It is important that you read this entire message before visiting any used or new car dealer. The information contained in this brief message will help you save money and can prevent you from being a victim of unethical or dishonest car dealers. If you know someone who is thinking about buying a new or pre-owned vehicle, please ask them to visit our site also.

This is Jeff Braatz. I’m the owner of Paradise Motors In the next few moments I am going to tell you the 10 tough questions you should ask a car dealer or a private seller BEFORE you buy any vehicle. I have found over my years of experience that people who ask these questions get a better deal when they buy a car and are happier with their purchase.

Tough Question Number 1:

Can you provide references or testimonials of people you have done business with in the past? Very few car dealers can answer this question. In many cases this is because they have very few satisfied customers. If a dealer doesn’t have a list of satisfied customers who you can call and speak to about their purchases or letters of recommendation and references of people they have worked with in the past, you should shop elsewhere. Many dealers lure customers in to the dealership with big promises, only to hassle them with high pressure tactics when they get there. Those dealers don’t have happy customers.

Tough Question Number 2:

Do you offer any kind of guarantee? Once again, very few dealers offer a guarantee of any kind. Why would you want to risk
spending money with someone who isn’t willing to stand behind the cars they sell? I wouldn’t and I wouldn’t recommend you too either.

When someone I care about is shopping for a car, I urge them to consider the guarantee that is included. It may seem like you’re getting a good deal from a dealer or a private seller. But that good deal can quickly turn into a nightmare if you experience problems
with the vehicle once you drive off.

At Paradise Motors we offer a Trouble Free Mechanic’s Guarantee which means that every single car on our lot has been inspected and certified by our ASE mechanics. We guarantee each vehicle to be safe and road ready, offering trouble free maintenance.
When you ask about our guarantee, we’ll be happy to give you the full details, in writing.

Tough Question Number 3:
What do you do to prepare a vehicle for sale? When asked this question, most car salesman will give you a blank look. Why? Because
they don’t do anything but a quick wash. When you’re paying thousands of dollars for a vehicle, you deserve to receive something more.

At Paradise Motors we put every vehicle on our lot through our exclusive age-defying car spa process that restores the luster and shine to the exterior, freshens up the interior by promoting that “new car smell” and makes leather interiors supple and soft and all surfaces shine like new. And that’s just the beginning.

Tough Question Number 4:
Why should I buy a car from you versus anyone else? In most cases, the stuttering and stammering will continue. Most people will tell you that you should choose them because of price, service or selection. In the car business, this means absolutely nothing.
Low price in the car business is an empty promise. All vehicles are priced based on supply and demand in the market place. So you will likely get a very similar price no matter where you shop. But if a dealer is promising a price that is too good to be true, then it most likely is…too good to be true. They will make up the difference in the back room by tacking on additional fees.

Service is another poor answer to this question. Service should be expected by you. It should not be a selling feature of a dealership. Providing good service should be a requirement, not a bonus. But sadly, most people who promise good service fail to deliver. It’s far easier to talk about good service than it is to deliver it.

Finally, selection. The power of selection is a myth in the car business. Almost every dealer visits the auction at least once per week. A caring dealer can find any vehicle you want within a matter of days. So this makes the physical selection at the dealership very unimportant. It’s just one more thing to talk about.

You should buy a car from someone who is able to give you a quick and powerful answer to this question…someone who actually provides something beneficial to you. When I am asked that question, I tell my customers we have been in business for over 25 years because we listen to our customers needs and provide them with a vehicle that meets those needs at a payment that fits their budget.

Tough Question 5:
Are you a member of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association? A dealer who is not a member of the national association is a member who has not agreed to the association’s strict code of ethics. This code of ethics binds used car dealers to a
standard of operation that protects the interests of the customers. Do not buy a car from anyone who is not a member.

Of course Paradise Motors is a long time member of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association and adheres to their strict code of ethics.

We were also awarded the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Dealer of the year award in 2009.

Tough Question Number 6:
Can you help me arrange financing at competitive rates? Many dealers will be able to connect you with a financing source. But many dealers fail to help people who have had credit problems in the past. This is because banks and finance companies base their decisions in large part on the relationship they have with the dealer. A dealer who has good relationships with a finance company will be better able to help you obtain financing. But building these relationships takes time, energy, and patience – which many people
lack.

Ask for a list of finance companies the dealer works with and if you’re given any hassle about your credit, turn and walk away.
Paradise Motors helps hundreds of people who have had credit problems obtain fair financing every year. We have a list available for you to see and we will never hassle you about your credit.

Tough Question Number 7:
What is my credit score? This is especially important for anyone who believes they may have credit problems. It’s not uncommon for dealers to tell you that you have worse credit than you actually do. This allows them to penalize you with higher rates, which allows them to make more money.

If a dealer won’t tell you your credit score, leave. At Paradise Motors we will tell you what your score is and we have created a helpful guide which helps you understand what your credit score means, whether you have bad, fair, good or excellent credit, and gives you tips on how to restore your credit.

Tough Question Number 8:
Do you require a large down payment? You’ve probably heard stories in the past (or maybe it’s even happened to you) about
people being asked to make a very large down payment on a vehicle. In most cases today a large down payment is not necessary.

But many dealers demand large down payment because that allows them to offer you a lower monthly payment while still over-charging you for the vehicle. At Paradise Motors over 50% of all vehicle purchases are made with less than $1000 down
payment.

Tough Question Number 9:
What will you offer me for my trade in? Most people who choose to upgrade their vehicle currently own another vehicle. This
usually leads to a dealer trade in.

Trade-in prices are determined by the NADA Black Book or the Kelly Blue Book. When you are presented with an offer for your trade in, you should ask how that compares with the Blue Book or Black Book values. If there is a big difference, you should leave. At Paradise Motorswe include the Blue Book value of your trade-in along with our trade in offer so you can see for yourself that we aren’t playing any games.

Tough Question Number 10:
What is your percentage of repeat business? Almost nobody will be able to answer this. That’s because most dealers don’t have any
repeat business. If a dealership isn’t proud of their repeat business percentage, they are probably not doing a very good job. That should be a big red flag to you. If past customers aren’t returning to shop again, should you ever shop there in the first place?

At Paradise Motors 45% of all of our business comes from repeat and referral business. Not only does this prove that we create exceptionally happy customers, but it also allows us to spend less money advertising for new customers. Then we pass the savings on to you, our new customer.

I am very happy to have the chance to share this information with you. Please accept my invitation to visit me personally at my dealership or call me on the phone whenever you have a question about car buying or are thinking about buying a vehicle for you or
someone you love.

Orlando, Florida (June 27, 2009) — Michigan’s Jeffrey Howard Braatz was named
NIADA 2009 Quality Dealer of the Year during televised ceremonies during the
National Independent Automobile Dealers Association’s annual convention in Orlando
last week. The award is considered the most prestigious member honor sanctioned
by the 20,000-member trade association, according to
Michael R. Linn, NIADA’s CEO.

A NIADA Certified Master Dealer, Braatz is owner of
Paradise Motor Sales, Inc. in Lansing and is a 33-year
veteran of the automotive industry. He was one of 22
people competing for the national recognition after being
named as quality dealer by the state association.
“I am proud of the standards our members meet and Jeff
epitomizes the quality of dealer professionalism that our
members strive to reach,” Linn said. “Jeff earned the right to
be called NIADA’s Quality Dealer of the Year for his efforts
both in his dealership and in his community.”

Nancy Chapman, executive director of the Michigan Independent Automobile Dealers
Association which nominated Braatz, echoed those comments. “Jeff Braatz, of
Paradise Motor Sales, is a person of unquestioned integrity. He has the courage and
determination to persevere in the face of adversity. He has earned the respect and
admiration of the Michigan Automobile Industry. I commend Jeff for this achievement
and hope he and his family will enjoy its rewards for years to come,” she said.
NIADA Quality Dealer candidates are judged on a variety of factors including
contributions to the automotive industry and community involvement. Northwood
University provides a panel of judges to help select the annual winner.

Braatz got his start as a 19-year-old service station attendant who caught the eye of a
car salesman from a franchise dealership. By 23, he was a used car manager and by
age 27, he had purchased his own dealership without help from family members or
partners. “I just risked everything to do what I loved,” Braatz said.
Since that time, Braatz has built Paradise Motors into a thriving business with a dozen
employees who get credit from their boss. “We have a great team that works well
with one another and treats our customers with care and dignity,” he said. “I
communicate with all of them daily to help them keep their great attitude and positive
outlook. You can always do good business, have fun, operate with integrity and at the
same time energize both the people and the process.”

Braatz and his wife Mary have four children and he has been a member of the
Michigan IADA since 1990. He earned the coveted Certified Master Dealer
certification in 2008 and was instrumental in creating the MIADA chapter for mid-
Michigan.

Community service has also been at the forefront of Braatz activities. He was
honored in 2002 for a Business Restoration Award for his support and efforts in reenergizing
commerce in a blighted area of the state’s capitol city. His other strong
interests include Special Olympics and helping under-privileged children who are at
risk for drug abuse.

About NIADA
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA)
http://www.niada.com/, founded in 1946, has represented quality independent
automobile dealers for more than 60 years. NIADA assist’s its members in becoming
more successful within the used motor vehicle industry. Through membership in
NIADA, members join with more than 20,000 other professional automobile dealers
who share the dream of financial prosperity for their business. NIADA is the industry’s
legislative representative protecting dealer and consumer interests. The association
consistently brings forward valuable industry education and information along with
services and benefits designed to prepare members for an ever-changing
marketplace. As a consumer friendly association, automotive consumer information
can be found on http://www.autoconsumer.tv/.

This is the 25th year Paradise Motors has served the Lansing, Michigan and surrounding area’s. We are located at 5520 S. Pennsylvania Ave in Lansing Michigan 48911 and carry around 200 clean late model cars, trucks, vans and sport utilities. We also have a full service repair shop with certified mechanics that can handle anything from a simple oil change to a major engine or transmission overhaul.

All of our vehicles go through a strict safety inspection to insure the vehicle is ready for purchase before being offered to the public. Paradise Motors has very good working relationships with all of the major Banks and Credit Unions in the Lansing area which helps make your purchase as fast and simple as possible. If you don’t have your own Bank or Credit Union Paradise Motors Finance Department can help, We have 3 full time Finance Managers that specialize in finding you the right financing plan that fits your payment needs no matter what your credit situation is.

Even if you have been turned down by multiple dealers in the area take 30 seconds and fill out our secure 128 bit encrypted credit application. Many Banks and financial institutions these days also look at a dealerships time in business and track record just as you as a customer would before offering financing to the dealerships customers and for this reason with our proven track record and time in business we may have options available to you that others may not.

Paradise Motors has received numerous awards over the years with our most recent being 2008 Michigan Quality Dealer of the Year Award By Michigan Independent Automobile Dealers Association and Auto Dealers Monthly top 50 Independent Retailers in the Country of the Year Award.
Thanks for a great 2008 and we look foreword to serving you in 2009 and beyond.

 
In an effort to provide the best possible car buying experience, Paradise Motors has moved to a new ,much larger location. Our new location features a state of the art Service department with specially trained and certified mechanics that can handle all of your vehicle repair needs. We also have a new selection of extra clean late model Car’s Truck’s Van’s and SUV’s  all specially priced to celebrate our new location. We invite you in for a look around or if a friend is looking for a vehicle please recommend us to them. If they purchase from Paradise Motors and tell us at the time of sale you recommended us  we will give you a $100.00 gift card

Hope to see you soon

Jeff Braatz