How to buy a car online with eBay Motors
AutoWhy buy online? One of the best reasons to buy anything online is the wide range of options you have. A website like eBay Motors can show you cars from all over the country and provide you with cross-selections that can steer you in a new direction when making buying decisions.
Maybe you started looking for Ford SUVs, but while searching vehicle listings you came across a reference to a Chrysler minivan that would better fit your needs. This ability to analyze available vehicles in a variety of ways is what makes Internet shopping such a powerful resource.
Online shopping can also provide you, the buyer, with a level of anonymity. Most sellers will include an email address and phone number. By contacting the seller via email and asking a specific list of questions (we’ll cover that later), you can screen out potential vehicles without speaking to the seller. This means that you can ask your questions at any time of the day and the seller can answer at your convenience. Email responses can also be saved, making remembering the answers to your questions much easier.
To help buyers feel comfortable buying vehicles online, large auction sites like eBay Motors offer a “Buyer Protection” service. eBay coverage provides insurance on any car purchase up to $20,000. If the seller misrepresented the vehicle or provides no vehicle at all, eBay Motors will cover your losses. This is a great selling point for using eBay services; it also highlights some of the risks associated with buying cars online.
Risk management Buying any car is all about risk management. You want to minimize the chances of ending up with a lemon; or even worse, being ripped off by the seller. The best way to reduce your risk is to understand the factors that go into determining it.
Risk factor’s:
- Is the seller a reliable source of information?
- Is the car represented correctly?
- What is the long-term maintenance cost related to the car?
- Does the car come with any service history?
- Do I understand all the costs associated with buying the car?
Verifying that the seller is a reliable source of information can be difficult. Use your gut feeling and ask as many detailed questions as possible to get a “feel” for the seller. Also check the answers carefully. If a person is not honest in their answers to your questions, they will usually have trouble keeping their information consistent. Be concerned about any discrepancies in the facts that the seller states during the transaction. Of course, use your discretion. People make honest mistakes. Follow up and get clarification on any additional questions you may have.
The seller’s honesty goes hand in hand with the knowledge that the car is correctly represented. Not all sellers fully understand what they are selling. This is especially the case with rare or exotic cars. Options that are on the vehicle when it is sold may or may not be original factory options. If this is important to you, it’s best to research the car yourself. Ask for the VIN number and use a trusted source like CARFAX to do your verification.
On older cars, you may have to go to professional appraisal services or contact the Owners Club or Registry specific to your car. These can be found by searching online; http://www.gearheads.com will list several places to start.
Used car maintenance costs are a big unknown unless you have previous maintenance history. A log book or service book that comes with a car is a great help in determining risks. This is very important with rare and exotic cars. DeTomaso Panteras, for example, can have expensive repair bills down the road if they are not maintained properly.
There are many costs associated with any purchase above and beyond the sale price. Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting into before making any offer. “Read twice, bid once.”