Buying Service (Cars)

[BadgerinATX]

I will be in the market for a used car in the coming months. I was on my credit union website recently (not in TX) and noticed that one of the membership benefits is that I can use a buying service.

Apparently, you tell the buying service what car you are interested in. Then they contact the dealer, negotiate prices, take care of the paperwork, etc.

Has anyone used a service like this? I'm not really considering it at this point, but if there is some positive feedback I might look more closely at it.

 

[BigWill]

my ex-wife's parents did this through their credit union. They liked it a lot.

Meanwhile, Costco does the same thing.

 

[HornBud]

There are several finance companies that do this for there customers, some of them, like USAA Finance, do it without most customers even knowing.

I wouldn't pay for this service at all, but if they are willing to do it for me if I finance with them, then why not. I've got better things to do with my time then trying to get a car deal.

 

[BigWill]

wait, you said USED car?

I've never heard of it for used.

 

[BadgerinATX]

In reply to:

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[911_horn]

What they likely will do in the used car situation is go to auction and find what you are looking for. Often the problem is you are buying a car site unseen, and have no knowledge of history. Note a clean carfax means absolutely nothing. If you are buying a used car you need to get a good inspection performed by an independent mechanic IMO.

That said I have used a car service to buy new cars before and know friends who have used the same service to buy used. IMo they offer a nice service, and cut down on much of the hassle for busy people. They often can get you a better deal than you can get for yourself, but that is not always the case.

 

[overmaars]

I used a similar service provided by my credit union and it stunk. Absolutely a waste of time. I gave them a list of specs on a vehicle I wanted, price range, options, etc...They consistently peddled program vehicle "specials". which were always over priced and rarely had even half of the options I was looking for. I found them generally trying to just sell me a car, rather than finding the car I wanted and helping me buy it.

And these programs are rarely internal. Your CU contracts a service (not unlike Costco) to be your vehicle locator. But the locators are incentivised by different dealers or MFG's to peddle certain types of cars. And they usually won't locate vehicles for you if you are below a certain price point. I found it to be a waste of time, but maybe you'll have better results with your CU. Unless its a certain one.. (formerly IBMFCU) Good luck.