A Womans Car Buying Guide
As a woman, the very thought of knowing I have to buy a new car terrifies me. It's the one thing I would rather let a man take control of. Why? Quite simply I feel intimidated by car salesmen, and I don't know enough about cars to feel comfortable about parting with a huge sum of money without worrying I'm not getting what I'm paying for.
All cars in a showroom look shiny and smell lovely. This attracts anyone to think they are going to drive like a dream just because they look good. Sex sells after all!
I'm sure my appearance gives away the fact I'm petrified and way out of my comfort zone the instant I start looking round cars. I don't know a spark plug from a distributor cap, or what signs to look for to indicate a dodgy dealFor this reason, I'm perfect prey for the car salesman. He can hover over me and talk the talk, whilst I nod happily on the outside, because really I'm trying to pretend I know more than I do.
How can we prevent being ripped off? Do your research before you visit the showroom . If you've seen a car you like, look around to compare prices. This will give you an idea of whether the price fits the age and condition of the car you are going to look at.Do you have a friend or relative you can take with you to view the car? Having someone who knows something about cars is always a good idea, but if you're not lucky enough to know anyone, at least take some moral support with you. This will help when test driving the car. You wont find yourself feeling even more vulnerable being left alone in a car with a stranger.
There are services available by professionals who will check out your prospective purchase before you complete the deal. These services come at a cost, but may save you more in the long run if you bought a dodgy car.
Just remember, all that glitters is not gold.
