Buying a Used Car: Dealer or Private Seller?

Our advice? Buy from those you trust

Why You Should Buy Used from a Dealership in El Dorado, AR

If you’re shopping for an upgraded ride on a budget, chances are you already know that a used car, truck, SUV or hybrid is a good option for you. Used vehicles are usually far less expensive than new ones, and many used models are in great condition and have low mileage on the odometer. But is it smarter to buy a used vehicle from a dealership or a private seller? We would highly recommend buying from a dealership, but we admit that we’re a little biased here at Karl Malone Ford. However, it’s undeniable that there are many benefits to buying from a dealership that you just won’t get from a private seller. We’d love to discuss this in person the next time you visit us, but for now, take a look at some of the most important reasons that you should buy your next vehicle upgrade from our dealership and not an individual.

Warranties and Promotions

Have you heard that you can get a better price when you buy from a private seller? This is a common misconception, as unusually low prices are few and far between and you’ll have to search hard to find them. However, here at Karl Malone Ford, we sell used vehicles for great prices on a daily basis — no searching required. Plus, take a look at our used car specials and you’ll find additional savings on a wide variety of used vehicles. Once you choose a model and it’s ready for a service appointment, you can save even more with our parts and service offers. On top of all this, many of our used vehicles are still under their original warranties. If you choose one of these models, we’ll provide documentation with proof of coverage, and you’ll also have the option to add an extended warranty as well.

Earned
Reputation

There’s another major benefit that comes with buying from a dealership: the ability to investigate the business’ reputation online before making a purchase. When you take a look at our Google reviews, you’ll see that we have an overall 4.6-star rating, which shows that our customers have been highly satisfied with their experiences here at Karl Malone Ford. However, if you choose to buy from a private seller, there is no way of knowing what experience you’ll have. Is the seller honest? Trustworthy? Safe to do business with? You simply can’t know until you begin the transaction. When you choose our dealership, our sales team will be there to answer questions along each step of your car-buying journey. That isn’t a given when you buy from a private seller.

Financing
Options

A major drawback to buying from a private seller is the lack of financing options. You may have the option to pay via an online payment service such as Venmo, PayPal or Cash App, but it’s likely that the seller will want the entire amount paid in cash instead. At our dealership, you can definitely pay in cash if you’d like, but you can also take advantage of our used vehicle financing options if you need a more flexible way to pay for your model. This method gives you the ability to make a down payment and then chip away at the remaining balance with monthly payments until you own the car in full. Doing this builds your credit and allows you to drive home in a used vehicle the same day without having enough cash in hand to cover the entire price. Ready to find your next vehicle at Karl Malone Ford? Visit us today — we look forward to helping you find the right fit!

When it comes to buying a used car, our dealership can help. If you happen to have any questions or would like to know more, please feel free to contact us or stop by Karl Malone Ford at 1730 West Hillsboro Street, El Dorado, AR 71730. We look forward to serving our customers from Magnolia, Smackover, Strong and Monticello.