Internet shopping is becoming increasingly popular. Let’s face it, sometimes the last thing you want to be doing is traipsing around shops, and if you work long hours or have kids, sometimes just getting to the shops on time and without stress is an almost impossible task. Online shopping provides the opportunity to shop from home – in bed in your pyjamas if you wish. You can pretty much buy anything on the internet these days, with some websites offering same-day delivery. It really isn’t worth getting out of bed for.
Does This Apply to Cars?
According to a study by Close Brothers Motor Finance, it would seem that over half of consumers have resorted to using the internet to review and choose cars, with an 17% increase from the 40% that preferred internet car shopping in 2017. Only 53% visited a car dealer. Age did make a huge difference. Expectedly, 61% chose internet shopping over attending car dealerships, whereas 57% of over-65s preferred visiting showrooms.
Why Shop Online?
If you’ve been to a car dealership, you’ll have probably realised most of the sales people are on commission. This means you can expect to be given a sales pitch at least once. At best it can be annoying; at worst it can be overwhelming and stressful. If you aren’t quite sure of what you’re looking for or what is available elsewhere, it can also be easy to fall for the sales spiel and end up paying a lot more than you need to.
So what has happened to visiting showrooms and needing test drives? It is now easy to compare specifications, prices and offers online, without the stress and panic of being in front of someone and pressured into deciding. Furthermore, you can compare your insurance online whilst you’re at it. This is especially valuable for businesses that require motor trade insurance, as they can visit websites such as https://www.quotemetoday.co.uk/motor-trade-insurance whilst doing research instead of having to research insurance as well as visit showrooms.
Some consumers don’t even pick up their car. They research their car online, with manufacturers allowing you to design every part of the car, and then they can have it delivered to them. There isn’t even a need to visit the dealership at all.