‘There are a lot of dodgy dealerships out there, it’s important to know who you’re dealing with’
AutoCoinCars and AK Prestige talk about ways to recognise if a dealership is legitimate.
We spoke with Costa from AK Prestige Autos, a car dealership known for its transparency, on how to recognise a ‘dodgy’ dealer from a legitimate one.
“I had a lady come to me who had just received her pension, wanting to buy a car from us and it would have broken my heart if she spent her money in the wrong place, with the wrong people.”
There are so many dealers who are just in the game for the business and the money. It is important for buyers to know what research they should do before visiting the dealership.
The main way of checking the legitimacy of a dealership is to check online reviews. Costa mentioned that “dealerships can get verified on certain platforms, such as AutoTrader”.
A lot of the time, reviews can be fake. However, sites including AutoTrader phone customers who have purchased certain dealerships to make sure they’re real and that the sale went smoothly.
Another way to check if a dealership is legit or not is to ask them to “give referrals in the area, especially of any businessmen, and ask them about their customer experience”
Asking for referrals can be a great way to reassure you as to whether or not you’re dealing with the right people.
“You can always tell the attitude of the person that you’re speaking with within a few minutes” Costa explains.
Does the call seem too good to be true? Is the dealer being very biased? These are just a few examples of red flags that you need to look out for.
“If the attitude of the dealership is bad from the first call, imagine how they’re going to react when and if something goes wrong.”
It is important that you feel comfortable from start to finish when purchasing a vehicle with a dealership. Buying a car is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your life, and you deserve to feel reassured throughout the process.
“Always trust your instincts, and check whether or not the dealer is being honest with you.”
A good way to question a dealership's honesty is by doing a background check on the vehicle you plan to purchase.
The government's website has a section where you can look up the plate and check the service history, tax status, MOT, and insurance.
Always stay safe and remember to do your research when you’re dealing with a new dealership!
For more information, head over to AK Prestige’s social media for more advice regarding dealing with non-legitimate dealerships.
Here at AutoCoinCars, we are partnered with AK Prestige, they have a wide range of vehicles available to buy with cryptocurrency.
Get in touch to buy a car with crypto from AK Prestige today!