It's time for a new truck, van or car, and the sticker shock just hit you! "Do I really have to pay that much?" is your question. The answer is, "No!" Here are the facts.

You can purchase a new or previously owned vehicle for your business and save anywhere from $100 to $10,000 depending on make, model and what you want as accessories. These purchases are made through locator agencies who will locate, check out, and purchase a van, truck, or car for you, and their fee for doing this is small.

Whether you are a home-based business operating on a shoestring or a multi-million dollar company with big bucks in the bank, the purchase of a new service van, a sales person car, or a delivery truck can be an expensive proposition. The time it takes to shop, visit car lots and argue with sales people cuts into the time you have to generate income There is a better way.

Over the past few years a new group of entrepreneurs has emerged whose only function is to locate and purchase vehicles for you at the lowest possible cost, and do this for a flat fee. Here's how to locate these companies and how to work with them to find your absolute best deal.

FLEET SALES
If you are going to purchase a number of vehicles, all with the same general features and accessories, contact the fleet department of your local auto dealer. The fleet manager will contact the factory to make a deal, and you will be able to purchase your vehicles anywhere from $100 to $10,000 under the usual dealer invoice price. The fleet dealer will make money on the volume sales as well as a small profit on each vehicle, the factory will make money on volume sales, you save money, and everyone gets something from the deal. The catch is you have to buy a dozen or more vehicles at a time to really make out on this.

MODIFIED FLEET SALES
A locator company buy a lot of vehicles, but never the exact same configuration, so they cannot purchase at fleet prices. You want a cruise control, your neighbor doesn't. Because of the volume of purchases, many dealers will sell to locators at or near their actual invoice price , only charging for the cost of paperwork and delivery expenses. After all, they get a rebate from the factory based on volume sales, so it is in their interest to move products.

These special sales are conducted through the fleet department. The factory makes their usual profit, the dealer makes a small profit on the sale and receives a discount on sales volume, and you save money on your purchase. Typical costs to you are around $50 to $500 over the usual dealer invoice price, depending on whether the dealer has the one you want available or has to special order.

PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLES
Locators can purchase former rental cars or so-called program cars. Some of these are used by the dealership as demonstrators, but most have been used by car rental agencies. These well-used vehicles are purchased by locators at wholesale rates and they pass the savings on to you. Locators are so good they can match color, body style, accessories and most any other feature you want. Locators typically shop for these vehicles at special auctions across the country, and the only extra you pay is the shipping, which normally runs under $200.

COST
Locators charge from $150 to $300 to find your vehicle, but this is usually far under the mark-up you will pay when you buy direct from a dealer. You will need to arrange your financing in advance, as the locator uses the lender's money to buy your vehicle.

HOW TO FIND A LOCATOR
Most Credit Unions can put you in contact with a locator. A few banks are now recognizing the loan potential of actually helping their customers (but don't count on banks to help you save money, they make their profits by lending you the maximim amount you can afford). Selected automobile road-service agencies and some insurance companies sometimes offer locator services. In addition, there are several multi level marketing firms that offer locator service, and I have heard of a couple that can save you not just hundreds of dollars, but many thousands!

Consumer and car magazines often offer a combination pricing and locator service, but be sure you are dealing with a reputable firm if you go this route. After you pay a small fee for pricing, you can then use their service to purchase your choice. Your car will be delivered to a local dealer. You don't have to travel across the country to complete your purchase.

The Internet is a new source of vehicles, and locators are starting to show up with their own websites. Be sure you check-out any deals that seem unbelievably good . . . they probably aren't!