Sneaky Stuff

'We have a buyer for your trade.'
It can be exciting to think that the salesperson already has a buyer lined up for your trade-in and as a result will pay you Big Bucks for your car. Of course you need to trade it in immediately.

Devalue your trade-in.
'We would give you more for your car but it needs X which cost $300, and Y which cost $500 and a Z, that's $200.' The dealer will use anything he can find to put a big price on repairing and use it to negotiate down the value of your trade-in.

Writing in code
Dealers write numbers they don't want you to know (your ACV, profit on your deal, cost, etc.) in a simple code. Instead of using numbers, the first ten letters of the alphabet are used. A=1, B=2, etc., J=0. Thus if you see 'CJJJ' written on a trade-in appraisal sheet, you just got a $3,000 ACV for your trade-in.
This is one area where dealers will really underestimate you. They will use this in plain sight on paperwork that they use, and may even hand to you to review. You'll be amazed at what you can easily find out now that you know their 'code'.

Trade-in Tips
1.Make sure the car is clean in and out.

2.Trade before your odometer turns the next ten thousand mile increment (29,000 is better than 30,000 etc.)

3.You may want to repair or replace damaged or worn items that are highly visible (cracked windshield, worn tires, etc.). But don't bother with things you can't easily see like a tune-up, shocks, brakes etc. You won't get any more money from an appraiser for things he can't see.