While Black Friday has been around since the 1940s, it has only really gained momentum in South Africa in the last few years. The last Friday of November signifies the start of the holiday spending season and is marked by special deals being offered by retailers. While Black Friday was generally only reserved for consumer goods, it can also be a good time to buy a new or pre-owned cars as dealers have joined in the Black Friday tradition as a way to boost sales in what was traditionally one of the slower months for the automotive industry.
This means that it is very possible to drive off in the car that you have been lusting after at a significantly reduced price. Carfind.co.za is a great place to search for the best Black Friday deals across a wide variety of dealers, ensuring that you get exactly the car you are looking for at the best price possible.
However, while Black Friday deals can seem enticing it is important to remember that buying a car is a significant investment and buyers should not rush into a purchase without doing their homework first.
Know what you are looking for
In order to really take advantage of Black Friday deals it is important to know exactly what car you are looking for. Create a shortlist and then do your research so that you know what exact models and derivatives actually cost and whether the Black Friday deal is really such a good deal after all. This research can include test driving or inspecting numerous vehicles in the run up to Black Friday, in order to make up your mind. Knowing exactly what you are looking for, is the best way to take advantage of Black Friday deals when they do come along.
Get your affairs in order
Black Friday deals are very often offered on a while stocks last basis and this means that if you do find the car that you were looking for at a great deal, you will need to act fast. Getting pre-approval from your preferred financial services provider will save a lot of time as will getting all the documentation that will be required for a finance application such as pay slips, company financials and even an insurance quote ready.
If you will be trading in your old car as part of the deal it is important to ensure that your car is ready to be traded in. This means fixing any damage, ensuring that it is serviced in line with manufacturer guidelines and that any maintenance that is required to ensure that it is in a roadworthy condition is carried out as all these factors will significantly impact your old cars trade in price.
Stick to your budget
Knowing what you can afford will also help you to narrow down your search significantly. While everyone likes a good deal it is important to stick to your budget and not get caught up in the Black Friday hype. Consider financing deals carefully as an offer that might be cost effective in terms of a monthly payment could cost you more in the long run if factors such as balloon payments or interest rates are not carefully considered.
It is also important to remember that the monthly car payment is just one portion of the cost of ownership of a car and other factors such as insurance, maintenance and fuel costs should form part of your total cost of ownership calculation.
Take your time
While time might be of the essence when trying to take advantage of a Black Friday deal buyers should not forego doing their due diligence just to get a car at a good deal. For example, the test drive process is a crucial part of the car buying journey and allows you to truly see if the car in question is a good fit for you in terms of ergonomics and performance. In the case of a pre-owned car, the test drive process allows motorists to thoroughly inspect a vehicle for condition and any major faults.
Shop around
The most important thing to do when looking to buy a car is to shop around to ensure that you get the best deal possible, especially if you are in the market for a pre-owned car as pricing depends on a wide variety of factors. Carfind.co.za makes this easy as it allows shoppers to compare vehicles from dealerships around the country via a variety of search filters which makes finding the right vehicle a pain-free experience. This also means that you are no longer restricted to shopping in your own local area and that you can view the Black Friday deals from a wide variety of retailers in one place.
