Buying a Car? 5 Tips for Finding the Best Car Dealerships
Buying a car can be fun, but for most, it’s a stressful process.
Aside from coming up with money for a new car, they also have to figure out where to shop.
Finding the best car dealerships is no simple feat. There’s a lot of businesses out there, and finding the right one for you can be difficult.
If you’re dreading the thought of having to find a dealership, don’t worry. Follow our list of 5 tips and you’ll find the car you want in no time.
1. Ask Friends
Never underestimate the power of word of mouth referral when you’re searching for cars.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to your personal network to see if they have any recommendations about dealerships. They could know someone that can give you a good deal.
When you’re checking in with friends, don’t hesitate to listen to them about dealerships you shouldn’t go to. If they’ve had a bad experience, you could easily have on too.
2. Check Listings
You may know that you want to buy a Chevy or a Toyota, but you shouldn’t go to the first manufacturer dealership you find.
Some dealerships may not have as much in stock as others. That’s why it’s important to do your homework before you make any major purchasing decisions.
You can learn more about dealership offerings by giving them a call. Some websites may not be up to date, and you can get more information from a salesman.
3. Read Off-Site Reviews
Plenty of dealerships will have websites that are full of glowing reviews from customers. If you want to learn what people really think, trust Yelp and Google My Business instead of the website.
Dealerships can easily pick and choose what reviews they want to display. You’ll get less biased and more truthful reviews on other sites.
Don’t just pay attention to whether or not people found the car they wanted. See what they have to say about the helpfulness of the staff. Take time to read reviews that focus on customer service.
After you’ve visited the basic sites, take some time to look at the heavy hitters. JD Power can give you great reviews on dealerships and automakers. Also, be sure to check out the Better Business Bureau.
4. Get Quotes
It doesn’t matter if you think you’ve found the perfect dealership. Before you go with one, make sure to shop around and get quotes from other dealerships.
When you’re getting quotes, don’t forget to be as specific as possible. Mention that you’re going for the luxury package, or that you’re only looking for cars with a certain amount of mileage.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask about other extra services you can get. Some dealerships offer discounts on maintenance and parts like tires.
5. Go Beyond Your Town
Some people have trouble finding good dealerships because they’re looking too close to home.
Ideally, most people would like to find a dealership that’s close to home. But sometimes it’s worth literally going the extra mile to find a good deal.
Don’t limit yourself to just what’s in your town. Feel free to explore your county to see if there are any dealership gems.
Going Beyond the Best Car Dealerships
Now that you know how to find the best car dealerships, it’s time to focus on how to get the best deal from them.
Oftentimes, the sticker price isn’t set in stone. When you know how to haggle, you can save a considerable amount of money on your car.
Read our post on negotiating tips so you can make sure that you get a deal you’ll brag about to your friends.