Sept. 22, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln.

Let’s face it: Few people get overly excited about shopping for a new vehicle.

But why shouldn’t it be relatively stress-free? That’s the philosophy at Sioux Falls Lincoln.

“The goal is to create the most relaxed shopping experience possible, and we take it seriously,” said Jonathan Swift, Lincoln brand manager. “What can we as a company do to lower anxiety or eliminate pain points?”

It turns out – a lot, starting with these six ways.

Best-price pricing

Swift is used to skeptics on this one: Buying a car, without the negotiation most people have come to expect? That’s what happens here.

“We mark all our vehicles with what our best price is,” he said. “We price fairly and competitively, and you know you’re getting the best deal we offer. You don’t have to leave wondering if you got a good deal.”

It’s about building trust, he added.

“And sometimes, it’s hard for people to believe. We’ve even had some say they will buy the car if we give them $1 off, and obviously we won’t even notice that from a business standpoint, but the answer is still no,” Swift said. “That’s how important our credibility is. We’ll walk away over $1.”

That includes accessories and anything else that often becomes subject to a negotiation most buyers hate, he said.

“Most people dread it. And here, you don’t have to worry about it,” Swift said. “It’s going to save you time and help you shop more relaxed.”

Being a “best-price store” is still very much the exception in the industry, he added.

“The vast majority of dealerships still involve some haggling, whether it’s throwing in accessories or whatever it may be, and that’s just not how we do business,” Swift said.

“It appeals to our sales team too. Our staff aren’t paid based on how much you pay for the vehicle. They’re not incentivized to negotiate with you. They’re rewarded if their customers are happy and respond accordingly when they’re surveyed.”

Real cash value for trades

Negotiation isn’t involved if you trade a vehicle at Sioux Falls Lincoln either.

“Your trade is worth a set amount of money to us,” Swift said. “For us it’s pretty simple. Your vehicle is worth the same to us whether you buy from us or not.”

Some dealerships will change the value of a trade depending on which vehicle a customer decides to buy, for example.

“We refuse to play games like that,” Swift said. “It’s worth what it’s worth no matter what, and even if you don’t buy from us at all, we’ll still write you a check for the offer we make.”

Every month, at least a couple dozen customers do just that, he added.

“We see situations where established customers bring us vehicles to buy – it might be a child’s car that’s no longer needed or a senior citizen who no longer is driving, and we’re always open to valuing your trade.”

A-to-Z buying process

One of the biggest headaches of car buying is the process itself – especially when you’re handed off from one person to another within a dealership.

That doesn’t happen at Sioux Falls Lincoln.

“Our sales team helps facilitate the entire buying process,” Swift said. “There are no awkward handoffs, which usually happens at dealerships, so you don’t need to worry about your information being communicated correctly, and you’ll be able to establish one relationship with someone from start to finish.”

The team at Sioux Falls Lincoln enjoys it too.

“They’re fully invested in the process, and we see greater employee retention because of it,” Swift said. “They’re developing more professionally, and for us, it’s creating bench strength on our sales team. If we have a vacancy in finance, for example, we have several people with exposure and experience to that area of the business who might be interested in the role.”

Time-sensitive approach

Keeping it real: Buying a car always will take some time, but there are ways to make it more efficient too.

“There are points in the process when people tend to have to wait, and we’ve done our best to eliminate them,” Swift said. “It starts with not having to wait to be handed off from sales to finance, but we’ve made sure to review the process to streamline it even more.”

For example, while a customer is finalizing a purchase with one team member, another is assigned to fill the vehicle with gas, wash it and ready it for the buyer.

“Often when we’re wrapping up the paperwork, the vehicle is pulled up to the dealership ready to go for the customer,” Swift said.

Seamless service

Buying or leasing a vehicle is just the start of the relationship with customers at Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln, and the stress-free approach continues when it’s time for servicing.

For example, Sioux Falls Lincoln offers:

• Pickup and delivery: The service team will pick up your vehicle from your home, workplace or even while you’re watching your child’s sporting event, service it and return it to you once completed. Need a loaner? They will bring that to you too.
• Mobile service: Sioux Falls Lincoln technicians will bring specially equipped vehicles to you and diagnose or potentially fix your vehicle on the spot. If parts need to be ordered, you’ll save time going back and forth to the dealership.
• On-site service: Coming into the dealership for service? Enjoy a dedicated service center and comfortable guest lounge.

“It’s so much more efficient,” Swift said. “Guests aren’t coming in multiple times to handle issues, we’re able to get things taken care of on our end, so it’s a win on all fronts.” 

Overall vibe

Since opening the new Sioux Falls Lincoln dealership this summer, customers report the car-shopping experience is even more stress-free, Swift said.

“A number of guests have told us how much more they enjoy buying a vehicle,” he said. “It’s quiet, it’s more relaxed, and while it sounds funny, it’s almost like a spa in here. The whole setting just puts guests more at ease.”

Stop in and see it for yourself! Or start your car-buying experience online here.