7 Things Not to Do at a Car Dealership

Car dealerships are a crucial part of a car-owning experience, but they can be overwhelming. In fact, Honda car dealer in Syracuse, NY, is seeing more customers who are intimidated by the process of buying a car due to the amount of information and confusion. It doesn’t help that many things people do while looking for a car to buy make the process longer and more frustrating. Here are 7 things you should avoid at a car dealership. 

Don’t Enter the Dealership Without a Plan

Before you even set foot on a car lot, you should have a clear idea of the kind of car you want to buy, as well as how much money you can afford to spend on it. While it is true that you should start shopping for cars with financial goals that fit into your budget, don’t get too caught up in that early on. The more time you spend looking at potential cars without a plan, the less likely you will find the right car for your needs. Having a plan will allow you to focus on the right cars; it will keep you from getting distracted by different options or falling for sales tactics.

Don’t Let the Salesperson Steer You to a Vehicle You Don’t Want

At some point during your car shopping adventure, you will probably have to have a conversation with a salesperson. You should not be afraid to let the salesperson know what you are looking for, but you should also be on guard against being steered toward a particular model of car. The dealership usually has its favorites, so if they push the on-sale model on you, it is likely because it is selling well. Either way, resist their attempts to talk you into purchasing that car.

Don’t Discuss Your Trade-In Too Early

Before you even sit down with the salesperson, you should have already decided whether or not it makes sense to trade in your old car. This is not something that should be discussed until the end of the buying process. Even if you are looking to use cash instead of financing, the trade-in value can affect what kind of deal you can get for your new car. It is crucial to know the exact value your current vehicle will bring before negotiating. So, you should only discuss trade-ins after you have made a final decision to buy.

Don’t Give the Dealership Your Car Keys or Your Driver’s License

This may seem like common sense, but some people give their car keys or driver’s license to the dealership before even discussing what type of financing they qualify for. These are your keys and your identification, so if you mustn’t lose your belongings while shopping. It is not uncommon for salespeople or managers to take people’s driver’s licenses and car keys at the beginning of the process. They will tell you they are holding onto them because it makes it easier for everyone involved to move quickly through all the steps involved in buying a car; however if something goes wrong, you are left without your keys or license, which can cause a lot of frustration.

Don’t Let the Dealership Run a Credit Check on You

If you are financing your new car through a bank, don’t let the dealership do a credit check on you, especially before closing a deal. There are several reasons for this, but the most important thing is that you want to know exactly what information the dealership will be looking at. Some dealerships will only use the information available through your credit report, while others might look at other personal documents as well, like tax returns and bank statements. This information should be kept private until you are ready to discuss financing options with the dealership. 

Don’t Buy a Car Before Testing-Drive it Fully

One of the most important parts of the buying process is to test drive the car you are interested in before purchasing it. The test drive should be able to give you an idea of whether the car is right for you. While the test drive is the best way to determine whether or not this particular car fits your needs, don’t fall into the trap of building up expectations about a car before you test-drive it. This means that you should not assume that you like it because it looks like what you are looking for. 

 Don’t Agree to Add-Ons Before You Know What They Mean

Car salespeople are experts at selling extras like tinted windows, rustproofing, and even floor mats. If you aren’t aware of the amenities, though, they can lead to big problems. If you have your heart set on a car with leather seats, but the dealership tries to talk you into leather floor mats instead, this can make things complicated. When you are first starting out on your search for a new car, it is best to stick with basic features. Don’t let the salesperson talk you into expensive extras before you have had a chance to look at all of your options.

Buying your first car can be a huge deal, but fortunately, it doesn’t have to be strenuous. These simple tips will help you navigate the process smoothly so that you can quickly find the right car for you.