Signs That It's Time to Run Away from the Dealership

As you know, it’s almost a requirement to have a car in Georgia. There are so many car dealership that it’s a common practice for them to do whatever it takes to catch your attention and increase their sales. The strategies may come in the form of discounts, free car services for a year, “lifetime” warranties, and other deals that may lure a customer to buy the car.

Be wary on these deals, because once you have purchased the car, it is extremely difficult, and expensive, to return it. So, be sure to take some steps to protect yourself before buying a car:

Research the Dealership. Search the web, including social media, for reviews about the dealership. Are there complaints about how long it takes for buyers to get their titles? Do all of the cars break down within 2 weeks. A quick search can save you thousands down the line.
Take the car for a test drive. Before buying the car, take it on a test drive. Drive it in the daytime, if you can. If you see any issues, like dirt in the paint, or experience drivability issues, look for another car. Otherwise, those problems you see can become your problems at home, even if the dealership promises to fix issues after the sale.
Have the car checked by an independent mechanic. Apart from performing a test-drive, we strongly encourage you to have an independent mechanic check the car’s condition before you buy it.
Invest in 1 or 2 vehicle history reports. In addition to a CarFax or Autocheck report, also purchase a NMVTIS report. A vehicle history report is a compilation of records containing information about a pre-owned car that could influence your decision to purchase it or the price you're willing to pay. These records, detailing the vehicle's life, are gathered from thousands of sources.

If the dealership refuses to allow you to test it or to have a mechanic check it, that may be a sign that they are trying to hide the car's actual condition from you. If this is the case, it is best to just run away from the deal to protect your wallet and your peace of mind.