How to Find a Reputable Car Salesperson: 5 Steps to a Better Car-Buying Experience

I'm about to let you in on one of my best car-buying tips…

Not all dealerships—and definitely not all salespeople—are created equal.

After working one-on-one with dozens of people through the car-buying process, it almost never occurs to them to scope out the dealership and the salesperson before they drive down to the lot.

While you could venture to the closest dealership to your house, it's to your benefit to have the best contact at the right dealership for you. The internet has opened up a new world of possibilities to help you have the best car-buying experience possible—take advantage of it!

If my best friend asked for my number one car-buying tip (and she has!), this would be it. It's that important to find the right salesperson.

Today, I'm going to teach you exactly how to find and interpret car dealership and salesperson reviews so you can walk into the dealership with confidence.

How to Find a Reputable Car Salesperson

Finding the right salesperson doesn't have to be complicated. Here's the process I recommend:

Step 1: Research the dealership.

Start by reading Google Reviews and DealerRater to find a dealership with a reputation for honesty, respect, and great customer service.

Step 2: Read car salesperson reviews.

Use DealerRater to compare individual salespeople, looking for experience, positive reviews, and repeat mentions from satisfied customers.

Step 3: Reach out before you visit.

Send a quick email or make a call to see how responsive they are before you ever step onto the lot.

Step 4: Schedule an appointment.

The best salespeople are often booked in advance. Scheduling an appointment helps ensure you'll work with the person you chose—not just whoever happens to be available.

Step 5: Arrive prepared.

Research the vehicle, know what you're willing to pay, and walk into the dealership ready to negotiate with confidence.

Step 1: Research the Dealership

Researching dealerships is a crucial first step in finding a great car-buying experience. Google Reviews and DealerRater are excellent platforms to read dealership reviews, focusing on both the sales and service departments.

Look for Patterns In Reviews

You know how it goes—people tend to leave reviews if they have something extremely positive or extremely negative to say.

For this reason, I always tell my friends and family who are car shopping to look for patterns in reviews.

Are they all complaining or praising the same thing? Is one salesperson mentioned in three different reviews?

You'll likely see a healthy mix of positive and negative reviews because it's impossible to make every person happy. But if the negative reviews stem from lack of respect from the salesperson or dishonesty, that is something to pay attention to.

If I see a few negative reviews primarily about car prices or how much time they spent at the dealership, I'm not as likely to let that deter me.

Focus on finding an honest, hard-working dealership environment with salespeople who are determined to give you the best options available.

Step 2: Read Car Salesperson Reviews

Once you've found a dealership, use DealerRater.com to find the right salesperson.

DealerRater allows you to read reviews about individual salespeople, see their experience, certifications, and even book appointments.

Here's what I'm looking for:

• Someone with plenty of experience
• At least a few five-star reviews
• Their name is mentioned in dealership reviews at least one or two times

If the same salesperson keeps coming up in positive reviews, that's usually a great sign you've found someone people genuinely enjoy working with.

How to Navigate DealerRater

• Head to DealerRater.com.
• Search by dealership name or make and ZIP code.
• Pay attention to the dealership's overall score and service department score.
• Click on Employees and explore the different sales advisors.
• Look for titles like Salesperson, Specialist, Client Advisor, or Customer Advocate.
• Reach out directly through the platform or call the dealership.

Step 3: Reach Out Before You Visit

This step is optional, but it can be incredibly beneficial.

Reach out to the salesperson with a simple question to gauge their response time and see if you connect with them.

If they take hours to respond to a simple email, they might not be responsive if you have questions after buying the car.

Here's what I would say:

First, introduce yourself and let them know you've heard great things about working with them. This sets the expectation that you're looking for a first-class experience.

Trust me—this works!

Then, ask them to send you a CarFax report or ask about a feature on a vehicle you're interested in.

If they respond within a reasonable timeframe, ask them to set up an appointment.

Step 4: Schedule an Appointment

If you walk into the dealership on a Saturday morning, you're at the mercy of whoever is there that day.

And if I'm being honest, the best salespeople likely aren't available on a whim.

Once you connect with a great salesperson, book an appointment. I recommend scheduling it during a weekday morning—a typically slower time at dealerships, meaning less wait time for you.

Shopping for a Hard-to-Find Vehicle?

If you're shopping for a high-demand vehicle or a very specific trim level, finding the right salesperson becomes even more important.

A great salesperson can help keep an eye on incoming inventory and let you know when a vehicle that fits your needs becomes available.

If you're shopping for a Toyota or Lexus, remember that many vehicles come with port-installed accessories like all-weather floor mats or mud guards. If those extras aren't deal-breakers for you, being a little flexible can make it much easier to find the vehicle you're looking for.

Step 5: Arrive Prepared

I'm sometimes asked whether finalizing the details of the sale over email is a time or money saver.

Ultimately, it's not.

It's to your benefit to identify the salesperson you want to work with and then go in person to test drive, negotiate, and sign the paperwork. Having a customer in person is always going to motivate the salesperson more than an online-only lead.

Before you go, research a fair offer on the vehicle you want.

When it's time to negotiate, don't feel like you have to play the back-and-forth game. Be clear about your offer, let the salesperson take it to their manager, and don't be afraid to walk away if the numbers aren't right.

You Can Do This!

Choosing the right salesperson isn't just about getting the best deal. It's about creating a respectful and positive car-buying experience.

Researching dealerships, paying attention to reviews, and taking the time to find the right salesperson is one of the smartest things you can do before buying your next vehicle.

With these tips in your pocket, you can walk into the dealership with a fair, well-researched offer on a car you love. Then, all you need is a kind salesperson to help you get the deal done.

Want to feel even more confident?

In my Car Buying Course, I'll teach you everything from finding the right salesperson to negotiating with confidence, so you can walk into the dealership prepared for every step of the process.