Latashia Kopsen

Mercedes buyers are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing where to buy a Mercedes-Benz from - or so it would seem. Mercedes-Benz ownership is something many of my local Sydney residents desire for years prior to obtaining. In fact it's right up there with the dream of owning a Rolex watch, a luxury boat and a luxury home. So when you get to the stage where you are ready to buy your Mercedes-Benz, you want to make sure you buy well. Does having more Mercedes Dealers to choose from mean a better deal? More choice means more competition, which is good for Mercedes-Benz buyers. Since most Mercedes buyers in Sydney fully understand economic forces, it goes without saying that Mercedes-Benz Dealers are keen to win your business. Are all Sydney Mercedes-Benz dealers the same? Absolutely not. Each one is different in certain ways - and I don't mean just in location. When looking to buy a car, and especially a Mercedes-Benz, elements such as service, price and availability will factor into in your Benz dealings. Most dealers will have a good level of service and availability. Essential questions you must ask to avoid paying too much - or even worse buying the wrong car: These are a few of the vital questions you really need to ask yourself before you venture into the car showroom. Questions like: Which Mercedes-Benz model will suit my needs more? A-Class, the small Benz hatch? perhaps an M-Class for the large 4wd size Mercedes, or are you more suited to a CLK-Class coupe? The more you understand your car needs the more you will be able be clear about what the right car for you is. Why is it so essential for you to know in advance what the right car is? You need to be in control of the Mercedes purchase, not the salesperson. If you do your research first (the internet is a great place to start) then you will be able to make a better decision. Some dealership staff will try and promote certain Benz models that are in stock because those vehicles are almost certainly costing interest as they sit there. Be firm with what you want before you accept the first car suggested! How do you know if you are being sold, or if you are doing the buying? Look for a salesperson who asks questions. If you are being "told" what to buy rather than "asked" then you are dealing with a pushy sales person. A salesperson who sincerely seeks your exact requirements is probably serving your needs well. Do not buy until you are comfortable to make a commitment and be prepared to stand by your decision. If you are uncertain or in doubt, don't be in a hurry to make a decision. A rushed purchase will often lead to buyer's remorse and you may regret your decision to buy a Mercedes-Benz every time you step into it. We all suffer the urge to be impulsive from time to time. Wait until you are 100% certain before you sign the contract of sale. Once you pay a deposit you own the car, and some dealers will make sure you take delivery of it even if you change your mind. Sometimes knowing that dealers have to hold stock can work in your favour. If they have a car in stock then they are probably more motivated to sell it at a better price. Hot Mercedes Buying Tip: Go to your local dealer first. You will most likely find they are very keen to do business with local residents because they know you are more likely to return for your scheduled Mercedes-Benz service than a travelling customer. A Mercedes-Benz service centre is a good source of repeat business for a Mercedes-Benz Dealership so they will try and entice you to come back for servicing. How to Finance and insure your Mercedes-Benz tips: Most car companies have some sort of in house finance and insurance offers. Due to the profile of the average Mercedes owner in Australia, you will find very competitive Mercedes-Benz branded offerings in the dealership. Make sure you ask the amount per month when comparing the finance repayments rather than being fixated on rate. Some finance companies and banks quote low rates however the finance repayments are higher when you add back penalties. As a rule, Mercedes-Benz Finance is designed purely to finance Mercedes-Benz cars so they are quite targeted compared to banks. The same is true for Insurance.It is worth checking before you commit to any lender. If you take a sensible approach to your Mercedes-Benz predicted future value then you should be able to arrange finance where your Mercedes will be worth the same amount as the "payout" figure - or the amount owing at time of lease expiry. If you are unfortunate enough to get this wrong, your Mercedes-Dealer will probably offer to finance this "shortfall" on the top of your amount financed next time you buy. This is a financially dangerous recipe so be very careful before you do that. What should you NEVER do? Don't take a salespersons word about how much your Mercedes-Benz will be worth in the future. They can't predict that because this value depends on many factors. Some reasons a car might depreciate could range from a model change right through to a new entrant into the market segment. A big mistake made often by first time Mercedes-Benz owners is to go from Mercedes-Benz dealer to dealer waiting until some salesperson promises the Mercedes will be worth more. This is just a mind trick! Make your own decision and stick to it. Make decisions knowing that all cars (other than rare collectables) tend to depreciate heavily in Australia. Take a view that your Mercedes will reduce in value the more you drive it and the longer you own it. If you apply these Mercedes-Benz buying tips you will hopefully get a great deal on your new Mercedes-Benz!