What is the difference between secondary car dealers and 4S stores?
2 Answers
Secondary dealers sell more car brands, while 4S stores only sell cars of a single brand. The car prices at secondary dealers are usually cheaper than those at 4S stores. Additionally, secondary dealers only sell cars and do not provide after-sales maintenance services, whereas 4S stores can offer both car sales and after-sales maintenance services to customers. The specific differences between secondary car dealers and 4S stores are as follows: 1. Different types of services: Most secondary dealers only sell cars and do not offer services such as vehicle insurance and after-sales maintenance; while 4S stores, as the name suggests, are car enterprises that include vehicle sales, spare parts sales, after-sales services, and feedback to manufacturers. 2. Different relationships with general dealers and manufacturers: 4S stores are invested and established by general dealers and receive technical support from manufacturers. 4S stores also need to complete the sales tasks and after-sales performance assigned by general dealers and manufacturers. Secondary dealers, on the other hand, are invested and opened by individuals and generally do not receive certification from manufacturers and general dealers. Therefore, many secondary dealers do not offer after-sales services, and car owners can only go to 4S stores for such services. Secondary dealers are also known as 2S stores. 3. Different sources of cars: The cars in 4S stores come from manufacturers and general dealers, ensuring high quality; while most cars in secondary dealers come from 4S stores, and some unscrupulous dealers may have cars of unknown origin, possibly refurbished or stock cars. The quality is difficult to guarantee. 4. Secondary dealers offer cheaper prices than 4S stores: This is also the main reason why secondary dealers can stand firm in the face of powerful 4S stores. Secondary dealers do not have as many sales policies as 4S stores and mostly sell cars without additional services.
When I was buying a car, I compared secondary dealers and 4S stores, and found the biggest differences lie in authorization and after-sales service. 4S stores are directly authorized by car brands, just like Apple stores—they sell new cars while also handling after-sales maintenance, with all parts being genuine and including warranties. After buying from a 4S store, if anything goes wrong, I can just go back for repairs—much more hassle-free. Secondary dealers lack official authorization and may sell new or used cars at slightly lower prices, like when my friend got a bargain. But when issues arose, repair quality was hard to guarantee, and parts might not even be original. Overall, 4S stores cost more for comprehensive services, suiting buyers like me who prefer convenience; secondary dealers fit tighter budgets but come with risks you have to bear yourself.
