Buying a car is one of the first major purchases any of us ever make. Most of us have fond memories of our “first car.” I even know a guy who uses the make and model of the car he owned as a way of creating a mental time line of his life; that’s how important it is to him. So why is it that so many consumers end up feeling uncomfortable at the dealership? At San Tan Honda Superstore of Chandler we want to sell cars. But we don’t only want to sell cars. We want to sell cars and have our new drivers heading home happy with their purchase and confident that they got a good deal.

If you’re not careful you’ll discover first hand that not all dealerships have the same philosophy. A lot of car dealerships don’t really care about the “eventual” satisfaction of the customer as long as they get the papers signed and the prospective customer back on the road in a vehicle; any vehicle. So before you wander into just any car lot…think about a few things that might make your car purchase a little more pleasant.

Here’s the top five things we at San Tan Honda Superstore of Chandler believe consumers should insist upon:

1.Look for polite sales associates. You shouldn’t have to worry that two car salesmen are going to break out in a fist fight because they can’t decide who gets you. Look for a dealership that allows you to have a little bit of space to browse rather than a dealership whose salesmen tend to hang out on the curb, open your car door before you’ve put it in park and refuse to let you out of their sight even at your request!

2. Make sure they have an Internet division. You’re online researching right now so already know the importance and the power of knowledge prior to a purchase. Many car dealerships have full Internet departments to cater to today’s online market. Take advantage of it! Access the Internet specials and expect the Internet specials to be honored at your chosen dealership!

3. We all have to put up with bossy friends, bossy parents and even bossy siblings, but you shouldn’t have to put up with bossy salesmen. Some salesmen depend upon the establishment of a pattern to make the sale. They might start by getting bossy with you on irrelevant matters saying, “Wait here” or “Follow me.” Be aware that they may be leading up to a “bossy” finale where they tell you what car to buy at what price. Choose a dealership who has trained their sales people to avoid such pushy maneuvers.

4. Insist on a dealership that actually listens to what you have to say. You should be able to provide them with your requirements for a new vehicle and then use them as a resource as you find exactly what you need. They shouldn’t be dragging you from option to option that resembles nothing you’ve ever thought about purchasing.

5. And the best of all traits to find in a car dealership is honesty! If you’ve got a good dealership you’ll know exactly what your interest rate is before you sign anything. You’ll know your payment amount. Advertised specials will actually be available and you’ll feel comfortable throughout the buying process.

If you make sure your dealer of choice meets the above 5 requirements you’ll have a lot less to worry about. Remember that just because buying a vehicle is ultra convenient and seemingly easy doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be weighty decision. Start your next car ownership experience off by being happy with your purchase transaction. Being happy with your vehicle is one thing, but the best thing is being happy with your entire car buying experience from arriving on the lot to driving your new car for years to come!