for you).
  

• Trade-in: If you want to exchange your old car, don’t tell the salesperson until the deal on the new car is finalized. This will prevent you fighting a two-front war to hold the dealership from buying your old car at the lowest price and selling your new car at the highest. Dealerships make a lot of money on used car sales.
  

• No Claim Bonus (NCB): Your insurance agent will never volunteer information about the NCB. Simply put, the NCB lets you to transfer the insurance premium benefits of your old car to your new one if you have made no damage claims. Your old car must be sold or transferred to make this possible, but the NCB alone will save thousands on the purchase cost of your car. To discover more about the NCB, click HERE (ARTICLE: No Claim Bonus - How to save on your insurance premiums!).
  

• Check before registration: It’s a good idea to physically check your car before it is sent to the Regional Transport Authority for registration. Patching up a damaged car and selling it as new is not unknown even at authorized dealerships. To view the entire pre-delivery checklist, click HERE (ARTICLE: Pre-delivery Inspection & Check List).
  

• Registration in other states: This is a very popular trick, especially in cities like Mumbai where buyers register their cars in neighbouring towns like Thane to save money. We don’t recommend this practice – the law will eventually catch up with you.
  

• Service station monopolies: This is relevant for buyers from smaller cities and towns where there may be only one authorized service center for a particular brand. In most cases these monopoly players exploit customers with their high-handed attitudes. Search within the Team-BHP forums for the service experiences of actual owners from your city.
  

• Extended warranties: Extended coverage for your new car is always a good idea. Even the most reliable cars have occasional defects and parts for modern cars can be tremendously expensive to replace. Click HERE (ARTICLE: Extended Warranties. Yes or No?) for the Team-BHP guide to extended warranties.
  

• Accessories: Crosscheck accessory prices between the showroom and after-market dealers. Some authorized dealerships charge as much as Rs.4,000 for sun film on a hatchback, while an after-market option costs only Rs.1,200. Dealerships make a lot of money on accessories. If the dealership is bundling free accessories, verify their quality and brand. To view the Team-BHP list of "must-have" accessories, click HERE (ARTICLE: Must-have Accessories for your new car).