A lot of folks ask me, “How do Car buying services, auto brokers and car agents save you (me the car buyer) money? Certainly the agent or broker has to get paid. Car buying agents, different from auto brokers, charge a set fee which guarantees you, the car shopper, will save AT LEAST the value of the fee, not to mention, time, hassles and the possibility of getting **** in a bad car deal or buying a bad car. Auto brokers usually mark-up the price of the new or used car, and rarely is there any transparency regarding the profit for the broker. Also, brokers will often have a used car lot, where they “recycle” your trade-in. This always smacked of conflict of interest to me, however, many folks find it preferable to dealing with the traditional car dealership games of back and forth tot he manager etc. At least the broker makes it one price, best price, that’s it. However, a car buying service does more than take your order. Most agents, like myself, assist with car buying advice, suggestions and education. The service fee comes in when the car is actually ordered, purchased or sold, if you are selling a vehicle. *a few agents will help you sell your trade online.