The time has come! You’ve finally decided to replace your old car with a reliable used car from a respectable used car dealer in Prince Albert. But while shopping for a new car can be an exciting and rewarding time… it can also give many a sense of trepidation that borders on dread. Many are a trifle reluctant to put their trust in a used car dealership. A phenomenon that we totally understand. After all, it’s not as tough used car dealers have the best reputation in popular culture.
Still, if you’re willing to put all of your preconceptions aside a trip to a used car dealership can not only be beneficial it can even be enjoyable. It can be if we dare to admit it, fun! Especially when you follow our guide to getting the most from your trip to a used car dealership…
Forget everything the movies and TV have told you about used car dealerships
If you can dispel the image of the sleazy used car dealerships (and sales professionals) from your mind, you’ll have a much more rewarding time. The image of the kinds of dealerships that cut corners in the hopes of making a quick buck simply doesn’t bear scrutiny in the current climate.
In the digital age, a used car dealer in Prince Albert is more accountable than ever. Bad user reviews on Google or Trustpilot can be a publicity black-eye for dealerships and potentially crippling for business.
Besides, used car dealers invariably want to build long-lasting and positive relationships with happy and loyal customers. And that’s pretty much impossible if you don’t treat the customer with respect and offer them a great deal and full transparency.
By all means, be assertive, but don’t let the pop culture cliche of used car dealerships let you start the experience with your back up. Otherwise, you’ll be jumping at shadows and seeing potential exploitation everywhere you look.
Do your homework
Of course, it helps you to negotiate from a position of power and authority when you’ve done your homework and know exactly what you want both from your dealership and from your used car.
You shouldn’t set foot on the forecourt unless you’re confident that the dealer in Prince Albert is one that you should trust. They’ll not only have a website that’s full of glowing customer testimonials and reviews, but people will be saying all the right things about them on other online resources like Google Business, Trustpilot and the like. After all, everything a dealership says about themselves should be taken with a grain of salt. But you can usually trust other consumers to give an honest review of a car dealer in Prince Albert.
Knowledge is power, and that’s as true when buying a used car as it is in pretty much anything else. So make sure you step into the dealership informed and empowered.
Have a clear idea of what you’re looking for… But be willing to be flexible
After carrying out extensive research you probably have a good idea of what you’re looking for in a used car and will know when you’ve found the right one for you. Make sure that you know your needs and have a shortlist of potential vehicles that can meet them.
This will help to ensure that your time is well spent getting to know the vehicles of interest to you, rather than wasting time perusing vehicles that won’t meet your needs. Even if you don’t intend to (or aren’t able to) take a test drive on the day, you should spend some time in the car getting a feel for the cabin and getting to know the space available to you.
Yet, while it’s certainly important to go in with a clear idea of what you want, a little flexibility can go a long way. If you ensure that your sales professional knows your needs (and they’ll be likely to ask all the right questions to make sure that they do), they may suggest vehicles that escaped your notice in the research phase. These may either have great features that you weren’t even aware of or come at a much more favourable price than the vehicle you had your heart set on without coming at the expense of spec.
If it’s offered, take it!
Don’t be shy about accepting anything and everything that a car dealer in Prince Albert offers you. There’s a time to be shy and retiring, but car shopping is not one of them. If you’re offered a glass of water, take it. If you’re offered a coffee or tea, take it. If you’re offered any other freebies like key rings, tote bags or other merch, take them.
Don’t be shy about taking anything that’s offered. Your acceptance of these complimentary goodies is not a commitment to buy. It’s just the dealer doing their best to make you feel valued.
Never be afraid to ask questions
Seriously. Any used car sales professional worth their salt would rather answer questions until their throats are sore than see a customer drive away in a car that they’re unhappy with. No matter how much research you’ve done it’s entirely natural to have questions that only come to you when you’re either inspecting the vehicle or on a test drive. Don’t be shy about asking your sales professional questions. They’re always more than happy to tell you whatever you need to know to make an informed choice.
In this day and age, honesty and transparency go a long way and sales professionals are highly cognizant of that!
Take your time… and don’t be afraid to come back later
The last thing you should do is rush your visit. Feel free to take as long as it takes to get the information you need to make the right choice. And don’t feel pressured to commit to a vehicle or a deal right there on the spot.
A good sales professional will give you their card and give you the opportunity to mull over what you’ve learned on your visit and encourage you to get in touch with them if you have further questions.
Enjoy yourself!
Finally, though the process involves a lot of learning and a lot of concentration and attention to detail, it’s important to try and enjoy the process. After all, you’ll have this car for years to come and you want the start of your relationship with it to be happy and positive.
While you should be alert and assertive, don’t be afraid to have fun!
