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Online Shopping Tips

If you've never shopped for or bought a car online before, then get ready for an exciting experience!  My name is John Meyers, and I'm the Internet Manager here at South Burlington Chrysler.  I have been in this business and with this company for nearly 15 years, and have been a sales consultant, finance manager and sales manager.  In that time, I've seen a lot change in how everyone shops for and buys vehicles.  I'm not here to sell you anything (I manage our websites, remember), but I am here to share some "insider" tips that may be useful to you as you look for your next new or used vehicle.

Many people look around online and will browse retailer or manufacturer websites to gather information about vehicles they are interested in.  And many will stop short of clicking on the "contact us" button because they are afraid of committing to something they may not be ready to do.  And that's okay!  Over 80% of our buyers shop online before they come in to buy a car, new or used.  Many of them never email us before they come in.

The internet has revolutionized car shopping and buying.  Gone are the days of driving to 10 different locations to look at cars and then spending days trying to determine what all the numbers really mean, or looking through newspaper ads and trying to figure out if that advertised used car really is "nice" from a grainy newspaper photo.  Now, online, you can look at decent color photos of the new or used car you are interested in, see the dealer's price and equipment list, and even check out manufacturer's incentives on new cars.


What you need to look for:

What should you take into consideration when shopping online?  Several things:

1.  Is the retailer one I know or can trust?  Choosing to make a purchase as large as buying a car is second only to buying a home.  It's very important that you feel comfortable doing business with someone you trust, who wants to earn your business today AND in the future.

2.  Do they have pricing and multiple pictures of their used cars online, to include a picture of the interior?  If you are shopping online, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing a car you might be interested in, but with no price or pictures not knowing if it's "nice" OR in your budget.  Look for a company that understands the importance of giving you the information you need to make an informed decision by keeping their sites updated on a regular basis. 

3.  Is there a description of their used vehicles?  Many dealers do not make the effort to put in even a general description of their car, and it's sometimes hard to tell whether or not a used Dodge Caliber is a compact hatchback or a full-sized SUV (It's a smaller hatch, not an SUV, by the way).  A description can often give you a "feel" for the car.

4.  Do they service what they sell?  If you are buying a used car, it's important to make sure the retailer will be there for you when you need service. 


How to Buy Online:

Buying online is actually pretty easy:

1.  Identify the vehicle(s) you are interested in by browsing inventory.

2.  Send an email to the retailer, requesting more information or a quote.  Be sure to include any information you think is important for us to know.  A consultant will usually get back to you within an hour(except when we are closed, of course!).  Occasionally we encounter technical problems, so please bear with us if it's a bit longer than that. 

3.  If you'd like, many websites have the ability for you to apply for financing online.  This can save you a bunch of time.  Being pre-approved is fast and secure.  That way, when you show up to view and approve of the car, it's a short wait for paperwork and vehicle delivery.  Remember, you have NOT bought the car until you sign paperwork!  Submitting a credit application online is in no way a binding contract. 

4.  Some retailers will actually bring the vehicle to you!  If you want to see a used or new vehicle in person before committing, just ask! 

5.  Trade-ins:  Obviously we need to be able to see your car to finalize an appraisal, but often you can get an approximate idea simply by contacting us with some information about it.

As you can see, shopping online can be a time and money-saving process.  It's easier than ever to research and find your next vehicle with the online tools available to you.  I hope this information will be useful to you as you browse for your next new or used vehicle.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at john_meyers@autovt.com.  Good luck and see you online!