Compare
Your options,
honestly.
There are good ways to buy a car without haggling in person. Here is how they differ, as of 14 October 2026.
| Option | What you pay | Who talks to dealers | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | $0 | You. Email 5 to 10 dealers and ask for a written all-in price. | People with a few spare evenings. Our free guide shows how. |
| CarEdge AI Buying Agent | $49.99 (beta price on its site) | CarEdge's software, without showing dealers your name | People who want to stay anonymous |
| Costco Auto Program | Costco membership | Costco's partner dealers, at a pre-set price. Dealers pay Costco a fee. | Costco members happy with a fixed price |
| Human concierge or broker | Often about $1,000 (CarEdge Concierge lists $999) | A person, by phone and email, often including trade-in | Busy buyers, complex deals, trade-ins |
| DealerDuel | $49 | An assistant writing for you, by name, in writing only | People who want written prices from many dealers, a ranked report and scripts |
Where we're not the best pick
- Used cars and leases: we don't do them yet.
- You want a person to phone dealers and handle your trade-in: a concierge is better.
- You want to stay anonymous: CarEdge's agent hides your name; we use it.
Sources: caredge.com/pricing (read 14 Oct 2026); costcoauto.com (search result). Competitor prices change; check their sites.