If you’ve ever heard someone say, “Wait until the end of the month to buy a car,” you might have wondered if there’s any truth to that advice. Spoiler: There is. And for savvy car shoppers in Canada — especially in high-demand markets like BC — this could be the difference between paying sticker price or saving thousands.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly why prices get better at the end of the month, how dealership pressure works internally, and how you can use it to your advantage without spending weekends haggling in a showroom.
đź“Š Why the End of the Month Matters in Car Sales
Dealerships don’t operate on vibes — they operate on numbers. Each month, automakers (Toyota, Honda, Kia, etc.) give their dealerships sales targets. These goals affect everything from bonuses and volume incentives to future allocations of popular vehicles.
Managers are under pressure to hit monthly quotas — or risk losing bonuses that can total tens of thousands of dollars. When those final days approach and they’re still short on numbers, they’re far more likely to agree to a deal just to push one more unit.
🎯 Salespeople Are Also on Deadline
It’s not just the sales managers. Individual salespeople have monthly commission tiers. That might look like this:
- Sell 5 cars: earn $300 per unit
- Sell 8 cars: earn $400 per unit
- Sell 10+ cars: earn $600 per unit
You can imagine how motivated someone might be if they’ve sold 9 cars and only need one more to unlock the higher pay tier. At that point, making a few hundred dollars less on one sale is worth the extra bonus.
And yes — you benefit from that desperation.
đź’¸ Do Dealers Actually Sell at a Loss?
Sometimes, yes. Especially on vehicles that are harder to move or when it’s crucial to hit a volume bonus. The dealership may lose money upfront on your individual sale but still come out ahead from:
- Manufacturer volume bonuses
- Year-end performance rankings
- Future vehicle allocations
- Trade-in opportunities
- Finance/lease backend commissions
So when you hear, “We’re already losing money on this deal,” — sometimes it’s actually true. The dealership can still win overall if you help them hit a number.
🕰️ When to Time It
Best days to shop:
- 28th to 31st of the month (adjust for weekends and holidays)
- Fridays or Saturdays before the month ends
- Mid-week days if you want less foot traffic and more focus
Important tip:
Don’t wait until the last day to start shopping. Most dealerships are swamped, and the best deals go to those who are ready with paperwork. Ideally, start your process 3–5 days before month-end and be ready to sign if the deal looks good.
🙅‍♂️ What NOT to Do
- Don’t wait without preparation. If you show up with no info or research, you’ll likely be upsold on other fees.
- Don’t focus on the monthly payment. Salespeople may hide fees in financing — instead, negotiate the OTD (Out The Door) price.
- Don’t fall for fake urgency. Make sure the vehicle you’re buying is truly in stock and available.
đź“© How GettingDeal.com Helps
Here’s the honest truth: most people don’t have time to visit 5 dealerships or call around for quotes. That’s where GettingDeal.com comes in.
We help you:
âś… Get the lowest quotes from multiple nearby dealerships
âś… See the real breakdown with fees and availability
✅ Skip talking to salespeople until you’re ready
✅ Leverage your timing to get better deals — especially at month-end
The best part? It’s 100% free for you. We only get paid by the dealership after you buy — which means our only goal is to get you the best deal possible.
👉visit GettingDeal.com
🧠Final Takeaway
The end of the month is absolutely one of the best times to shop for a new vehicle in Canada. But only if you’re informed, prepared, and ready to move when the numbers make sense.
Instead of spending your weekend bouncing from showroom to showroom, use a service like GettingDeal.com to do the heavy lifting.
Because better timing means better pricing — and smarter buyers win.
