Car Dealership & Salesperson Reviews: They Matter More Than You’d Think…
I’m about to let you in on one of my best car buying tips… not all dealerships are created equal.
After working 1-1 with dozens of people in the process of buying a car, it almost never occurs to them to scope out the dealership and the salesperson before they drive down to the lot. While you could venture to the closest dealership to your house, it’s to your benefit to have the best contact at the right dealership for you. The internet has opened up a new world of possibilities to help you have the best car-buying experience possible - take advantage of it!
If my best friend asked for my number one car buying tip (and she has!) - this would be it. It’s that important to find the right salesperson! And today on the blog, I’m going to teach you exactly how to find and interpret car dealership and salesperson reviews in your area.
How much a difference can a dealership make?
A car is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. For me personally, I want buying a family car to feel like an EXPERIENCE. I want to feel excited about the car I chose and have a positive, (maybe even fun?) experience from the moment I step onto the lot until I drive off in my new car. While there will be some waiting and paperwork involved, it doesn’t mean that you should feel nervous, unsure, or pressured in any scenario. Your salesperson is the cruise director of this purchase and can make all the difference.
Now, how do you find a good one?!
First, find a great dealership by reading dealership reviews.
Researching dealerships is a crucial first step in finding a great car buying experience. Google Reviews and DealerRater are excellent platforms to read dealership reviews, focusing on both sales AND service departments.
What patterns do you see?
You know how it goes - people tend to leave reviews if they have something extremely positive or extremely negative to say. For this reason, I always tell my friends and family who are car shopping to look for patterns in reviews. Are they all complaining or praising the same thing? Is one salesperson mentioned in three different reviews? You’ll likely see a healthy mix of positive and negative reviews as it’s impossible to make every person happy - but if the negative reviews stem from lack of respect from the salesperson or dishonesty, that is something to pay attention to. If I see a few negative reviews primarily about car prices or how the amount of time they spent at the dealership, I’m not as likely to let that deter me.
Focus on finding an honest, hard-working dealership environment with salespeople that are determined to give you the best options available. With my tips in your pocket, you can walk into the dealership with a fair, well-researched offer on a car you LOVE. Then, all you need a kind salesperson to help you get the deal done!
Once you’ve found a dealership, use DealerRater.com to find the right salesperson.
The platform DealerRater.com allows you to read reviews about individual salespeople, see their experience, certifications, and eve book appointments. Here’s what I’m looking for:
Someone with plenty of experience
At least a few 5-star reviews
Their name is mentioned in dealership reviews at least 1-2 times
How to Navigate DealerRater.com:
Head to dealerrater.com.
Search by dealership name or make and zip code.
Pay attention to the dealership's overall score and their service department score.
Click on “employees” and explore the different sales advisors.
Look for titles like salesperson, specialist, client advisor, or customer advocate.
Reach out directly from the platform or call the store.
Put them to the test - send them an email!
This step is optional, but can be beneficial. Reach out to the salesperson with a simple question to gauge their response time and see if you connect with them. If they take hours to respond to a simple email, they might not be responsive if you have issues after buying the car.
Here’s what I would say:
First, introduce yourself and let them know you’ve heard GREAT things about working with them. This is going to set the expectation that you expect a first-class experience. This works - trust me,
Ask them to send you a CarFax report or about a feature in a car you’re interested in.
If they respond within a reasonable timeframe, ask them to set up an appointment.
I am sometimes asked about whether finalizing the details of the sale via email is a time or money-saver. Ultimately, it’s not. It’s to your benefit to identify a salesperson you want to work with and then go in-person to test drive, negotiate, and sign the paperwork. Having a customer in-person is always going to motivate the salesperson rather than an online-only lead.
The best salespeople are by appointment only.
If you walk into the dealership on a Saturday morning, you at the mercy of whoever is there that day. And if I’m being honest - the best salespeople likely aren’t available on a whim!
Once you connect with a great salesperson, book an appointment. I would recommend scheduling it during a weekday morning - a typically slow time at dealerships, meaning less wait time for you.
The Car Mom Preferred Dealership Program
If you're in need of trustworthy recommendations, our Car Mom Preferred Dealership program is an excellent resource. By requiring at least one woman on the sales staff and meeting our mission statement, we ensure quality in our preferred dealerships.
In today's world, women should be treated with the same respect as men in the car buying process. But that's not always the case. That's why my NUMBER ONE tip is to choose your salesperson ahead of time. If you merely show up on a Saturday morning, you're at the mercy of whoever is available, and the good ones usually aren't.
You Can Do This!
Choosing the right salesperson isn't just about getting the best deal. It's about creating a respectful and positive car buying experience. Researching dealerships, paying attention to reviews, and taking the time to find the right salesperson is not just a wise move but essential in ensuring that your car buying experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
By following these tips, you empower yourself with information and control, ensuring that you are not just another customer, but someone who demands and deserves the best. Head to thecarmomofficial.com to find a preferred dealership near you, and happy car shopping!
Researching A Salesperson Helps You Negotiate With Confidence
After your salesperson has helped you narrow down your options until you’ve decided on the perfect vehicle, the tougher part begins. Although negotiation can be a lot of back and forth until the right price is reached, this should still be a period of car shopping filled with respect and honesty.
Want to ensure you can negotiate with confidence? I teach you all of that and more in my Car Buying Course! From finding the right salesperson in your area to understanding how to keep the upper hand in negotiations, my course will get you prepared to enter the dealership with confidence. Best of all, I offer a 100% money-back guarantee!
Have you researched a car salesperson before buying? Tell me about your experience working with them in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest car buying tips, check out my recent posts:
