What’s the first thing you do before you head into the dealership to purchase a vehicle?

That’s the question that Gerri Detweiler wrote on a post for Credit.com.  She found herself in a position many car buyers have been in of late.  Due to the recession, car owners are holding onto their used vehicles for longer thus driving up the price of pre-owned due to scarcity.  She was forced to look into the new market and wasn’t entirely certain how to start.  Thankfully, her husband had the experience and guided her into the process.

She has provided some solid advice on what to do when new to the market and the questions you should ask yourself before even setting foot in the dealership.  The very first one you should ask is the one that’s not the most obvious.  While certainly things you should know, such as knowing what you can afford, checking with Kelley Blue Book to estimate your trade-in value, or going through Edmunds and other report sites to see the best car for you, the one that you should know first is your credit score.

For whatever reason, this one gets lost in the mix.  Not knowing your credit score is the first step to disaster when shopping for a new vehicle.  Gerri Detweiler found a great quote from Phil Reed who used to work for Edmunds in which he said, “So what happens is they go directly to the dealership without checking their credit scores – which is not a good thing to do – and their attitude is “get me done.”

Knowledge is always power when it comes to negotiating with interest rates.  By knowing your credit score, you’re already one step ahead of the bunch.

Looking for an auto loan?  Check out Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge in the Queens New York area.  We offer quality customer service to all who come through the door.  Works with us and you’ll see why our slogan is “We love to say yes!”  Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter for more tips and advice and our monthly specials!