If you’re in the market for a new car, you may very well be paying a visit to your local auto dealer. If you’re bracing yourself for the sales pitch, you can rest a little easier — non commissioned car sales are on the rise, so the car salesman is there to provide information and advice, instead of trying to land a sale as part of his or her income. The rise of non commissioned car sales is positive for you as the customer as well, since you may feel less pressured when you visit a car dealer. Checking out used cars or vehicles online is also an option for you when thinking about getting a new vehicle. There’s more than one place to go these days when you’re in the market, and each option has its advantages and drawbacks.

Why Go to a Car Dealer?

If the idea of non commissioned car sales has put you a bit more at ease and you’re thinking about visiting a car dealer, it can be a smart move. The dealer offers services past just selling you a car — they can help with financing, taxes, and registering your car, among some of the more nitty-gritty details. Plus, at a car dealership, you can browse through a wide array of models, test drive, and thoroughly inspect the vehicles before purchasing. If you’re trading in an old car, a dealer can take care of that for you, as well as provide warranty service or take care of recalls, should that be an issue later on down the line.

Car dealers don’t just sell new cars either. They can also can lease cars and sell used cars — so you have many options in once place. The customer service that car dealers offer is an important one and can help walk people through what often seems like a complex and weighty process. On the other hand, their prices — because of their extra services and assistance — may be a little higher than purchasing a car online or doing a private deal for a used car.

Why Think About Used Vehicles?
No matter where you purchase your vehicle, seeking out used vehicles — especially if they’re certified pre-owned — is a great idea. Many used vehicles may only be two years old and be low mileage, so you can rest assured of a long lifespan with the vehicle.

You also can save a significant amount of money by purchasing used, given that a new car depreciates about 30% within the first year of being owned, which means you won’t be able to sell it back for as much as you bought it. Furthermore, car insurance and other costs may be lower with a used car.

A certified pre-owned vehicle will also be checked out and backed by the manufacturer, as well as come with an extended warranty, which most used cars don’t have. Cars are also being crafted to last longer — by 2021, there will be over 20 million vehicles on the road that will be over 25 years old, according to IHS Markit research.

Why Go Online to Buy a Car?

To some, buying a car online is just easier. You don’t have to go out to the dealership, you don’t have to interact with anyone, and you don’t have to haggle. So in an Internet age, why isn’t everyone doing that?

Most dealerships these days also have a sales department based on the Internet and shopping online means that you don’t have to deal with the added stress of having to haggle (if the dealership isn’t based on non commissioned car sales). You can read reviews, do your research, get financing pre-approved online, and you’re almost all the way there.

Unfortunately, even if you do purchase the car online, you’ll most likely still have to go to the dealership to sign paperwork and to do a test drive.

No matter where you go, make sure you take your potential vehicle for a test drive. If you’re buying used, find a vehicle history report and see if you can get a certified mechanic to do an inspection before signing off on your purchase.