UPDATE 6/10/20: Car dealerships have reopened with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions across the nation. CarProUSA Certified Dealers remain vigilant in adhering to all CDC guidelines to keep employees and car shoppers safe. While showrooms are open, many continue to offer online sales as well. Many consumers are embracing online car buying as well. The issue now facing consumers is an inventory shortage, especially on popular models.
Imagine picking out your new or used vehicle from the comfort of your living room, having it delivered to you for a test drive, getting your trade-in evaluated, then completing all the paperwork online and having the keys delivered to your home. That’s the reality of car shopping these days - with many dealer showrooms across the country temporarily closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. That said, people are still buying cars because the current incentives and deals are just too good for many car shoppers to pass up. Plus, transportation needs are changing during this time and some people may need vehicles whereas they did not before.
Regardless of the reason, buying a car online has never been easier or convenient. In these times, however, it’s about much more than that. It’s about safety. CarProUSA Certified dealers are sanitizing vehicles for test drives and taking other steps like completing paperwork online with home delivery to adhere to social distancing guidelines that keep you and their employees safe.
The steps outlined below will guide you through the online car buying process from beginning to finish.
#2
Look through their online inventory. Find the VIN or stock number of the vehicle you’d like to see.
#3
Email, text or call our CarProUSA certified manager. If you can, fill out a VIP form on our website with the dealer of your choice. If you text, call or email them directly, identify yourself as a CarProUSA VIP and give them the VIN or stock number of the vehicle(s) of interest.
#4
Ask questions. Ask any specific questions you have about the vehicle itself.
#5
Ask for the Monroney sticker and all pricing info. Ask them for the total disclosure of pricing and incentives available to you. Ask them for the bottom line pricing with tax, title and licensing. Ask what their dealer documentary fee is. (
Read Jerry’s article about documentary fees here.)
#6
Don’t forget to tell the Car Pro manager upfront if you have a trade-in. A dealership representative may come to you to take photos of your trade-in to send to their used car manager who will evaluate your vehicle and give you a trade-in value. Or the dealer may ask you to send them pictures, the VIN and current mileage so they can evaluate and give you an offer.
#7
Discuss financing. Be prepared to fill out a credit application for Captive Arm financing or provide them with other payment information.
#8
Request an at-home test drive. Test drives remain very important in the process of buying a vehicle. A dealership representative will sanitize the vehicle of your choice by wiping down the interior and bring it to you.
#9
If you’ve found your dream car, you can complete the paperwork online from the comfort of your living room. As always. Don’t rush it and READ WHAT YOU SIGN.
#11
Accept home delivery of your new vehicle.
As always, CarProUSA dealers are upfront with you and we also recommend that you be upfront with them in return when it comes to trade-ins, financing and any other concerns you may have. They are doing all they can to be accessible to you with your safety in mind during this time.
