Not everyone can afford a brand new car. And for many who can, they simply choose to buy a used vehicle once it has gone through its initial steep depreciation of the first year. When it comes to making that used car purchased, it’s frequently done from used car dealers.
These car dealers have garnered a pretty bad reputation over the years. Even movies tend to depict them as a bunch of losers selling vehicles that should for the most part have been sent to the junk piles. Consumers have lodged many complaints over the years alleging everything from failure to live up to guarantees all the way up to fraud.
But are they really that bad? Depends. Sure, there are plenty of dealerships out there for both new and used vehicles that operate on the fringe of the law. They make promises that they won’t put in writing. They outright lie to the buyers, and they rarely point out important details in the fine print. Is this all their fault, however? What about being an educated consumer and understanding the deal you are entering into?
One of the most common problems consumer have is the type of financing available. Even though there are many credit worthy middle class families who make a conscious decision to buy a good used car, finance companies typically charge higher interest rates no matter what your credit rating. Even someone with an excellent FICO score can expect to pay 2% more on a used car loan than on a new one. Many dealerships thrive on these loans because they get commissions, or kickbacks, for each buyer who finances through them.
Some dealers do nothing but buy and sell ; it doesn’t matter what make or model. You might be able to find a decent car, but you can’t expect the sales person to know much about each vehicle. They aren’t experts in all models ever made. Perhaps they aren’t expert in any model at all. All they know is how to sell you a car from their lot.
When you are buying a car, any car, it’s a normal assumption that you’ll be able to ask questions that pertain to that specific model. To compound the issue, many used cars aren’t even sold with their original owner manuals. You might find a car you absolutely love, but don’t buy it on looks or price alone.
Before making any commitments at any dealership, and that includes even making a “refundable” deposit to hold the car, do some research. Go home and check out that particular make and model. Look for recalls, consumer reviews, and pricing information. Run a CarFax report if the dealership won’t do this for free. You’ll need the VIN for that vehicle, and by law they have to give it to you.
Take it for a long test drive. Some dealers like to steer you around their parking lot or maybe around the block. Make sure you get it on a highway, test the brakes, test the pickup, and then call your insurance company for a quote.
Whether you are purchasing new or used cars, our reliable automotive dealership offers friendly customer service and up-to-date resources. Our team of experienced dealers Edmonton has all the information you need for purchasing cars, vans, , and other vehicles.
