In the past, the idea of buying a car online seemed like a horrible idea ripe with scams, broken down lemons, and overpriced pieces of junk. Today, there\u2019s very little that you can\u2019t buy online. From Amazon to McDonald\u2019s, you can shop from home<\/a><\/strong> for just about everything, so it makes sense that auto dealers are following suit.<\/p>\n Even for shoppers who prefer to visit the dealership, test drive a vehicle themselves and shake hands with their sales advisor. Trends show that they are browsing online before even stepping foot on the lot. A study by J.D. Power showed that more than 90% of car shoppers start online. On average, these people visit ten sites: 40% manufacture sites, 30% dealership websites, and 30% third-party sites.<\/p>\n What\u2019s interesting is that most shoppers start with the manufacture\u2019s site to ascertain model information and vehicle specs. Dealer sites are helpful for finding specific inventories and pricing. Third-party sites are great for reviews, ratings, and articles, helping make vehicle comparisons.<\/p>\n Long gone are the days when a bright-eyed new driver walks into a dealership na\u00efve and uninformed. Current shoppers are often aware of what a vehicle costs, known issues, upgrade options, and more without ever speaking to a sales rep.<\/p>\nThe Internet is Part Of Car Buying<\/h3>\n
The Pros and Cons of the Shop From Home Option<\/h3>\n