Car Buying Services - Car Expert Lauren Fix

Courtesy of YNN/ Time Warner
Aired: 11/29/2011

If you decide to solicit an expert's advice to buy your next car, you still need to choose the right service. Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, has more.

If you find the car-buying process intimidating or are just too busy, you might want to consider using a car-buying service or concierge.

Car-buying services work either by charging you a flat fee or claiming a percentage of what they save you on the purchase price of a car. These services will help you choose a vehicle, negotiate the best price, get trade-in values, review the purchase contract, and arrange to have the vehicle delivered to your home or office once the contract is signed. While car concierge services charge an upfront fee, they promise to negotiate a low price that yields net savings for the buyer.

There are many services offered by insurance companies, banks, buying clubs and independent companies. Here are just a few:

AutoNation Direct taps into its 200 AutoNation outlets across the country. A car-buying consultant advises you what new or used car to buy, locates the car, and arranges test-drives, pricing, and trade-ins.

USAA offers a service called Auto Circle with up-front member prices on new and used cars from USAA certified dealers.

AAA Car Buying Service helps you find your perfect vehicle with exclusive access to great deals.

AutoFinder.com offers pre-negotiated Dealer Pricing for all new vehicles.

Carsala.com assists you in buying used cars at new-car dealerships. A "negotiator" will locate a used car, negotiate the lowest price and arrange for delivery or pick-up at a dealership.

Club car buying services, such as those offered by Costco, BJ's, and Sam's Club, are free to members and promise improved pricing. The services usually point buyers to a representative at a designated dealership that provides up-front pricing. Club car buying services seem to work well for commonly available cars. Beyond that, personalized service will be limited.

Car brokers are paid by the dealer, so it is a free service for the car purchaser. The broker will find the vehicle, negotiate a price, and have the car delivered. Some brokers only buy from certain dealerships, which may limit your choices.

All of these services can be beneficial for car shoppers who hate to haggle and have limited time. They all will locate your car and do the negotiating, which is the step most consumers hate. All these services offer a certain level of protection, keeping an unprepared car buyer from being thrown into the wheeling-and-dealing car buying process. Although the prices of these services may vary, as a buyer you can expect expert consultation and a variety of car choices to meet your needs.