Buying from a Dealer vs. Private Seller

How do car dealers vs. private sellers compare on the points that matter most to Shelby-area shoppers? Buying from a dealer is the only way to get a new vehicle, and if you’re planning to buy used, buying from a dealership offers some protections and assurances that may be hard to pass up. Those who buy from a dealership will also be able to take care of everything in one place, and enjoy a more convenient experience from start to finish.

If you’re still on the fence between buying from a dealer vs. a private seller, our comparison guide can help you move forward with confidence.

Pros & Cons of Buying from a Private Seller

If you or someone you know has made a purchase from a private seller in the past, you might be inclined to keep doing things the same way. Well, you might not realize that dealerships offer tools and services that can provide a more streamlined experience in vehicle purchasing and maintenance.

With that said, there are very real advantages to buying from a private seller:

• Private sellers generally have first-hand, long-term knowledge of the vehicles they sell. If they’re honest, this knowledge can give you a great idea of what to expect.
• Many owners of specialized, customized vehicles choose to sell them privately. If you’re looking for something unique, you might have better luck searching out sellers on your own.

You’ll just to decide if these advantages outweigh the drawbacks:

• Private sellers may not be honest about the vehicles that they want to sell.
• Private sellers may have a difficult time providing comprehensive vehicle history reports and maintenance records—especially if there’s been more than one owner.
• A private seller will make you do everything on your own. Before you buy, you’ll need to visit lending institutions in Shelby and Ashland in order to secure funding. After you buy, you’ll need to file the paperwork with the DMV and make sure that the old owner turns over the title.
• You might need to drive all over Ontario and Galion in order to find the perfect model—and we haven’t even touched on the process of selling the vehicle you already own!

Pros & Cons of Buying from a Dealership

Car dealerships may not be able to offer the kind of first-hand knowledge that many private sellers provide, but there are still plenty of reasons to work with a dealer:

• Dealerships need to protect their reputations, and those that sell unreliable vehicles won’t survive very long.
• Branded dealerships like Spitzer Motors of Mansfield CDJR offer certified pre-owned vehicles with warranty coverage and other benefits.
• A dealership will file all of the paperwork required to register the car under your name.
• Since most dealerships accept trade-ins and offer financing via in-house applications, you can take care of the entire shopping process in one place, in one afternoon. Our own dealership offers online purchasing options and home delivery!
• If you buy from a private seller, you’re on your own where service and parts are concerned. Many dealerships have in-house centers that can help you keep your vehicle in great shape.

Are there disadvantages that come with shopping at a dealership? There’s always a trade-off—and for many local shoppers, the prospect of dealing with a professional sales team is the most nerve-racking part of the dealership shopping experience. Dealerships have strict bottom lines to consider, and compared to an individual seller, they might offer less room for negotiation.

However, if you do your research and come prepared, getting a great price at a dealership isn’t really any more difficult than doing the same with a private seller.

Find Your Next Used Car at Spitzer Motors of Mansfield CDJR

Are you still weighing the pros and cons of buying from a dealer vs. a private seller? We’d like to think that our customer reviews speak for themselves. Once you’ve had a chance to hear what your neighbors have to say about our team, all you have to do is let us know that you’re ready to get behind the wheel.