Everyone loves a bargain buy

Visiting Australian motor industry figures were this week puzzled by the difference between the advertised prices of vehicles and the actual selling price.

In Australia, rules are tighter around how vehicles can be advertised, so the total price to be paid is up- front and clear.

In this country, sticker prices often are starting- points of the discussion between buyer and seller — and most transactions involve some form of discount.

In Australia, the listed price has to include on- road costs and any other component of the amount the purchaser pays.

Regulations stipulate that the vehicle shown in the advertisement ( usually the top- of- the- range, leather- seated model) cannot be advertised at base- model price.

At first glance there are advantages in ensuring the vendors are up- front about their wares. However New Zealand has such a retail culture of capturing a ‘ bargain’ that it would be a naive purchaser who was tricked into TONY VERDON paying too much, especially in our competitive motor industry environment.

In the main centres it is relatively easy to get quotes from competing dealers selling the same mainstream brands before deciding where to buy.

Bargain- seeking Kiwis are prepared to travel across town to find the best deal. There are advertising standards that must be adhered to, but everyone involved knows the deal is there to be struck.

With the extraordinary range of models available to New Zealand buyers, including used imports, most buyers are presented with plenty of options.

The exception may be tragics seeking specialised models ( a would- be late nineties- early 2000s Honda Accord Euro R buyer comes to mind) where the usual forces of supply and demand apply. ABOUT US