So, you’re in need of a new car and you want the best possible deal out of it. Even a barely used car can offer savings of around $2000 compared to a brand-new version of the same model. If you’re willing to go with cars that are slightly more experienced, you could stand to save a lot more, still.
However, getting the best deal isn’t just about choosing used over new. It’s also about where you buy the car. In most cases, you have two options: you can go to your local used car dealership in Saskatoon or you can try your hand at buying from a private dealer.
Each option has their pros and cons. To help you decide on which option is best for you, we’re going to take a closer look at those.
Dealers offer more flexible payment options
Used cars are cheaper, so it’s easy to save up as much as you need to purchase it in one go. So, this point might not be a concern for everyone. However, if you need a car and you’re not willing to wait around to save up for the full price, you’re going to need to finance it. Your financing options are a little limited with a dealer, compared to buying a new car. However, with a private seller, you’re not very likely to find anyone willing to finance the purchase at all. The dealership wins it in this category.
Private sellers are more likely to have the vehicle history at hand
When you buy a car, you’re going to want to know everything you can about it, including past problems, service history, and so on. A private seller is more likely to have the vehicle history with them, including the logbook for servicing purposes. If they don’t, that’s a major red flag. A used car dealership in Saskatoon might not have this history, or they might. If a car is certified pre-owned, then you’re certainly going to have its history, so it might be worth keeping an eye out for those particular vehicles.
Dealers could be willing to haggle the price down further
For a private seller, they might be looking to get a certain amount for their car and be unable to waver. After all, it’s the only vehicle they have to sell, so they might be more particular with how much they sell it for. Dealerships tend to be a little more flexible. Time your purchase right (wait until the end of the quarter, when they have targets to meet) and know how to haggle and you could knock some off their initial price. There are no guarantees a dealer will be willing to go lower, but it’s always worth a try with them. With most private sellers, you’re wasting your time trying to haggle. Some might be willing to go down a little lower in price simply to get a quicker sale, but it depends on who you’re talking to.
Private sellers won’t upsell you on extras
A dealer is looking to make a profit from their sales. For used cars, this can mean selling extras like warranties and so on. Private sellers simply don’t have those extras to sell. This can be both a pro and a con for each. If you actually want those extras, then lacking them could be detrimental to buying the car you want. However, if you don’t want them, then you might prefer a seller who is eager to make a more straightforward deal. It’s worth noting that you can always say “no” to any extras a dealer might try to throw on, all the same.
Dealers are more likely to sell reliable vehicles
There are dodgy dealerships and honest private sellers out there. There are plenty of the latter, in fact. However, dealers tend to offer a little more proof of the reliability of their vehicle. They’re willing to let you test drive them, have a mechanic friend take a look, and so on. A private seller might not be as happy with you holding up the purchase process for too long. Furthermore, your local used car dealership in Saskatoon might offer certified pre-owned vehicles. These are used cars that are maintained and kept to the manufacturer’s own set standards. If you see a car with that kind of mark, then you are almost certainly able to rely on it.
Private sellers could have the lowest purchase price
This isn’t always the case. You can find some private sellers who vastly overestimate the worth of their vehicle and simply won’t hear otherwise. However, when it comes to the dollar figure price of a car, dealerships are likely to want a little more. After all, they’re trying to make a profit on a purchase. Private sellers are more likely to simply want some cash to help fund their own next purchase.
Dealers have a reputation you can check out
If you’re considering buying from a used car dealership in Saskatoon, you can simply look them up on Google. You can check out their reviews, read testimonials, see all of the deals they have on their inventory and get a good idea of whether you can trust them. For a private seller? You don’t have that luck at all. They’re not constantly engaged in selling cars, so they have no need to worry about their reputation with customers.
So, who should you buy from?
If you’re looking for a reliable purchase on an affordable car from someone you can easily hold accountable, then checking out your local used car dealership in Saskatoon is the way to go. For pure price point advantage, the private seller might offer a better deal, but that comes with the caveat of buying from an amateur who is harder to get hold of if it turns out you bought a lemon.
Overall, going with a dealer is simply a safer way to go. As mentioned, both routes have their drawbacks and their benefits, but with a dealer, you simply have a level of accountability. They have a business there, they can’t simply disappear after selling you a car.
