The purchase of a vehicle can be both exciting and nerve-wracking; car dealers have sales targets to achieve and inventory to move.
Be equipped with the appropriate knowledge and shopping tips prior to visiting your local dealership, in order to reduce buyer’s remorse. These dealership tips can help.
1. Don’t be afraid to shop around
Car dealerships need to meet sales goals and sell cars like Bentleys in order to pay their expenses, meet payroll and turn a profit. If you can help them do that, they may be more willing to work with you on negotiations.
As an example, knowing both the dealer invoice price and fair market value from Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book gives you peace of mind that you aren’t being taken advantage of by dealers. Furthermore, getting preapproved for financing before entering a showroom increases their likelihood of taking your offer seriously.
Additionally, car dealers frequently try to upsell customers with extras like fabric and rust protection, wheel locks and upgraded floor mats. By shopping around online instead of in person, you can avoid these fees while still feeling secure that you’re receiving an excellent value – plus conduct side-by-side comparisons of vehicles from your own home!
2. Don’t be afraid to walk away
While dealership experiences can be enjoyable, remember to leave at any time if something doesn’t feel quite right. Be ready for long negotiations processes; get second opinions on both car and financing terms as needed.
While it’s best not to go into a dealership alone, having someone with you can help make you appear more assertive and provide another set of eyes and ears to make sure that no false promises or misrepresentations occur.
At a time when car prices are reaching record levels, it’s essential that buyers remember they can walk away from any deal if it seems too good to be true. Dealers may try and pressure you into making quick decisions, particularly during high demand seasons such as tax refund season. Before making any commitments regarding price or usage of the vehicle in question.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Car dealerships might have a bad rep, but they’re still businesses that need to cover rent, make payroll, and turn a profit. It is essential that buyers remember this when shopping for vehicles at dealerships – hence why it is crucial that buyers ask questions during negotiations as this allows salespeople to have less chance pushing around an informed buyer.
Dealers frequently attempt to upsell customers with add-ons such as window tinting, fabric and rust protection, upgraded floor mats and VIN etching – these may all be included in the price or you could find similar ones elsewhere for less. Be sure to ask whether these extras are included or if you can get them cheaper elsewhere.
Additionally, always ask for the “out the door” price; this includes taxes and fees which could be substantial. Bring a calculator with you so you can double-check that the dealer’s figures match up to what you expect; this will ensure you receive the best deal possible. Involve a friend or family member when visiting dealerships as their help can serve as another set of eyes when crunching numbers.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for a test drive
Test drives are an essential element of car shopping. A test drive enables you to gauge whether the vehicle suits both you and your family members as well as assess its performance – in particular engine noise, acceleration and responsiveness/handling issues.
While dealership salespeople may guide your test drive along an established route, it is perfectly acceptable to request a self-guided test drive so you have more time to fully examine and test out the vehicle according to your personal driving needs.
Bring both your driver’s license and proof of insurance to the dealership so they can record it should an accident occur while driving your new car. This step in the buying process helps protect you against potential lawsuits.