You’ve decided it is time to purchase a new farrier vehicle. That means you are facing what can often be a seemingly overwhelming process.

Timing Your Buy

That process will be at least a little less overwhelming if you haven’t waited for your current vehicle to die. It can take a month or two to shop, decide, haggle and buy a new vehicle. If your current vehicle is dying, you’ll be forced into hasty decisions and signing deals you may wish you never signed.

If possible, do your vehicle shopping at the two times of the year when you will have the best opportunity to take advantage of price reductions and other incentives. The end of December is one such time, as the Christmas season is a slow vehicle buying time. July through October is the other plum period, as automobile dealers sell off this year’s models at lower prices to clear space for new models.

Know Your Credit Score

Before purchasing a new vehicle you should know what your credit score is. This is a vital statistic, as it is directly related to how high an interest rate you’ll pay if you need to get a loan.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report upon request, once every 12 months.

For more information on obtaining your credit score, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at…