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When shopping for a new car, you will be inundated with makes and models of vehicle, but also with a plethora of dealerships who promise you the world. It can be an overwhelming experience to buy a car, and you should have a dealer who cares about your needs and will steer you in the right direction. The last thing you want is a company who only sees money signs. There are a few things to look for when choosing a dealership, which is nearly as important as deciding on the car to buy. It's important that you don't settle on a dealership, just because you really want to buy something. The issue here is that you need to choose someone that is easy to deal with, will not overcharge you and will get you the best financing. Of course it pays to be prepared with what you need in a vehicle, but also being secure that your car dealership is working for you, will guarantee that you leave the car lot with the perfect car for you.

The first step is to do your research. There are a few things to look for, but reputation is the biggest factor. Find a list of dealerships in your area and look into each individually. Some may make large claims, but it is important to look into them by reading reviews. Did they sell a car to someone while negotiating a deal with another buyer? How was the experience with the financial department? Was the salesperson pushy or distracted? These issues are imperative to car buying. They may have a good deal on your car, but if they are unreliable that deal will go to waste. It's also important to make sure their financial department is easy to work with as well. Unless you're one of the few Americans who can buy a car in cash, the accessibility of the department is just as important as the deal you receive on the car.

Another way to check the credibility of a company is by talking to friends, family members, coworker or neighbors. If it has been a few years since you have bought a vehicle, you really don't know what to expect from a company. But asking those closest to you ensures that you are working with a business that someone you respect, trusts. Ask them to share with you their experiences to figure out what companies to avoid and what dealership gave them the best experience overall. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to read the most credible consumer reviews. There are also reports on reliability of dealerships as well.

Once you've established the credibility of dealerships in your area, it's time to focus on their stock. If a dealership has only one kind of vehicle make or model, it's obvious they will attempt to get you into one of those vehicles. If you haven't settled on the make, model or brand of a vehicle, it's best to head to a reputable lot with a a variety of choices in order to determine what you really want to own. Make sure you are allowed to test drive the vehicle as well, to make sure that you feel comfortable behind the wheel.

Possibly the most important key to a dealership is the staff. Especially if you are uncertain with what you want to buy, having someone that knows that they are talking about is key. You don't just want a salesperson who is kind and friendly, you want someone that knows what they are doing; they know the models, the best fit for certain types of people, and other important key factors. They should give suggestions and listen to your needs and respond accordingly. You don't want to feel pressured into buying something. The job of a salesperson is to help not to convince you of something that isn't true.

Lastly, it's important to consider their maintenance options. You obviously don't want to consider that your car may break down, but the fact is that troubles do arise, even on the most pristine vehicles. But the most reliable car shop will be the dealer from where you purchased the car. Ask if you receive any discounts for coming back to the dealership to have work done on your car or if they have specials on regular maintenance like oil changes. You can also ask to walk through the shop to make sure it's a place that you night trust to have your car fixed. That can also determine their reliability in your eyes, as a well-groomed shop can mean you are getting a quality vehicle.

About the Author: Toby B. Jackson is a contributing author, who visited autojocks.com to find the best deal on his new, used car.