Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

An orange 2019 Chevy Equinox driving on a winding woodland road towards the camera

10 Things to Look for at a Chevy Dealership Near You

Purchasing your next Chevy vehicle is not just about choosing the right model, trim level, and accessories. Before this part in the process, you’ll have to choose a Chevy dealership and you’ll want to make sure the dealership you choose is trustworthy, reputable, and offers high-quality vehicles. To help you on your search for the right Chevy dealership here is a list of the top ten qualities to look for during your search. Once you find a vehicle that meets all of these requirements, you’re likely to have an enjoyable car-buying experience.

#1. Friendly Customer Service Staff

When trying to choose the right Chevy dealership near you, customer service is key. After all, the environment created by the customer service staff is likely to set the tone for your entire car buying experience. You’ll want to ensure that upon entering the dealership you are greeted warmly by a staff that is eager to answer any and all questions that you have. Beware of any dealership that fails to greet you promptly or shies away from addressing any of your automotive concerns.

#2. High-Quality Inventory

Another key factor when choosing a Chevy dealership is their inventory. Is it fully stocked, clean, and diverse? Or is it bare, poorly maintained, and offers limited options? Whether you’re looking to purchase new, used, or certified pre-owned, you’ll want to find a dealership that offers an extensive inventory for each category. This is a sign that the dealership is doing a steady flow of business and always has cars entering and leaving the lot. Be sure to fully inspect each vehicle you are interested in and ask to see a vehicle history report before moving ahead with purchasing. Any dealership that fails to provide a vehicle history report may not be an ideal spot to purchase your next vehicle.

#3. Flexible Finance Department

Once you’ve found the right vehicle for you, the next step in the process will be to secure financing for that vehicle. You’ll want to find a Chevy dealership with an on-site finance department that offers flexible solutions for drivers of all credit backgrounds. The local and national connections associated with the finance department are also important, as they increase your odds of finding financing terms that you’re comfortable with. Beware of any dealership that is not upfront with pricing, fees, or any additional costs. A trustworthy dealership will seem perfectly transparent throughout the process of financing and will work to find you a loan, or even a lease, you’re comfortable with.

#4. On-Site Service Center

Another important on-site department is the service center. After all, you’ll want a place to service your new vehicle that you can trust. A reputable Chevy dealership near you will offer a service center staffed with certified technicians that are experts in everything Chevy. From routine maintenance to complex repairs and even the installment of post-purchase accessories, the service center at your local dealership should be able to tackle any project with ease. The presence of a knowledgeable on-site service center is also a good indication that the vehicles you’ll choose from have been well-maintained by the highest of standards.

#5. Specials and Incentives

Successful dealerships understand the importance of competitive pricing, and many even go out of their way to offer additional specials and incentives to make their pricing as low and as fair as possible. To get the absolute best price on your next vehicle, you’ll want to search for a Chevy dealership that offers transparent pricing along with specials and incentives that you may qualify for. In addition to incentives for purchasing new vehicles, these may even include specials for servicing, leasing, and pre-owned options. The right dealership should have clearly labeled pricing for each vehicle and a sales staff that is up-to-date on all of their current specials.

#6. Helpful Website

Modern drivers depend on the convenience of online tools to aid in the purchase of their next vehicle. For this reason, it will be extremely helpful if the dealership you choose has an updated and user-friendly website. Many dealerships offer an abundance of capabilities through their website including:

  • Browsing The Current Inventory
  • Applying for Financing
  • Valuing Your Trade-In
  • Scheduling a Service
  • Ordering Parts

A clean, regularly updated website can also be a good indication that the dealership cares about the conveniences offered to their customers. So, it is always a good idea to check out the website of any dealership before visiting in person.

A closeup of the taillight of a 2019 Chevy Trax

#7. Positive Customer Feedback

Of course, positive customer feedback is some of the best proof available that a dealership of interest is truly dependable and trustworthy. A quick online search for customer reviews and a look at the reviews available on their website is a great way to ensure that the Chevy dealership you choose has a happy and loyal following. Stay away from any dealership that has more negative feedback than positive, and if possible, see if any of your family and friends can provide insight into your local Chevy dealership.

#8. Flexible Hours

Purchasing a car can be time-consuming, especially when you’re also shopping around for the right dealership. To avoid taking time off from work only to see a “closed” sign, find a dealership that offers flexible hours for all of their departments. Many reputable dealerships strive to offer every convenience possible for their customers and will set their hours to reflect evening and weekend availability. This makes it easy to stop by after work or plan a Saturday for dealership and car browsing. Flexible service hours are equally important because you’ll want it to be as convenient as possible to schedule maintenance or repairs to your new vehicle in the future.

#9. Rich History

While this is not by any means a necessity, it is always a plus to work with a dealership that has a rich history. Are they family-owned? Have they been an active member of your community? Do they have decades of experience under their belt? These are all factors that can make choosing the right Chevy dealership a little easier. To learn more about the company’s history feel free to check their website for an “About Us” section or inquire in person at the dealership.

#10. Accessories

This may not be important to all drivers, but can be a requirement for others. If this is the case, you’ll want to find a Chevy dealership that offers all of the accessories you’re looking for or can help you order them with ease. Drivers interested in purchasing accessories for their new vehicle will want to look for a dealership that keeps many of the most popular accessories in stock and is also able to install these accessories for you. To learn more about the accessories available at your local dealership, be sure to inquire at the dealership, call, or check out their website for any information.

Visit Your Local Chevy Dealership

Now that you know exactly what to look for at your local Chevy dealership, it’s time to check out the options available near you. Once you find a dealership that meets each and every one of your requirements, you should be able to enjoy a comfortable car-buying experience. If at any point in the process you feel uncomfortable be sure to voice your concerns and move on to the next dealership if needed!