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Car buying online vs. at a dealership Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our mission is to help you make better financial decisions by providing you with financial calculators and interactive tools as well as publishing unique and impartial content. We also allow you to conduct your own research and compare information at no cost and help you make informed financial decisions. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers such as, but not limited to American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money The offers that appear on this site come from companies that pay us. This compensation can affect the way and when products are featured on this website, for example the sequence in which they be displayed within the listing categories in the event that they are not permitted by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. But this compensation does affect the content we publish or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not contain the entire universe of businesses or financial offerings that could be open to you.



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6 min read Published 28th October 2022
Authored by Rebecca Betterton Written by Auto Loans Reporter

Rebecca Betterton is the auto loans reporter for Bankrate. She specializes in assisting readers to navigate the ins and outs of securely borrowing money to purchase a car.







The edit was done by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor

Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain confidence to manage their finances with concise, well-studied and well-researched content that break down complex subjects into bite-sized pieces.









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Should I buy my next car online or at the dealership?
It is based on the kind of experience you like. If you enjoy personal communication dealerships are the option for you. If you prefer to handle the purchase from the comfort of home go shopping online.


In the past, purchasing a car meant heading to your local dealership to pick the next car from what was available in the showroom. But and now drivers can purchase cars at the convenience of their own homes and in some cases even get them delivered. Both buying options come with advantages and disadvantages. Online buying comes with convenience and ease of negotiation. Take note of which option is most suitable for your needs before beginning your search. Online car buying or at a dealership. dealerships Online
Traditional dealership
Benefits
* More vehicle options * Easier to compare vehicles * Friendly customer service
* More flexible prices * Manufacturer incentives * Expert guidance
Negatives
* No test drive * No negotiation * Potential extra fees
* Larger time commitment * Harder to walk away * There are fewer vehicle options
Bravo...
The driver who likes shopping at home and would prefer to avoid any pressure from salespeople.
A driver who excels in negotiations , and would prefer the intimacy that comes with working with a dealership.
What to be on the lookout for
A purchase made without seeing it is an the risk of a higher risk. Do some research on models to ensure that you're buying a quality car.
And a marked-up loan can ruin the hard work you've put into it. The pressure of additional demands can force you into a vehicle that doesn't meet your needs.
Buying a car online In the period of the pandemic, local dealerships started to offer alternatives. The customers were able to check out available vehicles within the region before heading out to the lot. Although it is a good alternative to shop online, it does still necessitate a visit to a dealer. Other, more seamless shopping routes are gaining popularity as local dealerships have shifted to online shopping because of the necessity. Online stores like CarMax, Shift and -- to name some allow drivers to shop, and even arrange delivery or pickup from their homes. Advantages to buying cars online The major advantages of purchasing the next vehicle online boil in the form of ease of buying and online customer support. There are more options for vehicles at local dealerships. have a limited selection of vehicles readily available and, with the remaining supply chain issues the availability is even less. Shopping online provides a wider selection of options for cars to select from. You can also search for specific makes, models and prices, all without the pressure of a salesperson on your shoulder. It is easier to compare cars with more vehicles available, comparison is the key to . Whatever notes you make, it is hard to really compare two vehicles at a dealer's location one-to-one. On the internet you can check out the features and costs of all the cars that you're considering. Customer service that is attentive when shopping from home removes any face-to-face support, online shopping can still provide excellent customer service based on the company you work with. Many online sellers, such as Carvana for instance, offer a chat function that allows customers to ask questions specific to the process. The disadvantages of buying cars online Although buying online a car has the convenience and ease of shopping from your home, there are notable negatives to consider. No test drive When shopping online, you will not be able to view the car in person until the moment you've signed the line. In the absence of a test drive, you could purchase a car that doesn't fit your needs. So when online car shopping, look for sellers that have a return option with a 7-day return period -- so you don't have to buy the car you don't like. No negotiations Most online vehicle platforms will not negotiate prices. If you're tired of , this can be an advantage. It also means you'll not have any extra room in the price. When you visit a traditional dealer it is likely you'll be able to cut price by bargaining, but when shopping online, the advertised price will be the amount you pay. Potential extra fees While fees are unavoidable in the context of car purchases, shopping online tends to carry some additional costs. If you opt to have your car delivered, for instance you'll need to pay an additional cost that can be as high as $1000 or more for marketplaces like Vroom as well as other handling charges which are usually eliminated when you deal with an agent. If you are buying a vehicle at a dealership Heading to the local dealer is the most obvious choice when it comes time to buy a brand new or used car. Dealerships cater to specific vehicle models, prices, and types. However, these establishments may have bad reputations which is why it is important to research before making a decision. Buying a car today also requires some due to the current price of new cars, caused by supply chain issues and . That's why they're not predicted to be at normal levels until the spring of 2023. However you should be prepared to pay a bit more money if you are buying a brand new car straight from a dealer. Benefits of buying a vehicle through a dealership traditional route provides drivers with the thrill of getting the most affordable price and the expert guidance of a salesperson. Flexible prices. If the price differs from what you may find advertised on the car window, it's possible that with negotiating skills, you can cut down the cost of the vehicle. It isn't an advantage that is available to shoppers at your home. Manufacturer incentives Dealerships may offer buyers promotional finance options or other rebates offered by manufacturers to sweeten the deal of buying from them. Although not all options are identical, many of them can be used to boost your down payment , or provide you . Expert advice Nothing compares to the personal guidance that an expert salesperson with experience in the market can offer. This is particularly true when you're looking into new vehicle options like . There are so many bells and bells cars are now equipped with, it can be beneficial to have someone guide through the procedure. The disadvantages of buying a vehicle in a dealership The amount of duration of buying a car can be a large time commitment, and can cause anxiety for cautious buyers Consider the disadvantages of buying from a dealership. Larger time commitment When buying online you can close your computer and get your new car arrive as soon as the next day, but purchasing from a dealer isn't usually as effortless. It is necessary to carve some time to drive to the dealership for a walk-through, look around at different options, and finally talk to a salesperson. This whole process could be exhausting and sometimes still make you miss the dream car of your dreams. It is more difficult to leave the dealership salespeople are on hand to assist you in your car-buying journey and being with someone at your side throughout the entire process can be challenging for those who are on the fence. This can make walking away from a deal especially hard. Unless you are a strict shopper who can say no, consider the peace of mind that comes from being able to shut down the website and "walk away" when shopping online. A smaller selection of vehicles dealerships sell fewer cars than online retailers. Typically, dealers sell a particular brand of vehicle. For instance, if you've got your sights at the brand of Nissan but you only have one Ford dealer close by, shopping online is a great method to look into other alternatives. How can you get the best deal no matter where you buy No matter where you decide to purchase your next car, there are a few cardinal guidelines to follow when you're trying to drive off with the best deal that you can. Keep your budget in check. Cost should be the primary goal when buying a new car, but consider a car loan to get a better understanding of your monthly costs. In addition, you should take into consideration the total cost of ownership -maintenance, and other costs. Apply for loan prequalification. Find lenders who provide prequalification, which is an excellent method to secure your monthly payments and ensure you have enough money to pay for your vehicle prior to signing. Look at the total amount, not just the monthly installment. The less you pay, the lower your monthly installment may be, but this is not the most effective option because you might be paying more in the long run. Be aware of your credit score. Your score is the most important determinant of your ability to pay back your loan. Understanding it can put you in better position to judge if you are getting the right rates. Take a look. Shopping around is not only important when it comes to cars, but it is also crucial in obtaining the ideal loan. It is suggested to research before making a decision on a loan. Make use of cars purchasing apps. Make the most of technology by using it at and off the dealership lot. These apps allow users to compare cars and provide real-time estimates of price. Bankrate tip
If you want the most desirable of both you should talk to your local dealer via email prior to the time. Mention what you're interested in as well as the timeframe for your purchase and ask about available incentives.


The goal is to have a pleasant, stress-free experience, so the choice of online or dealership comes down to what is best suited to your requirements. If you'd rather the assistance of a dependable sales representative opt for the traditional option. If the thought of dealerships brings more fear than excitement, consider the easy online method.


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Written by Auto Loans Reporter

Rebecca Betterton is the auto loans reporter for Bankrate. She specializes in assisting readers in navigating the ways and pitfalls of taking out loans to purchase the car they want.



Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor

Rhys has been writing and editing for Bankrate from late 2021. They are committed to helping readers gain the confidence to control their finances through providing precise, well-researched and reliable facts that break down otherwise complex subjects into digestible pieces.






Auto loans editor




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