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Car buying online vs. at a dealership Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make better financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators that provide objective and original content, by enabling you to conduct your own research and compare information at no cost to help you make informed financial decisions. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers such as, but not restricted to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Earn Money The deals that are advertised on this site are from companies who pay us. This compensation can affect the way and when products are featured on the site, such as, for example, the order in which they may be displayed within the listing categories in the event that they are not permitted by law. This applies to our mortgage home equity, mortgage and other products for home loans. However, this compensation will not influence the content we publish or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not contain the entire universe of businesses or financial offers that may be accessible 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 has a specialization in helping readers with the details of using loans to buy the car they want.

Editor: Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor

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

The promise of the Bankrate promise

More info

At Bankrate we aim to help you make better financial choices. While we are committed to strict editorial integrity ,

this post may contain the mention of products made by our partners. Here’s an explanation for how we earn our money .

The promise of the Bankrate promise

In 1976, Bankrate was founded. Bankrate has a long track experience of helping customers make wise financial decisions.

We’ve kept this reputation for more than four decades through demystifying the financial decision-making

process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. process that is rigorous and precise.

You can rest assured that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content was authored with and edited ,

who ensure everything we publish ensures that everything we publish is accurate, objective and reliable. The loans journalists and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — various kinds of lending options as well as the best rates, the best lenders, the best ways to pay off debt and many more, so you’ll be able to feel secure when making your investment.

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Bankrate has a strict policy standard of conduct, which means you can be confident that we’ll put your needs first. Our award-winning editors and reporters provide honest and trustworthy content to aid you in making the best financial choices. Key Principles We value your trust. Our mission is to offer readers truthful and impartial information, and we have established editorial standards to ensure that this happens. Our editors and reporters rigorously verify the truthfulness of content in order to make sure that what you read is accurate. We have a strict separation with our advertising partners and the editorial team. The editorial team of Editorial Independence Bankrate does not receive any direct payment by our advertising partners. Editorial Independence Bankrate’s team of editors writes for YOU – the reader. Our aim is to provide you the most accurate advice to assist you in making smart financial choices for your own personal finances. We follow strict guidelines for ensuring that editorial content isn’t influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team is not paid direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly checked for accuracy to ensure its truthfulness. Therefore, whether you’re reading an article or review, you can be sure that you’re receiving reliable and dependable information.

How can we earn money?

There are money-related questions. Bankrate can help. Our experts have helped you understand your finances for more than four decades. We continually strive to provide our readers with the professional advice and tools required to be successful throughout their financial journey. Bankrate adheres to a strict code of conduct , so you can trust that our content is truthful and reliable. Our award-winning editors and journalists create honest and accurate content to help you make the best financial decisions. Our content produced by our editorial team is factual, objective and uninfluenced through our sponsors. We’re transparent about the ways we’re capable of bringing high-quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we earn our money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for the placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain hyperlinks on our site. Therefore, this compensation may influence the manner, place and when products are listed in the event that they are not permitted by law. This is the case for our mortgage, home equity, and other products for home loans. Other factors, like our own rules for our website and whether the product is offered in your region or within your personal credit score can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide an array of offers, Bankrate does not include details about each financial or credit item or service.

Should I purchase my next car online or at the dealership?

It depends on the type of experience you want. If you prefer personal interaction dealerships are the option for you. However, if you’d prefer to purchase your items at your own convenience, stick to online.

The past was when buying a car required a trip to your local dealership to pick the next car from the selection at the time. However, now you can buy cars at the convenience of their own homes and in certain instances, even have the vehicles delivered. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. The convenience of online shopping and ease of negotiation. Think about which one is the best fit for your needs before beginning your shopping process. Car buying online vs. dealership Online

Traditional dealership

Advantages

* More vehicle options It is easier to compare different vehicles Friendly customer service

* Prices that are more flexible * Manufacturer incentives * Expert advice

Negatives

* No test drive * No negotiation * Potential extra fees

* Longer commitment to time Harder to walk away * There are fewer vehicle options

Bravo…

The driver who enjoys the convenience of shopping at home and prefers to stay clear of any pressure from salespeople.

A driver who excels in negotiations , and would prefer the relationship that comes with working with a dealership.

What to be on the lookout for

Buying sight unseen can carry added risk, do outside research on models to ensure you’re purchasing a reliable car.

and inflated financing could undo the hard work you’ve put into it. The pressure of additional demands can force you into a vehicle that isn’t the right fit.

Buying a car online In the midst of the pandemic, dealers in the area began to offer options. This gave consumers a chance to check out available vehicles in the area before setting out for the dealership. While this remains a great option for shopping online, it will require a dealership visit. Alternatively, other ways to shop that are more seamless are gaining popularity as local dealers shifted online due to sheer necessity. Online sellers like , CarMax, Shift and -to name just a few enable shoppers to shop, and arrange for delivery or pickup from the comfort of their home. Benefits of purchasing cars online The major perks of buying the next vehicle online come in the form of ease of buying and online customer support. A wider selection of vehicles Local dealerships are restricted to what is available in the area and, with the remaining supply chain problems, the selection is even more limited. The online marketplace offers a much greater number of cars to shop from. You can also search for specific models, makes and prices, and all without the hassle of a salesperson on your shoulders. Easier to compare vehicles With many more options of vehicles, comparison is the key to . No matter how many notes you take, it is hard to truly compare two vehicles at a dealer’s location side by side. On the internet, you can evaluate the features and accompanying costs for all the vehicles that you’re considering. Attentive customer service While shopping at home eliminates the need for face-to-face support, online shopping still allows for great customer service, based on the company you work with. Many online sellers, such as Carvana such as Carvana, offer a chat function which allows drivers to ask questions specific to the entire process. The disadvantages of buying a car online While buying online a car has the convenience and ease of shopping at home, there are some notable negatives to consider. You can’t test drive the car when you shop online you won’t have the opportunity to inspect the vehicle in person until after you’ve signed the line. Without a chance to try it out, you may buy a vehicle that doesn’t feel perfect. So when online car shopping be sure to look for dealers that provide a return policy 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 offer no-haggle prices. If you’re tired of bargaining, this could be positive. However, it also means there is no wiggle room on the cost. When you visit a traditional dealer it is likely you’ll be able to cut cost through negotiations, however when shopping on the internet, the advertised price is the price you will pay. Additional fees that could be charged are not a necessity when it comes to car purchases, shopping online can result in some additional costs. If you choose to have your vehicle delivered, for instance it will be required to pay an extra fee that can be as high as $1000 or more on marketplaces like Vroom and Vroom, in addition to other handling costs that can be mostly avoided when working with a dealer. Buying a car at the dealership Visiting the local dealer is the best option when it comes to purchase a used or new vehicle. Dealerships specialize in certain vehicle models, prices, and models. However, they can have an unpopular reputation which is why it is important to think about this before you go. A car purchase today requires some due to current high new car prices, caused by supply chain problems 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 an entirely new vehicle directly from an auto dealer. Benefits of buying a vehicle at a dealership Taking the traditional route provides drivers with the excitement of getting the most competitive price as well as the expert guidance of a salesperson. More flexible prices While the differs from what you may notice on the vehicle window, it is likely that with negotiating skills, you can cut down the cost of the vehicle. It isn’t an advantage that is available to shoppers at home. Manufacturer incentives Dealerships may provide buyers with financing options or rebates additional to those offered by the manufacturer to enhance the deal of buying from them. Although not all of them are identical, many of them can be used to boost the amount of your down payment or even provide you . Expert advice Nothing compares to the personal guidance that an expert salesperson with experience in the industry can provide. This especially rings true if you are looking at the latest options for your vehicle, such as . There are so many bells and bells that automobiles are now with, it could be beneficial to find someone guide through the procedure. Advantages of buying a car at a dealership The time required to purchase the car could be a long-term commitment and cause headaches for those who aren’t savvy buyers Consider the disadvantages of purchasing from a dealer. A longer time commitment when buying online, you can close your computer and get your new car arrive in the next day, but purchasing from dealerships isn’t always easy. It is necessary to carve the time to go to the dealership and walk around the lot to look at different options, and finally talk to an agent. This whole process could be tiring, and can leave you without the car you’ve always wanted. Harder to walk away While salespeople are on hand to assist you on your journey to buy a car, having someone by your side during the whole process isn’t easy when you’re on the fence. This can make leaving a deal especially hard. Unless you are a strict shopper who can refuse, think about the comfort that comes with the ability to shut down the website as well as “walk away” whenever you shop online. Fewer vehicle options Comparatively, dealerships have fewer options than online sellers. Commonly, dealerships sell one specific brand of vehicle. If, for instance, you have your sights at an Nissan but you only have a Ford dealer close by purchasing online is the best way to explore more possibilities. How can you get the best bargain no matter where you shop. regardless of where you plan to purchase your next car, there are a few fundamental guidelines to follow when you’re trying to drive off with the best deal possible. Keep your budget in check. Cost is the top priority when you shop, and consider the car loan to know your estimated monthly costs. Also, take into consideration all the costs associated with ownership- maintenance and included. You can apply for loan prequalification. Find lenders who provide prequalification, which is a great option to lock in your expected monthly payments and ensure you’re able to afford the car you want to purchase prior to signing. Check for the total amount, not just the monthly installment. The lower your monthly installment may be, however this is not always the best option since you could pay more interest in the long run. Understand the credit rating of your. Your serves as the main indicator of your capacity to pay off your loan. Understanding this will put you in a better position to know whether you’re getting the right rates. Explore the market. Shopping around isn’t just important when it comes to automobiles, but is also essential to getting the best loan. It is advised to do this prior to signing a contract. Utilize car purchasing apps. Benefit from the latest technology, both in and out of the dealership lot. The apps will allow users to compare cars and provide real-time estimates of price. Bankrate tip

If you’re looking for the most desirable of both think about contacting your local dealership over email ahead of time. Include what you’re looking for as well as the timeframe for your purchase and inquire about any incentives that are available.

The ultimate goal is to have a pleasant and stress-free experience. Therefore, the choice between an online store or dealership comes down to what fits best for your needs. If you’re looking for the advice from a trusted sales rep opt for the traditional method. But if the thought of dealerships causes more stress than excitement, think about the easy online method.

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Written by Auto Loans Reporter

Rebecca Betterton is the auto loans reporter for Bankrate. She has a specialization in helping readers to navigate the ins and outs of securely using loans to buy a car.

Editor: Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor

Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are committed to helping readers to manage their finances with concise, well-studied facts that break down otherwise complicated topics into bite-sized pieces.

Auto loans editor

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