Did You Know?: How to Stay on Course When Buying a Vehicle Online**

Your local dealership used to be your only choice when you were shopping for and buying a car. With the rise of the Internet, however, those days are over. You can now look at pictures of automobiles online, shop for financing online, and even purchase a vehicle online. Using the Internet to purchase a vehicle certainly has its advantages — and its disadvantages.

Advantages

1. You can take your time. When you use the Internet, you can take as much time as you need, not feeling rushed like you sometimes might at a dealership.
2. No haggling. Buying a car online lets you avoid the face-to-face negotiating and haggling that comes with a purchase at the dealership.
3. Save money. The prices of vehicles vary a good amount from region to region, all over the United States. With the Internet, you can compare prices, incentives, and rates all over the country, so you do not have to settle for the price that a car has in your region.

Disadvantages

1. Limited Contact. When you purchase a vehicle online, you only get to see pictures; there’s no touching, smelling or driving your potential new car.
2. Possible discrepancies. There are sometimes complaints from online auto shoppers that a dealer’s price quoted on the Internet is different from the quote that is offered in person.
3. Unexpected results with a used vehicle. Often, an online auto buyer knows what the outside of the car will look like, but they forget to make sure they are aware of what is awaiting them on the inside. Scratches, fades, rips, and shredded floor mats are all common interior problems that online buyers run into.

Tips for Buying a Car Online

Here are some tips for you if you are considering making your next auto purchase over the Internet:

1. Comparison Shop Visit as many Web sites as you can to compare vehicle prices and financing rates.
2. Report any discrepancies. If you find that a quote online and a quote from the dealer do not match up, do not be afraid to ask about it. If they do not give you a satisfactory answer, you can report the problem to the National Automobile Dealers Association of America (NADA) or the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
3. Do not be surprised. If buying a used vehicle, find out everything about the appearance and condition of the car, so you are not unpleasantly surprised when it arrives. Also, be sure to verify the seller’s identity for extra peace of mind. Find out the facts quickly and easily by requesting that he purchase an Equifax Identity Report.

** © Copyright 2009, Informa Research Services, Inc. ("Informa"). While all attempts have been made to provide effective, verifiable information in this article, neither the author nor Informa assumes any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. You should always seek the guidance of a licensed professional before making any major financial decisions.