I don’t think anyone could have predicted just how big online shopping has become.  Honestly, how many people thought about buying a car online 20 years ago?  Not many… if any!  Now internet commerce is huge, and buying, well, anything online has become commonplace, with websites routinely winning awards for shopping convenience.  If you’re an aspiring custom or classic car buyer, you’ll want to read this post for a few tips on how to get the best online deals.

The internet presents thousands of options for researching, finding, and buying cars.  However, according to eBay, “When faced with a number of options, buyers may easily feel overwhelmed, or even worse, impulsive.”  This means that you need to plan your purchase. And, more importantly, stick to that plan!!  Setting a reasonable budget is a major first step to ensure you control your spending.  The next step should be visiting the Pomona Classifieds, where we’ve made it easy for buyers and sellers to link up… for FREE!

Now, beware of online and advertising scams.  Unfortunately, we all know that there are people who will place misleading, even fraudulent, ads.  Be cautious and wary of any ad for a major purchase when you’re not able to do an on-site inspection.  If the seller is a company, do an internet search for information and reviews about them (e.g. Better Business Bureau, Yelp).  And don’t be afraid to ask in-depth questions about the condition of the vehicle, or for additional pictures of specific parts of the car.  You need to do your homework.  Of course, if the seller is local that makes it easier because you’ll have a chance to see the car before pulling the trigger.

As for making the deal, well, that may or may not be a challenge, depending on the seller.  But, it’s a buyer’s market when it comes to the internet and negotiations.  Some sellers may not negotiate.  Others will.  To get the best deal, don’t limit yourself to only one option. Of course, that’s not always possible if you’ve got your eye on a particularly rare model.  But, if you’re looking for an El Camino, and you’re flexible, letting the seller know that you have other options will give you more negotiating power.  Increased competition works in your favor so contact multiple sellers whenever possible.

And if you’re still not comfortable making an online deal, well then it’s time to visit the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show.  Our next event is December 8th.  Come out and see us.  We had over 2,500 cars for show or sale at our event last week… was one of them meant for you?