Buying a car is a daunting enough task without the added stress of finding a reliable, honest dealership. When buying a used car, finding someone with a solid reputation is essential. If you’re about to begin the search for a used car, here are some actions to take and tips to ensure you find a dealership you can build a long-term relationship with.
Find a Used Car Dealership With a Welcoming Approach
Have you ever seen an amazing listing in the used car ads only to find that it isn’t at the dealership or the price was only good for a few minutes? A good used car dealership won't lure you with false pricing and non-existent cars. They are still salespeople who will ask you questions and steer you toward certain vehicles, but they won’t resort to shady tactics to get the job done.
Are They Okay if You Say No?
A good used car dealership doesn’t feel threatened by a customer who says no. They’ll offer to keep looking for you or welcome you back at another time, but they won’t get aggressive and/or defensive if you don’t find something that meets your needs.
Does the Potential Used Car Dealership Have a Solid Reputation?
You can’t please everyone, but you can certainly please a lot of people. A good used car dealership will have a solid reputation—it won’t be perfect—but that’s the nature of the world. Look for length of time in business, overall reputation and at their facility in general. A dealership set up in a small parking lot with a homemade sign probably doesn’t have the same reputation that a place with a showroom and financing department does. Other ways to vet a dealership is to look at their website. Do they list their staff? Is there information about the company? The more details you can find, the more legit they probably are.
A Good Used Car Dealership’s Selling Process
The right used car dealership will be set up much like a new car dealership. You’ll either stop by to peruse inventory, or find something you want to look at beforehand. The salesperson will work with you to determine budget, car needs and show you options. There will be minimal pressure, and you’ll have the opportunity to see if the in-house financing will work for you. You’ll also need to fill out information, sign forms and show proof of identity, work and residence if you’re going to purchase. You’ll be able to test drive and learn about the history of the vehicle as well.
Go With Your Gut
You’ll know pretty quickly if something isn’t a good fit. Other than the normal jitters associated with making a major purchase, you should feel pretty comfortable with the people you’re talking with. If you sense dishonesty, or catch a salesperson in a lie, it’s time to walk out. Salespeople should be friendly, helpful, informative and willing to go the extra mile if necessary to get you the information you need.
It’s All About Customer Service
Probably the biggest indicator of a good used car dealership is the customer service level. The customer service begins with the condition of the cars and facility and continues with salesperson appearance and how they treat you. Even if someone is having a “bad day,” it should never make you want to leave or feel unwelcome.
How to Shop for a Used Car
If you’ve found the dealership you’d like to use for your next used car purchase, here are some simple steps to take to make sure you get the best vehicle for you:
- Step 1: Research potential makes and models. Make a list of what you’re looking for in a car, what you’ll use it for and which makes and models fit the bill. Check the car dealership for inventory, and if they don’t have it, ask if they will call you when they get something in that works for you.
- Step 2: Obtain the vehicle history. A good used car dealership will have the Carfax ready and be able to tell you about the cars you’re interested in.
- Step 3: Test drive. Don’t ever buy a car until you’ve driven it around a block (or two).
- Step 4: Determine financing. If it’s possible, research financing before you go to the dealership. If you have no credit or bad credit, see if the dealership has in-house financing and will work with you and your budget.
- Step 5: Negotiate. Hopefully the dealership has an excellent price on the car you want, but if it’s not quite where you want it to be, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Once you’ve found your dealership, the rest is easy. A good used car dealership will help you find ideal vehicles for years to come.
