How I Found Amazing Dealerships Near Me And You Can Too

Buying a car is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. That’s why I decided to share my story of how I found amazing dealerships near me, and how you can too. 

It’s not just about finding a vehicle that suits your needs and budget. It’s also about finding a dealership that you can trust and rely on. 

You don’t want to end up buying sour fruits that no one will help you with, do you?

Why it was important to find amazing dealerships near me

What to look for in a dealership

How to use online tools to find dealerships near me

Preparing to visit and test drive cars at dealerships near me

How to negotiate the best deal With dealerships near me

Go Find an Amazing Dealership Near You!

Dealerships Near Me FAQs

By the end of this article, you’ll have all the tips and tricks you need to find the perfect car and dealership for you. So let’s get started!

You might be wondering why I was so obsessed with finding amazing dealerships near me. After all, aren’t all dealerships the same? 

Well, not exactly. 

There are some huge differences between good and bad dealerships. These differences can make or break your car-buying experience.

Common Challenges in Searching for Dealerships

Before I found amazing dealerships near me, I had to deal with some common challenges. These were both in searching for dealerships and finding cars too. 

Here are some of them:

• Lack of information. Some dealerships don’t have enough information on their websites. They blast out ads about their inventory, pricing, financing options, etc. with no way to verify! This makes it hard to compare and evaluate them.
• False advertising. Some dealerships use misleading or deceptive tactics to lure customers in. Ever heard of bait-and-switch, lowballing, or hidden fees? This makes it hard to trust them and get a fair deal.
• Poor customer service. Some dealerships have rude, pushy, or unprofessional staff. It’s obvious they don’t give a damn about your needs or preferences. They only care about making a sale and getting a commission. This makes it hard to enjoy your car buying experience and feel satisfied with your purchase.
• Limited inventory. Some dealerships have a small or outdated selection of cars. These might not match your needs or expectations. They won’t have the model, color, features, or condition that you want. This makes it hard to find a used car that fits your needs.

Benefits of Finding a Great Dealership Near You

On the other hand, when I found the best dealerships near me, I enjoyed some great benefits. This made my car-buying experience much easier and happier. 

Here are some of them:

• More information. Amazing dealerships have plenty of information available. Their website and reps give you everything you need. This makes it easy to compare and evaluate them. It also makes it easy to understand the relationship you’re getting into. 
• Amazing follow-up. Amazing dealerships follow up well beyond the sale. Reps will contact you the day after, a week after, a month, etc.  They invest in your success for the long term. They make sure the car they sold you is fulfilling your needs. 
• Excellent customer service. Amazing dealerships have friendly, helpful, and professional staff. They care about your needs and preferences. They listen to you, answer your questions, offer advice, and respect your decisions. This makes it easy to enjoy your car buying experience and feel satisfied with your purchase.
• Wide inventory. Amazing dealerships have a large and updated selection of used cars. They match your needs and expectations perfectly. This makes it easy to find your dream car.
• Relationship focused. A great dealership makes it all about your experience. They understand that a transaction is worthless for everyone involved. Instead, they focus on establishing and cultivating a long-term relationship. This makes it easy to know that you’re going to be in good hands. 

Now that you know why it was important to find the right dealerships near me, you might be wondering how I did it. 

Well, the first step was to know what to look for in a dealership. 

There are some criteria that can help you evaluate a dealership and decide if it’s worth your time and money.

Criteria to Evaluate a Dealership

Having clear criteria to evaluate a dealership is crucial. Without it, you may as well just walk into any dealership and hope for the best.

Here are some criteria that I used to evaluate a dealership:

Reputation

Reputation is one of the most important factors when choosing a dealership. 

A reputable dealership has a good track record of satisfied customers. These customers can vouch for its quality and reliability. 

They also have positive ratings and reviews on online platforms. These platforms include Google, Social Media Platforms, Edmunds, etc.

Customer Service

Customer service is another important factor to consider when choosing a dealership. 

A good dealership has courteous, responsive, and knowledgeable staff. They assist you throughout your car buying process. 

A good dealership also has convenient and flexible hours, policies, and services.

Keep in mind, some dealerships offer fake smiles with empty promises. What you want is customer success. They will be respectful and courteous but also firm. This is so they can ensure you’re succeeding through their program. 

Inventory

Inventory is another important factor to consider when choosing a dealership.

A good dealership has a diverse and extensive inventory of used cars that cater to different tastes and budgets. 

They also have well-maintained and inspected cars that are in good condition and ready to drive.

Financing Options

Financing options are another important factor to consider when choosing a dealership. 

A good dealership has many competitive and transparent financing options. This is so they can fit your financial situation and goals. These could include bank financing, credit union, or in house financing. 

An easy and fast approval process that saves you time and hassle should be a big one to look out for. 

Overall Value

Overall value is another important factor to consider when choosing a dealership. 

A good dealership offers you the best value for your money. They provide you with different things to fit your criteria. These are highly dependent on what your needs are.

High-quality cars, fair prices, attractive incentives, generous warranties, and excellent after-sales service. These could be part of what you’re looking for. You may also be looking specifically for buy here pay here that reports to credit.

The value will depend heavily on your situation. 

Examples of How to Check These Criteria

Here are some examples of how I checked these criteria when I was looking for dealerships near me:

Online Reviews

One of the easiest ways to check the reputation and customer service of a dealership is to read online reviews. Previous customers can tell you a lot about every part of the process. 

Online reviews can give you an idea of how a dealership treats its customers. It also shows you how it handles complaints and honors its promises.

You can find online reviews on websites such as Google, Facebook, Yelp, Edmunds, etc.

Referrals

Another way to check the reputation and customer service of a dealership is to ask for referrals.

This could be asking the dealer to provide you with some but mainly from people you know and trust. These include such as friends, family, co-workers, etc. 

Referrals can give you an honest and personal opinion of how a dealership operates. They can let you know how it meets your expectations and solves your problems.

You can also ask for referrals from online communities or forums related to car buying.

Comparison Shopping

Another way to check the inventory and financing options of a dealership is to do some comparison shopping. 

Comparison shopping can help you find the best deal for your desired car. It will let you compare different dealerships on different factors. These factors can include price, features, condition, incentives, interest rates, fees, etc. 

You can do comparison shopping online or offline, depending on your preference.

Now that you know what to look for in a dealership and how to check these criteria it’s time to buckle down. 

In this part, I’ll show you how to use online tools to find dealerships near me.

How Online Tools Can Help Car Buyers Find and Compare Dealerships Near Them

Online tools are a great way to find and compare dealerships near you. They can help you:

• Save time and energy by searching for dealerships from the comfort of your home.
• Access more information and options by browsing through hundreds of dealerships in your area.
• Filter and sort dealerships by location, rating, brand, price, or other criteria. This helps you narrow down your choices.
• Read reviews to get feedback from other customers.
• Contact and communicate with the used car dealerships directly. You can do so through phone, email, chat, social media, or other means they have available.

Examples of Online Tools

There are many online tools that you can use to find dealerships near me. Here are some of the most popular and useful ones:

Google Maps

Google Maps is one of the most widely used online tools for finding dealerships near me. It allows you to:

• View used car dealerships on a map or a list near you. Their information will include their names, addresses, phone numbers, websites, etc.
• See reviews left on Maps from customers who have visited or bought cars from these used car dealerships.
• Get directions and traffic information to reach these dealerships. You can classify your means of transport by car, bike, public transport, or walking.
• Call or visit the websites of these used car dealerships directly from Google Maps.

Google Search

Similar to Maps, Google Search is an extremely powerful tool that let me find dealerships near me. It provides you with:

• Ability to search for dealerships by typing in keywords. These keywords can include “car dealerships near me”, “used car dealerships near me”, “new car dealerships near me”, etc.
• See multiple review sites other than just a single platform.
• See articles or publicity about a used car dealership in a search page.
• Quickly access other platforms, like social media, that provide deeper insight.

Social Media

Social media is another online tool that you can use to find dealerships near me. It lets you:

• Follow the profiles of dealerships near me that interest you on platforms. These platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
• See their latest posts, updates, offers, events, photos, videos, etc.
• Interact with them by commenting or messaging them.
• Ask for recommendations from your friends and family. You can also ask followers who have bought cars from these dealerships.
• Join groups or communities related to car buying. Here you can find tips, advice, reviews, or insight on these dealershps.

Online Reviews

Online reviews are a great tool that I use to find dealerships near me. They allow me to:

• Read opinions from other customers who have bought cars from these dealerships. You can find these on Google, Facebook, Edmunds, Cars.com, Yelp, etc.
• See ratings of dealerships near me based on various criteria. These include customer service, pricing, inventory, value, etc.
• Compare different dealerships near me based on their strengths and weaknesses.

How to Use These Tools Effectively

To use these tools effectively and find dealerships near me, here are some tips that I followed:

• Use multiple tools to get a comprehensive and balanced view of different dealerships.
• Use specific keywords and filters to narrow down your search results and focus on your preferences.
• Check the dates and sources of the reviews to ensure their validity and reliability. Many are extremely unrealistic individuals, flat-out lies, or competitors spamming. 
• Contact the dealerships directly to verify their information and availability before visiting them.

After using online tools to find dealerships near me, the next step was to visit and test-drive cars. This was the most exciting and fun part of my car-buying process.

How to Prepare for Visiting and Test Driving Cars at Dealerships

To prepare for visiting and test-driving cars at dealerships near me, here are some things that I did:

• Make a list of the dealerships near me that I wanted to visit.
• Schedule appointments with these dealerships in advance. Time is valuable. This will help avoid waiting or missing out on their availability.
• Plan the route accordingly to visit as many dealerships near me as possible in one day.
• Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather and the occasion.
• Bring a friend or family member along for support and feedback. Some dealerships can be very tenacious. A second influence can keep your eye on the ball.

The Paperwork You’ll Need to Bring

I knew many places wouldn’t take me seriously unless I showed them I meant business. To make sure I seemed serious to the dealerships near me, here is some paperwork that I bought:

Driver’s license

A driver’s license allows me to prove my identity and eligibility to test drive a used car. 

It also lets the used car dealer get things together quickly.

Insurance Card

Since I had a vehicle already, I wanted to show my coverage. 

This isn’t always necessary but some dealerships near me required it to test drive. 

Trade In Documents

In my case, I was trading in my used car. Having the title and registration together let me show ownership. 

It also allows the dealerships near me to get the value of my used car.

Pre Approval Documents

I was coming in prepared with financing set up ahead of time. Bringing a pre-approval letter allows you to show them you’re good to go.

It also shows that you have financing options and lets you negotiate better.

To negotiate the best deals with dealerships near me, here are some tips that I followed:

Ask Questions

One of the best ways to negotiate with dealerships is to ask questions. 

Questions can help you get more information and clarification on the car. These include the car’s features, condition, history, etc.

It also shows that you’re interested and engaged. This is crucial to get salespeople on your side and can give you major negotiating power. If they like you, they’ll fight for you.

If you know things ahead of time, you can ask questions to test the salesperson. Based on how they answer, you can discover their honesty and knowledge. This allows you to determine if you want to do business with them.

You can also ask about incentives they have available or discounts. Fear shouldn’t stop you from asking. The worst they can say is no.

Some examples of questions that I asked are:

• How long has this car been on your lot?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of this car compared to other models or brands?
• Could you provide me the expected maintenance and repair costs of this car?
• What are the warranty and service options for this car?
• What are the financing and leasing options for this car?
• Are there any incentives available at the moment?
• Could you provide me with the history report on it?
• I love the car but it’s out of my budget. What could you do for me?

Inspect the Car

Another way I negotiate with dealerships near me is by inspecting the car. 

Inspecting the car can help you check its quality and condition. It can allow you to spot defects or damages that could affect its value or performance.

If you have other like-models you’re looking at, it can let you compare with them. You can also check online to see the description and photos they had for it. 

Are they different?

When negotiating for price or better deals, these issues give you power.

A tip: Never tell the rep that the car is bad or of low quality. While inspecting it, simply walk around it and touch the problem areas in front of the rep. Write down everything you find on a clipboard. Make calculations based on what you find. Let them know you love the car and love them, but can’t justify the current price. You would like to come to an agreement with them.

Some examples of things that I inspected are:

• The exterior: The paint, body, tires, windows, lights, etc.
• The interior: The seats, dashboard, steering wheel, pedals, controls, etc.
• The engine: The sound, smell, leaks, fluids, belts, hoses, etc.
• The trunk: The space, spare tire, tools, etc.

You can learn how to inspect used cars for sale like a pro here. 

Test Drive the Car

Another way to negotiate with dealerships is to test drive the car. 

Like the inspection, test driving the car can help you experience the performance. This allows you to test the handling, braking, acceleration, etc. 

You’ll be able to quickly notice issues that affect the safety or comfort of the used car. Ultimately, a test drive will let you figure out if you can see yourself in it for the long haul. 

If you determine you can, you use it to negotiate a lower price or a better deal.

Some examples of things that I tested are:

• The start: The ignition, battery, lights, etc.
• The drive: The speed, power, noise, vibration, etc.
• The stop: The brakes, ABS, stability control, etc.
• The features: The radio, AC, heater, navigation system, etc.

Request a Vehicle History Report

Another way to negotiate with dealerships is to request a vehicle history report. 

A vehicle history report can help you verify the history and background of the used car. This lets you confirm mileage, owners, title status, accidents, etc. 

A stolen, flooded, salvaged, or frame-damaged vehicle can be a great deal under the right circumstances. But, it can also be a huge risk. Make sure you are comfortable with that risk if you’re considering buying a used car like this.

Build a Long-Term Relationship

Another way to negotiate with dealerships is to promise a long-term relationship. With a caveat.

They need to deliver on everything they promise.

Promising a long-term relationship with the dealership lets them rest easy. 

You are establishing trust and rapport with the salesperson. This is making them want to fight harder for you instead of against you. 

It also helps the dealerships near me feel like they can take a potential loss on the first vehicle. Your continued loyalty will mean more sales in the future. 

You are more likely to refer and do repeat business. This allows them to make up any losses from the initial sale. 

They will also fight harder to get you back. They might send you discounts or perks in the future or wow you with amazing service. 

Either way, it’s a win-win!

Some examples of ways that I built a long-term relationship are:

• Letting them know I am looking for a dealership that can earn my business for life.
• Establishing my needs and expectations thoroughly.
• Being polite and respectful to the salesperson and the dealership staff.
• Not being dismissive and listening to their suggestions and offers.
• Being grateful and appreciative for their service and assistance.
• Sending them referrals often after they continued to meet my expectations.

In this article, I shared my story of how I found amazing dealerships near me. 

I hope you learn something from it and can use it for your own car-buying journey.

To recap, here are the main points that I covered:

• Why it was important to find amazing dealerships near me
  • The common challenges and benefits
• What to look for in a dealership and how to look for it
• How to use online tools to find dealerships near me and some examples of these tools
• The process of visiting and test driving cars at dealerships near me
  • The paperwork you’ll need to bring
  • Tips on negotiating the best deals with dealerships near me

Now that you know how I found amazing dealerships near me, you can do so too!

What are you waiting for? Start your search today. You’ll be glad you did!

Seriously, Go!

I hope this article helps you find the perfect dealerships near me or you. It may seem like a hard process but when you have a checklist like this it becomes easy to follow. 

Once you find a dealership you trust, it will benefit you and all your loved ones forever.

I am currently employed at Westland Auto Sales. If you are looking for reputable dealerships near me that offer a wide selection of quality used cars for sale in Fresno, CA and In House financing, this is it.

My financing is not suitable for everyone. In fact, I’d suggest that if you have good or decent credit, you try a credit union first. I specialize solely on bad credit car loans or no credit auto loans and can help you improve your credit while you pay off your vehicle through our program. 

When you’re ready to get a car loan with bad credit or no credit, please visit our website. Be sure to take a look at most of our used car inventory on there too. You can also contact me today for more information on our in house financing options.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Here are some frequently asked questions that you might have about finding dealerships near me:

How do I know if a dealership is reputable?

• You can check the reputation of a dealership by reading online reviews. You can also ask for referrals or contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

How do I know if a dealership is offering me a fair price?

• You can check the fair price of a car by using online tools such as Kelley Blue Book (KBB), Edmunds, or NADA Guides. Keep in mind, price is not everything. If you are looking for specific benefits like easy bad credit car loans, it may be a higher price. In this case, you may be more willing to pay more because of the added value it brings you.

How do I know if a dealership is offering me a good financing option?

• A good financing offer is dependent on your specific situation. You have to know what range you fall under. Once you do, you can check the interest rate, term, monthly payment, and total cost of a financing option. You can use a car loan calculator such as Bankrate or Auto Loan Calculator.

How do I know if a dealership is offering me a good warranty option?

• Read through the warranty contract carefully and ask questions. This will let you check the coverage and duration. It will also let you see if there are deductibles or exclusions in the warranty option.

How do I know if a dealership is offering me a good trade-in option?

You can check the value of your old car by using online tools such as KBB, Edmunds, or NADA Guides. You can also compare the trade-in offer with other dealerships or private buyers.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional for personalized guidance.