Drive down certain sections in Houston, and you’ll find an abundance of used car dealerships. Each has a display of tempting vehicles, and you start to wonder, which one should I shop at? The truth is, not all used car dealerships are created equal. There’s a reason the used car salesman has become a stereotype. However, when you sift through the information, you can find some gems in the mix. Here are some surefire ways to pick the best used car dealership:
Look at the Lot
The overall appearance of the used car lot will tell you quite a bit about the place's potential. Is it well-kept? Is the inventory clean and appealing? Do they have professional signage and salespeople that dress professionally? Each of these things means the dealership takes itself seriously. They are a business that wants customers, and wants those customers to leave happy.
Online Presence
A good used car dealership is going to take the time to create an online presence. In today’s world, your online persona is how people can get an introduction, and find out more about the business. Look at the time and energy the dealership puts into the website. Is there inventory, staff bios or maybe even a blog? Online presence allows you to gather more information about the dealership you’ll end up choosing.
Research Used Car Dealership Reviews
It’s impossible to please everyone, but in general, you’ll be able to find out whether a used car dealership has good customer service and good vehicles. One thing to note and ask yourself is when there is a poor review, was it the business, or a person’s situation that hindered the process? Are there more good reviews than bad? Cars and car dealerships are notorious. It can be hard to find any consistency in the reviews, but the better places definitely won’t have an overall one-star rating, it will typically be higher than that, and have more positive than negative reviews.
Ask Friends, Families and Coworkers
Word of mouth is an excellent way to find out more about where to shop. If you have friends, family or coworkers who recently bought a used ride, find out where and ask them how their experience was. Did they decide to purchase from a family-owned dealership?
Find Out What They Offer Customers
Does the used car dealership offer the services you need? Are you someone who has bad or no credit who may need in-house financing, or do you like being able to purchase a warranty on a used car? Look at what each dealership has to offer, and make sure it lines up with what you’re looking for.
How Long Have They Been in the Game?
A great indicator that a used car dealership does its job well is longevity. Many lots come and go quickly, while the better ones stick around for years. Look into the history of the dealership and find out how long they’ve been in business. Remember, the longer the better, so a dealership that’s been around since 1979 probably has something going for it.
Do They Have the Car You Want?
Inventory is a big deal when it comes to used car dealerships. Does the dealership you’re considering have a good-sized used car inventory with the types of vehicles you’re looking for? If you’re not sure what you want yet, take some time to look at your needs, what your budget is and what types of makes/models will work for you. Then find a dealership that has those types of cars, trucks or SUVs.
Will They Be There After the Sale?
A worthy used car dealership will have several things in place to make it easy to maintain a relationship after the sale. They’ll offer warranties, and make it easy to pay your monthly installment.
Even with all of the ways you can screen a used car dealership, sometimes the ideal way to find out if they’re the best for you is to make a visit. Most people can tell pretty quickly if they’re receiving the type of customer service they like. Once you find a used car dealership you like and trust, you’ll be able to use it for years to come.
