5 Secrets to a Better Car Buying Experience

The numbers say it all: eight out of 10 women will not walk into a car dealership on their own. If you’re like the rest of us warm-blooded women, we love to shop but despise the car buying experience. Not to fear! WomenCertified to the rescue!

The easiest solution to the dreaded car buying process is to find a WomenCertified dealer in your community who knows how to work with you to find the best car to suit your needs and budget. Considering there may not be one in your neck of the woods (though it’s hard to understand why) I’m going to do my best to look out for you—whether you are buying a car or even just having one serviced.

Keep these five tips in mind before setting foot in any car dealership:

Number 1: Always do your homework.

Before going to a car dealership, spend time researching the type of car you want and the price you should pay for it. Make a list of your priorities and learn about safety features, gas mileage and other considerations that may be important to you in a new vehicle. There are many online resources than can help, such as Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.

Assemble your research in a folder and bring it with you to the dealer. Seeing how well-prepared you are, the salesperson will automatically know that you are an educated and smart shopper which is definitely to your advantage.

Number 2: Be direct.

Clearly state your intentions as soon as you meet the salesperson. For example, you might tell him or her, "I'm just looking," in order to ease the pressure a bit. But that's less effective than saying, "I am not going to buy a car today, but I would like some information on your models, including price and features." Now you’re in charge of the conversation and getting the information you need.

Number 3: State your Status.

If you are the one who will be making the car purchase, state your status as a decision maker up front. When shopping with my husband, I get annoyed when the salesperson speaks and makes eye contact mostly with him. That feels a bit condescending, doesn’t it? By telling the salesperson that YOU are the customer, he or she may place more of an emphasis on answering your questions and speaking directly to you.

Number 4: Be prepared to walk away.

If you are not having a positive experience at a dealership for any reason, be mentally prepared to leave. Leave yourself plenty of time to shop for a car and do not wait until the last day of your lease expiration to shop for a new one. Have alternatives and options in mind so you are not stuck with just one dealer.

Number 5: It's business, not personal.

Most women tend to be non-confrontational by nature. The "I don't want to hurt their feelings" syndrome is common, especially in a sales situation where you know the person will not get a commission—or in the current economic climate, when you know dealerships are struggling. You need to leave those feelings aside before walking into a dealership to shop for a car. Get yourself in the mindset of a woman on a mission to buy the best car for the most reasonable price. This is YOUR decision, YOUR car, and you need to see through the personal side of things to make good, clear decisions.

After all, aside from real estate, a new car is one of the biggest purchases you’re likely to make and you owe it to yourself to be prepared. All you need are a few hours of research, a dose of self-confidence and a friendly salesperson to guide your purchase.

For the best possible experience, always look for dealerships and salespeople who are WomenCertified. If there are none in your area, simply use the Car Buying Her Way online personal shopper service and avoid the high-pressure dealership experience altogether. Visit womencertified.autonationdirect.com/BuyOnline/ to give it a test drive!

Delia Passi is the nation’s leading consumer advocate for women. She is the founder of WomenCertified®, the seal women trust for better customer service, and she is dedicated to making the marketplace a more women friendly place to shop. Email her at delia@medelia.com and check out www.womencertified.com