How Do I Choose a Dealer   

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A good choice when it comes to selecting a dealer to visit would be one that you
have had a previous experience. Even you have not bought a car from them; maybe you or a friend had a vehicle serviced at the car dealer.

Ask Yourself?  
Was it a good dealer to do business?
Are their hours and location convenient?
Did you feel you were treated fairly?
Was the dealership clean and orderly?

If you can answer yes to these questions then you probably have a good car dealer to look at new and used vehicles.

Perhaps you have not had any experience with any particular car dealer. Then you should start asking friends, family and co-workers for recommendations. You will plenty of good and bad about car dealers. Everybody has car dealer horror stories. A recommendation from a trusted source would be a good place to start. You should also ask if there is a particular salesperson that they recommend. Turnover of sales people at some car dealers can be very brisk, not always being able to provide you with a knowledgeable professional, but many times a trainee.

If a recommended sales person is still at a dealership you visit, it is probably a good chance that you have a professional salesperson that has product knowledge and takes care of their customers. (a salesperson with longevity at a particular dealership is because they have happy customers, repeat business, and referrals. Those attributes are what is needed to be successful in the business)

Multiple Car Dealers

Some people recommend you go to multiple car dealers. If you are looking at several brands you will need to visit several car dealers until you have decided on the particular brand. Once you have decided on the brand you don’t particularly need to visit several same brand dealers. If you feel you were treated professionally at a car dealership and you have done the suggested homework (the ammunition) that we talk about in Buying New & Used Cars you should not need to go to several same brand dealerships.

Manufacturers Get Involved

The car sales field has a bad reputation in mind of the public based on horror stories from years past. The manufacturers have been taking an active role in the professionalism of a car dealership that is representing their product. The manufacturers have implemented training, surveys, inspections and a host of other safeguards to protect their brand image. Not to say there still aren’t a few bad apples.
If you are not treated with respect and professionally at any dealership, walk out. There are plenty of other car dealerships.

Other Resources

Remember you can always go to The Better Business Bureau at www.BBB.org and check  any car dealer that you may be considering for complaints.



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