How to Choose the Dealership that is best for you
The car buying process is an intimate one and is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Finding the right car, at the right price, and at the right dealership can take some serious effort, especially if you are the type of person that wants the best deal out there. How can you ensure that you’re finding the best value around? Well, we’ve done the research for you and compiled a checklist that will at the very least help you find a great car at an affordable price.
Integrity.
First we want to focus on the integrity of the dealership you choose. The ethics of a dealership are essential to the value it can provide so focus your efforts towards researching the integrity of a dealership. Look up each entity on the Better Business Bureau website, if a business is accredited it is most likely committed to great service, but do an in depth look.
Read dealership reviews online. One of the best ways to gauge how customers feel about the staff and service of a dealership will be to read the reviews of the company online. If you see too many negative reviews, stay away from that dealership. Also, DealerRater.com is a service that allows you to search dealerships by zip code and view the overall experience customers have had at each location.
Look up the dealership on J.D. Power. The U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index is a rating of how dealership experience varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. This index rates manufacturers from the best to the worst in regards to overall sales experience at dealerships.
Think about the Long-Run
Will this dealership be around when you need them most? This is crucial when you are evaluating the dealership you purchase from. You’ll need them to have your back because the experience you have with your dealership will not end once the sale ends. Remember, buying a car isn’t about closing a sale or ending the buying process, it is about beginning a relationship with a dealership.
Dealerships that put emphasis on the lifetime value of their customers will be the locations that are in business the longest. Most likely you best choice is to do business with a dealership that has been in business for a while. These businesses are going to be the ones that have a proven track record of success in servicing their customer’s needs.
Pay Attention to Detail
The look and feel of each dealership should be evaluated as well. Be completely honest with yourself and ask some questions like:
- Is the facility in good overall condition?
- Are the restrooms clean?
- Is the waiting area clean and does it provide enough room?
- Are the mechanics friendly?
These are just a few of the questions that you should answer before you decide to do business with anyone, not just dealerships. The care and thoughtfulness put into the small details goes to show how much a dealership cares about the customer experience.
Follow these simple steps and you will be better off when researching the best dealership for you. First evaluate what you hold valuable and then try to find a dealership that aligns well with those values.