Buying a car can be an exciting, but sometimes scary, adventure into the myriad makes, models, options, warranties, and financing available. And as if these decisions aren’t difficult enough, throw into the mix the search for the elusive reputable dealership. It’s enough to make a girl want to forget the whole process and ride the bus or take a taxi. But take heart, my fellow female car shoppers. By doing a little research, you can be an educated consumer and drive away with a great deal.
After you’ve decided on the type of vehicle you want, or at least narrowed down the possibilities, you have to locate a reputable dealership. This is the most important element of your search. And yes, sisters, it can be intimidating. As with any profession, there are good dealers and bad dealers, and unfortunately, many of the dealers you find will be males who don’t take women car buyers seriously, even in this day and age. So how do you know if a dealer is honest or not?
The best way to find a reputable dealer is by his reputation—hence the word “reputable.” Ask around. Talk to friends, family, co-workers. Find out about their experiences with local dealerships, good and bad. Jot down a few notes. You can learn a lot from their past “rip-offs” or “sweet deals.”
Another way to check out dealerships is to call the Consumer Affairs Office of the Department of Agriculture, at 1-800-435-7352. They will share any negative reports, complaints, or problems about vehicle dealerships in your target area. Be sure to contact your Better Business Bureau, too. An even easier way to explore dealerships is to visit the Web site Autotropolis. Just click on your state, then on your city or on the city where you’ll be searching for your car, and a list of dealerships will appear. Most importantly, the website displays customer reviews of most dealerships—positive and negative. The reviews are written by people who have actually purchased vehicles from the dealership in question, so the information provided is invaluable to a would-be buyer.
