The automotive sector has witnessed a lot of changes over the last decade. But the most ground-breaking was the advent of online car sales. This trend has been particularly notable in California – a state renowned for its technological advancements and trailblazing initiatives that point to a ‘future forward’ direction. Today, thanks to a prime combination of convenience, the large number of choices offered plus the way the online buying experience can be conducted very efficiently, the buying process for cars for people in California has literally undergone a paradigm shift.
Car Buying – From Old Times to New
In the old days to buy a car usually meant you would be spending hours if not days going to multiple dealerships haggling all the way with the sales staff trying to get the best deal you could. It was a process that required a lot of effort in terms of not only time but labour of going and seeing all the available options. However, the internet along with the rise of e-commerce have fundamentally changed this paradigm. Through online car sales platforms one can entirely do the browsing, compare and buy a vehicle of their choice while sitting at a remote place.
Life is a lot easier with online platform transparency causing the car buying sites to offer the actual value.
Buying a traditional car involves a lot of negotiation regarding rates and also to cope up with additional hidden charges. And while most platforms do a great job of being upfront about the listing of the purchase price along with any extra fees that come with owning a new piece of machinery, this transparency only acts to benefit for users who can then, make informed choices by not meeting with any of their unpleasant surprises later on.
You’re Doing Great in Tech! Really Good Thanks!
When consumers buy cars online, technology tends to play a vital role in its success. This is primarily due to the advanced algorithms and data analytics of top platforms that serve to match potential buyers with all the leading car makes and models listed for sale online, while offering the ability to search based on a user’s budget and preference. Many such platforms also provide finance options for buyers who may not have a substantial amount handy, allowing them to seek loans or even apply for a lease right from their website, and cutting down the time for the completion of the transaction which may very well deal with on the floor.
The role of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in the world of online car shopping is something that is gaining momentum. With some companies already having VR showrooms — virtual replicas of the real showroom — a shopper can take a first-person look and also customize the car available, which leads to an immersive feel of buying a car like you would when you visit a showroom in reality but this time it is all happening just sitting with your laptop or mobile phones from the comfort of your homes.
Challenges for the future and what’s next?
That is not to say all online car sales are without challenges. Some consumers worry about spending so much on a vehicle without being able to actually see and touch it first. In order to address this, one solution is to buy a car from a platform that offers return policies which effectively work as an extended test drive in the actual condition as per the intended purpose.
Moreover, the rise of digital car sales in the state of California has helped in further increasing customer engagement leading to a new phase of transformation where the middle men of automobiles no longer exist. With the ease, transparency and technological advancements that have been made with online platforms buying a car (even in California), this is something that is only bound to increase. There are challenges too certainly but the fact remains that technology and the way that people react to these same technologies it is safe to assume that car sales especially, online could only be a next step in retail automotive buying behaviour in this part of the car world.