Test driving a car at a dealership is as standard as buying popcorn at the cinemas, right?
Well, according to TikTok content creator Ash, who works in the automotive industry, that's where we're all going wrong in life.
You see, it's all to do with psychology; if we're so bold as to become attached to a vehicle whilst taking it out for a spin, the likelihood is that we'll put pen to paper back at the office.
In a video, the highly experienced Ash explained why you should 'never ever' test drive during a jaunt to the local dealership.
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"The only reason the dealership wants you to drive that car is so you can fall in love with it and take mental ownership," she began.
"They want you to form an emotional connection with the car so you'll be so excited you'll just say yes to whatever they say."
Nothing to do with that intoxicating new car smell, then?
Meanwhile, Ash also revealed how dealerships like to make you 'sit around for hours' on purpose.
"The dealership wants to make sure the car you're looking at fits your wants and needs before moving on to negotiations which could take some time," she added.
"Dealerships make you sit around for hours and yes, they do this on purpose. They want you to be so mentally exhausted and so drained that you sign on the dotted line simply so you can get out of there."
How dare they be so manipulative... those smart cookies.
"Buying a car is a process, but the dealership wants things to move as quickly as possible so they can put their time and energy into more cars."
The TikToker's subscribers seemed divided over this controversial advice, with some disagreeing that test driving a car was a mistake.
"Test drive the car, leave the dealership, do research on the numbers, call several dealerships negotiate and make them an offer over the phone. If they say no, keep looking," argued one unconvinced individual.
"Nah, I’ve test driven cars before. You just have to learn to say no and walk away if it's not what you are after" and "I'm always willing to walk away, I'll def be test driving it," read two more reactions.
A fourth person added: "Why would you buy without a test drive?? Nonsense."
"Buying a car without a test drive is a recipe for buyer remorse," another went on to share. "It's even worse if you're trying to buy a used car, the odds of you end up with junk is much higher without a test drive."
Dan Seddon