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Buying a car online is a new idea and very few sites allow
you to actually complete the whole process from the comfort
of your chair at home. Basically there are two methods in
use at the moment with slight variations in a number of criteria
being the only difference between the major players in either
group.
Online Quote Request Method
The majority of the online vehicle buying sites on the Internet
let you request a quote on your vehicle of choice - a local
dealer will then respond with their price on the car you have
chosen. Some sites allow you to look at inventory at dealers
before you place your quote request but most don't show you
what dealers have in stock.
Many sites do not show you or allow you to choose which dealer(s)
your quote request is going to but some allow you to choose.
Almost all sites use your zip code as the criteria for selecting
which dealers to send the quote request to. Quote request
sites will allow you to configure your selected car with the
options you want (including exterior and interior colors)
and will probably show you MSRP and invoice price but you
won't be shown 'your price' (the eventual price you'll pay)
up front.
Advantages
- You can quickly and easily request quotes on several sites
allowing you to get an idea of the availability of your
chosen car and what is a good price for it
- You can find out who has the car actually on their lot
without visiting or telephoning dealerships
- You don't have to haggle with dealers - you (should) get
a guaranteed price in writing that the dealership (should)
make available to you on the car you have selected
- For those of you that have had unpleasant experiences
being manipulated by salespeople online buying offers a
set price and no need to interact with dealers or their
staff
- You get the car you want and don't have to resist high-pressure
tactics to sell you extras you neither want or can afford
saves valuable time that would have to be spent visiting
dealerships looking for the car you want
Online Buying
A few sites allow you to actually purchase a new (or in
some cases used) car without leaving your home except for
a trip to a dealership to pick up the car after the sale is
finalized. It is hard to understand why more sites don't offer
this complete service - especially since a hassle free, set
price experience is what consumers have indicated they want
when purchasing an automobile. Most of the sites that offer
'true online buying' quote you a price upfront - there is
no waiting for a dealer to get back to you with their best
price. Some sites allow you to complete financing documents
at home before going to the dealer while others will have
the prepared paper work ready for sign off when you pick up
the car at the dealership. Most offer financing as part of
the deal and some require a processing fee - usually deductible
from the final price of the car - to get the search for your
perfect car started.
Advantages
-
For those of you that have had unpleasant experiences
being manipulated by salespeople online buying offers
a set price and no need to interact with dealers or their
staff
-
Information seems to indicate that you can save money
buying online
-
You get the car you want and don't have to resist high-pressure
tactics to sell you extras you neither want or can afford
-
Saves valuable time that would have to be spent visiting
dealerships looking for the car you want
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