How to Know if You’re Overpaying for a Car
"Trying to guess a car’s value without research is like playing darts blindfolded… in a hurricane." — Chase Jordan
How to Know if You’re Overpaying for a Car: Easy Pricing Tools & Tricks
🤯 The #1 Mistake Car Shoppers Make?
Overpaying!!!
You found your dream car.
It’s clean, smells decent, and the dealer says it’s a great deal.
But… how do you actually know?
Here’s the truth: If you don’t research car values before buying, there’s a good chance you’ll overpay—sometimes by thousands 💸.
Good news?
You don’t need to be a pro. You just need the right tools and tricks.
Let’s break it all down 👇
🔎 Step 1: Check Market Pricing (Before You Ever Show Up)
Don’t wing it. Use trusted pricing sites to get a sense of the car’s fair market value:
Use Visor - Great for US and Canada and they have a FREE version
Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) – Great for U.S. values (new, used, private party, trade-in)
Canadian Black Book (CBB.ca) – Perfect for buyers in Canada 🇨🇦
Edmunds.com – Offers “True Market Value” and cost-to-own breakdowns
CARFAX Value Tool – Estimates based on VIN + history
✅ Search your specific car: year, make, model, trim, mileage, and condition.
Deal Guard Pro tip: Compare values for both private party and dealer retail to understand the markup.
Look around your city use all the tools. Using 1 tool rarely gets you the perfect result.
Like KBB should never be trusted all on its own. Ask me how I know.
📊 Step 2: Compare Real Listings Nearby
Hop on these sites and see what cars are actually selling for in your area:
AutoTrader
Facebook Marketplace
CarGurus
Autotrader.ca (Canada)
Craigslist (yes, still useful if you’re careful)
Look for listings with similar mileage, trim level, and options. Look everywhere and get a true price people are paying last month and this month.
📍 Note the price range. This is huge.
If you’re being asked $22,000 and most similar models are listed at $19,000–$20,000, 🚩.
🛠️ Step 3: Use the VIN to Dig Deeper
Grab the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and run it through:
Carfax or AutoCheck (for full history)
Accu Trade is cool
VINCheck.info (free alternative)
Your local DMV site for title checks (some let you check liens and branded titles)
🔍 Why this matters: A car with accident history, salvage title, or tons of owners should sell for less—not more.
💬 Step 4: Ask This Question Every Time:
“How did you come up with this price?”
Whether it’s a dealer or private seller, this question does two things:
Puts them on the spot
Gives you insight into their logic
A confident, fair seller will point to book values and comps. A shady one will say “I just know it’s worth that.” 🚩
🛑 Common Red Flags That You’re Overpaying
Price is way above KBB/Black Book value
Listing says “Firm” or “No lowballers” without justification
You feel pressured to decide right now 🕒
“Market adjustment fees” on new cars (especially common on hot models)
Refusal to show Carfax or service records
🛡️ How Deal Guard Protects You From Overpaying
Deal Guard—the most trusted car buying concierge—never lets clients guess.
We:
Compare real-time listings and book values across regions
Check the VIN for red flags
Call dealers and negotiate better pricing
Create a full pricing report before we even talk numbers
Our goal? Strong deals without the stress.
📲 Let us protect you from paying too much
⚡️ Final Takeaway
Knowing the fair price is power.
With just a few tools, a little time, and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can avoid getting ripped off—and feel proud of your deal.
Or let Deal Guard do the heavy lifting. We’re not guessing—we’re proving. Every time.
That’s why we’re the most trusted name in car buying.
Deal Guard🚘 Car buying doesn’t have to suck. Seriously.
At GETDEALGUARD.COM, we help folks across the U.S. and Canada shop smart and skip the stress. No games. No pressure. No wasted weekends hopping from lot to lot.
😩 Sick of dealerships wearing you down?
We get it. That’s why Deal Guard does all the hard stuff for you—from hunting down the perfect ride to sealing the deal like a pro negotiator.
You sit back. We handle everything.
⚡️ Your car buying concierge has arrived.
We’re not some shady middlemen. We’re trusted advocates who make sure you get the car you want at a price that makes sense—without the regret.
🛑 No headaches.
🛑 No pushy salespeople.
✅ Just smart, confident car buying with zero regrets.
⏰ Your time’s too important to waste playing dealership games. Let’s protect it—together.
🎈 Ready to actually enjoy the car buying process?
Treat yourself at FUNNEWCAR.COM—where getting a new car is almost as sweet as your favorite dessert. (Maybe even sweeter.)
Catch you there,
Chase Jordan
