You found the car of your dreams on a German website. The price is fantastic, the optional extras are endless, the photos look like they've stepped straight out of a magazine. There's just one small problem: the listing is written in a language where the word for "speed" is Geschwindigkeit.
How do you convince Herr Müller to sell you the car and bring the price down when the only thing you know how to say in German is Oktoberfest?
The Golden Rule: Forget "Portuguese-Style Negotiation" 📉
The first thing you have to understand about Germans is that they're literal and pragmatic. In Portugal, if a car is for sale at €20,000, it's normal to offer €17,000 "to see if it sticks".
In Germany, if you offer €17,000 for a €20,000 car, the seller simply won't reply. They consider unrealistic offers a waste of time and a sign of disrespect.
How to negotiate:
- Ask for the "Export Preis" (Export Price) or the "Händlerpreis" (Dealer Price). They'll often shave €500 to €1,000 off straight away, because they won't have to give you the European warranty (if you waive it).
- Be direct: "I am from Portugal, I am very interested. What is your final price for export?"
The Power of English and Google Translate 📱
Don't try to use Google Translate to write long emails in German. The translation will sound robotic and the seller will pick up on it immediately.
- Write in English: 90% of sellers at official dealers (Autohaus) speak perfectly acceptable English.
- Short emails: Get straight to the point. Ask for the chassis number (VIN), photos of any damage (scratches, dents) and the maintenance history.
- In person: When you get there, the Google Translate app on your phone (conversation mode) is your best friend for translating contracts and documents on the spot.
The Hook: Worried About the Language Barrier? Multipark Handles It 🇩🇪🤝🇵🇹
If the idea of negotiating thousands of euros in a foreign language gives you a stomach ache, we have the solution.
Multipark has an import consulting service that takes that weight off your shoulders. We search for the car for you abroad, contact the dealers and make sure the car's history is spotless.
The best part? We help break the ice and ensure all the technical questions are asked, but you negotiate the price directly and pay the dealer directly. No hidden commissions, no middlemen inflating the price.
And when you fly out to pick up your new machine in Germany, your current car is safe in our Valet Parking. When you come back to drive your imported car, we hand you the keys to the old one at Arrivals.
Contact Multipark and find out how we can be your "translator" and trusted partner in importing your next car!
