Car buyers have always carried a quiet distrust for salespeople, and not entirely without reason. Between hidden fees, confusing loan structures, and pressure to “act now,” the process can feel like walking into a trap. But with the internet, people like TikTok creator Billy (@billythecarkid) are pulling back the curtain on dealership tactics, making insider car-buying knowledge a lot easier to find than it used to be. Expert Shares Car Buying Tips Billy, who calls himself a car-buying expert, shared two detailed videos explaining what he says are the eight biggest misconceptions about purchasing a vehicle, whether it’s new or used. Combined, his clips have racked up more than 600,000 views. “Learning the truth about this information is not only gonna save you time and energy the next time you’re shopping for a vehicle,” he says, sitting in his car, “but it’s going to save you a bunch of embarrassment. You’re gonna feel more confident than ever.” He starts by debunking a big one: You don’t have to finance with the dealership. “There are dealerships out there that insist you finance with them, but I wouldn’t shop at a place like that,” he says. “You can bring a check, you can bring cash, you can go rate shopping on your own: It puts you in a position of power.” According to him, it’s best to come in pre-approved, then focus the conversation on the “out-the-door” price, not the monthly payment. “When they ask about your down payment or budget, you can say, ‘None of that really matters, sir. We’re here to discuss the total price,’” he says. The second misconception is that you have to be at the dealership to negotiate. Billy claims that nearly everything, including trade-in value and financing, can be handled remotely. OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. “Do everything over the phone except the test drive,” he says. “Ask for the out-the-door numbers and negotiate from your living room. If you do it their way, you’re playing the game on the other team’s field.” Don’t Pay for What’s Already Included The third tip: never pay extra for pre-delivery inspection or reconditioning costs. “Those repairs are already included in the retail price,” Billy says. “If they charge you again, they’re double-dipping.” His fourth point targets financing managers who tell customers to wait months before refinancing. “That’s because three to six months is how long it takes them to get paid for that loan,” he explains. “By the time you refinance, your car has depreciated, and you’ll have to bring a down payment to cover the difference.” In part two, Billy continues with four more pointers. He says buyers can negotiate add-ons like extended warranties and gap insurance. “Check your credit union first so you know what you should be paying,” he advises. “Then let the dealer match that number—or walk.” Another tip that “blows his mind” is that many people don’t realize identical cars can cost different amounts at nearby dealerships. “If you call four Toyota dealers about the same RAV4, they’ll all give you different prices out the door,” he says. “That’s because of fees. Just by calling around, you can find the cheapest one without negotiating.” Keep Quiet About Cash One of his biggest points is about leverage. “Don’t walk in announcing you’re a cash buyer,” Billy says. “It gives you no power. Negotiate the deal first, then tell them at the end. Or say you’re open to financing if it gets you a discount.” His final advice: credit score and down payment have no impact on negotiating power. “The only thing good credit helps with is your interest rate,” he says. “Otherwise, don’t bring it up.” Gallery: Online car buying What Other Experts Say Many of Billy’s tips line up with long-standing advice from Consumer Reports, which also advises pre-arranging financing, understanding dealer fees, and comparing prices across multiple dealerships. Like Billy, Consumer Reports recommends securing a loan through a bank or credit union before heading in, a move that provides “a baseline against which you can compare the terms of dealer financing.” Consumer Reports also agrees that add-ons like tire protection and maintenance plans can be overpriced and should be approached cautiously. However, the organization adds a few extra tips Billy didn’t mention, such as putting at least 15–20% down to offset high interest rates and focusing on models that hold their value. Where the two differ slightly is on cash deals. Billy suggests that holding back the fact you’re paying cash gives you leverage, but Consumer Reports notes that “cash isn’t king anymore.” Dealerships earn fees from arranging financing, so some discounts might disappear if you pay outright. Both agree on the importance of doing your homework. Consumer Reports recommends comparing cars online before stepping onto a lot, checking dealership inventory, and researching incentives and rebates ahead of time. Billy’s advice to “negotiate from your living room” isn’t far off; it’s just the modern version of what Consumer Reports has been saying for decades: Don’t show up unprepared. Commenters Agree In the comments section, viewers shared their own experiences with car-buying headaches. “Getting pre-approved before going to the dealership made buying so much easier,” one person wrote. “Didn’t have to spend hours haggling.” Another added, “The amount of dealers selling used cars with major issues for $25k+ is insane.” A third user joked, “My salesman knew I was paying cash and I still got an awesome deal—shoutout to Costco Auto Program.” Motor1 has reached out to Billy via Instagram direct message for additional comment. This story will be updated should he respond. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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