Is it time for a new car? Depending on where you’re located, it may be possible for you to save a substantial amount of time and money by researching and buying your new car online. Buying cars online is becoming just as normal as buying household items online. The internet is truly expanding to make it easier and cheaper for dealers to sell and buyers to buy.
Dealers love the concept, they get more visitors than the average walk-in neighborhood dealership, and don’t necessarily have 8 car salespeople sitting around reading the paper. Their overhead drops significantly while the sales and profits soar through the roof. Consumers are starting to get more comfortable with it because a high percentage of car shoppers hate the car dealership experience. But online, they can get the answers many of us are afraid to ask when we’re sitting in front of a pushy car salesman.
In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, an increasing number of people are choosing to cut out shady dealerships and buy their new car on the internet. Now you have the luxury to shop online and take your time understanding what vehicle and what price you want. As long as you choose a reputable source, it’s possible to save a substantial chunk of money by purchasing your new car online.
Remember, when you buy online, you cannot test out the car you’re interested in, so only choose to buy online once you’ve driven the car (try it out at a dealership first). Even when buying online, you should still do your homework and know the care you’re getting and the price it’s worth. Learn about the car you like before a dealer decides what they want you to buy, which is the car that makes them more commission. Keep the ball in your court.
Use price guides such as Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book to find out the true value of the car you’re buying. This will make sure you’re not paying more than normal prices for your new or used car. A little homework will give you some confidence and most probably save you some cash.
Many online sites for car purchases work by local dealers offering you free price quotes (these can often be negotiated downwards). These sites are growing larger by the month and are being considered more and more by consumers in North America. Popular sites like Auto Trader, which we took as a manual search from their catalogues at the store, are now really building their online presence.
Some sites will even offer a lowest price guarantee – so if you do find the car for less, they’ll match the price. Additionally, some online car buying sites will even drive the car directly to your home. If you’re in the market for a new car and don’t like the whole dealership experience, this just might be what you’re looking for.
Serious ease and convenience, not to mention you can save thousands of dollars this way. But best of all, no hard sell.