Buying a car can feel like a stressful and confusing experience for some people. Most people don’t do it very frequently, so they might feel a bit of anxiety before going car shopping. But this doesn’t need to be the case, as the buying process isn’t nearly as complicated as some people think.
There are, however, some things you can do to make the car buying experience go smoother. These things will give your salesperson a comprehensive picture of your needs and situation and save both of you from unnecessarily wasting time. Here are six things you should say the next time you’re trying to buy a vehicle:
1. Here’s my buying timeline
It will help you tremendously if you let the salesperson know when you plan on purchasing a vehicle. If it’s very soon, then the salesperson will pull out all the stops to make it happen, ensuring a better deal for you. If, however, you’re just starting to look and don’t plan on buying for a few months or a year, let the salesperson know so that they have the right expectations and can plan accordingly for when the time is right.
2. I think I my credit is _______
If you know that you have a spotty credit history, it helps to let the salesperson know that up front. That way, they can run a credit history check to better understand what you will qualify for. Similarly, if you have stellar credit and know it, let the salesperson know so that they understand you’ll have no trouble getting approved as needed.
3. I do/don’t have a trade-in vehicle
Despite certain myths out there, it’s much better to let your salesperson know that you have a vehicle you’ll be trading in up front in the process. This will make the process go much faster and more efficiently. It’ll also allow you to find out whether there are any discrepancies between the value you’re expecting for your trade-in and what the dealership will be offering you earlier on in the process.
4. My deal breakers are _______
If you know that certain things are complete deal-breakers for you, let the salesperson know up front. This will help narrow down the search and prevent you from wasting your time. Whether it’s a certain make, style, or price, always be sure you communicate what won’t work for you no matter what.
5. I’m also looking at _________
If you’re shopping at more than one dealership or looking at more than one vehicle, you should let the salesperson know. This will allow him or her to explain the differences between the options and explain what competitive edge they can provide. Keeping the other things you’re looking at a secret doesn’t offer you any added incentive.
6. If you can provide _____ I will buy today
Car dealerships are in business to sell cars, so if there’s a deal that would entice you to buy a vehicle immediately, you should let the salesperson and the dealership know that. Of course, you should be realistic about your expectations, but there is no harm in explaining that there is something that will help push you over the edge in terms of making a decision.
