Car dealers are “are among the country’s least-trusted business providers. The 2007 Better Business Bureau/Gallup Trust in Business Index reported that only 16% of survey respondents had a ‘great deal of trust‘ or ‘quite a lot of trust‘ in auto dealers.” .

Common complaints, according to the BBB, include dealers who inflate charges, pressure customers to buy features they don’t want, and add undisclosed charges to the final bill for a car.  But, ABC notes, “You don’t have to walk into a dealership expecting to be taken for a ride. Arm yourself with a few rules of engagement and you may walk out with a lot of car for less than others pay.”  Among the top tips: get all price offers in writing, use written offers to negotiate with other dealerships, do not give salespeople permission to access your credit scores,  and scrutinize the final deal carefully to ensure that the dealer didn’t overcharge you or charge you for services you didn’t request.Here are ten phrases you should not use.

1. “I’m ready to buy…”
2. “I can afford this much… “
3. “Yes, I have a trade-in…”
4. “I’m only buying the…”
5. “I’m not sure … which model…”
6. “Oh, I’ve wanted one…”
7. “I’ll take whatever…”
8. “What’s the lowest price…”
9. “Sure, I’ll look at the numbers…”
10. “I think you can do a lot better…”  

Perhaps the most important aspect of any deal, however, is the loan.  Marketwatch offers “a four point strategy” for securing the best loan you can.  The recommendations include getting approved

for a loan before you ever enter a dealership, negotiating all other aspects of the deal and then asking the dealership if they can beat the rate you’ve secured elsewhere, being certain of what you can afford, and “researching cars and current incentives, such as low-rate financing, cash back or leasing deals.” 

Let me know what you think in the comments section.