The Gist

Used car acquisition is brutal—so we did what any desperate soul would: we went to Reddit. Do we trust random internet strangers with dealership strategy? Not really.

But some of their tips actually check out. Calls getting ignored? Lead with value. KBB leads ghosting? Play the long game. Service drive? Absolute goldmine. 

Don’t throw out hard numbers (they’ll just shop you), and rejection is part of the job—detach, tweak, and text more. Think these Redditors are onto something? Got better tricks? Drop your best (or worst) acquisition war stories and let’s compare notes.

Or: How to Buy Cars Without Losing Your Mind

You can’t Google anything these days without tripping over a Reddit thread full of self-proclaimed experts handing out advice like it’s Halloween candy. But is there a wise man behind the screen, dispensing golden nuggets of industry wisdom? Or just a 10-year-old between Fortnite rounds, confidently declaring “bro, just lowball ‘em”? Who knows.

Either way, we sifted through the noise so you don’t have to. These are the best Q&As from car sales subs—distilled, decoded, and served up dealership-style. Whether you’re a new hire, a struggling acquisition rep, or a veteran looking for a fresh angle, here’s what the internet had to say about how to actually get people to sell their cars.

Enjoy. Reply. Or print this out, hand it to the new guy, and offer them a wink and a prayer.

Why does everyone hang up on me?

Because you’re a car dealership, and people have been conditioned to run.

The second they hear “Hi, I’m calling from XYZ dealership…” their brain auto-filters you into telemarketer/spam risk/do not engage mode. Your job? Short-circuit that instinct before they hit "End Call."

🚗 Better Opening Line:
"Hey [Name], I saw you got an offer on KBB for your car and wanted to follow up. We’re looking for vehicles like yours, and I’d love to see if we can make you a strong offer. Got a second?"

This makes it about them, not you. Nobody cares that you work at XYZ Dealership—they care about their car and their money.

How do I convince people to sell their only car?

You probably don’t.

Shocker: People who only own one car… usually need that car. Trying to convince them otherwise is like trying to sell someone their own shoes while they’re wearing them.

✅ What Works Instead:

• Previous customers—They’ve sold/traded before, they’ll do it again.

• Service drive opportunities—That $2K repair bill might nudge them toward an upgrade.

• Multi-vehicle households—Your best bet is someone who isn’t stranded the second they hand over the keys.

What do I say when they just want to know the number?

Don’t give them a hard number over the phone.

They’re just going to shop it around. Instead of handing them an easy out, give them a reason to come in.

🚗 Better Response:
"I get it, you want the most money for your car. The last thing I want to do is throw out a number that sounds great over the phone but turns out lower when we see it. That’s a waste of your time and mine. If you bring it in, we’ll get you the best possible offer. Are you free this evening or tomorrow?"

Keeps you in control while making it sound like you’re doing them a favor.

Are KBB leads even worth it?

Barely.

If you feel like KBB leads are the dealership equivalent of catfishing, you’re not wrong. Most of these people:

• Aren’t actually selling.

• Just want to know the value (especially after an accident or total loss).

• Are “just curious” (which is code for not selling today, tomorrow, or ever).

✅ How to Make It Work:

• Play the long game—Follow up, check in, and catch them when they’re ready.

• Get them in the door—You can’t buy a car over the phone.

• Stick to your script, build rapport, and move on fast.

Should I work the service drive?

If you’re not, you’re missing out.

Service customers are already at your dealership. That’s half the battle.

🚗 How to Work the Service Drive Like a Pro:

• Get a list of appointments. Look for older models, high mileage, and cars coming off warranty.

• Approach casually:

• Team up with service advisors. They know who’s open to selling (and a little split never hurts).

Why am I getting rejected so much?

Because this job is mostly rejection.

If you’re expecting warm, fuzzy conversations where people thank you for cold-calling them, you’re in the wrong business. Used car acquisition is a numbers game.

✅ What Helps:

• Detach from the outcome. Rejection is part of the job.

• Test and tweak. If your word tracks aren’t working, adjust.

• Use texting. A simple “We’re offering up to $XXX on your 20XX vehicle—call or text to see how much we can offer!” does wonders.

• Take breaks. When you’re hitting a wall, step away and reset.

ASOTU’s Final Thoughts

So here’s the deal: Buying cars in today’s market isn’t a walk in the park—it’s trying to buy concert tickets in 2024. Everybody wants top dollar, nobody trusts the system, and half the people you talk to aren’t even serious.

But here’s what we know: The best dealers don’t just work harder; they work smarter. They tweak their word tracks, they know when to push and when to back off, and most importantly, they build relationships that turn into deals down the line.

💡 Big Brain Playbook:

• Know the customer mindset. You wouldn’t sell a car to someone who doesn’t want one—so don’t try to buy from someone who isn’t looking to sell.

• Stay flexible. Test scripts, explore new lead sources, pivot when needed.

• Don’t burn leads. That “I’ll think about it” today? It’s a “Yes” three months from now.

• Work the service drive like it owes you money. Because, well, it kind of does.

• Don’t take ghosting personally. Move on. There’s always another lead.

🚗 Now, your turn. 🚗

What’s worked for you? What’s the best (or worst) acquisition call you’ve ever had? Drop your best tips, stories, and one-liners below—because if we’re all grinding, we might as well do it together.

Sign up for more!