Where Will You Choose to Shop?
When you want to buy a car, the obvious thing to do is to visit a car dealership. There are, of course, different kinds of car dealerships, each one with its fair share of benefits.
That’s why it can be a great idea to assess those different car dealership types and see which one is suitable for you. Here are some of the most common and popular car dealership types you may encounter on your search for a vehicle.
Traditional Car Dealerships
Most people are familiar with the concept of a traditional car dealership. They are authorized to sell brand-new vehicles from specific auto manufacturers, and often have the names of those manufacturers emblazoned on all their signage.
Traditional car dealerships have an internal finance department and a service center that specializes in repairing and maintaining the new car brands they carry.
These dealerships also offer used cars, usually trade-ins from customers who purchase a new vehicle from them.
Used Car Lots
Independent used car lots specialize in selling used vehicles from any automaker. None are deemed “certified pre-owned.” They tend to have a wide selection at a range of price points.
Reputable used car lots are totally fine to shop at, but there’s a reason that there’s a negative stereotype of used car salesmen. Steer clear of used car lots with low customer service ratings on sites like Google or Yelp, and ask your family and friends for recommendations of places they’ve previously shopped at. You can often get a decent deal on a used vehicle at these type of lots, so don’t overlook them.
Used Car Superstores
Used car superstores are essentially massive used car lots that focus on selling a large selection of vehicles. Here, you’ll get the widest range of choices. And because these car lots tend to be full-service, they also have a finance department that can help you secure an auto loan if you didn’t get one from your bank or credit union.
If you’re picky about the specific make, model, year, and features your used vehicle must have, these dealerships are the best choice.
Buy Here Pay Here Car Dealerships
The buy here pay here option means the car dealership will finance your purchase, so you don’t have to deal with a third-party lender. It’s beneficial for the car dealership, and it also helps you too.
Plus, buy here pay here dealerships are the best approach if you have a low credit score and can’t find a car loan, as these dealerships are much more likely to offer you a car loan as long as you can show you have ongoing incoming funds to repay the loan.
Online Retailers
Yes, there are car dealerships that only sell on the internet. It’s easier for them to promote vehicles and sell, and they can be outside of a large city, as location doesn’t really matter.
However, most of the time online car dealerships are simply new and used car dealerships that also advertise the vehicles they sell online. You can check out the inventory online first, before test driving each car in person at the dealership.
Car Vending Machines
The latest fad in the used car game is car vending machines. They’re massive buildings with internal ramps and hydraulic lifts that deliver the car you want to buy to the ground floor. You can complete your purchase mostly online.
Some people like shopping at a car vending machine-type used car lot simply for the novelty, but plenty of people have also gotten good deals on vehicles inside.
Be a Smart Used Car Shopper
As you can see, there are various car dealership types and each one comes with its fair share of benefits. It all comes down to you and the type of dealership you need. Each one has its pros and cons, so you may need to research on your own to find what’s suitable for your lifestyle, budget, timeline, and other needs.
