| Why Buy Online? One of the best reasons for buying | | | | the car? |
| anything online is the expanded range of choices you | | | | - Does the car come with any service history? |
| have. A web site like eBay Motors can show you cars | | | | - Do I understand all the related costs associated with |
| from across the nation and provide you with | | | | purchasing the car? Verifying that the seller is a reliable |
| cross-selections that may lead you in a new direction | | | | source of information can be difficult. Use your instincts |
| when making buying decisions. | | | | and ask as many detailed questions as possible to |
| Perhaps you started out looking at Ford SUVs, but | | | | "feel" the seller out. Also review the responses |
| while searching through vehicle listings you came | | | | carefully. If a person isn't being honest in their answers |
| across a reference to a Chrysler Minivan that fit your | | | | to your questions they'll usually have trouble keeping |
| needs better. This ability to analyze the available | | | | their information consistent. Be concerned with any |
| vehicles in a variety of ways is what makes shopping | | | | discrepancies in the facts that the seller states during |
| on the Internet such a powerful resource. | | | | the transaction. Of course use your discretion. People |
| Online shopping also can provide you as a buyer a | | | | make honest mistakes. Follow up and get clarification |
| certain level of anonymity. Most sellers will list an email | | | | to any additional questions you may have. |
| address as well as a phone number. By contacting the | | | | Going hand-in-hand with the honesty of the seller is the |
| seller via email and asking a specific list of questions | | | | knowledge that the car is being represented correctly. |
| (we'll cover this later) you can weed out potential | | | | Not every seller fully understands what they're selling. |
| vehicles without actually speaking to the seller. This | | | | This especially is the case with rare or exotic cars. |
| means you can pose your questions at any time of | | | | Options that are on the vehicle when it's being sold |
| day, and the seller can respond at their convenience. | | | | may or may not be original factory options. If this is |
| Email responses can also be saved, making | | | | important to you it's best to do the research on the |
| remembering the responses to your questions that | | | | car yourself. Ask for the VIN number and use a |
| much easier. | | | | reliable source like CARFAX to do your checking. |
| In order to make buyers feel comfortable in purchasing | | | | On more vintage cars you may be forced to go to |
| vehicles online, big auction sites like eBay Motors offer | | | | professional appraisal services, or contact the specific |
| a "Buyer Protection" service. eBay's coverage | | | | Owner's Club or Registry for you car. These can be |
| provides insurance on any car purchase up to $20,000. | | | | found by searching online; will list several places to |
| If the seller misrepresented the vehicle, or doesn't | | | | start. |
| provide a vehicle at all, eBay Motors will cover your | | | | Maintenance costs for used cars are a huge unknown |
| losses. This is a great selling point to using eBay's | | | | unless you have the past maintenance history. A log |
| services; it also highlights some of the risks associated | | | | book or service book being offered with a car is a |
| with online car shopping. | | | | huge boon to determining risks. This is very important |
| Risk Management Purchasing any car is all about risk | | | | with rare and exotic cars. DeTomaso Panteras, for |
| management. You want to minimize the chances of | | | | example, can have expensive repair bills down the |
| ending with a lemon; or worse, being outright scammed | | | | road if they're not maintained properly. |
| by the seller. The best way to reduce your risk is to | | | | There are plenty of costs associated with any |
| understand the factors that go into determining it. | | | | purchase above and beyond the asking price. Make |
| Risk Factors: | | | | sure you understand exactly what you're getting |
| - Is the seller a reliable source of information? | | | | yourself into before you make any bid. "Read Twice, |
| - Is the car represented correctly? | | | | Bid Once. |
| - What is the long-term maintenance cost related to | | | | |