Why do your values differ from the guide the dealer has?  VMR compiles actual market data.  Our guides publish numbers the way they really are, not how some guide thinks they should be.   Dealer guides such as NADA (which is published by the National Automobile Dealers Association - hardly an unbiased source) and Kelly Blue Book, in our view often overstate the true market value of many vehicles, sometimes substantially.  This is precisely the reason dealers use these guides - they lend credibility to inflated prices. Both publish different versions of their guide with different prices - one for consumers, one for dealer showrooms, and a wholesale guide for a dealer's car buying purposes.   There's only one market, containing a wholesale level and a retail level.  Why publish different versions?  Ask yourself this: If these guides benefit dealers, where does that leave you?

Why don't some guides publish wholesale numbers?   The wholesale price is the market's single most important figure. Guides that show trade-in, loan, or only retail figures are dancing around the issue. The wholesale number sets the baseline for all parties - buyer and seller. If you are using other guides in addition to VMR's, or even if you are not using our guide at all, we strongly recommend that you look for market-derived wholesale pricing.  It's the only way you can be reasonably sure of the kind of deal you may be getting.

Can I call your helpline with questions about cars & car buying?  As long as you have a current PRINT edition of our guide, we'll share our knowledge about anything to do with cars.  Purchasing the book buys access to our helpline. We're sorry, but without the book, we can't assist you verbally. You can email us, and we'll try to get back to you within 24hrs.  If you do not have a current edition of one of our publications, they are easily obtained at bookstores and newsstands everywhere, including Barnes & Noble Online and Amazon.com.

Do trim packages listed with trucks include power accessories?  No. All van and truck trim packages have been "decontented" so you do not have to worry about figuring out what was standard and what wasn't for the myriad of trim and equipment packages available. The pricing reflects adjustments for the trim only (chrome, upgraded interior, etc.) -- you still need to go to the Truck Equipment Table.

How much do I add for a "Certified" Used Car or Truck?   Manufacturer-backed used car certification programs are one way for you get a little peace of mind when purchasing a used vehicle--but it will cost you.  Furthermore, we have heard of countless instances where those "142 checkpoints" aren't really checked at all -- dealers simply slap the label on the car and pay the certification fee to the manufacturer. It's a good idea for you to ask for the checklist and go through a few yourself.   CPO (certified pre-owned) programs do add value to a vehicle mainly for the extended warranty that goes with them.  Add $500-$1,000 to VMR values for most cars; $1,500+ for expensive premium models.

The dealer tells me that your prices are national, and that pricing is higher in our region.  We hear this ALL THE TIME.  It doesn't matter what region the caller is in -- it's always the highest-cost region of the country!   Don't buy it.  Our pricing is nationally averaged. However, except in very isolated instances, prices fluctuate less than 5% (usually much less) from any one region to another.   Think of it this way:  If a Camry was worth $2000 more in L.A. than in Cleveland, you'd see an endless stream of car haulers full of Camrys on their way to the west coast every day.  It simply isn't a market fact.

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