Buying from a Dealership vs an Individual Seller

When it comes time to buy a new or used vehicle you have two options. You can either choose to shop at a car dealership or buy from an individual. Many people have a preference and others just browse both until they find a car they like or a good deal. There are pro and cons to both options and when it comes time to buy your next vehicle, you may want to consider them before you shop at a dealership or do business with an individual seller.

Pros and Cons of Buying A Vehicle From An Individual

Pros

Negotiations
Many individuals not only price their vehicles at a lower price than dealerships, they are also more likely to negotiate that price. You may be able to negotiate better with a private dealer.

Less Pressure
An individual seller may not be in a hurry to sell the vehicle and maybe willing to handle the transaction at your pace.

Cons

No Buyer Protection
When buying a vehicle from an individual the vehicle will not come with a warranty or have been check out by a certified technician. It will be your responsibility to make sure the vehicle is in good condition.

More Paperwork
When you do business with an individual seller you are responsible for the complete transaction and all the paperwork. Failure to complete it properly could cause problems when it comes time to register your vehicle, get insurance or buy tags.

Safety
Buying from an individual can be a safety risk. We suggestion meeting a person in a store parking lot or many cities are setting up e-commerce safe trade zones. An E-commerce safe trade zone is a location such as the police stations where buyers and sellers can meet.

Pros and Cons of Buying A Vehicle From A Car Dealership

Pros

Paperwork
When you buy a vehicle from a car dealership the dealership usually handles all the paperwork and processes everything in the office. This makes it easier for you and ensures everything is done right.

Financing
If you are having a hard time getting financed for a vehicle, the car dealership may be able to help. Many offer in-house financing for those who qualify.

Warranties
Many car dealerships offer warranties with the vehicles they sell.

Cons
Used vehicles tend to sell faster due to the amount of traffic a dealership attracts.

When working with a salesperson you sometimes feel pressure to buy. Remember, while the salesperson would like you to buy a vehicle, they do want to make sure it is the right one for you.