Shopping for a new car can feel overwhelming — prices vary wildly, dealership fees are confusing, and every salesperson swears their deal is the best. But here’s the truth:
If you’re willing to put in the time, you can save thousands of dollars just by shopping around and comparing dealership offers. In fact, many Canadians don’t realize just how much pricing power they have — not because they’re great negotiators, but because they took the time to get competing quotes.
Let’s break down how it works — and what you need to watch for.
Step 1: Get a Full Price Breakdown from Dealer A
Start by walking into (or emailing) your first dealership and asking for a full write-up. This isn’t just the sticker price or monthly payment — you want the entire cost breakdown, including:
- Vehicle price
- Fees (PDI, documentation, PPSA, admin fees, tire fees, etc.)
- Taxes
- Any add-ons or protection packages
- Trade-in value, if applicable
- Interest rate and loan term (if financing)
This document is your first weapon. It tells you what you’d really be paying if you signed today. But you’re not signing. You’re just getting your baseline.
Step 2: Bring That Offer to Dealer B
Now take the full write-up from Dealer A and show it to Dealer B. Be clear:
“This is what I was offered elsewhere. Can you beat it?”
Sometimes Dealer B will say no. Sometimes they’ll beat it by just $500. Sometimes they’ll knock off $2,000 because they’re short on their monthly targets.
Why would they do that?
Because dealerships are under pressure — especially near the end of the month — to hit sales quotas. If giving you a better price gets them closer, they’ll play ball.
Step 3: Repeat the Process with Dealer C
Now take Dealer B’s improved offer and bring it to Dealer C. The process continues. Every time you compare offers, you either confirm you’re getting a fair price, or you drive the price lower.
Keep in mind: dealerships talk a big game about “lowest price guaranteed” — but the only way to verify it is to shop around and ask them to beat a competitor’s offer.
Step 4: Circle Back to Dealer A (or the One You Like Best)
Once you feel like you’ve hit the bottom — when no dealership will budge — go back to the first dealer with your best offer in hand. Sometimes they’ll match it, or even beat it just to win your business.
By this point, you’ve done the full lap. You now hold the power. You know who’s bluffing, who’s padding their write-up with hidden fees, and who actually wants to earn your sale.
The Key: Don’t Just Look at Monthly Payment
One of the biggest traps buyers fall into is focusing only on monthly payment.
Dealers love this. Why? Because they can keep the monthly payment the same while quietly inflating the price with extended loan terms, high interest rates, and thousands of dollars in add-ons.
Here’s what you should compare:
- Out-the-door price (OTD): This includes everything. If you write a cheque for this amount, you drive the car off the lot.
- Interest rate & loan length: A low monthly payment on an 84-month loan may seem manageable, but you’ll pay way more in interest.
- Add-on fees: Are they charging $2,000 for a “VIP Package”? Is there a mysterious “green fee” or “admin fee” they can’t explain? These are negotiable — or removable.
Always read the write-up line by line.
Real Talk: This Process Takes Time
All of this can take a full weekend or more. You’ll be back and forth between dealerships, waiting on calls, and double-checking details. And if you don’t understand how to read a quote properly, you might miss out on hidden fees.
But if done right, this strategy can save you anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000+, especially on in-demand models like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, or Kia Sportage.
Or… Let GettingDeal.com Do It for You
That’s exactly why GettingDeal.com exists.
We do the shopping around for you — contacting all the nearby dealerships, collecting full write-ups, and comparing the real numbers (not just what sounds good). No pressure, no salesperson tactics, and no wasted weekends.
When you’re ready to buy, you’ll already have the best deal in hand — and we’ll even help you with the paperwork and referral.
✅ No obligation
✅ No cost to you
✅ You stay in control
Final Thoughts
In a market where prices vary wildly and hidden fees are common, comparison shopping is the most powerful move you can make as a buyer. The more quotes you get, the stronger your negotiating position — and the more money you’ll save.
So whether you go old-school and do the legwork yourself, or let us handle it behind the scenes, the rule stays the same:
Don’t settle for the first offer. Shop smart. Save thousands.
Want us to find the best price for you?
Visit GettingDeal.com — your shortcut to the best deal, without the dealership games.
