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Things to Know Before You Go

Choose the right dealer

Talk to friends and family to see if they can recommend a dealer
Check to see if the dealer is licensed with the VSA
Check with the Better Business Bureau of mainland B.C. or Vancouver Island

Know the advertising rules

Whenever the price of a vehicle is included in an advertisement, it must be the total price of the vehicle. Total price means the total amount that you must pay to purchase the vehicle. This can include dealer fees shown in the fine print of an ad.

For a new vehicle, this includes:

The cost of any accessories or optional equipment that is physically attached to the vehicle
Any transportation charges
The cost of any pre-delivery and inspection service charged by the dealer

Advertising of financing and leasing options must include any interest or other costs charged and the finance calculations.

Understanding documentation & other dealer fees

Ask about these fees while negotiating a price
Special charges that are clearly stated in advertising or openly discussed as a part of the negotiating process are acceptable under B.C.’s consumer legislation
Standard or required fees that are not shown in advertising, added after the customer believes a final price has been negotiated and not discussed until the final papers are being signed, are likely illegal.

To discover more about Understanding Dealer Fees, click here

Saving claims must be real

A dealer must not advertise or claim that a price benefit or savings exists when it is not a true savings
When a vehicle is advertised at a sale price, the sale price must be a real cost saving for the purchaser
For example: If a vehicle had never been sold at MSRP, MSRP cannot be used to calculate a savings.
However, simply stating the MSRP is acceptable.

If different prices are advertised

If a vehicle is advertised in different places, all advertised prices for a vehicle must be the same
Advertising includes newspaper, television, radio, internet and sticker prices
If there is a difference in pricing, under the Competition Act, you are entitled to the lowest price

Plan your buying trip

Purchasing a vehicle may take a few hours
Don’t be in a hurry when making an important decision and signing legal documents
Don’t take children, if at all possible
Bring someone you trust who knows about vehicles, financing and sales transactions

Find a salesperson who:

Makes you feel comfortable
Wants to find the vehicle that meets your needs
Answers your questions to your satisfaction
Wants to build a relationship for future sales
Displays their VSA Salesperson License