Tips on Buying Cars: Dealing with a dealership, reputable dealership, insurance purposes

Question
Female - How to handle & prepare for 1st visit by myself to dealership just to check out models & test drive

I am going by myself to check out what the various dealerships have in the model I am interested in & want to do a test drive & see options, but I do not want them to run a credit check on me as I have heard they will do that once I leave my driver's license to do a test drive. I plan to pay cash (a new car 2008)and have heard you should not tell them that up front(no trade in). How can I assure the credit check is not done? I will go back to actually purchase with my Dad on another day once I have decided.Will definitly not buy on this first visit by myself. Also I really need to know how to handle things when I am there alone checking models (what to say, ask, etc how much info to give them)as I am sure they will hound me to buy on the spot esp since it is so close to the end of the month.  

Answer
May,

What you have heard is wrong.  Let me tell you what to do.  First go to the dealership that you want to go to.  Most places will ask you to make a copy of your drivers license because it is required for insurance purposes to drive a vehicle for the safety of their employees.  You can not run a credit report with a drivers license.  Explain the situation to the salesperson that you are dealing with.  Explain you are here to do investigations first and you are in NO WAY making a decision today.  Explain to them that you are paying cash for the vehicle, but not today.  Go on the test drive.  Understand that they will try to get you to make a decision today.  That is there job.  They are there to sale cars, not test drive them.  Don't get upset if they try to get you to buy today.  Simply keep explaining to them that you are not buying today.  If you get a good salesperson and a reputable dealership, they will understand and leave it at that.  Give them as much information as you can, except your personal information like a credit application.  Do not fill out a credit application, do not give them your social security number no matter how many times or ways they ask.  It is not required to test drive a vehicle, and if they say it is, then walk out.  More than likely you won't have a problem, but if you do, just stand firm, don't be rude, just stand firm.  If you try to hide information, it makes it difficult for them to help you make your decision.  Don't hide the information, be completely upfront.  That is the mistake most shoppers make at a dealership is being rude, and withholding the information that the dealership needs to help them make a decision.

I hope this helps.

Thanks - Jb