Buying a car is a job as
problematic as it is pleasant. Brands, models, equipment, from the variety of
proposals literally replete in the eyes, and to find the answer to the question
that what exactly is worth buying, sometimes it turns out and not so easy. One
more “puzzle” is added to all these concerns: where to make the long-awaited
purchase of a four-wheeled vehicle - from an official or “gray” dealer? And
maybe, at all, to bring the necessary copy straight from Europe? Consider the
options for acquiring new and used Mercedes-Benz cars, weighing all the pros
and cons of each of them.
Features of buying a "Mercedes" from an authorized dealer
Let's start, as usual, with
concepts. An official dealer is a representative directly associated with the
manufacturing company, authorized to sell its products on the market and
provide both warranty and post-warranty service. By the way, the status of
"official" not only gives the dealer a competitive advantage in the
fight for the buyer but also puts it in a strictly delineated framework of the
rules that the manufacturer makes for companies that want to work or are
already working with their model line.
Thus, a candidate company
applying for the status of the Biggest Mercedes Dealer in California must
have experience in the automotive business, a good reputation, a highly
qualified management team, and a stable financial position. In addition, the
candidate company should actively use modern technologies in the management of
the enterprise.
The variety of show-rooms not
only contributes to the formation of healthy competition but also makes buyers
think about where it is best to buy your Mercedes. What should I look for when
choosing a dealer in the first place? First, you need to get as much details as
possible about the reputation of the dealership. This can be done in several
ways: see reviews on various Internet forums, find out the opinions of friends
who have previously purchased a car in this particular dealership, or, even
better, look for information on the rating of sellers over the past few years.
The last option, oddly enough,
often turns out to be the easiest and least costly in time, because this kind
of information is open and published on the automaker's official website.
Secondly, it is necessary to come to the dealer and see the situation, as they
say, firsthand. For example, an unfavorable attitude of the staff towards the
customer, the refusal to take a test drive, the unpreventable appearance of the
showroom itself can be an important factor here. If this is true, then it makes
sense to look for another center.
Buying a new car: all inclusive
As already noted, the status of
"official" obliges the seller to comply with a whole set of stringent
requirements approved by the manufacturer. However, there are always exceptions
from general rules. Often it happens that the dealer's "frivolity"
floats to the surface when the money for the car has already been paid. The
main problems usually begin to appear at the stage of warranty service. And
they are common both for “white” sellers and for “gray” dealers. It is
important to remember the following: the Mercedes Benz Dealers Southern
California is responsible to the automaker, whose cars he
sells, and therefore the level of service in all its manifestations will
definitely be higher for the “official” than for the “gray” seller.
Buying a used car: business and business only
Image is nothing. Or almost
nothing when it comes to the sale of "official" car with the mileage.
It would be naive to expect, having come to the auto show of the “white”
dealer, that you are insured against various kinds of “pitfalls” by 100%. Of
course, official sellers value their reputation, because it is often the
decisive factor that forces the buyer to come to this dealership, and not to
any other. However, the desire to make a profit sometimes prevails- this is the
essence of the business.
So buying a “doubtful” copy from
an official representative is not so difficult. It is in practice. And what in
theory? Today, the vast majority of automakers can boast of a used car sales
service. The special popularity of this kind of “second-hand programs” is used
by premium brands seeking to “wrestle” into the wallets of those who doubt
whether to take a new “swallow” of budget class or “luxury” horse. A vivid
example is Mercedes dealerships in California. Thus, the German automaker has
created a special program for the sale of used cars called Star Class.
The price of the "entrance
ticket" in Star Class is as follows: the car must be no older than 5 years
and travel no more than 125,000 km. An important feature of the program from
Mercedes-Benz is that used cars pass a preliminary expert inspection of 63
points, and the main components and assemblies are guaranteed for 12 months. Of
course, you can buy a car from your hands, especially since such an option most
often turns out to be much more profitable financially, but this will be, as
they say in such cases, a cat in a bag.
Should I buy a "Mercedes" in the cabin of an unofficial
dealer?
Such dealers are traditionally
called “gray”. At the same time, the adjective “gray” itself already casts a
whole complex of negative associations hinting at fraud and potential danger of
activity. Obviously, this circumstance does not add to the "gray"
sellers of arguments in the fight against the "official" for the
buyer. It is important to remember that the "unofficial" - however,
like the "official" - the disadvantages are side by side with the
pluses.
New car: miser pays twice
Our psychology is so arranged
that in pursuit of barely tangible discounts and other additional bonuses that
“gray” dealers like to lure so much, we do not pay attention to other, much
more important components of a successful purchase. It is important to clearly
understand that the “gray” seller is his own master. Accordingly, the dealer is
completely indifferent whether the buyer is satisfied with his purchase or not.
Moreover, a car purchased from a “gray” seller does not if necessary, even fall
under revocable campaigns.
So why are buyers increasingly
turning their attention to unofficial dealers? First, the “gray” dealer, as a
rule, is ready to offer the buyer those models and configurations that the
“officials” will have to wait for several months. Secondly, the “gray” seller
is always ready to deliver a completely new model to the customer, which has
not yet entered the Indian market - as they say, there would be money.
A used car: faith and hope
Buying a used car from an
unofficial Mercedes Dealer in California is
not much different from buying a four-wheel “friend” in the car market from the
hands, through a newspaper or an ad on numerous automotive Internet resources:
you can buy a really worthy copy or, on the contrary, frank trash. If you are
willing to take risks, then take risks. However, this option of buying a car is
often chosen not by amateurs to play “Russian roulette”, but those who are
eager to save on the purchase. After all, bargaining in the case of unofficial
dealers has not been canceled.
