When you are ready to purchase a vehicle, you will have a number of options at your disposal. First, you will need to decide if you are going to purchase new or used. If you decide that a new car is in your future, you will obviously be headed to a dealership to close the deal. However, if you opt for a used model, you will be able to pick between visiting a dealership and going to an independent car lot. So, which is better? We are going to take a look at that very question in this post. In the end, we think you'll agree that it's hard to ignore the many benefits that come with shopping at a dealership for your next vehicle.
Right off the bat, we should state that it is possible to find quality vehicles in both of these locations. You can get a great used car at a dealership, and you can get a great used car at an independent lot, as well. Also, you may not notice a tremendous difference in price between these two locations. After all, the dealerships and the independent lots are competing in the same market, so one can't afford to charge significantly more than the other for the same kind of car. While there are going to be exceptions to this rule, of course, you'll generally find that prices don't vary dramatically between the two locations.
Let's take a moment to review some of the key perks you will find when you do business with a dealership.
A Reputation to Uphold
When you visit a dealership, you can be sure that the owner of that business has a lot invested in his or her operation. It isn't easy to open a dealership, as there is a significant amount of time and money invested in the process. In other words, it's not something you do on a whim. When you work with a dealership, you can be confident you are working with a business that is concerned with its reputation.
If you were to take your business to a used car lot, things would be a little less clear. It is far easier to get into the independent used car business than it is to open a dealership, so it's possible you are dealing with someone only trying to make a quick buck. That is not always the case, of course. There certainly are reputable and trustworthy used car lots, but you'll need to do your homework to make sure you are at a good one.
May Have Newer Inventory
This is not a hard and fast rule, but rather just something to watch for as you shop. When you look at the used inventory on the lot of a dealer, you may find newer cars with fewer miles. Contrast that with your experience at an independent lot, where you may find older model cars that have seen many miles roll by. Again, this isn't to say that no independent lot will have reasonably low mileage vehicles, but your odds of finding something with little wear and tear may be improved by stopping by a dealership.
An Established System
Generally speaking, dealerships are going to sell more cars than the average lot. Dealers tend to have a lot of vehicles on the premises - both new and used - so they do quite a bit of business. That turnover can be beneficial to you, as the dealer will have a well-organized system in place to take you through the buying process. Whether you have your own financing or you need to work through the dealer to get financed, there is unlikely to be anything that catches the dealer off guard.
When you buy at a used car lot, things may be a little less predictable. Sure, it may go well, but there may be issues that come up along the way as well. It's hard to know what you will find. Buying a car can be a bit of a stressful time anyway, you don't need to add to the stress by putting yourself through a variety of issues trying to close a deal on a used lot.
Build a Relationship
Most dealerships, such as is the case at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, can do a lot more than sell you a used vehicle. When you purchase your vehicle at a dealership, you will have the opportunity to build a relationship that may lead to service visits and future car purchases. If you own more than one vehicle, which is often the case for families, it is nice to know where you are going to take all of your cars and trucks when they need attention.
As you already know, many independent lots don't have a service department, or really anything else to offer beyond selling you the vehicle. In fact, in some cases, you may not even be sure that the lot is going to be in business the next time you drive by that location. Used car lots tend to come and go, making it all the more difficult to commit to making a big purchase at such a business. By sticking with the dealership experience, you should be able to look forward to a hassle-free process from start to finish.
In the end, the goal is to find the right car for your needs. Along the way, you want to get a good deal, you want to enjoy quality service, and you want to know that you'll be taken care of after the purchase. For most buyers, the right answer is going to be selecting a dealership rather than an independent lot.
When you are ready to shop for your next vehicle, we hope you will stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to view our inventory. With many quality vehicles to pick from, it's a safe bet we'll have something that you love!