Used vehicle dealerships are a dime-a-dozen. Drive through any urban or most suburban areas and it’ll seem like every stretch of highway or corner has one. Plus, they’re criminal when it comes to marketing, pushing what can only be called far too many commercials and radio ads on the rest of the world.
So how do you choose the best one? Follow these tips:
1. Look for reviews and testimonials, especially on websites devoted to the industry
In this industry as in any other, reviews are worth their weight in gold. Look for local business reviews, such as on Google, and of course, consider reviews and testimonials that are featured on the dealership website itself.
However, remember that dealerships may solicit reviews, so if you are looking for a disinterested source of information, consider websites like JDPower.com, DealerRater.com and of course, websites like Yelp.
2. Follow them on social media and see what customer interactions are like
You can and should also follow used vehicle dealerships on their social media accounts. Check them out on Facebook, Instagram and any other platforms that they use before making any decisions. You can see what type of service they offer just by following their response management protocol.
3. Consider the inventory offered by the dealership in question
You may love what you find about a car dealership, but what if that dealership only sells Jeeps or trucks and you want a sedan? Or the opposite is true, and you want an F-450 but the dealer only sells small vehicles or sports cars? Choose a dealer that has cars for sale that are relevant to you.
4. Don’t forget the value of service
You might think we mean the value of service as the level of customer service that the sales staff extends you during the sales process, but that is not our focus here. After you drive off the lot, your car will need maintenance and service from time to time. Some dealerships have auto service centers, and all things considered, this value-added service can vastly improve the customer experience.
5. Explore financing options
You should also consider the financing options offered by the dealership, because buying a used car can place a financial strain on nearly anyone. The more flexible they are, the better, and the dealership should make it clear to you up front that they will work with you to create a financing plan that meets your budget instead of forcing you to accept a plan that doesn’t work well given your pecuniary situation.
Finally, don’t disregard the importance of location. The very best, most reputable used vehicle dealership in the country (at least according to these pointers) might be somewhere in Delaware, but if you live in Washington state, that won’t do you much good.
Speaking of which, if you are in Washington state, turn to the used auto dealership that car owners in your market have been trusting for years. Legend Auto Sales, in Burien, Washington, just outside of Seattle, has been serving its local market well for over a decade.
In addition to their pre-owned cars, trucks, SUVs and Jeeps (which are in excellent condition) they offer flexible financing options, automotive service, and customer service as well.
Put them to the test – check them out on social media, read up on reviews, and head on down to 14650 1st Ave South in Burien, Washington, to see what they’re about – give them a call at 206-502-2821 if you have any questions.
