It finally happened. After years of maintaining and repairing your beloved car yourself, your favorite car has finally gone to the great junkyard in the sky. Now, it’s time to make new memories in a gorgeous new vehicle.
But the search for a new car can be long and frustrating. And with 16,794 franchised dealers across the United States and even more independent dealers, finding a reputable and trustworthy car dealership can be tough.
So how can you be sure you’re getting the best deal without getting taken for a ride?
Here are five things you’ll want to look for out when choosing a car dealership.
1. A Quality Recommendation
Review sites and forums are a great place to get a general idea of how a dealership operates. With that said, they have their share of problems.
Often, reviews tend to be hyperbolic. They’re either far too negative or positive to the point where it’s a little shady.
Sure, you should make sure you read up on a dealership. But don’t rely on reviews as your only source. Instead, go to a trusted friend or family member.
A personal recommendation gives you all of the benefits of a review without any sales spiel, so you can get a more honest, reliable opinion.
2. A Great Website
With your recommendation in tow, you’ll want to start scouring the web for your next great vehicle.
Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:
Search Functionality
Top auto sites should provide you with an overview of the dealership’s offerings and services. The Homer Skelton Ford website is a great example.
Note how the search bar is front and center, so you can find the car you’re after right away.
Contact Info
Websites are a great start, but you’re not going to want to buy a car online. Eventually, you’ll need to make your way to the dealership.
How difficult or easy contact info is to find says a lot about a business and their care for customers.
Financing Info
You’ll want an idea of the dealership’s leasing and financing options, too, so you can come prepared. Again, The Homer Skelton Ford site is a great example, with financing info on the homepage’s menu bar.
3. History
It’s always better to choose an experienced dealership over an up and coming one. Rooting for the underdog is always fun, but it’s hard to beat quality experience.
Dealerships with experienced staff can walk you through the steps of buying a car faster and easier than independent or new dealerships.
4. Low-Pressure Sales Techniques
Let’s face it, even the best places to buy a car come with a reputation of being overly aggressive with their sales tactics.
Don’t give in to that pressure. If you’re uncomfortable with a dealer or dealership’s sales techniques, thank them for their time, walk away, and head to the next dealership on your list.
5. Trustworthiness
There are plenty of honest and reputable dealers out there that want nothing more than to sell you a car you love.
You’ll know you’ve found the best place to buy a used car or new vehicle when the dealer goes out of their way to check a car’s history, work with you on pricing, and provide proof that the car is worth its price.
In short, a trustworthy dealership does the work for you.
Find The Right Car Dealership Every Time
The road to finding a new car is littered with shady and untrustworthy car dealerships who only want to make a quick buck off of you.
But if you follow these tips, you can rest assured that you’ll find a reputable car dealership every single time.
Still not satisfied? No worries! Check out our guide on smarter ways to buy a car.