JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Buying a new or used vehicle can be a frustrating, stressful experience for consumers.
Contending with trained sales representatives at a car dealership and trying to avoid buying a lemon on a new or used car lot or from an individual are some of the possible roadblocks in the way of a satisfying purchase.
A class scheduled from 10-11:30 a.m. July 22 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center will help potential car or truck buyers surmount those obstacles and negotiate a successful deal.
“Our car buying class provides pointers and tips people can use when they purchase a vehicle,” said Mike Bell, M&FRC community readiness consultant. “Car salesmen are professionally trained; consumers are not trained to negotiate with them and respond to their tactics.”
Bell, who will instruct the class, said consumers should first do their homework when they’re planning to buy a vehicle.
“Sit down and determine how much you can afford,” he said, and that includes the total price, the down payment and the monthly payment. “Don’t just consider the car payment. There’s a lot more to it than that, such as operating costs and insurance premiums.”
Bell also said it’s important to get an idea of the vehicle’s cost by consulting Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com Inc. and other automotive research companies that list car prices in different areas of the country and other worthwhile information, including car-buying tips and trade-in values. Finding out what a vehicle costs at different dealerships is also helpful.
Once consumers arrive at the car dealership, they should separate the different aspects of the purchase: the purchase price, the trade-in value and financing, Bell said.
“If you keep those three things apart, you’re usually in good shape,” he said. “Negotiate first for the price of the vehicle, then you can talk about the trade-in.”
It’s also a good practice to walk in with financing from another source already approved, Bell said.
“But don’t let them know what you’re pre-approved for,” he said. “If you have cash to pay for the vehicle, don’t tell them that either until you get to the financing phase.”
The class will feature a visit to the vehicle resale lot behind the M&FRC building, where Bell will give participants pointers on what to look for when they’re buying a used vehicle. Some advice is to look at the condition of the brake rotors and see if the body or frame show any signs of damage from an accident.
“It’s just a visual inspection,” he said. “You should also pop the hood and make sure there are no wet areas.”
If there are wet areas, it could signify the presence of oil, antifreeze or some other fluid, 'which is a possible red flag.
Bell will also discuss types of vehicles to consider, the pros and cons of purchasing from a dealer or individual, leasing, extended warranties, dealers’ tricks of the trade, questions to ask, consumers’ legal rights and other aspects of the car-buying experience.
Above all, Bell said, consumers should show salesmen they’re savvy and in control and should not be afraid to say no and walk away from a deal they feel is not in their best interest.
“If you walk off the lot that day, you’ll get a call the next day,” he said. “I’ve yet to see that fail.”
For more information on the class, call the M&FRC at 652-5321.