Why Visit Used Car Dealers When Shopping For a Car and What Not to Tell Them

You are in the market for a new used car. Where should you start to look? You do have some options like looking in the local newspaper ads or visiting used car dealers. Buying from an individual can be risky because they may be dumping a clunker. And they certainly won't tell you this is what they are doing. They will polish and clean that car so it looks so pretty and shiny. They may spray stuff on the tires to make them look newer. But in the end they have sold you a bad deal. The worst part is they won't take you old car as a trade in or take the car back.

Used car dealers on the other hand have certain standards and business practices they have to follow. When they take a car in for trade it has to pass a detailed check list. They generally won't take in a car for sale that they can't re-sell quickly. They don't need to have unsold cars just parked on the lot because this is a way to lose money. Used car dealers don't want to lose money. They also don't want to have that clunker waiting for a buyer. They want to have decent cars available to sell to you, preferably one that you can drive for a while.

Used car sales people make their living by selling you a car for which they then get paid a commission from the dealer for making the sale. Some used car sales people can be pretty aggressive. But they have to be. Selling used cars is a tough business. But they do want to sell you a car. And you want to buy a car because you are standing in their lot talking about buying a car from them.

Most likely you have to have your purchase financed. Perhaps you are hoping the dealer will put together a finance package for you. If this is the case, you will have to provide certain information regarding your employment and where you live. You have your current driver's license with you. You also should have proof of insurance for the car you are presently driving. You should also have a current pay stub that has been issued within the past 30 days. This will show that you are employed.

As you hand over the pay stub you don't want to tell them the business you are working for is closing down. You also don't want to tell them you are moving out of state next week. Some things they will find out when they run your credit report but a lot of stuff just doesn't show up on them. Another bit of information you don't want to tell them is that you are getting a divorce. Any one of these pieces of information will raise red flags and most likely you will be denied a car loan. Work with them and they will work with you.