Many things we do in life can be done more conveniently than they used to be done. Some would argue that our lives have moved online, including meeting people for coffee via FaceTime, grocery shopping online, dating, through apps like Tinder and Bumble, and buying a car online. Years back, when it came to purchasing a new vehicle, your options were limited. You could go to a dealership and deal with a pushy salesperson or look through the classified section of the newspaper, pick up the phone and call the number (not text) to set up a time to view the used car you are considering buying.
The pandemic has forced people to move online more than ever before. Even as the world starts to get back to normal, many people have become so comfortable with the virtual way of doing things that they may never go back to the old way, especially when it comes to car buying. The question is, can you really buy a new car over the phone? If you can, is it a great idea? At FFUN Cars, we are all about transparency, and we want to make one thing clear: car buying over the phone is different than buying a car online.
Over the Phone Car Shopping and Car Buying
Car buyers can do certain parts of the buying process for their next car over the phone, but not everything. Depending on whether you are dealing with a car dealership or a private seller will determine how much of the car purchase is done purely over the phone.
When it comes to buying a used vehicle over the phone through a private seller, tread carefully. The world is full of scammers, and car buying over the phone is risky. The only interaction via phone with a private seller should be setting up a time to look at the vehicle and take it for a test drive. If you are considering buying from online classifieds like marketplace, do your research on the seller. These days, it seems you can rate everyone and everything, so take advantage of those features so you know who you could be buying a car from. Never, and we mean never, transfer money to a private seller you have never met. Sure, maybe provide a small deposit to ensure they don't sell it elsewhere, but never give a lot of money without knowing if you are buying the vehicle.
If you are looking at a car dealer for purchasing your next vehicle, by all means, use the phone to ask some questions. The more you know about the car going into the dealership, the better. Car salespeople love when customers are in the dealership because it's their opportunity to make money. If you know the car you want, there is nothing wrong with making phone calls to dealerships to get some answers and avoid the arduous process of car buying in person.
Dealerships and Online Car Buying
So it's pretty obvious you shouldn't buy a car over the phone, and buying a car online is probably the better option. Careful though. Car dealerships will advertise or tell you that you can buy your next vehicle online, but their definition of online is probably different than ours. At FFUN Cars, when we say online, we mean it but that doesn’t mean you can only buy online. It’s up to you; online, in-store, or a combination. Dealerships say it's online, so you think you are avoiding their sales pitch, but you don't know until it's too late that their "online car buying" is really just a way to get your contact information. And just like that, what you've been avoiding, is happening; buying a car over the phone.
Buying a Car Online, Not Over the Phone
Big difference! Buying a car over the phone is (simply) speaking to someone, agreeing to purchase the used vehicle, sending money, and then (at that point) waiting to ensure it wasn't a massive scam. It's far too risky, and we aren't about that. At FFUN Cars, you can avoid dealing with pushy salespeople (we don’t have them) while getting the best price on certified pre-owned cars from the comfort of your own home or at our super trendy store. Our team of Customer Experience Specialists are available anytime to answer any of your questions and help you through the buying process. Heck, we are here even if you just want to say hi. Car sales aren't pushy at FFUN Cars; it's fun for our customers and us! It’s in the name, afterall!
If you like the idea of buying a car over the phone, why not settle for buying a car on your phone from FFUN Cars. If you’re into it, online car buying has never been easier. Not only that, you can also trade in your vehicle online. We mean it, FFUN Cars has the option of it being entirely online. Financing? (psshh) We got that covered, too, where you can get approved for a car loan in two minutes and have your auto loan's terms and interest rates emailed to you. If you're adding a trade-in or a down payment, no problem, our fancy technology can factor that into your monthly payments. We are in the business of car shopping without our customers having to haggle during any part of the process. Next, browse the extensive inventory to see all the brands available, including Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, and luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes. That's much better than buying a car over the phone.
We don't just have you add vehicles to a shopping cart, knowing you can't complete the transaction, if you choose to buy online. Car dealerships are sneaky. You think you are buying a car online until suddenly you can't. Meanwhile, through technology, the dealership knows your location, email, and vehicles you like. They think that they have you, and this is where the phone calls start for the salesperson to get you through the doors.
At FFUN Cars, once you've searched the inventory for the best car deals and added as many as you want to your virtual garage, enjoy a 360° virtual tour of (what could be) your next car. Every vehicle available at FFUN Cars are basically new vehicles and go through a meticulous 92-point inspection, comes with a free CARFAX report, and includes a limited warranty. It doesn't end there without a new car, only to be followed up with a phone call from a dealership. It ends when you have completed the purchase and you’re driving your new vehicle.
Have we convinced you that you can buy your next car on your phone? You might be thinking, "what about a test drive?" Of course, we would never want our customers to purchase a vehicle without driving it, which is why one of our benefits is being able to test drive it for 24 hours.
Things to Know when Car Shopping
Whether you are buying a car at a dealership, over the phone, or online, there are certain things to consider.
- Always do your research on the vehicle and where you are buying it from. Know what the average car price is for the particular vehicle you are considering and if there are any incentives if you purchase it from a specific place.
- If you plan to visit a car dealership for your next vehicle, secure your Financing ahead of time through your bank or credit union. Car dealers have specific lenders they work with to get the best rate, but it's the best rate for them, not customers. Knowing you have Financing secured provides you with an additional negotiating tool and helps keep you as close to the purchase price as you want.
- Know what the trade-in value of your current vehicle is. A dealership can't lowball you when you know what your car is worth. (Hint) You could go through FFUN Cars trade-in tool, where we provide fair market value for your vehicle in a few minutes.
- Always test drive. Never buy a car without test driving it. In addition to test driving the vehicle, if you purchase a used car from a private seller, ask for maintenance records and take it in for a pre-purchase inspection. Trust us, this saves you in the long run.
We can confidently say that buying a car over the phone isn't the best idea. There are so many things that need to be considered. Buy your next car from a reputable seller and buy it online so you don't have to deal with car dealerships' hassle. Pro Tip: Buy from FFUN Cars, where car buying is FFUN - it’s in the name.
