Watch Out for These Car Dealership Tricks! Kevin Hunter The Homework Guy
Don't fall victim to sneaky car dealership tricks! In this video, we'll expose the most common tactics used by car salesmen to get you to buy a car you might not want. From lowball trade-in values to misleading financing options, we'll show you what to watch out for when buying a new or used car. Learn how to negotiate like a pro and drive away in your dream ride without getting taken for a ride.
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You’ve probably felt it — that uneasy gut feeling when a car dealership starts playing games. And if you’ve watched The Homework Guy Show, you already know we expose the tricks dealers hope you don’t catch. But not everyone walks in with backup. Hello folks, i’m kevin hunter. For the last 16 years, we’ve been helping car buyers like you do battle with car dealers and come out on top.
Today, we are talking about 10 signs a dealership is trying to scam you — and what to do if you see them.
1. 📜 They Won’t Give You a Written Out-the-Door Price
If they say, “We’ll go over that when you come in,” or “We can’t give you OTD pricing until you’re in the store,” 🚨 red flag. They’re trying to trap you into showing up so they can wear you down.
What to do: Tell them, “No OTD, no deal.” Then walk.
2. 💸 Mystery Fees Start Popping Up
Ever heard of:
Reconditioning Fee
Market Adjustment
Protection Package
Appearance Package
Theft Recovery Fee
Nitrogen Tire Fee
Window Etching Fee
Paint & Fabric Guard
Digital Document Fee
Dealer Prep Fee
Key Replacement Program
VIN Guard
Pulse Brake Light System
Environmental Fee
Electronic Filing Fee (E-File Fee)
Destination or Delivery Charge (already included in MSRP but added again)
These are usually high-markup add-ons dealers pre-install or pre-print onto contracts to inflate profits. Most buyers don’t realize:
Many of these are optional, but the dealer makes them sound mandatory.
Some are flat-out fake or renamed so you don’t question them.
They often appear after you've negotiated the vehicle price.
3. 🕵️♂️ They Pressure You Not to Shop Around
Truth:
This is almost never true. If a dealer is offering a reasonable discount today, chances are they can offer it tomorrow — or again later in the month, especially if it's near a quota deadline. It’s a pressure tactic to make you feel like walking away will cost you something big.
✅ What’s really going on:
They’re afraid you’ll go to another dealer or look up competing prices online. The “deal” isn’t gone — your leverage is increasing.
💬 “If you don’t buy now, someone else will.”
Truth:
Yes, it could happen — but it’s usually said to create urgency, not because a buyer is actually waiting in the wings. Unless it's a rare vehicle (limited production, custom build, or very hot model), this is typically bluffing.
✅ What’s really going on:
They want you emotionally attached to the car and afraid to lose it, so you’ll stop negotiating and sign now.
🔍 What to Do Instead
Your approach — “That’s okay, I want to be sure” — is exactly right. When you say this calmly:
It shows confidence.
It throws the pressure back on them.
If they start backtracking or suddenly "find more flexibility," it’s proof the urgency was a tactic.
You can also say:
“If it’s meant to be, it’ll still be here tomorrow.”
“Thanks for the offer. I’d like to sleep on it and come back with a clear head.”