Our Beck Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram team has served our friends and neighbors in Palatka long enough to know they expect top-quality vehicles and service. We work hard every day to exceed those expectations.
We’ve learned from our customers that car shopping was often an uncomfortable, anxiety-filled experience before they found our dealership. We always want our customers to feel at home with us. It’s vital that you know, whether you decide to shop with us or not, these essential truths about your car-buying experience.
The dealership works for you, not the other way around.
If you are looking around a dealership and feel uncomfortable about the shopping environment you’re in, trust your gut and leave.
When you’re car shopping, you should expect a sales team member to greet you warmly, ask a few basic questions, and then based on your feedback, respect your time and space.
Sales team members shouldn’t hassle you by following you around the lot. They should never ask too many questions or try to make inappropriate small talk when you’re busy looking for a vehicle.
Your sales team member shouldn’t try to make you feel guilty, push you into looking at a vehicle you’re not interested in, or steer you into a financial discussion before you’re ready.
Remember, this is your visit! Be clear about what you’re looking for. Be firm about your budget. Be prepared to ask questions and have them answered thoughtfully, based on years of experience and knowledge of the brand.
Knowledge is power.
Although it is not required for you to do research before you head to a dealership, a little research can help you feel more in control of your car shopping experience.
We recommend that you do some thoughtful list-making first before you start thinking about the type of car you want. Start with a list of what you need:
- Are you going to use this vehicle primarily for commuting?
- Do you need a vehicle that can tow a camper?
- Are you purchasing for a first-time driver or someone headed to college?
- Is this your dream car?
- Do you have a growing family?
Once you’ve narrowed down the necessities, you can make a list of wants:
- Have you always wanted a moonroof?
- Do you want a wireless phone pad?
- Do you want lots of cargo room for gear and equipment?
- Have you always wanted a V8 engine?
Once you’ve narrowed down your wants and needs, go to the manufacturer’s website and match your wants and needs to the models available. You may be surprised at what you find!
Then, go to the dealership’s website and do some exploring. Do they offer special incentives for the model(s) in which you’re interested? How do their offers compare with other dealerships in the area?
Make a list of questions based on the information you’ve found. These questions will help guide your thought process when you arrive at the dealership.
Just a little time spent on research will make a difference in how you feel when you visit the dealership of your choice, questions in hand!
Bring a buddy.
In high-stakes situations, it is normal for people to forget to ask important questions and be unable to fully or correctly hear the answers to their questions.
No matter the decision you’re mulling over, it’s always a good idea to have a trusted friend along. A friend who can help you think through key factors, talk over all your options, and listen to all the information you’re getting at one time can be real help.
You can even ask your friend to write down critical pieces of information for you so that both of you can review them later. It never hurts to have someone on your team when you have a big decision ahead of you.
Don’t skip the test drive.
You’ve done the research. You’ve written down questions and answers. You’ve kicked the tires. Don’t skip the test drive!
You can never know how a vehicle truly performs until you sit behind the wheel and take it for a spin. Test drives are vital to making or breaking a decision about a car.
When you’re on the test drive (with your buddy), we recommend you think through questions like these:
- Are the seats (front and back) comfortable, and can they be adjusted?
- Is it easy to load/unload the cargo area?
- Does the engine handle the way you anticipated?
- Do the features work the way you expect?
A pro tip about test drives: if you’re going to use the vehicle for commuting, be sure to test it on a long stretch of highway. If you are running errands in town and taking children to and from school and after-school activities, make sure to choose a route with frequent stops and starts.
Certified Pre-Owned is a game-changer.
If you walk into the dealership with an idea in mind about the vehicle you’re hoping to purchase, and you’re disappointed to learn the vehicle won’t fit into your budget, consider a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle instead of buying new.
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles must meet a corporate standard checklist from the manufacturer to garner certification. There is no depreciation with a CPO vehicle. With a bit of patience, you may be able to find the features you were hoping for at a fraction of the cost of a new vehicle.
Don’t be discouraged! Be honest with your sales team member and think through all your options together. You may be surprised at what you’re able to find!
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