Buying from a Dealer vs. Private Seller

No matter where you buy a used car from, you’ll likely save in terms of the purchase price. That said, which dealer you buy from, or if you buy from a dealer at all, can effect both the amount of savings you gain both up front, in the long run as you own the vehicle, and even in terms of stress. Lets compare Buying from a Dealer vs. Private Seller, and examine the pros and cons of both. If you have any questions about either of these, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Buying from a Private Seller: Pros & Cons 

Pros:

• Owner’s Perspective: A private seller in Griffin will have first-hand knowledge of all their car’s quirks, both positive and negative. Assuming they are honest, and have a good memory, they will have inside knowledge even some dealers will not.
• Niche Market: Rare sports cars, certain exotic cars, and classic cars in general are almost always sold either private party or through consignment. If you want solid transportation, or even something a little rarer and with flair, a dealer can have what you want, but with some specific vehicles you’ll have to take your search further afield. 

Cons:

• No Coverage/Protection: Private sales generally sell a vehicle as-is, so once the title has been signed, that vehicle is only yours. Any warranty it has would be left over from the manufacture, and in most cases that is not available. Many dealers offer some warranty on their vehicles.
• Service History: Unless you order the vehicle’s service history yourself, or the owner kept meticulous receipts, you will not have access to see the vehicle’s service history. Service history is generally a great indicator of how well your prospective vehicle was taken care of.

Buying from a Dealership: Pros & Cons 

Pros: 

• Service & Parts Centers: Dealers generally have service centers, and these can be convenient places to have your vehicle serviced, instead of having to find an independent shop.
• Certified Pre-Owned Inventory: Certified pre-owned, or CPO models, are a level of used vehicle only dealers can consistently provide. Offered with like-new warranties as guarantees of quality, these vehicles are in incredibly good condition.
• Trade-Ins: Drivers in the McDonough and Forsyth areas can use the value your trade app to gain a better understanding of their vehicles value. Unlike a private seller, a dealer can take your vehicle on trade in a single transaction when you buy your new vehicle, in some cases lessening the tax burden of what would be two separate transactions.

Cons: 

• Financing: The Car Dealer vs. Private Seller comparison isn’t complete without talking about financing. Financing can seem challenging, but with our online finance application getting the ball rolling can be easy.

Shop Used Cars for Sale at Volume Chevrolet! 

Ready to see what a dealer transaction can do for you? Stop by Volume Chevrolet today to get your trade-in appraised!