How to Buy Used Cars Online & Skip the Dealership


Buying a new car is an expensive proposition. There are all sorts of hidden costs that can easily inflate the price you pay, and dealerships know this.

They also know that most people don't want to spend a lot of time negotiating their way through a process, where they're going back and forth between employees with differing agendas. So what should you do instead? Simple: Find someone who's already done it for you. Here's how to buy used cars online from private owners or other websites, as well as how to make sure you get a great deal on your purchase without ever having to step foot in a dealership.

The first step is research. Know what you want ahead of time, and then use tools like the online classifieds to find it. It's a good idea to check a few sites, as prices can vary depending on where you're looking. Once you've found a few cars that interest you, contact the owners by phone or email. This is your chance to find out more about the car and its history, as well as get a feel for whether or not you would enjoy dealing with this person directly. It's also at this stage that you should negotiate the final price, but be careful - lowballing someone may lead them to refuse your offer without ever responding again.

Once you've found a few cars that interest you, it's time for the next step: contacting the sellers. This is where your research will really pay off because you'll be able to ask specific questions about the car and its history. It's also a good opportunity to get a feel for the seller - are they friendly and helpful, or do they seem like they're just looking to make a quick sale? If you have any reservations, it's best to move on to the next car.

Finally, it's time for the negotiations. This can be tricky because you don't want to lowball the seller only to have them say no and move on to the next person. However, you also don't want to overpay for a car that you could get somewhere else for cheaper. The key is to be reasonable and fair in your negotiations, and remember that it's always better to walk away from a deal than to make a purchase you're not happy with.

By following these steps, you can buy used cars online without ever having to step foot in a dealership. You'll save money on the purchase price, and you'll also have the peace of mind of knowing that you got a great deal.