When it’s time to purchase a vehicle, it’s important to choose the right dealership. You want to make sure the place you buy your next car from is reputable, knowledgeable, helpful, trustworthy, and offers high-quality inventory. But, what qualities does a dealership like this have? Well, when choosing among Ford dealers, here are the top ten things you need to look for.
#1. An Extensive, Well-Maintained Inventory
There is nothing more important than this. Quite honestly, if a Ford dealer doesn’t offer an extensive, well-maintained inventory, they aren’t worth your time. There’s no use in shopping with a dealership that doesn’t have the vehicles that you’re looking for. Don’t settle for a vehicle that is lackluster simply due to the fact that the dealership doesn’t carry the vehicles that you’re looking for. Whether you’re looking for a new or a used model, you need to have copious amounts of options to select from. If not, you’ll likely find yourself in a situation where you’re settling for less than you want. At the end of the day, purchasing a vehicle is a major investment and should not be taken lightly. You’re going to want to shop with a dealership that has everything you’re looking for. Whether you’re looking for the 2019 Ford F-150 or the 2019 Ford Fiesta, you want to have plenty of options for color and trim. Be sure to shop smart with a dealership who has an extensive, and well-maintained inventory.
#2. Flexible Hours
Those individuals who have a demanding work schedule know how important this one is. It’s imperative to shop with a dealership who is open beyond the typical banking hours. In fact, you should strive to find a dealership with evening and weekend availability. Typically, those times will be saturated with customers just like you. It’s imperative to shop with a dealership who has a professional staff who is trained in how to handle high-volume days. There is nothing worse than being stuck at a dealership, waiting for assistance, without an employee in sight. When selecting the right dealership for you, be sure that they have flexible hours and the staff to support those hours.
#3. Friendly Customer Service and Sales Staff
When it comes to customer service, many would argue that it’s the absolute most important aspect of the entire experience. If the customer service is lackluster, then typically the customer will not feel empowered or content with their investment. As a customer, you know how important it is to feel as though you are valued when you’re making a large investment such as purchasing a vehicle. When you find a Ford dealer that has a friendly customer service and sales staff, you’ll know that you’ve found the one. Although many claim to have exemplary customer service on their website, few will truly live up to their claims. Be sure to shop around and don’t be afraid to walk out of a dealership who is not living up to those standards. At the end of the day, the customer is the most important person involved in the entire transaction, and they should be treated as such.
#4. On-Site Service Center
Obviously, you want to have your newly-purchased vehicle serviced in a comfortable and familiar environment. If you’re purchasing a used vehicle, this is even more important due to the fact that the dealership will have access to the vehicles’ full history and will be able to service it more appropriately. Furthermore, if you’re shopping at a dealership that is local, you’re going to want to also utilize that convenient location for servicing. At the end of the day, an on-site service center is always a positive benefit for a dealership. If a dealership doesn’t have one of their own, it may indicate that you want to steer clear of that particular establishment. Having your vehicle serviced by the experts who know your specific vehicle inside and out is a significant benefit.
#5. Financing for All Credit Situations
If you’re someone who has less-than-perfect credit, you know how important this is. Most individuals don’t have the ideal credit score and may need a little bit of assistance. If you come across a dealership who will only offer financing to those with excellent credit, that should be a red flag. Most Ford dealers want to secure financing for their customers to make the sale. At the end of the day, there could be something fundamentally wrong with the business model if they’re only financing those with great credit scores. If you’re looking for a dealership who will finance those with bad credit or no credit history, you’re in luck. Most dealerships will offer programs like Buy Here Pay Here, in which the dealership acts as the lender. They’ll be able to approve almost anyone, which is excellent.
#6. Included Vehicle History Reports
If you’re searching for a used vehicle, you’re going to want a dealership who offers vehicle history reports, such as CarFax. If you’re someone who wants to be surprised when issues arise with your vehicle, then you probably don’t need a vehicle history report. However, if you’re like the vast majority of Americans who prefer to make an informed decision, you’ll love shopping with a dealership who offers vehicle history reports. If you’re interested in knowing every detail of your potential vehicles’ history, you’ll love CarFax. This report will detail everything from service, to accidents, and everything in between.
#7. Easy-to-Navigate and Helpful Website
In 2018, this should be a given. However, many dealers still provide customers with websites that are difficult to navigate or that don’t have accurate information listed. Furthermore, many are not optimized for mobile viewing, which is unacceptable in this day and age. If you’re someone who wants accurate and quick information from your dealership listed right on the website, be sure to do some investigating prior to shopping. If you come across a dealership who has a website that is convoluted or out-of-date, that is an indicator that their business is probably similar. If you’re looking for a dealership who will show you what shopping in 2018 looks like, you’ll be able to identify that easily based on the website.
#8. Positive Online Reviews
In the culture of Yelp and Google reviews, it’s imperative that the dealership you select has excellent reviews listed. Typically, results may be skewed due to the fact that customers really only share their really excellent or really terrible experiences on those platforms. However, if you see a plethora of excellent reviews that appear to be honest, you know that you’ve found a reputable dealership. If you’re looking for a dealership that will exceed your expectations, be sure to check out the online reviews.
#9. Warranty Options
You’re going to want to find a dealership who offers a variety of warranty options for your newly purchased vehicle. You don’t want to be stuck with the same old cookie cutter warranty. You want to be able to find a warranty that will fit your needs and your lifestyle. Most dealerships who offer a plethora of warranty options will be able to provide their customers with more flexibility and personalization.
#10. In Stock Accessories
Last, but certainly not least, you’re going to love shopping with a Ford dealer who doesn’t have to meet every request with: “that should be here in 2 to 4 weeks.” If you’re looking for particular in-stock accessories, you’re going to want them immediately. When you find a dealership who carries all of the accessories that you’re looking for, you’ll know you’ve found the one.
Visit Your Ford Dealer Today!
When it’s time to purchase your next vehicle, be sure to shop around at your local Ford dealer and look for a company that meets all of these requirements. Once you’ve found the right dealership, you can feel confident in the quality of your vehicle and the car-buying process you’ll experience.
