The following are my notes so I can use the technique again (in about a decade or so) or for your benefit.  As an aside, I have used this technique 3-4 times with success.  The first time was in 1995 when I bought a Geo Metro via fax (times change!).  See the further reading section for other methods and techniques. 

I have bought about a dozen cars in my life including a few clunkers when I was a kid.  I tend to buy new vehicles and then drive them a decade or more.  One of the reasons that I drive cars as long as I do is that I hate the car buying process.  Just give me the best friggin’ price and I will be on my way, thank you!  Recently, my wife needed to give up her beloved truck as she was finding it harder to get in and out of; thus, we were on the hunt for a smallish SUV.    

Okay, now that I knew my quarry, how to buy the vehicle?  This is where Email buying comes in. 

What Do You Want & Who Has ’em

Step one is to know exactly what to buy.  In this way the purchase is a commodity.  This is also why buying a new car works better than a used vehicle.  Where to buy is the next question.  In my case I identified  dealers in and around the Edmonton area (north-central Alberta), in total 11 dealers.  I then sent each dealer an email (see Email Sample below).  

In some cases, the email for the dealer was on the website but in other cases there was a contact form.  In the latter’s case I shortened the email below asking them to contact me and then sent the sales person the email.  I started sending the emails on a Sunday and gave them to the following Wednesday (3 business days) to provide a response.  

Responses and Results

Of the 11 dealers contacted, I received 10 bids from 7 dealers (some dealers made two offers) and one response but no bid from a 8th dealer.  The following are the top to bottom responses: 

Where	Position	Buy Type	Cost $	Difference
Edmonton Area	1	Finance	26,947	–
Edmonton Area	2	Cash	27,615	668
Edmonton Area	3	Cash	27,832	885
Outside Edmonton	4	Cash	28,000	1,053
Outside Edmonton	5	Finance	28,188	1,241
Outside Edmonton	6	Cash	28,204	1,257
Edmonton Area	7	Cash	28,483	1,536
Outside Edmonton	8	Cash	28,888	1,941
Edmonton Area	9	Cash	31,183	4,236
Outside Edmonton	10	Cash	31,476	4,529
		N	10
		Min	26,947	–
		Max	31,476	4,529
		Average	28,681	1,734
		Median	28,196	1,249

Based on the above data sample, I saved up to $4,529 and likely around $1,200 to $1,700 had I just negotiated with a single dealer.  The reality is that there is not a lot of margin in the vehicle we purchased.  Nevertheless, $600 to $1,700 in cash savings for about 3 hours work is not a bad return on investment.  

As for the dealers, I suspect that they should love getting an email with an offer to buy.  While they may lose some margin on the sale, if they can provide the best ‘deal’ their cost of sales is perhaps an hour of effort.  For the salesperson, no standing around waiting for customers to come in or cold calling prospects.  

Planning for Next Time

Some of the further reading links below suggest doing a second round of negotiations.  As a result, I would probably use multiple rounds of bidding.  The first round would be an expression of interest.  Subsequent rounds would then reduce it until there is a final ‘best and final offer’ from one dealer. 

One small aside to the above numbers, I had forgotten to ask for an extended warranty.  As a result, I paid retail for this.  Oh well, with this blog as a memory jog, better luck next time.  Of course, next time it will be an electric self-driving vehicle!

Email Sample

* Note: the following is based on a multiple round offer process which I will use next time.  It also includes items I missed this time such as the extended warranty. 

Subject: Potter – Sell me a [YEAR] [MAKE-MODEL-STYLE] All-wheel Drive ([COLOUR])

Hello, I am buying a car this week.  Who I buy it from is up to you.  I am asking your dealership to respond to this email with an offer which will indicate your interest in selling me a car.  This ‘expression of interest’ phase will then be followed up with subsequent opportunities to beat the best and final offer(s) I have received.  If your dealership wants to SELL ME A CAR then these are things to remember before bidding: 

1. Your offer must be the ‘drive off the lot price’.
2. Drive off the lot means inclusive of all fees, taxes, GST, levies, etc. 
3. If you forget to include any costs it means that you are paying it. 
4. My strong preference is option 1 below but I will consider best value-added for option 2 (a used vehicle) or option 3 (trade in my existing vehicle). 

Option 1 – Sell me this New Car: 

• [YEAR] [MAKE-MODEL-STYLE] All-wheel Drive
• Colour: [COLOUR].
• 84 Month extended warranty.
• Winter tires mounted on steel rims (specify the tire make and model)
• Cash Payment 

Option 2 – Used or Demo Car:  

I will consider a low mileage vehicle if well priced and the car can be delivered on or before [DATE].

• Used [YEAR] [MAKE-MODEL-STYLE] All-wheel Drive with low km (e.g. <5,000km)
• No significant mechanical or cosmetic damage or problems.
• Colours (in order): Yellow, Green, Purple
• 84 Month extended warranty.
• Winter tires mounted on steel rims (specify the tire make and model)
• Cash Payment  

Option 3 – Trade In:

I intend to sell my current vehicle privately, nevertheless, the details are as follows:

• [YEAR] [MAKE – MODE], 4×4 automatic, 125,000km.
• Minor exterior damage (rust, slightly dented left front fender).
  Power locks, cruise, AC, CD/Radio.
• Soft truck bed cover and new winter tires on steel wheels and 2-year old all season on original rims.
• Mechanically well maintained since 2012 when vehicle was purchased used.
• VIN: X9X9X9X9X9X9X9X9 

How to Sell Me a Car:

The time lines are as follows:

1. Based on your inventory or vehicle availability, select Option 1 and/or 2.
2. If there is a cost savings to financing the vehicle, feel free to include this as an option.  
3. Factor in all fees, levies, taxes, GST, discounts and rebates available to you.  
4. If your dealership ‘forgets’ any charge whatsoever it will cover this cost.  Responding to this offer to buy means you agree to this condition.  
5. Respond via email [email]@myorgbio.org to me by [DATE – TIME] with an expression of interest and an offer. 
6. Give me your BEST and FINAL OFFER meeting or preferably BEATING the current best offer.  
7. If you have provided the best deal, I will buy this week and we can talk about a trade in as well after you see my [used vehicle]. 

Thank you for giving me the best deal on the above vehicle.  I look forward to hearing from you.  My contact details are below but unless you have emailed me your best deal there is not much point in calling me.  

Frank Potter, Cell: [phone number], Email: [email]@myorgbio.org

Further Reading

The following provide pretty much the same advise although most with some small tweaks or improvements.  If I have a more expensive car to buy in the future, I will revisit these (and the other 3.74 BILLION) Google hits on the subject. 

• How to buy a car by e-mail: Washington Post; 2015/08/17.
• Get The Best Deal On A New Car With One Simple Email: Money Under 30; April 15, 2019.
• Negotiate with Car Dealerships by Email: Auto cheat sheet; 01/30/2019.
• Emailing the Dealership: Getting a Quote on Your Dream Car: Nerd Wallet; July 11, 2016.
• How to Negotiate Car Prices by Email or Phone: Consumer Reports; July 19, 2017. 
• What is Find the Best Car Price and Why is it Free?: Find the Best Car Price; May 18th, 2019.
• The Ultimate New Car Buying Guide for 2019: