Buying a car, whether it’s a new one or a used model, can be a tricky process. Even if you have put the hard work in and researched the manufacturers and models you like, and perhaps have a dream car in mind, you still have lots to do. For one thing, you need to choose the right car dealership to buy it from. There is likely to be several different dealerships in your local area. How then do you choose between them to find the one that’s right for you?
First and foremost, don’t rush this part of the process. As excited as you likely are to drive off in your new car, the last thing you want to do is just choose the first dealership you come across. To help you avoid the pitfalls and find the perfect car for your family, we’ve put together a selection of tips to navigate the different businesses and choose the right one.
Choose a Dealership That Publishes its Opening Hours, Address and Telephone
Although this is probably going to seem like common sense to a lot of people, it is still worth highlighting. After all, if a dealership you are interested in is as good and reputable as they say, then they will make it relatively easy to contact them. If they post their opening hours, address and a landline telephone number, then they are likely to be a legitimate business that can be trusted.
However, if all you can find is an address or even just a Zip Code, you should be very suspicious. Not only do you need a phone number if you want to contact them to arrange test drives and an appointment, but you want to know that you will be able to contact them after you’ve bought a car. The bottom line is, beware of any business that doesn’t provide various phone numbers for different departments and full opening hours along with their address.
Think About How You Are Going to Finance Your Car
One aspect of choosing a dealership you need to consider is how you are going to raise the funds to buy a car. You need to think about whether you have access to the money, are going to get a traditional loan from a bank or through the dealership itself. You will be able to see what dealerships offer.
Look At Their Inventory
It is very easy these days to find, research and choose the car models that tick all your boxes online. Most reputable dealerships will have comprehensive websites that detail all their current stock. This obviously gives you the chance to look at the inventory and check they have the car model or models you are interested in.
Make sure you phone them before you decide to go down and visit the dealership to make sure they still have that car is still in stock.
Read Customer Testimonials and Reviews
The best way to determine if a dealership is trustworthy and good to do business with is by reading reviews by customers who’ve used them in the past. Reviews can be found on the dealership website and third-party sites too. Don’t just focus on the positives. Look also at the negative reviews so you can get a fuller picture of what doing business with the dealership is like.,