Getting a new or used car comes with an investment and other important decisions. Luckily, car dealerships are an integral part of the auto industry that can ease the process for you. They buy, sell and service cars to puts smiles on the faces of their customers. However, you may not know where to start to get value for your money and peace of mind, from finding the right car, financing the lowest amount possible, getting the proper insurance, to name a few. Regardless, the process doesn’t have to be grueling. You can follow these tips and strategies to find a reputable used car dealer in Syracuse that can make finding and purchasing your next vehicle easy.
1. Shop Around
When shopping for a new car, it’s essential to feel comfortable with the dealership. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time there, discussing and test-driving cars, negotiating prices and financing options, and filling out lots of paperwork. Consider visiting several dealerships before buying a new car. But if you’re not comfortable with one or more of them, move on. You don’t have to buy from any particular dealer.
Also, look into whether the dealership has any local awards from business organizations or publications in the area. These can be another indicator of good service and selection.
2. Check Them With The BBB (Better Business Bureau)
The BBB keeps records of all companies they accredit, including any filed customer complaints. The organization also gives out its ratings based on several factors, including length of time in business and whether or not a company has been cited for violations of BBB standards. Through that, you will know whether to proceed to the next step with a dealer or not.
3. Ask Friends And Relatives With Cars
It’s a good idea to get recommendations from friends and relatives who have bought cars recently. Ask them questions about their experience with the salespeople, service department, and financing options. If you have friends or relatives who work for an auto manufacturer or dealership, ask them about the different dealerships in your area.
4. Check Consumer Publications And Online Forums
Check out consumer review sites like Yelp, where consumers leave reviews of businesses they patronize. You will encounter positive and negative comments, but trends are what to look for; are there more positive statements than negative ones? Do most of the complaints seem to be legitimate? Do they deal with complaints promptly?
Aside from that, visit the dealerships’ websites for information about their inventory and current specials. If you don’t see what you want on the website or there’s no website, that could be a bad sign that they’re behind times.
5. Consider Purchases From Dealers Affiliated With New-Car Franchise
Not all dealerships are similar; some offer more benefits than others. For example, new-car franchise dealerships sell a specific line of vehicles. You can expect to have a more extensive selection of that brand on the lot. If you’re looking at a new car, this may be the most convenient because every option will be available.
The franchise dealership will also have salespeople who are very knowledgeable about the brand’s features and options to help you make crucial decisions. As a result, buying from a franchise dealer is often easier than working with an independent dealer who might not be able to answer all your questions.
However, if you’re looking for uncommon or rare cars, an independent dealership might be helpful because it’s likely to carry a wider variety of makes and models.
6. Compare Prices And Terms
It’s a good idea to keep your options open. Trying different dealerships can help you get the best prices or deals available. Different dealerships offer various incentives for financing and leasing, so it’s important to compare prices and terms at a few other dealerships before committing.
At some larger dealerships with multiple salespeople, each person might have a different offer for the same car. Be sure to ask each person who approaches you what they can do for your price point and see if they can come up with something better than their colleagues. You can also go online to see how much other people are paying for the same car.
7. Decide Whether To Buy Certified Pre-Owned Or As-Is
Suppose you’re shopping for a used car, different approaches to consider. Some dealers have as-is vehicles that have not been inspected and come with no warranty. You can get one for a reasonable price if you do your homework and stay within budget.
If you can’t risk buying an as-is loaner vehicle, consider purchasing a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle. These come with warranties following inspections by the dealers. They may cost more than their as-is counterparts but are worth considering.
