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.
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