Deciding Between A Dealership And A Private Seller
Are you thinking about buying a used car and having trouble with deciding between used car dealerships and a private seller? This article will help decipher the pros and cons of buying a used car from used car dealerships and a private seller.
Used Car Dealerships
Buying a used car from local used car dealerships has its pros and its cons. If you do not know where to find used car dealerships in your area, you can just google the term “used car dealerships in my area.” Many listings with addresses will come up, and then you can pick the ones you are interested in from there.
Pros
Used car dealerships definitely have the advantage over private sellers when it comes to having plenty of cars to choose from. Good used car dealerships will stand behind what they sell. Usually, local used car dealerships will have a minimum of a 90-day warranty on the cars they sell, unlike a private seller who will have no warranty at all.
Reputable used car dealerships will have a fair asking price on their vehicles. You can also feel comfortable in knowing that a background check can be done on any vehicle you are thinking of buying without any complaints from used car dealerships. Used car dealerships that complain about this should be avoided since they are more than likely not a reputable company.
Used car dealerships will not mind giving you the VIN number on any one of their cars, so you can get a CARFAX report on it before you buy it. This way, you will get the total history of the car before you buy it. The CARFAX website is http://www.carfax.com/. Enter the VIN number to get your report. The report will tell you how many people have owned the car and if it has been in a wreck or not.
Used car dealerships have their cars detailed before they put them on the lot. This means a mechanic will have checked it out, as well as it being washed and waxed. New tires are usually put on to help sell the car. Private sellers will not do that when they put their car up for sale.
Cons
There are some very shady and unscrupulous used car dealerships in every city or town. These kinds of used car dealerships should be avoided like the plague. Some will use gimmicks just to get you in to their used car lots and will have high pressure salesmen. Some will run scams and be dishonest with their credit terms. You have to be wary of any contract you sign at used car dealerships, no matter the reputation. One late payment can end up with your car being repossessed. Buying from disreputable used car dealerships can ruin your credit also if you have been pressured into buying a vehicle with tricky credit terms and little time to think about it. Some used car dealerships will knowingly sell you a lemon too. This is why you must do your background check on any vehicle you buy from one. .
Private Sellers
Pros
Private sellers may be more honest than some local used car dealerships. A private seller will not use high pressure sales techniques. You may be able to negotiate the price easier with a private seller without feeling like you are being conned. You can also check with CARFAX before you buy the vehicle. There will be no used car dealership financial contracts to sign, so you will not have to worry about tricky credit consequences. You can ask the private seller what type of upkeep they have done on the car. Used car dealers may not have this information. You will have more personal feel for the car you are thinking of buying because you will be able to get a personalized history on it from the seller. Some private sellers are very attached to their car and will have taken better care of it than those that are being sold in used car dealerships.
Cons
You usually have to pay cash when buying from a private seller. Local used car dealerships will offer financing. This means you may have to go out and find your own loan if you do not have the cash on hand to buy from a private seller.
Once the car is sold to you by a private seller, you cannot take it back if something is wrong with it. Private sellers usually sell their vehicle on an “as is” basis. Used car dealerships usually have a 90-day warranty so any problems can be fixed. Private sellers will not fix a problem for you after you have bought the car.
Kelley Blue Book Values
Used car dealerships will help you check the Kelley Blue Book value on any car you are deciding on if you ask them. If you would rather go home and check the value yourself, you can do that by going to online Kelley Blue Book sites, or you can even buy one at your local bookstore. Armed with the Kelley Blue Book value for that particular make, model, and year, you will be able to negotiate the price better with used car dealerships or private sellers. Used car dealerships will not argue with the Kelley Blue Book used car values. A private seller may not budge on their price, however. If they have a strong personal attachment to their vehicle, they may rather lose the sale than lower their price.
Conclusion
If you are a first time used car buyer, going to a local used car dealer may be the best way to purchase your used car. You will be able to ask questions and learn a lot about the process of buying a used car from used car dealers. You should take someone with you that knows what he or she is doing. If you are an experienced car buyer, you may find better deals with a private seller. The old saying “buyer beware” will hold true in either case. |
