Let us establish something right up front – a car is not a camera, nor is it a fish tank, nor is it a diamond. This seems a reasonable assumption, right? It seems there are many people today who think differently and believe that buying online is an extremely simple process. It may be, but there are definite steps involved.First and foremost, buy your car from a dealer. Or if you prefer private sales, try esablish a relationship where you have the option to buy the car. If you do establish this relationship, there is a good chance the seller will let you have the vehicle checked out by your mechanic. Ultimately it ends up guarding both of you: first you know the car is in good condition; second seller knows that he does not sell you a Lemon, which can reduce all kinds of fun times (there mocking here) from people like Attorney General in your state, especially if you have a tough Lemon Law as it MA.Actually There are two reasons to look first at a dealership: 1 distributor bears the burden of any Lemon Law claims that may arise (try to get a private party acting on Lemon Law of a State – chances are you waiting for a long time), and second the dealer will probably do a security check that vehicle. If the vehicle is shiny, it is not sold, because then it falls under number 1.This may seem obvious, but from the quality of other online purchase products, it seems that writers who are waxing poetic about online purchase work from a very naive positions. (The information in this article comes from an online car professional with more than six years experience in sales as a manager / coordinator of the Internet and Ebay sales.) On average we had, at the height of our program, 15 to 20 cars per month listed on Ebay for example. Many of them were very low cost, high-mileage vehicles on which we ran safety checks. If they were in good shape, we will ensure that all issues were published in write-up/condition report and we would put a minimum of 30 to 40 digital images online.We had people come in, as after reading our presentation materials, test drove and purchased these vehicles, but we have also ensured that they gave the green light that they knew they bought a car with problems. We also offered to do any of the questions found at our in-house rates, although the buyer would bear cost.Given above, here's the best advice you can get: Never buy a car online, unless you can get as complete a Carfax as possible. The Carfax to show everything about the car from its in-service date for its latest service or control. This will ensure that you have so much information on the vehicle as possible, and remember there is a pipeline in Carfax process starting today and leading ultimately to Carfax window during which time items to be reported can not be displayed and a vehicle which would otherwise be rejected can be purchased. Remember this when you ask for Carfax. Despite this shortcoming, Carfax is perhaps the best tool available to used car buyer, bar none. Another tactic to use if you buy from a dealer is to see where the vehicle is purchased. If the vehicle is purchased and serviced at the authorized where you work an agreement, you can request service records instead of Carfax. Privacy laws being what they are, will the name of the purchaser and other relevant information that can be smeared or washed-out, but you can still see the service records of your vehicle and feel confident that everything was done according to manufacturer's recommendations . If the dealer is reluctant or seems to have bet you get a loan and purchase and sale, it is a vehicle that you should say adios and move on.If see "vehicle of your dreams" online, so the fun begins because no dealer wants to negotiate over the phone or via email. They want you to come in and test the vehicle to see if it is a good fit. This beautiful line (six-photo) spread affects only the high points – the points disposed in the vehicle and not in any obvious issues.Be sure that the dealer is honest enough to list all problems or potential problems that may have been found . An honest dealer can do this to keep the legal eagles at bay, and will not be seeing you a car that does not pass basic security checks (always arrange for a dealer operating a security). An honest dealer will also uncover issues that may arise with a vehicle and make sure they are highlighted so you do not go in blind agreement. If a dealer is good, the problems will be fixed before the car is sold.So how you go about buying online? Most of the time, it's a pretty quick trade. If the dealer (or you if your car) honestly have disclosed any significant problems with the vehicle and the buyer has a number of states away, so the transaction will probably close with an exchange of checks and overnight mail, so the dealer can get his / her money and the new owner can get title.You will find dealers encourage people to come to the showroom for a test drive and you can even write an online deal with a contingency clause for the purchase and sale agreement "subject to successful test drive. "Those five words are key to any online sales. Even if you have to fly up and drive back, you must have behind the wheel of the vehicle to ensure that you receive is right for you.Of course, if you have test driven a similar car in your area and know that the online vehicle is the one for you, it's still a good idea to ensure that you fly up to test drive. Remember in states that have 72-hour buyer's remorse laws – MA is one – it makes little sense to try a claim if you have your deposit and signed a purchase and sale agreement, and if you have sent a check because of the time involved. It will take more than 72 hours to get the agreement done.Here 's second point to remember. Most dealers will not turn over title to you until the vehicle is paid for. This means not only your deposit, but also any balance remaining. It just will not happen. Vendor Agreement wants money in house before it will even consider getting the vehicle to you. Where to get funding? It is up to you! You can go to your own bank or credit union, and they will be leinholder for registration and will be registered as such at any sale agreement. Here is a fantastic proposal for financing the balance of the car, try to use the dealership contract business department. They will often have relationships with bankers who can help push through loans that would otherwise be marginal, and they could also get you the best rate possible for your car loan. It really makes sense unless you can beat the dealer agreement with your bank or you get to the dealership agreement with a bank check already made. Remember that to get loans and help you get other aftermarket items is a task for the business office and they are there to make the business happen, like other salespeople, it is the only way they earn their money. Also, if you've had some credit issues, they may be able to use their network of banks to help secure your financing at a more reasonable price. Why would a dealership agreement steps to do this? The answer is very simple, they want to sell you the car and move it from the inventory sold. It is the only way everyone does their lives in a car dealership.You can buy with money, of course, but it means you will drain your own personal resources. Here's a thought, why not arrange a note through the distributor and hold it for 90 days and then pay it all off or pay it out in big lumps. This way you keep the funds available, while at the same time, as the dealer agreement or bank money to pay for the vehicle. By now you probably have a headache, as you can see that "light" Internet business for what it is, it's like many-headed Hydra Greek mythology, cut and two adults. So it is with online sales, too. Yes, they can be incredibly easy if everything is in good shape and all agree on a price or they can be incredibly complicated. Car buying online then actually boil down to two words, they are: "It depends …" Note that if you have a trade, you have to face a sad truth that most dealers do not like or not slow acting. They have no clue about the real condition of your vehicle – most people believe that their vehicles are always in excellent condition and looks way to much on the market if it is what is known as a remote or distance handle – so the dealers will normally a pass at your trade and you can expect to sell it yourself. Be realistic in your expectations about what you get for your vehicle when you check Kelly Blue Book (KBB.com) or Edmunds.com – unless you've maintained it to the letter of the manufacturer's service recommendations, and unless you have washed and grown it every week, you can not expect to get the excellent "private" sales price. Instead, shoot for the "fair" private trade, because that is what you can realistically expect.By the way, if you try to use the car as a trade with a remote Distributor, you have to remember to cancel your plates the current vehicle and get either a transfer plate and new proof of insurance so that you can trade your current car and then run back into the new vehicle. Dealers will not lend their "dealer" plates, because insurance rates are sky high, so if you expect to fly in and pick your new purchase and drive home on a set of "dealer plates" you will be in for a shock because you will need to ensure that you have your own plates and insurance – Chamber of Commerce or Progressive, are two examples – before you can put the car on road.This means you have to have the contract completed before you arrive at the dealership agreement . There is no way around it. Also make sure that you meet all the requirements that your state may have. Some states want a police officer or DMV agent to ensure the VIN is correct and shows that, on a notarized form.If this seems rather complicated, it is because there is no easy way to buy online. The funding can you arrange yourself or you can go through the dealer, your likely best bet to rate and you'll have to get the vehicle out of there own, either on a trailer (probably the best way because you can take your time to insure it) and you will not bind valuable time.Just do not, as some customers have done is turn up the dealership agreement with a plate and expect to run away. It will not happen unless the plate is new and you have good evidence insurance.Source: Authors experience as online sales manager
Jaime Figueroa