Why car dealers facing tough competition

A few years ago, shopping for a car meant a lot of footwork as buyers went from dealership to dealership in search of their new (or used) car. The process usually took days, even weeks for those who are ultra-particular about the features and specs they need in a car.

Fast forward to today and finding a car to buy can be done in a few clicks.

Thanks to technological advancements, it has become super easy to find, pay for, and ship a car to any location – without leaving the comfort of your home. With online alternatives to car dealers growing in popularity and numbers, that poses a threat to many car dealers across the country.

3 Reasons People Prefer to Shop for Cars Online

The online shopping experience has some pretty attractive incentives that even car buyers can’t resist. Let me give you the top 3.

Convenience

Let’s face it, going around town checking out what every car dealer has in stock takes a lot of time, energy, and money. That’s why savvy car buyers are opting to simply visit websites that sell cars. It’s cheaper and, best of all, can be done without leaving the comfort of your home.

Saves Time

Thanks to the internet, the days you’d spend going from dealership to dealership in search of the best deal are gone. In a matter of hours, you can scour the internet for the best deals around, saving you precious time.

More Options

Because of the ease with which you can shop around for a car online, it means you have a wider pool to choose your car from as the physical limitations of distance and time are removed. This means you’re not confined to your location but can even shop for a car in other locations as well, resulting in you having a wider selection of cars to choose from.  

Speaking of options, when it comes to financing, you also have the option of searching for the best car financing options that suit your budget. This means you don’t have to stick to the dealer’s default financing plan, leading to dealers losing out a portion of their margins. 

Are Brick and Mortar Dealerships Dying?

While it may seem as car dealers are on the brink of extinction, that is not the case at all. Car dealers are still enjoying a steady footfall into their showrooms. Here are the main reasons why:

The Human Touch

As convenient and easy as it is to shop for cars online, nothing beats the human touch. People still prefer doing business with people, not devices. That’s one factor car dealers are capitalising on.

Experience the Car

For many car buyers, the main reason for heading to the dealership is to go and experience the car before making a commitment. Taking the car for a spin and feeling how it handles is a major part of the buying process.

Is Online Shopping the Future of Buying Cars?

I may not be psychic, but looking into the future, there are strong possibilities that consumers will beshopping for cars online entirely. This is why every car dealer has to have an online presence. Failure to do so will certainly lead to a massive loss in business.