Car-shopping tips when going off-road to online

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The saying to help guide buyers looking for a deal is, "if it's too good to be true, it probably is." However, there are ways to ensure that a good deal can still be had.

Charles Grassie, MD of Surf4Cars, says, "Online shopping has opened up new options for car buyers. With easier access to previously unseen deals, genuine bargains are still available. Our brains have been conditioned to disregard deals that might be too good to be true but there are honest sellers who have enticing offers that could make that dream a reality for buyers."

Buying cars online is a growing industry in South Africa, driven by a global trend that sees consumers spending more time researching online before actually entering a physical retail environment. "Some research indicates that nearly 80% of the time taken to arrive at a vehicle purchase decision is now spent online, whether researching a specific make and model, or finding a suitable example to buy."

However, that should not take the human element, logical financial planning and risk awareness away from any pending decision. "Online portals connect buyers and sellers, whether in the new or pre-owned market. However, they vary in degree of safety when it comes to vetting online advertisers and therefore offer consumers varying degrees of protection."

In the case of shopping for a new car, buyers might be blinded by enthusiasm, passion and the burning desire to seal the deal and drive off in a new set of wheels.

Online portals vary in service from simply creating an opportunity for buyers to meet sellers, right the way through to vetting online stock and providing fraud prevention qualifications to provide customers peace of mind.

Verifying buyer, seller

To aid in this, Surf4Cars offers a product called Buy Safe, Sell Safe. Through this system, it only lists vehicles from credible dealers who have a lot to lose by defrauding unsuspecting buyers and sellers.

"Through Buy Safe, Sell Safe, we assist with verifying the history of vehicles to ensure they are not damaged or stolen and have a traceable service history, for example, so that buyers get a good deal. This benefits both private buyers and private sellers. Buyers know their information is protected and sellers know we'll bring them good quality buyers."

The logic makes sense. In addition, the proof of trustworthy conduits comes in the form of dedicated teams to screen each advertised vehicle, making it difficult for fraudsters to obtain details of other parties. A call centre to field queries about any suspicions and provide advice for buyers backs this up. Finally, partnerships for supporting services, such as vehicle finance and insurance, are formed with trusted parties and institutions.

Like most services currently, simply providing a single product is no longer competitive. Consumers demand an integrated experience and multi-service offering that simplifies the journey to the ultimate purchase.

"Any vehicle purchase is a major decision for most South Africans. Therefore, it makes sense to go to a reliable outlet to find that car of your dreams. We like to think we go one step further in actually providing some guidance and assistance to make that decision - whether through our many available online channels, or in person with our experienced and professional call centre team," he concludes.