Your fee is agreed upfront
You know the full scope and flat fee before we begin, with no commission tied to what you spend.
Chicago Car Buying Concierge
Skip the dealership games. Keep the savings.
Chicago's independent car buying concierge. We handle the research, quote audits, and negotiation — typically 15 to 20 hours of legwork — so you don't have to. Pick a flat-fee package and we get to work; our fee is designed to pay for itself in negotiated savings and removed junk fees on most deals.
Flat fee, agreed upfrontNo dealer kickbacksYou approve every step
We represent buyers
Never dealerships. No kickbacks, commissions, or incentives — ever.
Flat fee agreed before we startNo commission tied to what you spend
Zero dealer kickbacksWe only get paid by you, never by a dealership
You approve every stepNothing happens without your sign-off
Buyer-side onlyWe never represent a dealer or take their inventory
“I started this because I watched friends and family get outplayed by dealership tactics every time. Every client gets a flat fee agreed upfront, full transparency on every number, and someone in their corner who never profits from what they spend.”
Andriy Serafyn
Founder, Chicago Auto Consulting
How it works
A simple, transparent process
Once you choose a package, here's exactly what happens — five guided steps that put you in control, without the dealership runaround.
01
Discovery Call
We learn your needs, budget, and timeline, then map out the ideal vehicle and buying strategy.
02
Vehicle Search & Strategy
Nationwide inventory search and market analysis to find the right vehicle at the right price.
03
Negotiation & Dealer Management
We handle every dealer conversation, eliminating pressure tactics and hidden fees.
04
Inspection & Verification
Independent inspection coordination so you know exactly what you are buying.
05
Purchase & Delivery
Paperwork, financing review, and door-to-door delivery coordinated start to finish.
Services
Full-service buyer representation
Whatever you drive next, we handle the parts that cost you time, money, and stress.
Out-the-Door Price Negotiation
We negotiate the full out-the-door price, not just the sticker — fees and add-ons included.
Quote Audit & Junk-Fee Defense
A line-by-line teardown of your dealer quote that strips hidden fees and bogus add-ons.
Nationwide Vehicle Sourcing
Market-wide inventory search to find your exact spec at the right price.
Pre-Purchase Inspection
Independent PPI coordination so you know exactly what you are buying — especially used.
Trade-In Optimization
We benchmark dealer offers against wholesale to maximize your trade value.
Financing & Lease Review
Unbiased review of APR, money factor, GAP, and protection products before you sign.
Luxury & Exotic Brokerage
Discreet sourcing for rare, high-value, and allocation vehicles.
Remote & Door-to-Door Delivery
Out-of-state sourcing, remote paperwork signing, and delivery to your driveway.
The market reality
The dealership math has never been more expensive
Record prices, longer loans, and rising fees have made the cost of a single mistake higher than ever. A buyer's advocate is no longer a luxury — it's risk management for one of your largest purchases.
$50K+
Average price of a new vehicle in 2025 — an all-time high.
Cox Automotive35%+
Of new-car buyers now take loans longer than six years to afford the payment.
Experian, Q1 20261 in 5
New-car buyers carry a monthly payment over $1,000.
Edmunds, Q4 20256.2%
Year-over-year rise in used-car prices amid tight supply in 2026.
Cox AutomotiveThe Chicago hidden-fee problem
Most fee surprises never appear in the online price
Independent research has found discretionary fees missing from advertised pricing in the majority of used-car sales, and the majority of buyers report bait-and-switch tactics at the dealership. We audit your quote line by line and lock your out-the-door price before you ever sign.
59%
Of used-car sales had fees not shown in online pricing
71%
Of buyers reported bait-and-switch tactics
$640
Average surprise-fee burden per buyer
$0
Junk fees we let slip past you
Packages
Choose your package and get started today
Flat fees, no commissions, no kickbacks. Pick how much you want us to handle and check out securely online — we get to work within one business day.
Expert Consultation
For confident DIY buyers
$395
Flat fee · one vehicle
- One-on-one strategy session
- Target vehicle shortlist
- Live market & fair-price data
- Dealer quote audit
- Junk-fee & add-on teardown
- Financing & lease guidance
- Self-negotiation playbook
Fee credited toward a Negotiation Package if you upgrade.
Full Service
Negotiation Package
Full negotiation, handled for you
$995
Flat fee · one vehicle
- Everything in Consultation
- We handle every dealer conversation
- Out-the-door price control
- Anti junk-fee protection
- Multi-dealer bidding
- Trade-in optimization
- Contract & paperwork review
Designed to pay for itself in negotiated savings and removed junk fees on most deals.
Full Concierge
White-glove, end-to-end
$2,495
Starting fee · + transport at cost
- Everything in Negotiation
- Nationwide & rare vehicle sourcing
- Independent pre-purchase inspection
- Remote & out-of-state coordination
- Door-to-door delivery
- Dedicated point of contact
- Priority after-sale support
Transport and third-party costs billed at cost, never marked up.
Secure checkout powered by Stripe. Transport and third-party costs like inspections are billed at cost, never marked up. Not sure which package fits? Book a free consultation and we'll point you to the right one.
Why choose us
A different kind of car buying experience
Feature
Chicago Auto Consulting
Traditional Dealership
Works only for the buyer
Out-the-door price control
Hidden & junk-fee protection
Independent quote audit
Nationwide & out-of-state sourcing
Pre-purchase inspection
No dealer commissions
Time saved — zero lot visits
Our commitment
What working with us looks like
You approve every step
We present the options and our recommendation, but nothing moves forward without your sign-off.
No dealer kickbacks
We never accept dealership commissions, referral fees, or incentives. We are paid only by you.
Your criteria guide the search
We only source vehicles that match the make, model, features, condition, budget, and timeline you set.
Every number stays visible
You see the itemized quotes, fees, trade-in figures, and negotiated terms before making a decision.
Buyer-side representation only
We represent your interests throughout the process and never represent a dealer or take their inventory.
FAQ
Questions, answered
Can I book and pay for a package online?
Yes. Choose any package in the Packages section and check out securely online in a couple of minutes — no call required. We follow up within one business day to kick off your engagement. Not sure which fits? Book a free consultation and we will recommend the right one.
What is an out-the-door price, and why does it matter?
The out-the-door price is the total you actually pay — vehicle price plus every fee, add-on, and tax. Dealers often advertise a low headline price, then rebuild their margin in fees at signing. We negotiate and lock the out-the-door number so there are no surprises.
How do you protect me from hidden dealer and junk fees?
We audit your itemized quote line by line. Industry research has found discretionary fees not shown in online pricing in the majority of used-car sales, with surprise fees averaging hundreds of dollars per buyer. We flag and strip every non-mandatory add-on before you sign.
How are you different from TrueCar, Carvana, or a dealership?
Marketplaces and dealers still profit from your transaction. We are an independent buyer advocate — we take no dealer commissions or kickbacks. Our only job is to lower your total cost and protect you from the fee games.
How much does a car buying concierge cost?
Our flat-fee tiers are $395 for an expert consultation, $995 for full negotiation, and $2,495+ for end-to-end concierge service. Transport and third-party costs like inspections are billed at cost, never marked up.
Can you buy vehicles out of state?
Yes. We can source vehicles nationwide and coordinate independent inspection, remote paperwork signing, and door-to-door delivery for both local Chicago and out-of-state clients.
Do you work with used cars?
Absolutely. We source and negotiate new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles. Our quote audit and pre-purchase inspection are especially valuable on the used market, where hidden fees are most common.
Can you help with leases?
Yes. We review lease terms, identify inflated money factors and hidden costs, and negotiate the structure so you understand exactly what you are paying.
How is the service designed to save me money?
Our flat fee is designed to pay for itself in negotiated savings and removed junk fees on most deals. Results vary by vehicle and market, but you see and approve every number before moving forward.
Are you affiliated with dealerships?
Never. We work exclusively for buyers and accept no dealer kickbacks, commissions, or incentives. Our only loyalty is to you.
About us
Automotive expertise working for you
Chicago Auto Consulting was built on a simple principle: the person helping you buy a car should answer to you, not the dealership. We work exclusively for buyers and never accept dealer kickbacks, commissions, or incentives. That independence is what lets us negotiate harder, advise honestly, and protect your money at every step.
We work only for buyers
Every recommendation is made in your interest — never a dealer’s.
No kickbacks or commissions
We accept zero dealer incentives, so our advice stays unbiased.
Independent and accountable
Transparent flat fees mean our success is measured by your savings.
Prefer to talk first?
Not sure which package is right?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll set up a free consultation to recommend the right fit. Ready to move now? You can choose a package and check out online in minutes — no call required.
- Free, no-obligation discovery call
- We represent you, never the dealer
- We handle typically 15 to 20 hours of research, quote audits, and negotiation