How To Buy A Car At A Dealership

Before you show up at the lot, it's helpful to learn about how to buy a car at a dealership first. Buying a car at a dealership is a good thing because you are working with an established business instead of an individual, but there are a few things you need should know to avoid issues.

1. Sign up for a CarFax or other vehicle history report service if you're shopping for used cars. Before you go to buy a car at a dealership, pay for unlimited car checks for a month. This way, when you're in the dealership you can perform VIN checks on all of the cars you're interested in to find out information about previous ownership and any issues with the car.
2. Bring a cynical friend. It's always helpful to bring someone with you when you buy a car at a dealership. The other person acts as a buffer to help you negotiate a deal. If you're the type that gets excited at the sight of a nice car, your friend should be the one looking at the details and telling you about potential problems, like low gas mileage on a sports car. This could convince the salesman to knock off a few dollars to make the deal sweeter.
3. Choose a car and sign paperwork. Once you know the car you want to buy at a dealership, you've got to sit down with the salesman and fill out sales paperwork so that he can give you the keys. If you're planning on financing the car, you've got to sit down with a banking representative at the dealership as well and review loan paperwork in order to buy a car at a dealership.
   
4. Get tags and drive off. Once your paperwork is complete, the salesman will hand you the keys and title (if you purchased the car with cash) then place temporary tags on your car. After buying a car at a dealership you are responsible for registering the car in your state and getting actual license plates on your own.