Ardent Exchange

Learning how to make smart choices with your money shouldn’t be a secret. That’s why Ardent Credit Union created the Ardent Exchange podcast, where experts from Ardent Credit Union share their insider knowledge with you directly. Season one of the podcast features our Auto Buying Concierges, Steve Roberts and Peter Kuryluk, who will walk you through everything you need to know about buying a car.

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Latest episodes

10 December 2024

Ardent Exchange: Auto Buying Concierges - Add ons

In this season finale episode, Pete and Steve dive deep into the world of add-on products at the dealership, exploring the pros and cons of warranties, GAP coverage and other optional extras. They’ll talk about:

- Car Warranties including bumper to bumper, powertrain, maintenance plans, extended warranties and CPO programs.
- GAP Coverage can help cover your auto loan balance if your car is totaled and you owe more than it’s worth.
- Optional extras including etching, wheel locks and paint protection

For this final episode of the Ardent Exchange featuring the Auto Buying Concierges, learn learn how to make informed decisions about which add-ons are right for you, if any.

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21:16

03 December 2024

Ardent Exchange: Auto Buying Concierges - Selling your car privately

Thinking of selling your car privately but worried about scams or getting a fair price? Pete and Steve share their tips for how to successfully sell your car. They cover everything from finding the right selling platform to pricing competitively, safety and more. Learn how to:

- Price it Right: Use multiple tools to research values and set a fair price.
- Choose the Right Platform: Explore options like Facebook Marketplace, AutoTrader or even parking it in a high-visibility area.
- Create a Killer Listing: Take high-quality photos and include all the key details.
- Stay Safe: Meet in public places, bring a friend and be cautious during test drives.
- Avoid Scams: Insist on safe payment methods and transactions in secure locations.

Tune in and learn how to sell your car privately with confidence and ease.

Resources:

- JD Power: https://www.jdpowervaluesonline.com
- Kelly Blue Book: https://www.kbb.com/whats-my-car-worth
- Carfax: https://www.carfax.com
- Autotrader: https://www.autotrader.com
- Cars.com: https://www.cars.com
- CarGurus: https://www.cargurus.com

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22:49

26 November 2024

Ardent Exchange: Auto Buying Concierges - Trade Ins

Trading in your car? Don't let it turn into a financial fumble! On this bite-sized episode, Pete and Steve tackle the often-overlooked trade-in process. They'll pull from their experience as former auto sales professionals to break down:

The key reasons to consider a trade-in (think convenience, potential tax breaks and avoiding scams) and reasons not to trade in (pricing and market conditions)
What to do and what not to do before you head to the dealership (Should you detail your car first?)
Dealership negotiation strategies and avoiding the devaluation trap to secure a fair trade-in price

The trade-in process is often an afterthought for many car buyers—But in this episode, our hosts will explain why it deserves more attention.

Resources:

- Auto Buying Concierge: https://www.Ardentcarbuying.com
- Kelly Blue Book: https://www.kbb.com/
- J.D. Power: https://www.jdpower.com/
- Dealerrater.com: https://www.dealerrater.com/

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16:00

19 November 2024

Ardent Exchange: Auto Buying Concierges - What Buyers Get Wrong

On this episode, Pete and Steve expose the common car buying mistakes that can drain your wallet and leave you with a less-than-ideal vehicle. Using their experience on the lot as former sales professionals, Pete and Steve will discuss pitfalls they’ve witnessed buyers fall into and what you should do instead, including:

Winging it: Not researching the car you want, pricing and even the dealerships you’ll visit can be costly. Instead, learn how to blend different metrics to identify the right car for you.
Oversharing: Many shoppers unconsciously give away verbal and nonverbal clues about themselves that salespeople may use to their advantage. Learn what sales staff look for when potential buyers step onto the lot.
Negotiating: If you don’t control the flow of the sale process and learn to respectfully negotiate, you could end up paying more than you need to for a car. Get tips for how to evaluate pricing offers and countering.
Leasing: This option might sound tempting, but depending on the market conditions, it might not be the best option compared to purchasing.

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29:50

08 November 2024

Ardent Exchange: Auto Buying Concierges - Where to Buy

In this debut episode of The Ardent Exchange, dive into the world of car buying with your hosts and Ardent’s Auto Buying Concierges, Pete Kuryluk and Steve Roberts.

Pete and Steve kick things off by breaking down the pros and cons of various options for where to buy your next car, from online retailers to traditional dealerships:

Discover why online car buying might not always be as convenient as it seems, and whether huge deals from rental car return programs are worth it.
Learn the ins and outs of purchasing through big-box dealerships, small used car lots and private sales.
Get Pete and Steve’s thoughts on pricing at each of these options, the risks of buy here-pay here financing and more.

If you want free expert advice on how to navigate the car buying process, start here. To learn more about how Ardent’s car guys can help you find your next car, visit ardentcarbuying.com.

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26:17