| Chances are that if you're in the market in this | | | | looks like? This is another good sign. Are all of the |
| economy you're more like to be looking to save some | | | | illuminated lights well....illuminated? Are there letters falling |
| money. With that in mind you've scoured all the | | | | off, tattered awnings, etc? |
| Craigslist ads, done some web searches and you | | | | 4. Where do they get their inventory from?a. Unless |
| have possibly even hit up an auto row or two. | | | | you're looking for a true "lemon" you probably don't |
| Most people aren't going to go very far out of their | | | | want to get a car that has 100, 000 miles and is only 3 |
| way to buy their next used car. Ideally, they're going to | | | | years old. A used car dealer especially in the luxury |
| try and save as much as they can by scouting out | | | | segment should take care to have items that are |
| deals at their local used car dealer. Most used car | | | | appealing to the general public. Cars in accord with |
| dealerships have a tough reputation stereotype to | | | | local driving conditions. A 3 year old car shouldn't have |
| overcome. Since most are individually and not | | | | more than 30,000 to 50,000 miles on them. Off lease |
| corporate owned, a lot of people see the non | | | | used vehicles are usually the best choice, but that's not |
| franchised dealers as suspect places that sell the | | | | a hard fast rule, just something to consider.b. Carfax or |
| proverbial "lemon" (which is where the term lemon lot | | | | Auto Check available (most people have heard of |
| comes from). | | | | CarFax...Auto Check is a similar service offered by |
| In turn buying a used car from one of these lots has | | | | Experian.c. Look for indications of transparency. This |
| become an exercise in frustration for the buyer and | | | | means, is the dealer trying to give you all of the details |
| dealer both. It doesn't have to be though. If you follow | | | | in good faith? A dealer that is trying to convey all of |
| the tips outlined below this should make buying a used | | | | the cars historical information usually indicates a |
| car from your local used car dealer or used luxury car | | | | business that is ethical. They want to stay in business |
| dealerships a less frustrating experience. | | | | and they genuinely care about the customer. As a |
| 1. Find out about the history of the place. If you're going | | | | consumer you should be very aware of this aspect. |
| to buy from a non franchised dealer then you probably | | | | 5. Courtesy - Did the sales people make you feel |
| are going to want to know a bit more about who | | | | welcomed or like you were interrupting their down |
| you're buying from, right?a. Things you might want to | | | | time? Respect goes a long way in helping a business |
| know include: How long has the place been in | | | | thrive. This is not something that should be abused, |
| business?b. Can you find the place online if you did a | | | | however. |
| search? Most of the information you want and need is | | | | 6. Prices - There is such a concept as market price. If |
| right at your fingertips thanks to the internet and | | | | the price is too good to be true you probably want to |
| search engines. | | | | ask why. If the prices are too high, again ask why. A |
| 2. Do they have an established community history? | | | | dealer that sells below market might just want to |
| What do others have to say about the place? This is | | | | unload inventory and you may potentially have a |
| called crowd sourcing. Most people are more apt to | | | | genuine "deal" on your hands otherwise you should be |
| trust a third party recommendation (testimonial) than | | | | cautious. |
| they are an advertisement any day of the week.a. | | | | On the contrary a dealer that is selling inflated priced |
| The more good stuff there is out about the business | | | | cars is probably taking advantage of buyers in that |
| there the more comfortable an individual should be in | | | | particular area. This is common in less affluent |
| doing business with them. | | | | neighborhoods (we all watch 60 minutes). |
| 3. Appearance - a place that cares about being in | | | | With these tips you should be able to get a great used |
| business for the long haul really should show signs that | | | | car from your local while minimizing any buyers |
| they care about their over all appearance.a. Are the | | | | remorse and also have the good feeling to know that |
| cars clean, lined up in a "display" fashion or are they all | | | | you did a great thing for your local community. Don't |
| just kind of randomly strewn about with dirt, mud, cake, | | | | forget, dealers are human too. Now go support your |
| rust etc?b. Is the showroom clean? Do the proprietors | | | | community. |
| show signs that they care what their "business home" | | | | |