The internet has made our lives so easy nowadays we can do almost everything from the convenience of our homes.

This is especially in the times of the coronavirus when Motus reported that online purchases grow 24% in 2020, whereas in-store purchases went down by 7%.

However, how is this relevant in the automotive industry?

Well, studies are saying that current consumer expectations are forcing car dealers away from the traditional process but also not completely into an online system, reaching a balance of online and offline aspects.

Buying a car consists of many components, and studies discovered that while customers might prefer completing their research online on their devices at home, they still want to take their potential car on a test drive and seal the deal in person as well.

What led car buyers to move in this direction? you might wonder. We’re glad you’re here because this blog will answer this question for you.

Time:

Most customers keep postponing going to a car dealership because they don’t have time, and they’re not wrong, to be honest. Making a car purchase can be one of the lengthiest processes ever.

It is not that complicated, but it is composed of many parts and aspects that are time-consuming and need carefulness and attention because they involve paying big numbers.

Imagine you’re going to the dealership, not knowing anything about the car qualifications you want except that you don’t want its color to be vomit yellow.

It’s going to take you hours to narrow down your options and you haven’t even come close to the part where you have to review and purchase insurance or extended warranty products. Do you have an idea how long it will take you to study and compare insurances manually? I’ll leave that to your imagination.

Online tools that will help you complete these steps allow you to do all of that in less time, in your own space, and at your own pace too.

Also, don’t forget that when you step into the dealership on a Saturday morning, it is going to be packed with other customers waiting in lounges because of the limited number of staff who can help you right away.

Whereas if you stick to online in these steps, then you are shortening transaction time by up to 75%.

Variety

In person, you are limited by staff number and availability, and feeling like you have to absorb and keep track of all the information you’re receiving will probably overwhelm you and distract you from your main goal, filtering your search. In the end, if you weren’t organized enough to create a spreadsheet and log down all info, then you’ve basically wanted most of your time.

However, you can preview your options online at home, before you head to the dealership, to get a general idea about the prices and narrow down your choices by selecting the colors, price ranges, mileage, and brands.

Test Drive

Many people consider in-person test drives and close-up evaluations of vehicles a must-have and will disagree with entirely online shopping processes as they form a barrier from evaluating the vehicle first-hand.

They’re on the right track, though. At the end of the day, you investing thousands of dollars in this purchase so might as well make sure that you will be comfortable driving it and that it meets your expectations.

I encourage you to take it for a spin, experiment with its tech features, and ask yourself the important questions. This in-person experience will probably play the biggest role in sealing your purchase decision.

Negotiation

In the case of in-person purchases, you get a chance to negotiate the price with the car buyer the traditional way, arguing about the value of the car and trying to compromise a deal that appeals to both parties.

If you decide to go for an online purchase, you will instead get codes and discounts and sometimes get a very tempting deal if you coordinate with a salesperson.

Both options are valid, but it depends on your preference and what approach is implemented by your dealership.

Hidden Fees

You are already paying a big sum of money, so it is important to note that with online purchases, come the often forgotten costs of shipping charges, taxes, etc. It depends on your financial situation and whether you can afford these extra expenses, but this is one of the reasons why customers prefer going into the dealership to grab their cars from the sold row.

Fraudulent Websites

Beware of fake websites that are trying to back you and steal your money. There are plenty of those all over the internet, so you always need to watch out for who you talk to and what access you give them to your life.

Offline car buying is definitely exhausting but having an entirely online buying process does not represent genuine customer sentiment either. Selling any car in Dubai these days involves a hybrid buying system between online and offline. Be wise in your car purchase and we hope you have a positive experience with the hybrid car buying system!