Where to start?
Picking a dealership is probably the most overlooked part of buying a
car. And it’s easy to see why. When you look at local car dealerships
you’ll probably notice that they all look virtually the same—they make
the same offers, they have the same cars, they list the same prices.
But which dealership you choose will wholly determine the experience
you’ll have when buying a car. Some might even say it’s the most
important part.
In most cases, if you ask an employee of a dealership why you should
choose them, they won’t have an answer. They might mutter something
about price, years of service, or selection. Or maybe that they’re
family-owned and operated. But the truth of the matter is that,
especially in the car business, these things mean absolutely nothing.
They all may be true and sure they may be valuable, but every
dealership is going to say similar things. And you deserve more.
What you should be looking for is a car dealership that provides
something of actual value to you that goes above and beyond just a
car. A great dealership will have resources to guide you through the
car buying process and support systems to help you overcome things
that may get in the way of you driving a car you love. If they put
solutions over products, it’s evidence that they care about you as a
person, and not just a sale. That focus ensures you will have a better
experience working with them.
One sure re way to tell if a dealership has your best interests in
mind is by how they approach you when you first visit. At the first
point of contact, it should be obvious that the team’s top priority is
helping you find a solution that will help you get out of the old car
that doesn’t t your life anymore and help you drive a Nicer, Newer®
car you’ll love. You’ll know this is what they’re trying to do by the
type of questions they ask. Some great road signs are:
- “What are you hoping to achieve today?”
- “Are you looking for a car for you or for someone else?”
- “What’s been keeping you from driving a Nicer, Newer® car?”
Once you get into a conversation with these “Solutions Providers,”
you’ll notice that they are genuinely invested in helping you. Not
just interested in selling you something. They are excited to be there
for you and to help you take this important step in your life.
These helping hands won’t be focused on selling you a car; they’ll be
focused on solving your problems. They’ll tailor the conversation to
your specific situation and to what you have told them you are there
to achieve. The entire conversation will be focused on your unique
situation and what problems you are facing (whether it’s money for a
down payment, some credit history mishaps, or a specific monthly
payment). If at any point in time, you feel as if you’re being treated
like a number instead of a person, it’s time to cut and run!
The professional helping you find a car should stand with you, helping
you achieve more and find the perfect car for your situation. When you
both are working together towards this common goal, that’s when buying
a car is fun and you can be con dent you’ll get the best deal.
