The
internet has truly changed the way we do business. In addition to
providing you with mountains of information about how to buy a car, it
also is a marketplace in which you can make deals and even purchase a
vehicle. Almost 22% of all new car sales are estimated to be made through
the Internet.
Used cars are also being sold on the
internet. More used cars were sold on eBay than at any single dealership
last year. You can find hundreds of thousands of used vehicles listed for
sale online.
The biggest advantage isn't just
that you can look at more vehicles in a shorter amount of time, but you
can do it without all of the haggling involved in visiting car
lots.
There are three basic types of sites
on the Internet:
Manufacturer sites are a great place to find the
general information about options, colors, rebates and manufacturer
financing. The sites will have the suggested retail prices listed and
often will allow you to locate a dealer with the exact vehicle you are
looking for. What you don't know is how much the vehicle will really cost
you. You must directly negotiate the selling price with the dealer.
Third-party sites provide editorial
information, such as news, reviews and tips. They can also help you find a
dealer with the vehicle you are looking for. Often, contacting a dealer
through a third-party site shows that you have done your research. You
will, hopefully, be treated with a little more respect than someone who
just walked in off of the street.
Dealer sites showcase what an
individual or group dealer can offer Internet buyers. You usually won't
get a firm price quote over emails to a dealer you've located online.
Dealers are notorious for keeping their numbers close until you meet in
person. Let the dealer know that you are serious, and you should receive a
firm quote.
Buyers who deal online often report
that there is less negotiation involved. The first price offered online by
a dealer is usually within a couple hundred dollars of a dealer's absolute
best price. In person, often you have to negotiate down thousands of
dollars from the factory sticker price.
You are able to buy a car without
ever going to a dealership.
Most dealers will arrange financing through the
internet and will deliver the car to your home or office. Most buyers
prefer to test drive. And if you have a trade-in, you will have to let the
dealer inspect your vehicle.
Plus, it's hard to think about
buying a car unseen. It is a large purchase. While the Internet makes it
easier, most consumers will still want to see the car and drive it before
committing to purchase.
Shopping on the Web is a great way
to save time and
money.
