Should you buy your car online?
Online auctions have many benefits.
You can shop for your car late at night and you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own bed.
You can browse for hours, searching and comparing auctions in order to find the one which will be suitable for you.
Online auctions vary. There are some which are exclusively for dealers and others which are open to the public. Auctions are speedy, there’s no fixed price, and if there are only a few people interested in the vehicle, you can get it for a reasonably low price.
Here are a few things you might encounter during online auctions.
Diversity
As a buyer, you’ll be exposed to a wide variety of cars in your selection process. The vehicles are placed under different categories, making it easier for you to pick the one that’s right for you.
Paperwork
Documents are provided on the website pertaining to the car the buyer is interested in. The buyer will have extensive information about the car and they’ll be able to make well-informed decisions about the car they want to buy.
Convenience
The one drawcard of buying from an online auction is you won’t be inconvenienced. You don’t have to get dressed and leave the comfort of your home to participate in the auction. Online auctions allow the buyer to be flexible. They can partake in the auction at any time and any place. You won’t have to spend money on fuel and it’ll also be time efficient.
Comparisons
Prices of the vehicles are displayed online, which means the bidder will be able to make comparisons with other online auctions. This should help the bidder narrow down the auction they want to participate in, in order to make the best decision.
Disclose critical information
Some auction houses provide the buyers with descriptions and information on their websites about the car before the auction takes place. They give the potential buyer insights into any car malfunctions, such as dents and scratches.
Peace and quiet
You won’t be exposed to a noisy crowd. Being in an auction can be chaotic and noisy, with different people bidding on the same product. But when you shop for your car online you’ll get peace and quiet.
The noise level or commotion in an auction house can also cause communication misunderstandings between the auctioneer and the bidders, causing them bid too high or lose out on a purchase.
Lower fees
You’ll get to save a few rands. When you go to a live auction, the auctioneer has to be paid and there are also auction house fees. When you bid online, the expense of having to pay for an auctioneer is eliminated and on some occasions, the auction house fee isn’t included as well.
Risky business
The risk of buying a car at an auction is that you’ll only be able to base your decision on the photos provided on the website. You won’t be able to inspect it yourself. The car could have mechanical problems which could cost you heavily after you’ve already signed on the dotted line. When you purchase your car from a private buyer, you get the option to do an in-depth inspection of the car to make sure it is well maintained and still in relatively good condition. For example, if you could physically see it, you’ll be able to use a paint gauge in order to tell if it’s been repainted.
Scammers
There are scam artists who make false websites or put out false information. For example, you could have ordered a blue Used Audi but instead, when you receive your car, it’s a different colour from the one advertised on the website. It’s always a risk to pay for an item online which you haven’t seen. There are scammers out there who will con people out of their money, so a bidder has to take precaution and go to great extents to make sure the website is actually legal.
Price uncertainty
A drawback to online auctions is that you’re not the only one bidding for the vehicle. The more people competing for the car, the more the price of the car might be pushed higher.
Salvage title
Some of the cars which are available will be totalled (a total loss due to accident damage) and will have a salvage title. Although a car which has been totalled due to an accident can be fixed, it can be costly to repair the damages.
Whether you’re purchasing a used Audi for sale or a Ford you’ll be able to bid for the car of your dreams. Buying a car online can help you save money because you can find fantastic deals. But you have to take the necessary precautions to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.