Get To Know Your Used Car Dealer! When it comes to buying a used car from a Phoenix auto dealer, there are more things to consider than the price, make or model. Finding the right car is much easier if you first find a dealer you can trust. Once you’ve taken inventory and compiled a list of the phoenix auto dealers close to you, have a look at their online reviews and see which receive the highest and why. A car is a big purchase, so you’ll want to take the time to find a dealer you can trust to give you all the facts. Follow these 3 easy steps and you’ll be on your way to owning a reliable car.
Step 1: Call The Dealership
A good dealer will take the time to talk to you on the phone. While some may be busy and have to call you back the next day, others will be happy to answer your initial questions immediately, and others won’t return your call at all. The willingness of the dealership owners and employees to communicate is a reflection of the future service you’ll receive from them, so even if you don’t have any pressing questions, call anyway to see who truly cares about their potential customers.
Step 2: Watch Out For Upsells with Qualifiers
Any used car dealer is well versed in the art of selling a less than perfect vehicle, and they should be, that’s their job. Unfortunately this can leave the buyer at a loss when it comes to finding honest information about a car. Luckily, there are two easy to spot signature tactics of a dishonest salesman who cares more about getting your money than selling you a quality vehicle. The first is the upsell, which is just suggesting a car that is a higher price than the budget you’ve stated, and doesn’t match your other conditions or requirements. Salesmen will often show off their highest priced car, offering a qualifier like “special price for today only”, which would still be way above your budget. A good dealer will listen to you and show you cars within your preferred price range.
Step 3: It Shouldn’t Be Hard to Get The Facts
When you’re at the dealership and you’ve found a car you like, the dealer should be able to provide you with the vehicle’s history. This includes accidents, water damage, and any major work done on the vehicle. If the dealer says getting that information might take a while, or he simply doesn’t know, then something is fishy and you should walk away. This usually means he knows the history and it isn’t good, or the car was acquired through dishonest means. Once you hand over the money for the car, whatever it’s been through now belongs to you, so ask about the strange smell, the evidence of repairs, or anything else that appears strange. It’s better to ask then to own a lemon!
Before you start shopping for a car, you should shop for a dealer. Taking the time to find one you trust will make a big difference in how comfortable you feel with your vehicle purchase.