I've used the same tactic multiple times. One time a dealer in KC offered me $1,500 below the best I could get out of Betts without even seeing my trade. Made a weekend trip out of it and everything went smooth. I've done the same thing with Woodhouse Mazda in Omaha. Other times Des Moines dealers have been cheaper. The only dealer I'm willing to pay a little more at is Hummels because they've always treated me right. The last 10 cars have been imports so I don't know about the local domestic brands.
I totally got screwed on this last purchase but I know going in that you never buy buy a car that has high demand and low inventory. If I would have waited 6 months I probably would have saved $1,000 but I somehow justified it by the fact that it needed new tires.
I know going in that they are going to make money on me but I also know that I'm always in the drivers seat. I can walk away at any time. With that said I'm not going to spend 5 days haggling over the last $200. I know what my trade in is worth, I know what the invoice on the new car is, and with those numbers I come up with where I want to be. I never tell them this number but it's always in my head.
Agree. The best bet is to do your research, realize the dealer needs to make money too, and figure out the bottom dollar you are willing to spend. When all is said and done, you have to be willing to walk if you are really stuck on price.