How to spot their battle plan - and respond with your own

We're all out to get the best deal possible. Whether it's haggling for 50 cents off a bunch of bananas - or negotiating that well-earned raise.

But there's one place where no matter how much you barter, you can feel like you've been taken for a ride - the car dealership. That's because Australians simply do not trust car salesmen. In fact, according to Roy Morgan's polls on professional trustworthiness, they've finished in last place every year since 1981. Perhaps that's because they seem to be armed with a whole garrison of shady tactics. So here's a rundown of their weaponry - and how to disarm it in the battle for the best deal possible.

1. The knowledge gap

There is no weapon in the car salesman's arsenal more powerful than the knowledge gap. They're the dealer holding all the cards; you're the punter trying to get blackjack. And the house always wins...unless you play your cards right:

Do your research

Read all you can about the car(s) you're interested in. Make sure the model you're steered towards in the showroom (and encouraged to test drive) is the same thing you'll be potentially buying. While alloy wheels, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors may feature on the test-drive model, they could be extras over and above the sticker price. Even peripherals like floor mats may not be included.

Look at other prices online, as well as the car's safety ratings and performance reviews.

Ask questions

Is the quoted price an on-road cost? Does it include stamp duty or is that extra? Are the seemingly generous warranties subject to conditions (hint: they usually are)? The more questions you ask, the more the dealer will be forced to fill any gaps in assumed knowledge. Think of each question as a wicked backhand that lands the ball more firmly in your side of the court.

2. The illusion of time sensitivity

"This deal won't last!" "If you don't buy this car today, somebody else will tomorrow." We've heard it all before.

And many dealers will even ask "what do I need to do to sell you this car today?" It's easy to misinterpret this as a signal the dealer giving up - you've worn them down and finally, you're in the driving seat!

In reality, this is because they do not want you to go elsewhere and compare prices. They want to keep you at their car yard so you can't analyse their deal alongside others on the market.

Here's what to do:

Shop around

The last thing they want is you heading down to the next dealership (which is often next door!). So the harder they try and get you to stay, the more you should see it as a sign to leave. You can always come back if it turns out their deal is as good as they say it is.

Be okay with walking away

If you spend a whole day looking for cars and come away with nothing, that's fine. Even if their "sale of the century" really is ending tomorrow, you can be confident another dealership will have one soon.

3. The finance office

Forget the sale price. Here's where the dealer can seriously boost their margin - at your expense. Dealerships used to offer incentives for cash until they realised they could really fleece their customers with their own car finance.

Unfavourable interest rates. Inflexible terms. Lack of support. There's a whole bunch of reasons you should never get car finance from the dealer. And when they start getting pushy, here's how to sidestep their advances:

Get finance pre-approval

" If you can pay cash, great! But if you can't, speak to a specialised car fiance broker, who can search for the best deal for you. They'll do the legwork, ensuring you can shop for cars confident you already have a great deal on finance. If your finance is already locked and loaded, the salesman has nothing to battle for. "