Buying a new car is an exciting prospect, but you must perform due diligence to ensure a good deal. You must also work with a reputable car dealership that prioritizes quality customer service at every turn.
There are certain car dealership red flags to watch for, which can help you avoid common tricks and misinformation. Here are a few things to look out for.
Interactions with numerous staff members
If you find that you must deal with multiple salespeople and staff just to purchase a car, proceed with caution. Dealerships sometimes use this tactic to wear down the customer and entice them to make a decision they are not comfortable with. Some dealerships also draw out the sales process so that it lasts many hours or more. If you are not comfortable with how you are being treated, do not hesitate to take your business elsewhere.
Confusing calculations
The financial transaction for purchasing a car does not require intensive math calculations. The salesperson should explain costs and fees in a relatively easy manner. Some salespeople purposely make the issue more confusing than it is to disorient buyers. They may jot down several numbers on a piece of paper or use complicated jargon. If you cannot get a clear answer about prices and fees, you should think twice about doing business there.
Your in-person quote differs from the online one
If you received a quote online, you should receive the same offer when you visit the dealership to finalize the deal. If you do not, it is clear that the dealership is using the lower online quote to bring customers to the location, then changing the price at the last minute. This is a poor business practice dealerships use to intentionally confuse people.
The more information you have going into a dealership, the better you can withstand negative sales practices. Knowing what you want and how much you can spend is very beneficial to a good experience.