Car dealers are not necessarily the enemy. A bit of preparation and some caution when it comes to making decisions will help you make the most of the advantages of dealing with a dealer.
Buying from vehicle dealers gives the security of legal protection, and warranties and it can mean getting a new car without the hassle of selling your old car.
But it also means you – an amateur in car deals – are dealing with a professional. He or she might do as many car deals in a day as you do in your life...
And we probably don’t need to go into why there is reason to believe some dealers won’t have your interests at heart.
Avoiding the Dealer Stereotype
Not all car dealers fit the stereotype. Some dealers have built reputations on looking after their customers and making the sometimes daunting process of buying a car as easy as possible.
Chosen the car you want or created a short list of models? Decided to buy from a car dealer? Check the reputation of relevant dealers. Does a web search for their name reveal anything untoward? Do you know anybody that might have an informed opinion to offer?
A Checklist for Dealing with Car Dealers
The more you know about your car buying options the less likely you are to make a poor decision.
- Choose your model or models carefully and create your short list.
- Determine a price range for your new car (and your old car if you are considering a trade in).
- Investigate relevant dealer options thoroughly.
- Investigate finance options and determine a clear budget – pre-approved finance may give you more flexibility in options.
- Understand and compare all aspects of your model and dealer options (clarify these by phone, if necessary):
- Price
- Trade-in offer
- Accessory and feature options
- Warranty included
- Service plan included
- Finance if needed.
- Take a friend with you when you do go to see a dealer to reduce the risk of a rash emotion-driven decision.
- Make sure a full pre-sale inspection has been completed on all used cars.
- Test drive in likely driving conditions - if you can, drive to the places you would normally use your car
- Always negotiate on price (and other aspects of the deal), but only after you are sure that you are making the right choice on the car.
- Don’t let salespeople rush you: don’t make a decision you haven’t considered carefully to secure a deal.
Buying through a dealer may mean dealing with somebody that knows a lot more about buying and selling cars than you do. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get yourself a deal you are happy with months or even years after you buy your car. You just have to arm yourself with good knowledge and think carefully before making a decision.
We believe in respecting others
At Toyota we believe in respecting people and working together and that means our dealers will work with you to find a vehicle, warranty and service plan that meets your needs...
And that means we train our dealers to make sure they understand your needs, first and foremost.
They will then put their knowledge of appropriate models to work. You will be given a comprehensive understanding of vehicles offering the features and functionality to you. The dealer can help the buying of a vehicle in six different ways:
- The salespeople are trained in product knowledge and helping you to clarify your needs in a motor vehicle
- They will have brochures available for you to read and review
- Generally they will have videos and computer simulations to demonstrate various advanced features such as anti-lock braking, vehicle stability control and hybrid synergy drive systems
- They will generally have a range of stock for you to test drive (and you should)
- They will be able to show you the full range of accessories to customise your car to your needs
- They can help you with arranging finance and insurance (including warranties, service plans and comprehensive vehicle insurance)
- Understanding you can add to the research you have done to allow you to make a fully informed decision.
We’ll work with you to:
- Make the purchase process easy for you.
- Find a car that offers value for money and long term satisfaction
- Ensure that you have the level of support you need after you buy your new Toyota
We consider your decision to buy a Toyota just the start of your relationship with us... We build our cars to last because we believe that good things stand the test of time. Why should our relationships be any different?
