10 Things to Look for in a Truck Dealer and Truck Dealership and 5 Mistakes to Avoid

When you are hiring a mechanic, you know you’d better check him out.  The work he does (or doesn’t do) on your vehicle can make or break your wallet.  If he fails to fix your transportation properly, you could be stuck out big time.  You might even lose your job or get stranded in a dangerous place.

Employing a plumber, heating and air technician, or contractor to do a large job on your home is no different.  The job they do (yep, or don’t do) is something you’ll live with for a long time to come.

If you are looking at trucks, even if you’re just “windshield shopping”, you are walking into a potential buying situation.  Odds are, you’re going to fall in love with one of those new or used trucks on the lot.  And, if you do, you’ll likely do business with the salesperson who came out to help you.

Even when conducting business on the phone or online as is becoming the new norm during the current COVID-19 social distancing measures, you’ll still encounter a person who will help you and, of course, try to sell you a truck.  That’s good.  That’s what they are supposed to do.  But there’s a lot more to it.

It’s important to be sure you are dealing with a reputable truck company AND a great salesperson BEFORE you purchase anything.  Once you make that commitment, you will be in a relationship with both for as long as you have the new or used truck.

5 Things to Look for in a Truck Dealer

We all dream of having a “go-to” dealer who will shoot us straight and never haggle with us.  Here are some things to be on the lookout for:

1.    A pleasant personality that clicks with you. 

While being nice and friendly certainly isn’t the only traits you’ll need a truck dealer to possess, they are awesome ones to have.  If you end up making a purchase, your dealer will be in your life for a while so you’ll want to be sure that the two of you hit it off.

2.    Beware of smooth talkers. 

If your truck dealer seems too good of a guy to be true, he probably is.  Car dealers don’t exactly have squeaky clean reputations which doesn’t mean you can’t have an honest and trustworthy one.  Just be sure he is before you make your purchase. A good auto salesperson is worth their weight in gold.  They are out there and it will be worth your while to take the time to find one.  

3.    Don’t be pressured.  A reputable truck dealer will never pressure you into purchasing a vehicle or doing anything else, for that matter. A great truck sells with a great price tag sells itself.   There’s no need for pressure and a self-respecting dealer wouldn’t demean himself or his customer by insisting they rush to a decision or action.

4.    Knowledge. 

Anyone with half a personality can be a salesperson.  The real value of a dealer, however, is the knowledge he or she can share with you.  You want to find out everything there is to know about the vehicle you are contemplating buying.  If the dealer you are working with cannot answer your questions or at least find out the answers from someone in the dealership, you might want to move on to another sales representative.

5.    Attitude.  Attitude is everything when it comes to a truck dealer.  You should be treated nicely whether you are walking off the truck lot emptyhanded, or driving off in a new truck.  If the dealer gets upset, irritated, sad, or shows any negative emotion about your decision not to buy or not to buy immediately, don’t buy at all.  That’s a big red flag that things are not right.  

5 Things to Look for in a Truck Dealership

Finding a great truck dealership isn’t always easy.  But, it’s always worth it.  Once you find one, it’s nice to know you can return again and again when you are ready to buy a vehicle.

1.    Do some homework on the dealership.

It’s imperative to do business with a dealership that is dependable.  Find out how long they’ve been in business.  Check out credentials.  Look for an online presence.  Read customer reviews both on their site and on other, unbiased sites. Find out if there are any formal complaints against the dealership such as through the Better Business Bureau. 

2.    Check prices. 

Don’t walk blindly onto a truck lot.  Instead, do some research before you go so you know the going price of the vehicle you are looking at.  A reputable dealership will be right on target, maybe even a little under average. 

 You’ll be able to work a great deal when you know the figures you are really working with and you’ll also be able to judge the dealership according to how their vehicles are priced.  If you find their prices are outrageously high compared to most others, you’ll want to skip a trip to the lot anyway.

3.    Full Service.

Doing business with a dealership that offers a full-spectrum of services will save you time and will probably save you money too. Truck dealerships that are set up to offer financing will generally work with you to accommodate your budget more than banks or finance companies will. Dealerships that are able to service your vehicle tend to have reliable mechanics because you have a connection to the business. Being able to get parts straight from the dealership is a great perk too.

4.    Top-Notch Team.

It’s important to deal with a friendly and helpful dealer when you purchase a truck off the lot, but it’s also vital for the whole team to be friendly, courteous helpful, and respectful.  When you call to make an appointment, you want the person who answers the phone to be pleasant.  If you have an issue and need the manager, you certainly want to speak to someone who can and will solve your problem in a polite and speedy manner.  Be sure the dealership you go with has an all-around great staff.

5.    Great Selection. 

Some dealerships just don’t have much to offer.  You don’t ever want to settle for a truck you don’t really want, just because that was all the lot had.  Even smaller truck dealerships should be able to help you get the truck you want from another source. 

5 Things to Avoid in a Truck Dealership

Here are some things to watch out for that should be a big red flag at a truck dealership:

1.    Price Trickery.

Beware of dealerships that insist on showing you trucks that are out of your price range.  Some truck companies have their dealers do that on purpose to trick you into

Into purchasing a more expensive one that what you intended to buy, or to use as leverage to sell you a lower price one.  If you give a dealer a price range, it should be expected.

2.    New Lots.

While it’s not a crime to open up a new truck lot, it takes time to earn a good name.  When you visit a truck dealership, be sure to find out how long they have been in business.  If they are new, make sure they have roots – such as being an off-shoot from a more established company.

3.    Credit Checks.

Unless you are serious about purchasing a truck, don’t let the dealership run your credit.  It can lower your credit score and hurt your chance of being able to buy when you are ready.  You also want your dealer at the dealership to treat you the same no matter what your credit looks like so one way to be sure is not to let anyone run it until there’s a reason to do so.

4.    No Online Presence. 

Sure, there are little mom and pops businesses that are behind the time and don’t have a website or a social media page.  Typically, however, any established truck dealership should be online to some extent.  You want to be able to find reviews and other information and to have to the opportunity to add to it if you do business with them.

5.    Payment Pressure.

Most dealerships that have their own financing department can be quite helpful.  They are equipped to offer deals and will work with you, sometimes even when you can’t get a loan at another institution.  Some dealerships, however, have sky-high interest rates and other less-than-desirable features you want to avoid if you have another option.  Do the math and chose accordingly.  Don’t let anyone at the dealership try to manipulate you to do otherwise.

 

With the tips above on what to look for in truck dealers and truck dealerships, you should be on the road to finding the best dealer at the best dealership in no time.  If you are in the South Florida area and are looking for a dealer and dealership you can trust to give you a rock-bottom price on a great truck, be sure to check out MJ TruckNation. Call Us (561) 220-9992