Making an appointment can save time, confirm that the vehicle is available, and give the dealership a chance to have it ready when you arrive. A brief call beforehand also helps establish what you want to accomplish during the visit. Here’s how to make the most of your dealership appointment.
Appointment vs. Walk-In
With an Appointment
- Vehicle can be located beforehand
- Keys and plate may be ready
- Staff know what you want to do
- Easier to schedule your day
Without an Appointment
- Staff may need to find the vehicle
- Possible wait for keys or preparation
- You may need to explain everything on arrival
- Visit length is less predictable
1. Call Before You Go
Before visiting, call the dealership rather than relying only on its online inventory.
Have the vehicle’s year, make, model, stock number, or VIN ready. Ask whether it is physically at the dealership and available for a test drive, or still in transit.
For a used car, confirm that the exact vehicle is still for sale. For a new car, ask whether the specific trim, color, and equipment you want are on the lot.
2. Make a Specific Appointment
Schedule a time with a salesperson. There is no need to ask for an “internet manager,” as ads sometimes suggest. Any member of the sales team will be happy to help you.
Provide your name, contact information, arrival time, and the vehicle you want to see. Ask who you should meet when you arrive.
A specific appointment is more useful than simply telling the dealership that you may stop by.
3. Explain What You Want to Accomplish
Tell the representative what you expect from the visit. For example, you may want to:
- See and test drive one specific vehicle
- Compare two models or trims
- Have your current vehicle appraised
- Review pricing after the test drive
This helps the dealership prepare and can reduce unnecessary waiting. It also makes clear whether you are gathering information or are prepared to discuss buying the car.
4. Ask the Dealer to Prepare the Vehicle
Request that the vehicle be accessible and ready to drive when you arrive.
The dealership may need time to locate it in an overflow lot, move other cars, find the keys, install a temporary plate, or add fuel or charge the battery. Making an appointment allows the staff to handle those tasks before your visit rather than while you wait.
5. Confirm the Appointment
Confirm that:
- The vehicle remains available
- It is at the dealership
- Your contact will be there
- The car will be ready for the appointment
This final check can prevent a wasted trip if the vehicle has been sold, reserved, or moved. I skipped this step once and drove 45 minutes from home to discover that the SUV my wife wanted had been moved off the lot to be prepped for a move to another dealership. Don’t make my mistake!
6. Evaluate How the Dealership Handles the Visit
The appointment offers an early look at the dealership’s customer service.
Did someone greet you promptly? Did the representative understand what you wanted to accomplish? Was the vehicle ready?
A delay isn’t an immediate sign of a bad dealership, but a missing vehicle, an unexplained substitution, or repeated pressure to consider something you did not request may be a reason to leave.
Appointment Call Checklist
Bottom Line
Making an appointment does not commit you to buying a car. It simply gives you more control over the visit ahead of negotiating the deal. A short call, a defined purpose, and a final confirmation can reduce waiting and make your dealership visit more productive.
Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication.
