Ordering everything online is the hallmark of the digital age. Convenience is the nitty-gritty of purchasing almost all items and merchandise over the Internet. From books to clothing, electronics and even cars, one doesn’t have to make a sweat to avail of a good buy. Statistics say that online sales reach a staggering $200 billion every year in the US.

Then again, in the same way that you are picking up something offline, you have to practice some caveats in your online transactions. Especially if you are buying a car. There are various options for how dealerships sell cars online, but for the most part, you’ll find plenty of brick-and-mortar establishments offering Internet sales departments. Websites that feature only online car sales abound as well. With a few simple clicks of the mouse, you can find a smart online car purchase.

Face-to-face car sales transactions may still appeal to numerous consumers over digital means. There are pros and cons to both buying cars online and in-person, and you have to know which is apt for you. Below are the do's and don’ts of buying a car online that you can refer to.

6 Important Tips For Buying A Car Online

You can shop for a car online and buy it in person.

At the very least, you can “shop” for a car online which is more like doing your research. When you look through car dealerships and car-buying websites, check for vital information, such as

• The type of vehicle that you want to own

• The safety aspects and other features that matter to you

• The sticker price of the vehicle, or its MSRP (how much your dealer wants you to pay for it)

• The invoice price of the vehicle (the cost of the car to the dealer)

With this information on hand, you can compare one dealer to another, and one car to the next to get the best deal. Consider that you’ll get varied results from different online tools, but keep on. One website may say that a car costs $5000 above your budget, but move on because your next option can be the oasis in your desert.

Check the details carefully.

Some dealer websites include a tool that calculates the current trade-in value of your car that in turn can lower the total price of the new vehicle you want to purchase. A car’s resale value can be assessed via the Kelley Blue Book, but a lot of dealers also refer to the National Automobile Dealer Association’s list of car trade-in values.

Either way, when you use any of these resources, you can plug in the condition and mileage of your car to accurately determine its resale value. If the value computation of your dealer greatly deviates from the figures indicated on the KBB or NADA, you can decline their offer and sell your car on your own.

See to it that the dealer’s website contains lists of the Vehicle Information Number together with the photo of the car. If not, it is likely that they don’t have the item on the lot. This affects the price because they have to order it.

Make your transaction personal by contacting the dealer by phone.

In this case, you can’t let your fingers do all the talking although it may seem easy. Online car dealerships tend to have online sales departments, so call and speak to their rep. If you contact the dealer merely by email or phone, they are likely to forward an online price quote only.

If you’re a window shopper that’s short of details, the dealer might send incomplete info about the fees that they will charge. If you talk to the website’s sales rep, you can ask about reducing or eliminating some of those charges. It’s worth it to negotiate

You can conveniently access car prices and features if you shop online. This way, you can quickly check various items on the dealer’s website and call their online sales department. It takes just a few minutes- faster, compared to driving for hours to see a dealer in another city.

Have a third-party professional inspect the car

Buying a car online doesn’t make it possible to physically check the vehicle. You won’t be able to check its hood, kick its tires or take it for a test drive. 

You thus have to have your prospective car inspected by a professional- especially if it is a used one. Set aside a budget to hire a mechanic that’ll scrutinize the car. Pre-purchase vehicle inspections usually cost $100 wherein the report will be sent to you.

Using the report as an evaluation guide, you can negotiate for the cost of the vehicle or decline the deal.

Avail of the right services and options.

Buying a car through an online service omits inspecting it unless you obtain the service from the dealership’s partner. This may not be very necessary if you’re buying a new car, but this option still makes a lot of customers uncomfortable.

Take note that online car buying limits your opportunities for getting a substantial negotiation. That's why you have to be meticulous in your research, to begin with.

Nevertheless, if you don’t want to drive a hard bargain when buying a new car, it may be right for you to do it online. You can be tedious when talking to the sales rep, or else you can order a vehicle online via the dealership’s Internet sales department.

Enjoy your newly-purchased car.

Buying a car online lets the item come to you instead of the other way around. When the time comes for your vehicle to be delivered, be prudent. Don’t let the process devour your budget.

Your vehicle dealer’s delivery company may do the job, but they are inclined to add the shipping cost to the price of the car. Some establishments permit you to implement your shipping method. While doing your research, take into account a cheaper shipping process.

If there are documents to sign such as the bill of sale, it normally happens when the vehicle is ready for pick-up. At this point, they might present additional selling, like an extended warranty and various add-ons to stretch your purchase price. If the deal seems suspicious, skip it, and carefully read the fine print.