Price Negotiation
After the inspection and test drive, the buyer and seller engage in a discussion to negotiate the final selling price of the car, considering its condition and market value.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
spin
Short for 'test drive'; 'take it for a spin' means to drive a car briefly to check how it feels, often used when buying a vehicle.
wiggle room
Means flexibility or room to negotiate, especially on price; useful in bargaining situations like buying cars or shopping.
mileage
The total distance a car has traveled, measured in miles; low mileage means the car hasn't been driven much and is likely in better condition.
condition
The state or quality of something, like a car; 'excellent condition' means it's well-maintained and not damaged.
scratch
A small mark or cut on a surface, like paint on a car; it's a minor damage point often used in negotiations.
brake pads
Parts of a car's braking system that wear out over time; 'new brake pads' means the car stops safely, but old ones might need replacement soon.
come down
To reduce a price; 'come down to $11,000' means lower the asking price to that amount, common in haggling.
bargain
To negotiate for a better price; 'drive a hard bargain' means you're tough and skilled at getting a lower deal.
compromise
An agreement where both sides give up something; useful for reaching a fair deal in negotiations.
title
The legal document proving ownership of a vehicle; essential for transferring car ownership during a sale.
bill of sale
A receipt or contract showing the sale details, like price and date; required for used car purchases to make it official.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Is there any wiggle room on that?
This politely asks if the price can be negotiated lower; useful for starting bargaining in sales. 'Wiggle room' is an idiom for flexibility, and the question structure uses 'is there any' for yes/no inquiries.
I think $12,000 is a fair price considering the low mileage and its excellent condition.
This defends a price by giving reasons; 'considering' means 'taking into account,' and it's a common way to justify offers in negotiations. The sentence uses present simple for opinions.
Would you be willing to come down to $11,000?
A polite way to suggest a lower price; 'would you be willing' softens requests, making it courteous. 'Come down to' is a phrasal verb for reducing price, ideal for haggling without offending.
How about $11,700? That would cover the bumper and still allow me to get a fair price.
This counters an offer with a new suggestion; 'how about' introduces alternatives politely. 'That would cover' uses conditional for hypothetical benefits, showing compromise in talks.
You drive a hard bargain!
An idiomatic expression admiring someone's tough negotiating; use it humorously when someone gets a good deal. It's exclamatory and builds rapport in casual business chats.
That feels like a good compromise for both of us.
This proposes a balanced solution; 'feels like' expresses opinion softly, and 'for both of us' emphasizes fairness. Useful for ending negotiations positively with inclusive language.
What do we need to do next for the paperwork?
This asks about next steps after agreeing; 'what do we need to do' is a practical question for procedures. 'Paperwork' refers to documents, common in buying/selling contexts.