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What Is A Car Buying Concierge

What Is A Car Concierge?

Car Concierge VS Car Broker

Essentially, a Car Concierge is an A to Z car buying service that will handle every part of the car buying (Or Leasing) process, such as:

  • Searching for a car
  • Contacting Car Dealers
  • Negotiating Car Prices
  • Advise on and negotiate all the back-end products 
  • Oversee and explain the contracts
  • Set up delivery

Where a Car Buying Concierge differs from a Car Broker is that a Car Broker is paid by the dealer, and the buyer pays a car concierge.  Because of this, a Personal Car Concierge will typically work harder on behalf of the car buyer because that’s whose cutting their check!

Note:

Both a Car Concierge and a Car Broker will do the majority of their business with New Cars.  This is primarily because used cars require a significant amount of searching, and they don’t pay by the hour. 

How Much Does A Car Concierge Charge?

A Car Concierge can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on just how much of the Car Buying process you want them to handle. 

A company like Authority Auto offers a “Do It Yourself” educational type package in addition to their other services that are billed as a subscription: $39.00 for 90 days.

How Much Do Auto Brokers Charge?

An Auto Broker can charge car buyers anywhere from $200 to as high as $800, although $500 is usually the max. 

Again, because the dealer pays Auto Brokers, their prices are negotiated just as hard as yours, and most of the time, they can’t get away with charging whatever they want.

How Car Buying Services Work

Car buying services aim to simplify and streamline the process of purchasing a vehicle. There are a few main types:

  • Online retailers like Carvana and Vroom allow you to browse inventory, arrange financing, and buy a car for delivery or pickup – all online.
  • Membership programs through companies like AAA, Costco, or even your bank provide prearranged discounted pricing through certified dealer networks.
  • Car concierges learn your vehicle preferences and then handle the search, price negotiations, paperwork, and even delivery for you.

The table below outlines what each service handles in the car buying process:

Process StepOnline RetailersMembershipsConcierges
Search Inventory
Arrange Financing
Negotiate Price
Review Paperwork
Delivery Coordination

Pros and Cons of Using Services

While services make purchasing easier, weigh the pros and cons before deciding if using one makes sense:

Pros

  • Save money through discounted pricing
  • Avoid stressful negotiations
  • Save significant time outsourcing the process

Cons

  • Limited selection of makes/models
  • Potentially expensive fees
  • Pay more doing it yourself

A More Affordable Used Car Buying Service?

After hours, or even longer, of searching, you have finally found your dream car, but there is a problem:

You have no idea if the price is fair!

That’s where our Used Car Buying Service comes in! We look up what dealers are currently paying for your car along with the vehicle history report to provide a thorough and personal car pricing analysis.  And it only costs $20!

Autohitch Car Buying Service Logo

Do Car Brokers Save Money?

In most cases, using a Car Broker will save you money.  The problem is that their fee comes from the dealer, and sometimes the dealer gets greedy and decides they don’t want to lose any money just because you contacted a broker.  So what they will do is build the brokers fee back into your deal, potentially removing some or all of any savings the broker may have negotiated for on your behalf.

Does Using A Car Concierge Save Money?

Yes, a Car Buying Concierge will save you money in almost every case because you (The car buyer) are their customerIf the dealer breaks even or even takes a loss on a car sale, the Concierge makes every dime of his/her fee. 

Something else to note:  A Car Concierge is also there to protect your interests.  If it’s a bad financial move for you to enter into a longer loan term, they are going to tell you that.  A broker, however, may not.

Choosing the Right Car Buying Service

Consider the following when deciding which, if any, service to use:

  • Types of cars – Concierges best for niche/custom vehicles
  • Prices and fees – Balance service costs against potential savings
  • Your needs – Assess how much time/effort you want to commit

Evaluating multiple factors ensures you pick the best fit.

My Closing Notes and Thoughts

Car Brokers and Car Concierges don’t exactly call up random dealers and get tough. 

They typically work off of long term relationships in their area they have built up from years in the industry. 

When you pay for their services, you are essentially paying for access to their connections.

Sources and References:

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Steve Momot - Author

Steve Momot - Author

Steve, a seasoned expert in the automotive industry, formerly held a car dealer license in Florida. With extensive experience spanning across car trading and mechanical work, he founded Autohitch. His mission? To guide both buyers and sellers through the intricate maze of car purchasing, ensuring a seamless and informed experience. Outside of the automotive world, Steve has a passion for fishing and capturing the beauty of nature through photography.

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