We live in an age where big cities have a car dealership or two on just about every other corner. Many cities even have a whole strip of dealerships taking over both sides of the road. Our options are definitely not limited when we are in the market for a new vehicle. However, with the number of dealerships available to us, sometimes it can be a little bit overwhelming, especially when we’re shopping for a used model of a specific vehicle. So today, we ask, what is the mark of a good used truck dealer?
If you don’t know what type of vehicle you’re in the market for, it can be a lot of fun to hop from dealer to dealer until you find the one that holds the dream vehicle you didn’t know you wanted. But if you know exactly what you want, or at least have enough of an idea that you can’t just walk down to the local auto mall and pick something out, how do you know which dealer is right for you? Trucks are so very different from any other vehicle on the road, so it’s very important that you go to a truck dealer that actually knows what they’re talking about. This is especially the case when you’re in the market for a used truck. Today, let’s go through the top points to consider when searching for the best used truck dealer in town.
Used Truck Inventory
When deciding on the best used truck dealer in the area, one of the most important things to consider is inventory. In order to be considered a used truck dealer rather than just a used vehicle dealer or a truck dealer, the property must have plenty of used trucks in stock for you to choose from. It is not enough to just have two or three used trucks hidden amongst all the latest model year trucks or amongst a bunch of used sedans and SUVs.
While it is perfectly acceptable for a used truck dealer to sell other models such as sedans and SUVs, there should be plenty of truck-specific options for you to browse through. After all, one of the perks of going to a dealership rather than searching the internet is the selection. In order to find the best vehicle and at the best price, you need to be able to compare several options.
Another easy way to recognize a quality used dealership inventory is the available method of shopping. Does your dealership of choice require you to shop exclusively in person, or is there an online shopping option as well? Some people enjoy shopping in person so that they can get a real feel for the dealership as well as the vehicle, but other people prefer to shop from the comfort of their home, especially these days.
A mark of a good used truck dealership is one that has plenty of online truck shopping options. Even better is a dealership that allows you to sort by make, model, year, feature, and so on. If you’re truly looking for a quality dealership, this is an option you should definitely keep an eye out for.
Truck Expertise
Anybody can collect a bunch of trucks and sell them, but it takes a true truck expert to have a handle on the used truck business. Americans have been buying used trucks for more than 100 years. That’s a lot of history! Throughout that time, every new model year has come with its own unique set of features, options, and sometimes even challenges. When you are deciding on a used truck dealer, you want a dealership that really knows what they’re talking about when it comes to trucks. This includes not only the history of the specific truck you are considering but also the history of trucks in general.
Let’s take used Chevy trucks, for example. Some Chevy trucks have some pretty fancy trailering upgrades that make towing an absolute breeze. Others have a more rustic feel, complete with a diesel engine and vinyl bench seats. Will your local truck dealership be able to walk you through all the differences between a 2006 Silverado and a 2016 Silverado? A good used truck dealership will be able to – and that’s something you should definitely look for.
When searching for a used truck dealership, don’t be afraid to ask the salesmen questions. While no salesman can be expected to know absolutely everything there is about trucks, a good dealership will have a team of knowledgeable experts who can give you a detailed background of each truck on the lot. And if they don’t know the answer, they should be willing to hunt down the information so they can give it to you accurately.
Pre-Owned vs Certified Pre-Owned
Last but not least, we have the difference between a normal used truck and a certified pre-owned (CPO) truck. A certified pre-owned vehicle is one that has met rigorous standards for quality set by the manufacturer and has been thoroughly inspected by a certified mechanic. CPO vehicles will also come with extended factory warranties and support, giving you all the benefits of a new truck at a lower cost. A truly competent dealership will be able to offer you both used and certified pre-owned options.
Not everybody wants to take the extra time and money needed to secure a CPO vehicle. Oftentimes an everyday used vehicle will serve you just fine. However, there are those discriminating shoppers that want the peace of mind that only a certified pre-owned truck can give. It’s no wonder why the absolute best used truck dealership will always have a large selection of certified pre-owned inventory on hand.
It’s easy to find out if the dealership you are considering offers certified pre-owned vehicles. You can hop online and see if their website offers a CPO inventory. Or you can run on down and find out for yourself. Just remember that certified pre-owned models can only be sold by authorized dealers. For example, if you want a CPO Chevy Silverado, you will have to find a Chevy dealer.
An inventory of certified pre-owned vehicles is the biggest difference between a fantastic used truck dealership and a regular, everyday used car lot. Even if you don’t end up bringing home a CPO vehicle, knowing that you could if you wanted to will give you more options and can help you find the perfect truck. This is a dealership option that you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Where Will You Buy Your Next Used Truck?
Now that you know the mark of a good used truck dealer, the only thing left to do is find a great used truck dealer near you. Be sure whatever dealer you decide to go with has many, if not all, of the above characteristics. When you do this, you’re sure to have a good truck buying experience. So what are you waiting for? You’ve come this far on your truck buying journey, so keep going! Call your local used truck dealer today and see if they can help you find your dream vehicle – the perfect truck for you.
