The Dealership Timeline
You have done your research, selected the perfect vehicle, and are finally ready to purchase. You head to the dealership on a Saturday morning, expecting to be driving your new car home by lunch. Instead, you may find yourself waiting for hours. Buying a car can take a significant amount of time.
Why does it take so long? Dealerships are complex operations involving sales staff, sales managers, finance managers, and detailers, all of whom must sign off on various parts of the transaction. Furthermore, the longer you are kept at the dealership, the more fatigued you become. In this guide, we will break down exactly where the time goes during a car purchase and provide you with actionable strategies to reduce the time you spend on the showroom floor.
The Anatomy of a Car Purchase: Where the Time Goes
To understand how to streamline the process, you must first understand the typical timeline of a dealership visit for an unprepared buyer.
1. The Meet and Greet & Vehicle Selection
When you walk onto the lot, you are greeted by a salesperson. If you don't know exactly what you want, you will spend time discussing your needs, walking the lot, looking at different models, and comparing trim levels. The salesperson then has to track down the keys for the specific vehicles you want to see.
2. The Test Drive
Once the car is found, the salesperson must make a copy of your driver's license. The test drive itself is usually followed by a post-drive discussion about the features and your impressions of the vehicle.
3. The Trade-In Appraisal
If you are trading in a vehicle, the salesperson takes your keys and gives them to the used car manager. The manager must inspect the vehicle, check its history, test drive it, and evaluate current market data to determine a value. This process often happens concurrently with the negotiation, but it can create bottlenecks if the manager is busy.
4. The Negotiation
This is where significant delays can occur. The salesperson presents the initial worksheet (price, down payment, trade-in value, monthly payment). You make a counteroffer. The salesperson then checks with the manager. This back-and-forth can happen multiple times. Each trip to the manager's desk involves waiting.
5. Waiting for the Finance Office
Once you agree on the numbers, you must wait to sign the official paperwork in the Finance and Insurance (F&I) office. If you are buying a car on a busy day, you may be put in a queue behind everyone else who bought a car before you.
6. The F&I Presentation and Signing
When you get into the finance office, the F&I manager will present a menu of options such as extended warranties, gap insurance, and maintenance plans. You must review and decide on them. Then, you sign numerous legally binding documents.
7. Vehicle Delivery
While you were in finance, the car was sent to detail to be washed and prepped. The salesperson will then give you a tour of the car, connect your phone to the Bluetooth, explain the systems, and hand you the keys.
How to Reduce Your Time at the Dealership
The good news is that extended dealership visits are often avoidable. By doing the heavy lifting before you arrive, you can significantly reduce your dealership time.
Strategy 1: Request the OTD Price from Home
This is a major time-saver. Use email or text to request an itemized Out-the-Door (OTD) price on a specific vehicle in their inventory. Finalize the price of the car and the value of your trade-in remotely. Do not set foot in the dealership until you have a written agreement on the final numbers. This helps minimize the negotiation phase and the back-and-forth at the dealership.
Strategy 2: Get Pre-Approved for Financing
Before you start car shopping, go to your credit union or bank and get pre-approved for an auto loan. Knowing your interest rate and the amount you can borrow gives you clarity. When you get to the finance office, you can compare their rates against your pre-approval, cutting down the time spent discussing financing options.
Strategy 3: Make a Specific Appointment
Never show up unannounced, especially on a weekend. Once you have your agreed-upon OTD price, schedule a firm appointment with the internet sales manager or the salesperson. Communicate clearly that you expect the vehicle and paperwork to be ready upon your arrival.
Strategy 4: Be Clear in Finance
The F&I manager will present extended warranties and protection plans. If you know you do not want them, be polite but firm. Make your decisions clearly to proceed with signing the purchase agreement efficiently.
Strategy 5: Use Keyosk to Streamline the Introduction
Finding a dealership that respects your time and is willing to provide OTD prices via email can take effort. Keyosk connects you with these types of dealerships. Our service facilitates transparent, upfront communication, ensuring that when you arrive at the dealership, much of the coordination is already done. You can focus on finalizing the paperwork and driving your new car.
Conclusion
Buying a car does not have to be an all-day event. The timeline is influenced by how much of the process you handle in advance. By shifting the vehicle selection and price discussions to the comfort of your own home, you can streamline the dealership visit. Secure your numbers, make an appointment, stay clear in the finance office, and you will save valuable time.