Anyone ever use an Internet car buying service?

[Bob W]

I've been searching for price info on the '03s and came across a site with strategies for buying at the lowest possible cost. They said to use services like StoneAge, Autobytel, InvoiceDealers, and CarsDirect. Does anyone have experience with these sites? We're thinking of getting a Durango and a truck,(if the numbers work out), and are wondering if this could be the way to go. All replies appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Bob W]

another thing...

How accurate are the invoice prices on the web?

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I am interested in this too.



I don't understand how they work?



I always thought if you bought a car on-line it would get shipped to the nearest dealer. Then the dealer molests it because you didn't buy it there.

 

[Blu-meanie]

I purchased my '01 through the Internet. It ended up at a near dealer who did the actual ordering. It goes to their on-line purchaser and/or fleet person. It finishes up around 5 or 800 over invoice. Good deal.

 

[Bob W]

Blu-meanie,

A few questions:

Did you pay a fee for the service?

Did you shop the conventional way before using the Internet?

If you went to a dealer first, how did their best deal compare with the Internet purchase?

Sorry for so many questions at once; thanks in advance for the help.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Blu,



What company did you use? Did you like them?

 

[Blu-meanie]

I did it through my credit union. Worked out great. The dealer sends you a fax to be sure you have everything you wanted, then they confirm the prices before you do the final approval. I didn't even have to put anything up front. They called me when it was ordered, actually I bothered the crap out of them up until the day I took it home. The hardest part is the wait.

 

[Blu-meanie]

Bob W.

The dealers wanted to sell what they had on the lot. I didn't try to talk to the fleet purchaser at the time. I checked the prices, even payed for a "dealer invoice" price sheet that the Consumers Union puts out. It all worked out to be fair. I wasn't charged anything until I went in and fought with the guys trying to sell you extra stuff.

 

[Bob W]

Blu,

What kind of extras did the dealer try to sell you?

 

[Blu-meanie]

Extra warranties, paint and interior protection, anti-theft device etc.

 

[Shooter]

www.markroberts.com



Why go through a service when this dealer will sell at invoice any time you want to buy. NO HAGGLE, NO MIDDLE MAN or BS



They can also arrange a courtesy delivery to a dealer near you. Or fly out and break it in on the way home.

 

[JGilbert]

How does buying from an out of state dealer work exactly? Would I have to pay Oklahoma taxes AND Texas taxes?



Joe (currently driving a PSD, but strongly considering a 4 door 3500 SRW Dodge. )

 

[HC]

I had two experiences with the Internet dealers.

First time I tried it, turned out to be a farce, just got routed to two local dealers who both began the "we can't go that low, these trucks are really hot!" talk.

Next time, I identified the price I would pay via a couple of dealers like MarkRoberts.com, or http://www.meltonsales.com/ Then I walked into a local dealer, with invoice prices in hand, acted like I didn't really care that much, and asked what they could do. That time around, I found two local dealers who got to within an airplane ticket of the "Internet, near or below invoice" type prices. When it got that close, I decided to keep my business local, and have gotten good service locally as a result.



The key is that you have to be WILLING to go to Oklahoma to get your vehicle; if you are WILLING, the local salesman will smell it, and will do what he needs to do to get your business. Worst case: go to OK. The prices there WILL be right.

 

[johnmoore]

Originally posted by JGilbert

How does buying from an out of state dealer work exactly? Would I have to pay Oklahoma taxes AND Texas taxes?

I'm sure you'd only have to pay taxes in Texas, but why go to OK if you don't have to? Another dealer to check out is Henson Motor in Madisonville, TX www.hensonmotors.com . I live in WV and bought from them. Did all my dealing over the phone with B. J. Gallatin. I must say it was the best vehicle buying experience I've ever had. Everything was up front and nobody tried to get me to buy any 'addons. ' If you talk to him tell him some 'rookie retiree' from WV told you about him. No I don't have any affiliation with them, just a satisfied customer.

 

[JGilbert]

Thanks, John Moore. I'm heading to the Henson Motors website just as soon as I post this. Madisonville is only a couple of hours down I-45 from Mesquite.



Joe

 

[JGilbert]

Henson Motors did not have what I was looking for. 3500 4x4 quad cab long bed. I'll keep checking. I won't be buying it right now.



Joe