Is it necessary to buy a car at a 4S store?
3 Answers
It is not necessary to buy a car at a 4S store; you can also purchase from direct stores in auto trade cities. A 4S store, fully known as an Automobile Sales Service 4S store (Automobile-Sales-Service-shop-4S), is a car sales enterprise integrating four functions: vehicle sales (Sale), spare parts (Sparepart), after-sales service (Service), and information feedback (Survey). Auto trading companies, commonly referred to as auto traders, are also known as secondary dealers. The term 'secondary dealer' is relative to the manufacturer's authorized service centers, i.e., 4S stores, as secondary dealers are small car dealers without manufacturer certification. They are usually distribution outlets of primary agents or regional general agents. Differences between 4S stores and auto traders: Different business scopes: 4S stores cover vehicle sales, spare parts, after-sales service, and information feedback, while auto traders mainly focus on vehicle sales. Different price costs: 4S stores have enormous operating costs and must raise sales prices to maintain profits. Auto traders have lower operating costs, requiring only relevant sales personnel, with a less bloated organizational structure. To compete with 4S stores for customers, their sales prices are usually cheaper. Different sources of vehicles: 4S stores mainly source vehicles directly from manufacturers, while auto traders primarily obtain vehicles from 4S stores. Different sales brands: 4S stores only sell a single brand produced by the manufacturer, while auto traders can sell almost all car brands available in the market.
I think buying a car doesn't necessarily have to be done at a 4S dealership. Just helped a relative pick up a car, and the final price at an auto trading store was nearly 20,000 yuan cheaper than at a 4S shop. The key is to verify the vehicle's source and warranty policy—some cars are actually resource vehicles transferred from 4S stores, and after-sales service can still be done at the corresponding brand's 4S dealership. Last week, when accompanying a friend to pick up a car, I personally saw the staff take out a full set of original manufacturer gifts like floor mats and window films from the trunk, and the invoice was also legitimately issued by a 4S store. However, it's advisable to bring someone knowledgeable during the vehicle inspection, especially to check the production date and PDI inspection report. Be cautious about aging electronic components in some overstocked vehicles stored outdoors for too long. It never hurts to visit several places for comparison—nowadays, many urban auto trading centers even offer pick-up and drop-off services for test drives.
From a cost-saving perspective, bypassing the 4S store channel can indeed save a significant amount. Recently, I purchased a hybrid vehicle through a secondary dealer, which was 8,600 yuan cheaper than the official website price, and it came with six years of free basic maintenance. The key is to understand the vehicle transport mode—some so-called new cars with odometers showing a few dozen kilometers are actually transported by towing after removing the fuse. Remember to check the tire hairs and brake disc rust. Once, while helping a colleague inspect a car, we found repeated use marks on the driver's seat adjustment buttons. Now, auto trading stores are also becoming competitive, with loan handling fees negotiable to under 2,000 yuan, much more reasonable than the 5,000 to 6,000 yuan often charged by 4S stores. Before making any payment, ensure all cost details are confirmed to avoid hidden fees like inspection or storage fees later on.
