A car buying concierge is a professional who finds, negotiates, and arranges the purchase or lease of a vehicle on your behalf. You tell them what you want and what you want to spend. They search dealer inventory, negotiate the price and the paperwork, and set up pickup or delivery, so you skip the hours at the dealership.
Car Concierge has done this for buyers since 2017. We’re a licensed auto broker based in Central Minnesota, we work in all 50 states, and we charge a flat fee instead of taking money from dealers.
Car Concierge at a glance
- Flat fee: $900 for Standard Concierge, $1,000 with trade-in help, and $1,200 for vehicles over $120,000.
- No dealer money: we don’t accept commissions, dealer incentives, or referral fees.
- New or used, buy or lease: any make or model.
- Nationwide: we search local dealers first and expand across the country when it gets you a better vehicle or price.
- Experience: more than 1,500 vehicles secured since 2017.
How a car buying concierge works
- You tell us what you need. Fill out the contact form or call, and we’ll reach out within 24 hours. We talk through your budget, how you drive, and must-haves. If you’re not sure what to buy, we help narrow it down.
- We search. We look at dealer inventory near you and, when it makes sense, nationwide, then bring you the best options with real pricing.
- We negotiate the whole deal. That means the vehicle price, your trade-in, dealer add-ons, and fees, not just the number on the window sticker. We review the buyer’s order before you sign.
- You sign and drive. Pick up the vehicle locally, or we arrange delivery through our auto transport service.
What a concierge negotiates for you
Most buyers focus on the sticker price. Dealers make money on much more than that, so we look at the full transaction:
- Vehicle price, including manufacturer incentives and rebates you qualify for.
- Trade-in value, negotiated separately so it isn’t buried in the overall deal. See our trade-in service.
- Dealer add-ons, such as protection packages and accessories you didn’t ask for.
- Fees, checked line by line on the buyer’s order, including doc fees.
- Contract terms, reviewed before you sign, whether you’re buying or leasing.
Car buying concierge vs. auto broker vs. doing it yourself
The terms overlap, and some companies use them interchangeably. The biggest difference is who pays the person helping you, because that shapes whose interests they protect.
| Car buying concierge | Auto broker | Doing it yourself | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who they work for | You | Varies; some represent buyers, some work closely with dealers | You |
| How they’re paid | A fee you pay, often flat | Varies; a buyer fee, a dealer commission, or both | No fee |
| Who negotiates | The concierge | The broker | You |
| Time at the dealership | Usually just signing and pickup, or none with delivery | Varies | Often several visits |
| Where they search | Local and nationwide | Often their dealer network | Wherever you have time to look |
Car Concierge is a licensed auto broker that works like a concierge: we’re paid only by you, and our job is the best deal for you. For a deeper comparison, read auto broker vs. car concierge.
How much does a car buying concierge cost?
Pricing models vary across the industry. Some services charge a flat fee, some charge a percentage of the vehicle price, and some are paid by the dealer. Our breakdown of car buying service costs explains the tradeoffs.
Car Concierge charges one flat fee per vehicle, so we have no reason to push you toward a more expensive car:
| Service | Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Concierge | $900 | Vehicle search, price negotiation, and paperwork and contract support |
| Concierge Plus | $1,000 | Everything in Standard, plus trade-in evaluation and negotiation |
| Luxury Concierge | $1,200 | For vehicles over $120,000; add $100 if you’re trading in a vehicle |
We work on a retainer: you pay a down payment to start, and the balance when your vehicle is ready. See pricing for details.
Who a car buying concierge is right for
- Busy people who don’t have a free Saturday, or three, to spend at dealerships.
- Anyone who dreads negotiating and wants a professional handling it.
- Buyers who want a specific vehicle that isn’t on local lots, or a better price than local dealers offer.
- Luxury buyers, where add-ons, fees, and markups can add up quickly.
- Buyers with a trade-in who want a fair, separate number for it.
When you might not need one
If you enjoy negotiating, have time to compare dealers, and already know exactly what you want, you may do fine on your own. Our guide to avoiding dealer markups and hidden fees is a good place to start. If you’d rather hand it off, that’s what we’re here for.
Car buying concierge FAQs
For most buyers, yes. A concierge negotiates the full deal, including price, trade-in, add-ons, and fees, and saves you hours at the dealership. Many clients find the savings more than cover the fee, and the time saved is a bonus.
It depends on the service. Some charge a flat fee, some charge a percentage of the vehicle price, and some are paid by the dealer. Car Concierge charges only a flat fee paid by you, and we don’t accept commissions, dealer incentives, or referral fees.
Usually only to sign and pick up the vehicle. If you’d rather not go at all, we can arrange delivery to your home through our auto transport service.
Yes. We help with new and used vehicles, and with both buying and leasing.
Yes. We’re based in Central Minnesota and work with buyers in all 50 states. We can search dealers near you or across the country.
Yes. Car Concierge operates as a licensed auto broker representing buyers in accordance with applicable state regulations.
Get started
Ready to skip the dealership? Schedule a consultation or call 612.662.7788. You can also browse the areas we serve.