Kathy (caller) / Unknown

and I was a single mom on a shoestring budget with no experience in buying a car.

I visited several car lots and was horrified at the transparent lies and aggressive sales tactics, both about their competitors' cars and their own cars.

Disillusioned, I did some homework and decided to put the shoe on the other foot.

I did a few test drives and realized that a Nissan Sentra was my best option.

I researched dealer prices and reasonable markups, decided on my price, somewhere around $15,700 to $16,000 if I remember right, and began.

I called the three Nissan dealers within 75 miles, confirmed that they had the car I wanted on site, and explained that I had the cash in hand or in the bank and was willing to buy a car that day.

They loved hearing that.

Then I pitted the dealers against each other.

And every time one gave me a cheaper price, I called the other two saying, well, can you beat this particular price?

And it was impressive how quickly the prices came down.

Then the last salesman said to me,

I can do better for you.

I get a commission on how many cars I sell regardless of price.

I will sell you this car for $12,700 if you come in today.

I was delighted.

It was well below dealer price, and I had other salesmen just be astonished at the price I got.