The cliche about unscrupulous car salesmen is funny until you find yourself in need of an automobile. There's good reason to be wary of the rep on the other side of the desk. While most aren't out to fleece you, they may be less than upfront in an attempt to close a sale.
"The nature of the salesman means they may not always be 100 percent honest with you," says Ron Montoya, a consumer advice associate for the auto review site Edmunds.com. "They want to give you a sense of urgency to buy that day or to get excited about that car."
However, a little vigilance during the sale process can help you determine if your car salesman is straightforward or straight-up deceptive. Remember these hallmarks of an honest sales rep the next time you're in the market for a new ride.