The 5 Most Helpful Tips For Visiting A Car Dealership In Canada

Buying a new car can be a very exciting experience. Everybody loves a brand-new car, and it’s deeply satisfying to know that you’re the owner of a new vehicle, which you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come.

But shopping for a car can be stressful, even at the best dealerships in Canada. Buying a car is a very complex process, and your car is typically the second-largest purchase you’ll make, behind only your home.

So how can you make sure the process is smooth and easy? Here are our top tips for visiting car dealerships in Canada.

1. Be Prepared Beforehand

If you’re prepared before you come into a dealership to look at cars, you’ll be able to get a better rate, enjoy a smoother sales process, and know exactly what to expect. We recommend that you:

• Set a budget for your car purchase
• Check your interest rate and create a reasonable budget for monthly payments
• Get pre-approved for an auto loan from your bank
• Check car reviews to narrow down your selection
• Understand the expected MSRP of the vehicle you’re interested in, based on Canadian Black Book values and similar vehicles on sale at other dealerships
• Know what kind of discounts to expect, if any
• Understand common dealer fees, GST and PST taxes, and other “hidden” costs

If you follow all of these steps, you’ll be more prepared than 99% of people who enter a dealership, and things will go much more smoothly.

2. Only Visit A Dealer If You’re Ready To Buy

You should only go to a car dealership in Surrey if you’re legitimately interested in buying a car that’s for sale. Don’t just “window shop”, or test drive cars you have no interest in purchasing.Changing your mind is fine, of course. If you drive a car at a dealer and decide you’re not interested, that’s not a problem.

But if you come to a dealership without any intention of buying a car, you’re wasting your own time, and the time of the sales staff – which is never a good thing.

3. Be Polite And Courteous To The Staff

Some folks tend to be standoffish when working with a car salesperson. They think the salesperson is only interested in making a profit.

To an extent, this is true. It is the salesperson’s job to sell you cars, and to make money for the dealer. But at a great dealership, a salesperson will not be pushy, or try to make you purchase a car you don’t want.

If you are polite and courteous to the staff at a dealership, things will go much more smoothly. Be respectful and be honest throughout the process – and you’ll get the same from the sales staff. If you’re rude, brusque, and disrespectful, you’re less likely to get a good deal, and you may even be asked to leave.

4. Make Sure You’re Fed And Well-Rested

This may sound silly, but if you’re test driving multiple cars, applying for credit, and visiting multiple dealers, buying a car really can be an all-day affair, and you can get worn out quickly.

So before you go into the dealership, make sure you’re well-rested, mentally prepared for the task of buying a car, and that you’re fed and hydrated. Trust us, it will make the whole experience much more pleasant!

5. Get To The Dealership Early

Getting to the dealership early – even just a few minutes after it opens – has a number of advantages.

First, assessing the condition of a car is the easiest during the day. You may miss scratches and other imperfections if you’re looking at the car at dusk, or even at night. Second, both you and the sales staff will be full of energy at the beginning of the day, which makes the process much more pleasant.

And finally, this ensures you have plenty of time to drive each car you’re interested in, understand their pricing, decide which one you want, and sign the deal. You don’t want to have to rush because the dealership is closing.

Follow These Tips For A Better Car Buying Experience!

Buying a car doesn’t have to be a hassle. And if you follow these tips, you’ll be able to work with sale staff efficiently, narrow down your options, test-drive each one, and find a car that’s a great value. Get out there, and start looking for your dream car today!