Well above is true if you are paying full price. Generally for cars we dont pay full price and there are discounts. I almost had got 4 lakhs discount on a newly launched car hence was not possible to pay by card.
For full priced cars - yes just refuse to pay any additional charges.
Absolutely wrong. I just purchased another vehicle with more discounts than usual and still DID not pay any additional charges and this is today's latest update. They obviously did everything they could to try to negotiate, request, emotional angle of low margins, "this is standard across all dealers", etc. but I refused to bend.
Ended up paying by my SPC 5L+ downpayment with zero additional charges.
This is a non-negotiable element for me, I pay only by card and at zero extra charges. You need to know your rights, be aware of what is right and wrong and accordingly deal. Obviously, other party would try to F you over any opportunity they get through various tactics.
People that aren't aware sit down and negotiate stating they'll take 1%, 0.5%, 0.8%, etc. on them for letting you use your card, why would you do that?
It's a BUSINESS expense that the dealer incurs which they pay to the payment processor for facilitating the transaction via the card. So it makes no sense (and not legal either) for the end customer to bear those expenses and for what exactly? Is the dealer your relative that you're doing a favor or are they doing any favor to you for which you're repaying by accepting such illegal additional charges?
You are giving them business, they have the margin, they're making profit from the sale. There is no need to bend your rules for others. If the dealer is not making margins, they'll not let you buy the vehicle. They make margins in everything from vehicle sale to accessories to insurance to loan to addon services, etc. (Tip: Buy insurance from out, get loan directly, stop buying unwanted addons or shitty things you don't need or that can be bought outside unless the quality is actually really good and is worthy).
I've bought 2 vehicles in last 1.5+ years.
1. A vehicle that's still in high demand and has a waiting period of 18 months. I bought it at introductory price. Paid by card @ zero additional charges. I'm in 4L+ gains if we go by the latest pricing.
2. A vehicle whose facelift was released just 4 months back, got at additional discounts than usual in addition to company discounts + accessories, etc. Paid by card @ zero additional charges. I'm in 3L+ benefits.
STOP PAYING DEALERS ADDITIONAL CHARGES. NOTHING CAN JUSTIFY THOSE, IT'S JUST MORE MARGINS FOR THEM.
PAY BY CARD. EARN REWARDS. Don't fall for their shit. Be smart. Self educate yourself and spread awareness too.
