There’s a lot of work that goes into finding the right car. From setting your budget and defining your needs, to locating a good dealership and salesperson to help you navigate the purchasing process, much of it can be confusing. The goods news is that there are six signs of a worthy auto dealer that can help you save both time and money. Read on to discover what they are.
1. A good car salesman will actively listen to you
Salespeople are generally valued for their ability to talk consumers into positive buying decisions. With a big ticket purchase like this one, however, excellent listening skills are far more essential. After all, this is the person who can help you identify the options that are best in line with your needs and the needs of your household. You certainly don’t want to waste your time dealing with someone who’s anxious to push a specific vehicle even though it lacks the cargo space, passenger seating, or other features that you or your family requires. Listening is always key to helping customers accurately define their purchasing goals.
2. Tells the truth
You’ve found the right person to work with when your intuition tells you that he or she is being totally forthright and transparent. One of the best ways to check the honesty of a car dealer is by looking at online reviews. People who feel as though they’ve been lied to or led astray in these transactions are generally pretty candid in their feedback.
3. A good salesperson will value your time
This is an important purchase and one that you could spend years paying off. As such, the entire process should be a positive one from beginning to end. Call ahead before visiting a dealership and state your vehicle preferences. Schedule a test drive and establish a point of contact. When you arrive, if the car of your choice is ready to go, you’re on the right track. Conversely, if there are hold-ups, delays, and other snags that leave you feeling under-valued or unimportant, you may want to continue shopping around.
4. Never uses bait and switch tactics
You might be attracted to a dealership because you’ve seen a fantastic offer on a truly amazing car. However, if this deal is no longer available when you reach the showroom, you’re probably working with the wrong dealer. Countless auto sellers use this strategy to lure qualified buyers in. Disappearing offers and misleading advertising aren’t exactly signs of trustworthiness. These early red flags should be enough to send you in search of auto sellers who are honest in their marketing, and who aren’t using old and incredibly faulty strategies to attract business. Good auto sellers don’t have to use these techniques to get buyers to come in.
5. They’ve got excellent word-of-mouth advertising
Maintaining a good reputation in the automotive sales industry isn’t easy and, it isn’t something that happens by accident. Dealers and salespeople who consistently do good business are guaranteed to have glowing reviews on the top online platforms. They also get a lot of excellent word-of-mouth advertising. As such, one of the best ways to find a reputable and worthy dealer is often by asking family members, co-workers, and friends.
6. Doesn’t apply too much pressure
The job of a good salesperson is to help you understand your options so that you can make informed buying decisions on your own. It is not this professional’s responsibility to choose a car for you, determine when you’re ready to buy, or push you into any other action. You should feel completely in control from the start of your car search to the finalizing of the deal. If your salesperson starts using commanding or overly controlling language at any time, consider taking your business elsewhere.
Finding a good auto salesman is a sure start to finding the car of your dreams. This professional can help you identify the perfect make, model, and price point for your budget, driving style, and needs. With the six tips above, you can avoid the stress and hassle of working with dealers who aren’t worth your time.