Consumer Car Buying Advice Blog

Whether you’re looking at a conventional loan or a bad credit car loan, the upcoming Memorial Day weekend is one of the best times to buy a car.

Timing is everything

Most of us here at Auto Credit Express have been in the car business for at least two decades. We know that there are a lot of things to consider when you buy a car. But when we put ourselves in the shoes of the average car buyer and knowing what goes on in a dealership throughout the month, we want you to know that the first weekend of summer has its advantages for the car shopper.

The thing that many people don’t realize is that car dealers tend to separate the year into monthly segments. This is due, in large part, to the manufacturer’s themselves. Sales are reported on a monthly basis and most of the vehicle incentives are also based on 30 day increments. And lest you think that these incentives only apply to new vehicles, you need to remember that the captive finance companies are also able to incentivize used vehicles that fall into the certified vehicle programs for retail as well as lease transactions.

In addition to these finance programs, most dealers have sales targets for new vehicles. Hitting these targets, in many instances, will result in per-vehicle spiffs (additional profit in the form of dealer cash) for each additional vehicle sold. These spiffs can also be retroactive; allowing the dealer to collect additional money for each vehicle previously sold that month. With these kinds of incentives, you can see why dealers are anxious to make deals in the closing days of the month.

Why the weekend month-ending holidays are the best

Holiday weekends are a great time for dealers. Three day holidays are even better. Car shoppers are more relaxed, since three days are better than two. Salespeople know that the number of shoppers (floor traffic) is going to be good so they, too, are in a good mood. Throw in the end of the month, and it’s like the planets are all in alignment (hey, I’m from the Aquarian generation, I can’t help it).

Another hint - dealers can always look forward to Memorial Day because it always falls on a weekend. It’s also the beginning of summer, so most people are looking forward to driving in the sun.

The Bottom Line

Take advantage of Memorial Day this year. If you’re thinking about trading in for a more fuel-efficient vehicle, this might just be the perfect time. Speaking of perfect, if you have less than perfect credit, visit us at www.autocreditexpress.com. We specialize in helping people with bad credit. Our web site can help you research the subprime car lending process, while our secure online car credit application allows you to begin the process in the comfort and security of your own home.

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