How to Buy a Car Online Vs. Walking into a Dealership

Dealerships employ Internet managers to meet the demands of shoppers who value the distance and straightforwardness afforded by online automobile shopping. Other consumers, however, prefer the traditional dealership experience and feel that major purchases necessitate personal contact and negotiations. Whether you opt for the virtual dealership or the traditional, you can take advantage of online resources to help you choose the right vehicle and negotiate a better deal when you're ready to buy.

Instructions

1

Research vehicle models that interest you before you make online or personal contact with a dealership. You're more likely to be objective about a purchase if you know the value of the car and are familiar with its safety and reliability ratings, as well as its features. Stay abreast of current dealer incentives and rebates, as well. The more informed you are going in, the more likely you are to get a good deal and to be satisfied with your purchase after the new wears off.

2

Browse dealerships for inventory that matches your criteria. Searching inventory online rather than driving from one dealership to another can save you gas and time. Delayed online inventory updates could be a disadvantage of online searches, so a quick phone call or email to the dealership to confirm the availability of a particular vehicle is a good idea. You can also save time and "find the exact car you want by sending emails to the Internet managers of dealers in your area," according to the automotive website Edmunds.com.

3

Take the car for a test drive. Even if you prefer online car shopping, financial advice website smartmoney.com recommends that you head to the dealership and take the car for a spin. Contact the internet manager to arrange the test drive if you intend to complete your purchase online. Before you invest your money, make sure the vehicle handles well and meets your expectations.

4

Settle on a price. Focus on the sales price, rather than the car payment. Negotiating price with the Internet manager of a dealership can save you money over face to face negotiating, according to Edmunds.com, since the manager knows you may be accepting quotes from multiple dealerships at once. Depending on the dealership, in-person negotiations often mean frequent meetings between salesperson and manager while you wait in an office for the next counter-offer. Regardless of which method you choose, don't lose sight of the car's value or your budget.

5

Secure financing. You can do this up front if you're dealing with an independent lender, but if you plan on financing through the dealership, wait until you are ready to buy. If multiple dealerships pull a credit report on you, your credit score could be negatively affected. If you're buying online, you can apply and get approval without ever leaving your home, and you usually only deal with one dealership representative. If you walk into the dealership to purchase a vehicle, be prepared to get passed off from the sales person to the finance and insurance manager.

6

Pick up your car or have it delivered. If you buy online, you can often arrange to have your vehicle and your paperwork delivered to your door. Even if you have to drive to the dealership to pick up your car, you can literally sign and drive if you've made all the arrangements in advance. Shoppers taking the traditional approach can usually go through the car buying process in about half a day, and drive the car home immediately. Both internet and in-person purchases can usually be completed in one day, although online purchases sometimes take a little longer.