Nutshell/TLDR/Summary: Being a first-time car buyer may be mentally debilitating during a pandemic and crazy car market, but don't write off your local mom-and-pop car dealer thinking dealerships are the only way to go. They might surprise you and sell you your first car.
I don't write reviews often whatsoever. An experience has to be either really good or really bad for me to write one. Otherwise, I just leave a rating. In this case, it was the former, and I left the lot with my first ever car purchase.
Now, let me add some context. I got in a car wreck roughly 6 months ago with my nephew and dog, which are the two beings I love and cherish the most on this planet. Thankfully no one was hurt, but my car was totaled. I started the hunt with a huge learning curve since it was my first car buying process on my own and my folks didn't teach me much growing up about cars if at all. That paired with getting rides, working two jobs (basically 7 days a week), a pandemic and a terrible market, I had my work cut out for me.
Enter in 6 months later after 1. buying a car that was still in transit only for the car to come in bad condition and not be able to be sold to me ultimately, 2. buying another car, which was ironically the ONLY one I didn't take to a mechanic beforehand, only to return it within the week due to finding out it had various electrical issues with suspected flooding, 3. multiple salesmen talk down to or flirt with me, and 4. multiple occurrences of cars being online or on the lot when I call but actually already sold, not on the lot due to transit or way worse condition than stated when I arrive.. Needless to say, I was burnt out.
Now, the good stuff. I had already been to A-1 Auto Brokers a few months prior to test drive a Kia Soul, but it didn't work out. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant experience. So, when I saw TWO Honda Civics online, I went the very next morning and started inspecting the two Hondas when Chuck greeted me. I told him I would not be a customer unless I was able to get it checked by my mechanic. He stated it was more than okay, encouraged me to take my time and was nothing but transparent and helpful from the beginning. At one point we related on plants, so I half joked when I told him if I bought a car from him, I'd bring him some plants haha. Chuck was very personable. Pleasantries aside, I only was interested in the Honda Civics, but I didn't want to test one and maybe miss out on the other, so he let me take BOTH of them to my mechanic in Gulfport. One of was more promising than the other, so when I came back, I leveled with Chuck on finding a fair price and ran some things by their mechanic, which ultimately helped me feel confident in taking it off the lot. In the end, Chuck got me what we both wanted at the end of the day: a good experience buying and selling a car.
The owners were very sweet throughout the process too. They respected my decision to work with just Chuck, were considerate of covid precautions, and shared stories about their furbabies. Because of their hospitality, I went the extra mile like they did for me and followed through on my 'joke' I had with Chuck throughout the day and went home to repot some plants. I added that I would bring my dog for his animal loving bosses to pet too. I showed them I was serious when I came later to pick up my car with some aloe vera and my yorkie, Cooper. Granted, my dog was coming regardless, because I am that animal owner that shares my wins with my furbaby, but I definitely wanted to treat Chuck for helping out a young adult that has struggled and needed a break from all of the hardship.
It may not be the car I wanted or the scenario I envisioned, but I am beyond grateful during such trying times and the peace of mind going forward. Not everyone has the car to borrow to shop around whenever, time to shop leisurely, money to spend carelessly, etc. So, them being respectful of my time and energy means a lot. Truly thankful for A-1 Auto Brokers and recommend them to everyone searching for a car. read more
