Never Trust Verbal Promises from Car Salesmen
Hey there! After spending 25 years as a Toyota Sales Consultant, I’ve seen just about every tactic in the book when it comes to selling cars. One thing I’ve learned? Never trust verbal promises from a car salesman. It might sound straightforward, but you’d be surprised how often people fall for it.
Let me explain why this is important, what tactics you might encounter, and how you can protect yourself. Don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it sounds—just a few simple rules to keep in mind.
Table of Contents
The Lowball Tactic: Verbal Price Quotes
🎯 The “Lowball Offer” Trap — Don’t Fall for It
You’re shopping for a new car, and the salesperson gives you a price that sounds almost too good to be true — probably because it is. This is called a “lowball offer.” It’s a classic tactic where the salesperson throws out a low verbal price just to see if you’re ready to buy “right now.” (That phrase should set off alarms — we’ll come back to it.)
Here’s how it usually plays out:
You leave the dealership and start shopping around, maybe even mention that amazing price to other dealers. But no one’s willing to match it. Why? Because it wasn’t a real offer in the first place.
When you go back to the original dealership, suddenly the story changes:
“Remember when I asked if we could sell this vehicle for $13,995, would you do business right now — and you said you’d think about it? That offer was only good at that moment. But since you’re back, let’s see what we can do.”
Boom. That price has disappeared. But now that you’ve returned, they’ll still try to close the deal — just at a higher price.
🚫 Avoid the Games: Only Get Quotes on In-Stock Vehicles
One way to protect yourself from these tactics is to only get price quotes on vehicles that are actually in stock. If the dealer doesn’t physically have the car, they’re not bound to honor the price — which gives them more wiggle room to play the pricing game.
👉 Only Get Price Quotes from Dealers That Have the Car In Stock
Before diving into the car-buying process, it’s crucial to confirm the vehicle is available. This one step can save you a ton of time, hassle, and surprise pricing tricks.
The "Right Now" Pressure
🕒 The “Right Now” Pressure Tactic
Car salesmen love the phrase “right now” — because it creates urgency and puts pressure on you to make a snap decision. The goal? To make you feel like if you don’t act immediately, you’re going to miss out on something huge.
But here’s the truth:
Even if you walk out to think it over — or just go grab lunch — somehow, that amazing deal you were offered suddenly disappears when you return.
They’ll say things like:
“That offer was only good while you were sitting in the chair.”
Don’t fall for it.
A great deal today will still be a great deal tomorrow — especially if it’s real. Take your time, think it through, and get everything in writing.
Yes, there are rare occasions when a deal truly is time-sensitive. But if the dealership has the exact vehicle you want, meets your budget, and checks all your boxes — and they’re willing to put it in writing — then it might genuinely be a smart time to move forward.
🔐 Want to learn how to confidently spot the difference between real deals and pressure tactics?
👉 How to Outsmart A Car Salesman Like Me: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Confident Purchase
Empower yourself with insider knowledge on car sales tactics. This guide gives you a step-by-step strategy to navigate negotiations, avoid the traps, and walk away with the deal you deserve.
Why Verbal Promises are Unreliable
So, why can’t you trust verbal promises?
Simple. There’s no written record. It’s your word against theirs, and when push comes to shove, most dealerships aren’t going to honor a verbal promise, especially when money’s involved.
Here’s a reality check: If you buy the car after the salesperson gave you a verbal price that later changes, you’re essentially rewarding their bad behavior. They get the sale, and you walk away paying more than you originally expected. Not cool, right?
The Importance of Written Price Quotes and Due Bills
✍🏽 Get It In Writing — Every Time
Now here’s where things get practical — and this might be the most important takeaway of your entire car-buying experience:
👉 Get everything in writing.
Whether it’s the final price, a promise to fix something later, or accessories they say they’ll throw in — if it’s not documented, it doesn’t count. Once you sign the papers and drive off the lot, you may not have any legal recourse if something goes sideways.
📄 Written Price Quotes
Always get a printed quote — not just a verbal agreement. The price should be on official dealer documentation, preferably signed off by a sales manager, not just the salesperson.
📋 The Due Bill
If the dealership promises to fix or add something after the sale, insist on a Due Bill. This document should clearly outline:
What was promised
The vehicle details (VIN, stock number, etc.)
A manager’s signature
This is your proof — don’t leave without it.
Why is this so important? Because once the deal is done and the keys are in your hand, there’s no going back.
👉 Understanding the No Cooling-Off Period
Many buyers don’t realize that in most cases, there’s no option to return a vehicle after purchase. Learn why it’s critical to slow down, ask questions, and protect yourself before you sign anything.
The Due Bill Saves the Day
Let me give you an example. I once assisted a customer who bought a car from a salesperson who had just parted ways with the dealership a few days earlier. He promised them fancy all-weather floor mats and an extra key. If it was a verbal agreement, I’m sure my store would have taken care of the customer regardless. But stores I’ve worked for in the past wouldn’t have accommodated the customer so easily.
Lucky for them, they received a Due Bill when purchasing the vehicle. A couple of days later, they came in to collect, and sure enough, there was a mix-up with the order. But because they documented everything on the due bill, the dealership was able to make it right quickly. They’d have been out of luck elsewhere if it had just been a verbal promise.
How to Handle Pressure Tactics
Now, when you feel like you’re being pressured, don’t be afraid to pump the brakes. It’s your money, after all. Here’s what you can say to push back without being confrontational:
- “Can you put that offer in writing for me?”
- “I’d like to take some time to think this over. Will this offer still be valid tomorrow?”
- “Can we confirm this with the sales manager?”
By staying calm and asking for written proof, you’re protecting yourself without having to play any games.
Conclusion: Never Trust Verbal Promises from Car Salesmen
🧠 Final Thoughts: Protect Ya Neck
(You might not get the Wu-Tang reference, but those that do… 👐🏾)
After 25 years in the car business, if there’s one lesson I’ve learned (and I’ve seen it all), it’s this:
👉 Always protect yourself by getting everything in writing.
Verbal promises are like the wind — they shift quickly, and if you’re not careful, you’ll be left holding the bag.
Next time you’re shopping for a car, don’t let anyone rush you into a decision. Take your time. Verify everything. Ask the hard questions. Get it in writing. That’s how you walk away knowing you got the deal you actually deserve — not just the one they talked you into.
And remember:
Most buyers don’t realize there’s no “cooling-off period” after you sign. Once the deal is done and you drive off the lot, there’s usually no going back. Learn more about what that means — and how to avoid buyer’s remorse — right here:
👉 Understanding the No Cooling-Off Period
Got questions about the car-buying process?
I’ve been doing this a long time, and I’m always happy to help.
📧 Reach me anytime: contact@cedricthecarguy.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Salespeople often use verbal promises as a tactic to get you to make a quick decision. Without written documentation, it’s your word against theirs, and verbal agreements are rarely enforceable. To avoid any misunderstandings, always ask for everything in writing.
If the price sounds too good to be true and they won’t put it in writing, that’s a big red flag. Politely decline the offer and walk away. A legitimate price quote will always be provided in writing, and any reputable dealership will honor that.
A Due Bill is a written document that details any promises made by the dealership, such as repairs or additional items to be provided after the sale. It’s crucial because it ensures the dealership is held accountable for those promises. Without a Due Bill, there’s no guarantee you’ll receive what was promised.
Take a step back. Don’t let a salesperson rush you into making a decision. Politely ask for time to think it over and get the offer in writing. If the deal is truly good, it will still be there when you’re ready to decide.
Absolutely! You should never feel locked into a deal based on a verbal promise. Even after a salesperson throws out a price, you have every right to continue negotiating. Just make sure any final price or agreement is written down and signed off by the sales manager.
Yes, having the sales manager’s signature ensures that the dealership is officially backing the agreement. Salespeople don’t usually have the authority to finalize deals, so the sales manager’s approval is essential for any price quotes, repairs, or promises made during the sale.
Be cautious if:
- The salesperson refuses to give you a written price quote.
- They say the offer is only valid “right now” or pressure you to decide immediately.
- Promises are made verbally but never documented.
- They avoid bringing in the sales manager or resist putting anything in writing.
Suppose you don’t have a Due Bill or written agreement. In that case, it’s much harder to hold the dealership accountable for any promises made. Whether it’s repairs or add-ons, you’ll likely have to cover the costs yourself if it wasn’t documented.
Always compare written price quotes from multiple dealerships. Don’t rely on verbal offers or pressure tactics. Additionally, do your research on market prices, and don’t be afraid to walk away if something doesn’t feel right.
Some key questions to ask include:
- “Can you put that offer in writing?”
- “Will this price still be valid tomorrow?”
- “Can I speak to the sales manager to confirm the details?”
These questions help ensure transparency and prevent any surprises later on.
Cedric Jackson
Cedric is a Sales Pro with 20+ years of experience. He is currently a Sales Consultant at Toyota of Riverside. He aims to share his passion for product knowledge of the Toyota brand here on his blog. Cedric writes content here and produces short-form videos on YouTube, Instagram & TicTok. Connect with him here or on all social media @ cedricthecarguy 🙏🏾🤙🏾
Cedric Jackson
Cedric is a Sales Pro with 20+ years of experience. He is currently a Sales Consultant at Toyota of Riverside. He aims to share his passion for product knowledge of the Toyota brand here on his blog. Cedric writes content here and produces short-form videos on YouTube, Instagram & TicTok. Connect with him here or on all social media @ cedricthecarguy 🙏🏾🤙🏾
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