Can you really buy a car as a surprise gift for someone special? Absolutely yes, and many people are doing it every year. We’ve all seen TV commercials showing all types of cars, topped by huge red crimson bows and presented as holiday gifts. Whether you’re buying a car for your spouse, your daughter or another special person, how do you pull it off without them knowing?
Actually, car-gifting is not hard as you may think, as long as you have decent credit and get a little guidance along the way when dealing with the auto dealership and insurance agency. Follow these simple tips when buying a car as a gift.
Get Exactly What They Want
Imagine buying a car as a surprise only to find that it’s not the type of car they would have wanted. Maybe it’s too big, too small, inefficient or servicing is a challenge in your area. Considering that you want to give it as a surprise, you’ll have to go out of your way to find out what type of car the special person would love.
Maybe your spouse has been contemplating buying a car for a while or you know what type of car your son or daughter loves. Having a clear idea of exactly what they want makes the gift even more surprising and special. Once you know what they want, it’s time to handle the rest.
Don’t Just Shop Local
When planning to buy a car as a gift, many people will tend to focus on local dealerships. Don’t just shop locally. If your finances are right, you could shop out-of-state or even overseas. For instance, most moneyed individuals import car gifts right from the manufacturer with custom options that suit the special person receiving the gift.
Remember the basic rules of buying a car. It’s good to do your homework right before buying a car. Know how much it will cost, including registration in your state, insurance and shipping.
Start Shopping Early
One of the biggest mistakes that first-time gifters face when buying a car as a gift is wrong timing. You’ll want to order the car far in advance. Cars can be delayed due to registration processes depending on your state or even shipping delays. Shop early and finalize everything so you can have enough breathing room before the car arrives for the surprise gifting.
Consider Registration, Titling and Insurance
When it comes to giving a car as a gift, you have to be ready to title the car and finance its purchase. Contact the finance and insurance manager at the car dealership where you want to buy the car and let them know that you would like to buy a car a gift without the recipient knowing.
Most car dealerships handle vehicle titling and will offer it to you as a convenience service. If you want to include the name of your spouse or special person in the vehicle registration, they have to sign some financial paperwork. However, dealerships can allow you to gift them the car, enjoy the surprise and have them sign later, as long as you have good credit.
When it comes to the car insurance, the key is to simplify. You can simply put the car on your own policy if you’re on a shared policy with the recipient. If you will not be a co-owner, do enough research to know what is required. Keep in mind that state rules vary.
Arranging the Surprise
Preparation is key in this last step: delivery of the gift. Planning the delivery of the car is critical, and this means hiring a dependable car transport company. You’ll want to use an enclosed auto transport company to ensure that your gift is safe and secure up to the point of delivery.
The shipping company you choose should be willing to work with a sensitivity of time and surprise and plan delivery according to your schedule. Any form of delay is a big no if you want to avoid disappointment.
Include a Special Message
Finally, include a special message with your gift. A few words thrown in a personalized appreciation or a love letter could do the trick, and don’t forget the giant red car bow atop the vehicle.
