Saving money is usually the first thing on the mind of someone buying a used car. A private seller is a good alternative if you know the person. But when it comes to buying from strangers, a dealership is still the safest option.

When In Doubt

Sometimes choice paralysis can lead to bad buying decisions. Your default option should always include visiting a Used car dealership Utah. Safe decisions don’t always equal less flexibility, and it is that single myth which leads to unhappy customers. Doubtful buyers will always need information to satisfy their buying decisions.

An individual seller is a private entity, while a dealership is a public business. The latter is easily searchable whether the information obtained is good or bad. But for a private seller, they can pick and choose which information they want the buyer to see. That means ‘leaving out’ important information about the car that could affect your willingness to purchase it.

Private Sellers

A familiar face is a good start to purchase a used car. Someone that is currently in your life is less likely to try shenanigans. That means a close loved one, friend or even coworker are viable private sellers. Even the least familiar person here (coworker) will do everything to prevent an awkward situation.

No one wants to turn their comfortable work environment hostile by screwing over a fellow employee! Private sellers you know are also a great source since they are willing to work things out if the deal goes sour. No one is perfect, and many cars have developed new problems that neither side saw coming.

Things get interesting when you add in the unknown variable of complete strangers. Online marketplaces make selling cars a huge convenience for buyers. You can compare prices, features and more all from the comfort of your own home. In some cases, you can even have the seller bring the car to you for a test drive!

The missing element here is that complete strangers have the option to shape the buying narrative. When you meet the buyer, they have no ties to your personal life. If the car falls apart after the initial visit, you run the chance of never seeing them again. Because for a complete stranger, ghosting another stranger is as simple as pressing the block button on a cell phone.

Price Is Overrated

This is probably the worst thing you can say to a consumer. But think about it from the POV of a consumer who needs a car rather than someone that wants a car. Your car is a lifeline to your home, family, career and entertainment. Without a car, everything in your life is interrupted until reliable transportation returns.

A dealership is open during normal business hours with the ability to take down your information during the after hours. For a private seller, they have no hours and no reason to resolve your problems in an acceptable timeframe. By the time you are done playing phone tag with a private seller, your no car problem has now escalated into a ‘find employment elsewhere’ crisis.

So, how does price come into play? The amount saved from going with a private seller is not that big of a difference than going directly to a dealership. In fact, you actually lose money by going to a private seller if you actually need a car. The factory warranty on a car is most likely expired, which means you’ll need to purchase a third-party warranty. A dealership will usually cut you a deal on their own warranty that is worth far more than a third-party choice.

Car insurance is still not very kind to private sellers, even if they don’t put that exact wording on paper. Your car insurance will be less by going with a reputable dealership. If mileage is important, you will always get a better price per mile at a dealership than with a private seller. Many used cars from private individual sellers can have their odometer discreetly reset. The mileage you see may actually be double the amount before you even make the purchase!

Yet the final word on why price is overrated has to do with the interior. Dealership cars are professionally detailed. Private seller cars are daily drivers with crumbs, odors and many other hidden surprises. The big deal here is that you can mask a lot of the bad interior with a quick wipe down and Febreze. For a buyer, they will see an interior in average condition. But underneath it all will be smoke damage, old food, mold and a possible pest control problem.

Miles Are Not Created Equal

A truck that is used for daily construction work will have more wear and tear on it than a family sedan. And a family sedan that is used for Uber will have more miles than the work truck, but a lower overall usage rate.

This is why the history of a vehicle is vital when trying to find out the type of miles it has driven. By comparing this with other driver data, a buyer has a full picture of the vehicle health. This is not a small thing to provide, and is something that only a dealership can handle with honesty.

The Dealership

By going to a dealership, a buyer will get the peace of mind they deserve when buying a used car. As a bonus, you even have the chance to turn in your old car into an instant discount on the next vehicle. Don’t get lured into the false sense of convenience that comes from buying privately. In the end, you’ll do more work to get just half of what you’d get by going to a dealership. Saving a few bucks is not worth the risk of a bad car deal that will destroy your finances.  

Protect Yourself

No one wants to get trapped in a situation where their used car is not as expected. On top of a bad deal, you’ll also have an angry bank account. To avoid problems purchasing a new car, find a dealership that aligns with your wants and needs.