We are two years into the pandemic and consumers are growing more and more comfortable shopping for a wide variety of items online from produce to furniture, homes and now cars. Buying things online has become normal for most. The trend of purchasing a car online is accelerating and can be a simple a click away.
Buyers realize how convenient this is from the traditional in person car buying process of walking into a car dealership, browse through inventory, arrange financing, and credit approvals. Consumers want less haggling, less paperwork, the entire online experience allows this. All of this can be done from the comfort of your couch. The sheer convenience and the time you save is enough to make you want to click the button. The question is, what’s stopping you?
Is visiting a physical dealership still important for the buyer in order to complete the car purchasing cycle? The customer consensus is “NO”. Car selection can be done online with an expanse on geographical location and multiple OEM brands. This allows more time for researching vehicle comparisons, consumer reports and in depth professional reviews to ensure the selection is the right one for you.
Whether you are considering a lease, finance or a cash purchase option. You can customize a payment or price without walking into a dealership. Having this knowledge at your fingertips gives the consumer the advantage to establish vehicle affordability. Different purchase scenarios can be compared while engaging in true-cost transparency. Finance rates, monthly payments, the choice of terms and down payments are all available to assist the consumer with individual purchase options.
For some, the most stressful part of the car purchasing cycle is credit approvals and the choice of a financial institution. The credit application process can be a very personal and sensitive topic. The ability to upload this information within the privacy of your home, and receive an answer with minimal time delay decreases any perceived consumer stress. Furthermore, some online platforms also offer the ability to include aftermarket products and accessories into payments which can add vehicle individuality and expand on payment transparency.
So, whether you are a Baby Boomer, Generation` X, Y or Z - is buying a car online the right choice for you? Do you view it as an advantage or do you still prefer the in-person brick and mortar experience? Time will tell.
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