Shopping for a car can be tough. When you really break the whole process down to its simplest components, however, it gets easier: shopping for a car is ultimately about making a series of decisions. When you take them in their entirety, then it can all seem a bit overwhelming; but looking at each one individually really helps. For example, even if you’ve decided that you want a Chevrolet, then you still need to pick the right Chevy dealer in your area.
This is a part of car-shopping that far too many people overlook because it’s easy to think that one dealership is just as good as another. The reality of the situation, however, is that there can be tremendous differences between one dealership and another – even if they both specialize in selling the same kind or brand of vehicle. Fortunately, finding the right Chevy dealer really isn’t all that difficult, especially if you know what to look for. So, today, I’m going to take you through some of the major things you should find in a dealership before giving them your business.
Start With the Website
Whether you’re interested in shopping online or not, it’s important to understand just how powerful the internet is for any kind of shopping you’re doing. That extends to buying a car too, and the website of any Chevy dealer you’re interested in is one of the best ways to get a sense of if they’re a good dealership or not. For starters, the website should be laid out well and easy to use – it’s the 2020s, after all, so by this point, every business should be able to make a decent website that makes your life simpler as a customer.
Pretty much everything you’re looking for in a Chevy dealer can be found on its website – or at least there should be some information about it. Look for basic contact information like a phone number, email address, or even a text window to chat with someone. If you buy from a dealership, then there’s a decent chance you’ll have questions after the fact. So it should be easy for you to get in touch with them.
Finally, the website should look professional. This can’t tell you everything you need to know about a Chevy dealer, but it gives you some sense of what you’re dealing with. Look for information about the dealership, too, so you can find out how long they’ve been in business. It’s almost always best to choose a company that’s been around a while and proven itself as a part of the community.
It’s All About the Inventory
I really can’t stress this enough: when looking at a Chevy dealer to see if it’s a good choice for you, their inventory is probably the single most important thing to consider. This is true of any retail business, of course, but considering how much time you’re going to spend on a vehicle, it is really important. You want to find a dealership with a large and diverse inventory of cars, trucks, and SUVs for you to choose from, as this gives you more options for what you need.
If you’re shopping for a new car, then there can be a bit of wiggle room here, depending on your specific needs. For example, if you have your heart set on a particular color that’s not common, you’re probably in for a wait to get it. Similarly, if you have very specific options and packages you want, even a dealership with a large inventory might have to get that sent over from the manufacturer or another location.
But with used models, the inventory becomes far more important. Since you can’t make changes or pick available features with a used car, you need to be able to find one that has what you want. A dealer with just 20 used cars is probably not going to have the perfect fit for you, while one with 80 or 100 is going to give you a much better chance of finding what you need. Even if you’re open-minded and know that there are just a few specific things you want, with plenty of models that can meet your needs, a large inventory still makes shopping easier.
Look for Special Offers
One of the things that can really set one Chevy dealer apart from another is any special offers and incentives it might have available. Some of these perks are going to be provided by the manufacturer, and you’ll find them at multiple dealerships. But a lot of dealers will have their own programs and offers available that they have developed as a way to provide their customers with additional value.
These kinds of things might not make a huge difference, but they can make your life a lot easier as a customer. For example, some dealers will have their own warranty protection for the vehicles they sell – even their used models. Some dealers will have special offers that tie into other services they provide, such as maintenance and repairs, to help you with future expenses or provide you with a loaner vehicle. These kinds of things might not be as important as their inventory, but anything that gives you more value for your money is good.
Help With Enjoying Your Vehicle Long-Term
I touched on this a moment ago, but it’s worth spending a bit more time on it: features like service centers and parts departments can really make one Chevy dealer a better option than one that lacks such things. If you’re shopping for a used vehicle, then a reputable service center on-site means that they’ve probably inspected their vehicles to make sure they’re in great shape. It also means you’ll always know where to turn whenever you need service; a parts department on-site can help you order a part you need even if you prefer to work on your own vehicle.
Dealership service centers occasionally get a bad reputation because they can sometimes charge more than private repair shops. While that may be the case, and it varies from one dealer to another, some of that extra price can be justified by the fact that dealership service centers can be counted on to use factory parts and have properly-trained technicians. Many private shops are cheaper because they cut corners on repairs, using cheaper parts that may not last as long. Even worse, a less reputable shop can end up costing you a lot more if they do a poor job and cause further problems.
The Right Financing for You
This is going to vary quite a lot depending on your situation, but it’s still worth pointing out. The right Chevy dealer for you is one that has financing solutions that will meet your needs, whatever those may be. Even if you have already secured a financing offer from your bank or a similar lender, it’s still a good idea to choose a reputable dealer that can help you take another look to make sure you can’t get better terms somewhere else.
If you have poor credit, then this becomes even more important as you might have fewer options for your financing needs. Look for a dealership with experience helping people that have less-than-ideal credit or little credit history because they’ll know how to work with you. In some cases, you might need to choose a Buy Here/Pay Here dealership, but that really depends on what you need.
Find the Right Dealer
While we have focused on Chevy dealers, these same points hold true no matter what brand of car you are looking for. Keep these things in mind as you consider a dealership, and it will be a lot easier for you to choose the right one. Spend as much time researching the dealership as you spend looking for the right car, and you will be on the path to success.
