What is auto consignment? How does it work?

Question

I found a nice mazda Rx-8 being sold at an auto consignment dealership. It's 3 hours away and wanted to know how auto consignment dealerships work? Can you bargain a price? Are they trust worthy?

Answer 1

the dont own the car,,they just sell if for someone else.

You really never get to see the owner. But you must get a title, etc.

they are as honest as all the rest of them.

Answer 2

The consignment dealer is selling cars that they do not own.  The car is owned by a private individual, and they are having the dealer sell it for them.  The dealer gets either a set fee for their service OR gets a percentage of the sale price OR can make their own profit margin by charging more for the car than the person who owns it wants.

As with ANY car dealer, some can be trusted more than others.  In any case, before you buy any used car from any source, have it inspected by an independent mechanic.  Sure it might cost you $50-100, BUT it would be money well spent if they discovered a problem that could cost you 10 times that or more in the inspection...

Answer 3

Before you buy, get a value on the car first.

You have the owner of the car wanting to make money on his car.

You have the dealer that needs to make money  to run his business.

You have the salesman that has to make money at his job.

Answer 4

The dealer is selling the car for the actual owner, much like real estate sales. The price should be negotable somewhat, all you can do is offer!  And, yes the practice is reputable, I did many of them as a dealer.