5 Things You Should Know Before Calling a Dealership

Your first phone call to a dealership can make or break your car deal. Knowing how to buy a car starts with being prepared, as good preparation is just as much if not more important than the dealership you are calling. When you call a dealership for the first time you need to act and be an informed buyer. The more informed you sound, the less likely you will deal with unnecessary pressure to make a decision when you are not ready. The 5 things you should know before a calling a dealership are some of the building blocks to a great buying experience.

1. Know your budget

Knowing your budget and how you are going to pay for your new car puts you in a power position when negotiating. Once you know your budget it will help you narrow down the vehicles that are in your market. There are many ways to pay for a car, there is cash, a pre-approved check from your local credit union, cashiers check, personal check, and conventional financing through the dealership. If you are not paying cash for your vehicle it is best to check with your local credit union. Credit Unions frequently run interest rate specials. New car brands that have their own financing offer 0% in some sitiutations. That why it is always wise to know your credit score. You can run your credit report once a year and not affect your score Annual Credit Report.

2. Know What Vehicle Fits You

What vehicle fits you, your budget, and your lifestyle? Make a list of your must haves and a list of cars you do not want. Examples include: must have four doors, must have 4x4, must have navigation must have cruise control, and power windows and locks. You can use the manufacturer's website to build your perfect car. Ford,  Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Nissan to name a few. Building your perfect car is fun and informative, giving you the power to add and subtract equipment options with the packages. You can choose from exterior color, wheels, interior color, navigation, moonroof, and interior material.

3.  What is my Trade-in Value

If you have a trade-in you need to check Kelly Blue Book, NADA, and Edmunds  add them together and divide by 3 to get an average price. Make sure you minus for condition of the vehicle like tires, paint condition, has it been smoked in, or the transmission is bad. You can run a Carfax on your vehicle to make sure there are no surprises that will devalue your trade-in. Accidents usually deduct the vehicle's value by  at least 20% of clean trade-in. Being prepared with your trade-in value will assure that you are maximize your trade-in value when you start to negotiate.

4. What is the best price

Research to get the best price for vehicles exactly like your choice by using Truecar. The site is a wealth of information showing invoice, dealer cost, and average selling price. Find the best price you may have to travel out of your area. Are you prepared to travel to get a better price? It is always good to get prices from out of area dealerships to help negotiate with your local dealer. Leverage in this game is always key to know how to buy a car.

5. Reviews of the dealership

Read the reviews of the dealerships with whom you are considering doing business. Choosing with the wrong dealer can turn into a nightmare. Most dealers have a testimonial section but it is best to use google reviews or another third party site. The dealers testimonials can be altered or made up all together. Always remember that the way the dealership treats you during to sale is the way they are going to treat you after the sale.

These five should help you get started with your buying process. I can help you if you need assistance with the purchase of your new vehicle. Being prepared and informed is crucial to get your best car deal. Knowing how to buy a car can save you thousands over your lifetime.