Who is Actually on Your Side?

When you're buying a car, it's worth understanding who's working for whom.

The Dealership Model

Who they represent: The manufacturer or themselves (if used car dealer)

Their goal: Sell cars for the highest possible profit margin

How salespeople are paid:

Base salary (often low)
Commission based on profit margin
Bonuses for hitting targets
Sometimes bonuses for selling finance, insurance, and add-ons

This creates pressure to:

Sell you the car on their lot (not necessarily the best one for you)
Maximise profit on each sale
Push finance, warranties, and accessories
Get you to commit quickly before you shop around

This isn't the salesperson's fault—it's how the system works. They're not bad people, but their incentives don't align with yours.

The Broker Model

Who we represent: YOU (the buyer)

Our goal: Find the specific car you want at the best possible price

How we work:

You tell us what you're looking for
We search nationwide (not just one lot)
We negotiate using industry relationships
We handle delivery and paperwork

Our incentive: Happy clients who refer friends and family. Your success is our success.

"But Do I Pay You?"

This is the most common question, and the answer might surprise you.

For new cars: We typically earn a fee from the dealer (who gives us fleet pricing). You pay the same or less than negotiating yourself, without the hassle.

For used cars: We charge a transparent fee, agreed upfront. Our negotiation skills often save more than the fee costs.

Example:

Car listed at $35,000
Our negotiated price: $32,000
Our fee: $500-$1,000 (varies by car value)
Your net saving: $2,000-$2,500+

Nationwide Access vs Local Lot

Dealership limitation: They can only sell what's on their lot (or in their dealer network).

Broker advantage: We search everywhere—Toowoomba, Townsville, Sydney, Melbourne. If your exact spec exists in Australia, we'll find it.

Real example: Client wanted a white Toyota Kluger Grande with brown leather. Local dealers only had black or silver. We found one in Cairns, negotiated a great price, and organised transport to Brisbane. Client saved $3,000 vs local alternatives and got exactly what they wanted.

The Negotiation Reality

If you negotiate yourself:

Dealers negotiate every day; you negotiate every few years
They know every trick in the book
Emotional attachment works against you
"Let me check with my manager" is a tactic

When we negotiate:

We buy dozens of cars per month
We know real costs, holdback, and dealer margins
We have existing relationships
We're not emotionally attached to any particular car

What We Don't Do

We're not for everyone. Here's when a broker might not make sense:

You genuinely enjoy negotiating
You have a relationship with a dealer you trust
You're buying from a friend or family member
The car is very cheap (under $8,000—our fee may not be worth it)

The Process: How It Actually Works

Step 1: Initial Chat Tell us what you're looking for—make, model, spec, budget. We'll give you realistic expectations.

Step 2: Search We search nationwide, identifying suitable options. You approve before we proceed.

Step 3: Inspection For used cars, we inspect or arrange independent inspection. For new cars, we verify specs and delivery timeframes.

Step 4: Negotiation We negotiate price, throw-ins (floor mats, servicing, accessories), and terms.

Step 5: Delivery We handle transport (if needed) and paperwork. You get the car delivered or pick it up.

Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast

We serve all of SEQ. Whether you're in the CBD, out at Ipswich, up on the Sunny Coast, or down on the Gold Coast—we can help.

Local knowledge matters:

We know which dealers are flexible
We understand SEQ market pricing
We can arrange local delivery

Still Not Sure?

Chat with us—no obligation. We'll honestly tell you if a broker makes sense for your situation. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Either way, you'll get straight answers.

Car Broker vs Dealership: What's the Difference?