Extra Options

You might want to buy a jeep from a dealer instead of a private seller because you can choose some extra options for your vehicle. By options, we don't just mean dealer-installed accessories such as aftermarket wheels or an upgraded sound system.

You can actually add some features at a dealer you wouldn't normally be able to buy from a private seller. Want an extended warranty to cover your car after the manufacturer warranty expires? A dealer can offer it. Want the curb rash removed from the wheels? A dealer can do that, too. A dealer can also offer other promotions, such as free oil changes or tire rotations, to earn your business. You won't get those items with a private seller.

Reputation

Another benefit of buying from dealers is that their reputations matter. While some dealers have bad reputations, most jeep dealers are trying to offer the best customer service they can, which means, if you have a problem with a jeep soon after you buy it, you may be able to ask the dealer for help. On the contrary, a private seller will likely wash their hands clean of the deal once the car is sold, and they almost certainly won't be able to give you mechanical help or other assistance after the deal is done.

Financing Benefits

Perhaps the biggest benefit of buying a car from a dealer, however, is the myriad of financing options. One example is that dealers will typically offer their own financing options, while a private seller won't. If you're buying a car from a private seller, you'll have to secure your own financing, and if you're having trouble doing that, you'll probably have to buy a car from a dealer.

Another example of a dealer-related financing benefit is that many lending companies won't finance a jeep if it's owned by a private seller. Some lending companies don't trust a private seller to accurately value a jeep, while dealerships are thought to offer more accurate pricing. As a result, getting a loan for a privately owned jeep can be harder, and in some cases, the interest rate can be higher.

Detailing

One of the disadvantages of buying a jeep from a private seller is that you really have no idea what condition the vehicle will be in, especially on the inside. You may have to spend a lot extra on getting your jeep professionally detailed after you've purchased it. Or, if you want to save money, you will have to take the time to thoroughly clean it yourself. If that's the case, we recommend using safe, naturally-derived Melaleuca products like Clear Power window cleaner, which we mentioned in an earlier post, Rustic Touch furniture polish, and Sol-U-Mel stain remover. However, it's much less of a headache to buy a jeep from a dealer knowing that they will have already had it professionally cleaned and detailed.