Contrary to the popular belief, car dealers – especially those in our network – do their utmost best to satisfy customers. However, just like people, businesses are capable of mistakes, and as a result, they are also capable of failing to satisfy their customers. The last part is especially true for dealerships since their undeservedly poor reputation forces them to work twice as hard to keep their visitors happy.
So, if you distrust dealerships or you are just scared of them, a little bit of research can put you at ease. Here’s how to learn everything you need to know about a dealership:
Step #1: Use Good Ol’ Google Maps
The easiest way to find which dealerships are around you is by doing the good old Google search, using the “Maps” functionality. Since Google is pre-wired to track your current location, all you need to do is access the Maps and enter the word “dealers.” You should then instantly see all the dealerships around you, marked in red:
If you are looking specifically for a new car, then enter “new car dealers” and you should see them on the map.
Step #2: Look Up Dealer Reviews
Once you know who is around you, the next logical action is to learn more about them, which you can do by searching up user reviews. Just type “dealer reviews” in Google and you should be good to go. Alternatively, you can use our dealer page where you can search up any dealership in Canada and then book a test drive, read reviews and find more details on the dealership.
Once you are on the page, start by selecting your preferred vehicle brand…
…and then select your location to see a list of all the dealerships for your chosen brand that operate there.
Next, choose a dealership that’s close to you. That’s where your Google Maps findings come into play.
On the dealership’s page, access the reviews by clicking on the appropriate tab. Before reading them, you might also want to check out the average user score above to get everyone’s general consensus on the dealership.
NOTE: You can also access the dealer page from the Unhaggle homepage by clicking on the link at the very bottom:
If your list of potential vehicle purchases features multiple brands, we suggest listing a set of best-reviewed dealers for each brand before visiting them in person.
Step #3: Visit a Dealer in Person
Once you are done looking up review scores, head over to the dealerships on your list and get a feel for them. Check how they behave, their pricing proposals and so on. This may also be a good time to test-drive the vehicles you might want to buy. Afterwards, go home, weigh your options and choose a top dealership for each brand.
When evaluating a dealer, make sure you are not seeking out their flaws deliberately. If the salesperson is continuously rude or uncooperative, then definitely take note of that. Otherwise, try not to be too judgemental, and be sure take your own attitude into consideration. For instance, if you are too pushy about something, like the price or condition of the vehicle, you can easily send the salesperson over the edge. And as we have already mentioned – they can make mistakes, just like the rest of us!
Keep in mind that even if you do bump into an unhelpful salesperson, it’s possible that they are just having a bad day and may not necessarily represent the whole dealership.
If, on the other hand, the whole experience stinks, then maybe you should take your business elsewhere.
Step #4: Write Your Own Review!
Okay, so this step is not totally necessary, but if you want to let other people know what you have gone through, then why not? This is especially important for dealerships with good customer service, because this would send more sales down their way and keep them in business, which is exactly what we need as consumers.
Looking for a good deal? Be sure to check out our latest before they expire on February 28!
2015 Mercedes-Benz C350 4MATIC Coupe
MSRP: $51,450
Total Savings: $3,631
Manufacturer Incentive: $1,500
Unhaggle Savings: $2,131
Mandatory Fees (Freight, air tax, etc.): $2,210
Total Price Before Tax: $50,030
2015 Ram 1500 4WD Crew Cab 5.7 ft Sport
MSRP: $49,995
Total Savings: $11,695
Manufacturer Incentive: $8,000
Unhaggle Savings: $3,695
Mandatory Fees (Freight, air tax, etc.): $1,830
Total Price Before Tax: $40,130
The incentives above are for cash purchases only! For more information on financing and leasing incentives, consult the Unhaggle free dealer cost report.
