The traditional car buying experience is often seen as an overwhelming task. But thanks to the Web, customers can save time and enter a dealership precisely knowing what they want to buy.

How many times have you started the process by visiting different car dealerships? Purchasing a new or used car is a significant investment and you will hopefully be keeping your vehicle for awhile. You likely have certain features and options in mind, which will help narrow the scope of which models you will consider. But because you want to find the best car to meet your needs, the process can be intense and arduous.

Many car companies and dealerships are posting their inventory online so you can search for a car to best suit your needs. If you begin with the website as your first step, when you walk into the dealership, you have a narrowed list of vehicles that have the features you want, in your price range and you don’t have to waste a lot of time driving around from one dealership to another.

There are three different types of auto retail sites available for car buyers and each has its own unique advantages.

The Coast-to-Coast Dealer’s Website

When browsing online for your car, one of your primary concerns may be selection. CarMax is an online car dealership with a large inventory, located in several states across the country.

When you visit the site, you enter the make, model, price range and other details for the type of car you want. You are asked to enter your zip code, and then given a list of available vehicles at locations near your zip code. You can compare models, pricing, features, mileage, and other details.

If you aren’t sure what type of car you want, this is a good option to check out as many cars as possible in your price range.

The Local Dealership’s Website

The local dealership is probably the best option if customer service, in addition to selection, is important to you. The difference is similar to shopping at a large retailer versus the small specialty shop owned by a local family known for their contributions in the community. But whereas that small specialty shop may not have an inventory comparable to the big guys, the local dealership may not only offer a comparable selection of cars, but services that you won’t find at the larger auto retailers.

Conklin Cars is a new and used car dealer with several locations in Kansas. When working with a dealership that has several locations, you have the advantage of a large inventory, and working with specialists at each location. Customers who have visited the Salina car dealer site, for example, can also visit the company’s Newton car dealership and Hutchinson auto dealer sites online or in person to compare models, features and pricing.

But in addition to searching for cars based on brand, make, model, new, used, and even “building” the car you want, customers can also send questions to the dealerships’ parts and service technicians. Rather than running all over town to try and find the right part your car needs, or taking the car to a mechanic that may not be familiar with your car, you’ve got both covered at one location. This works well because it gives you a one-stop-shop option for not only purchasing your car, but care and maintenance after purchase.

Other notable advantages of using a local dealership include better, low-pressure sales and customer service, in addition to unique services. At Conklin Cars, sales reps are trained to create relationships with customers for any of their car buying or car service needs. For example, customers can rent a vehicle from Conklin Cars, a unique feature of this local dealership not found at many auto retailers.

Brand Name Shopping

If you have a particular brand in mind, visiting the company’s main site is probably your best option. A manufacturer’s website will offer a comprehensive look at all of the company’s offerings. Saturn, for example, is known for its low-pressure, no-haggle pricing. Like most automotive brands, the site is quite comprehensive with a photo gallery of different models, pricing, features and other valuable information to help you make an educated decision on which one of their vehicles will best suit your lifestyle.

Modern technology has created an opportunity for the car buyer to save much time, effort and stress when shopping. Depending on whether you want a vast inventory, a local resource capable of providing all of your car service needs, or you’re focused on one particular brand, beginning the car buying process online is a smart move. If you know your budget and enter the dealership with a clear decision on which cars you want to see, you’ve got the hardest part of the car-buying process covered, and all that will be left to do is make a decision and go through the paperwork.

Your old car just went to pieces today and you have very little money in your pockets. Perhaps you could look at the very limited selection at one of those local car dealerships that offer financing on a high sticker price made even higher by the interest rates they plan on charging you. You could go to the bank for a loan and beg the loan officer to give you some cash at a very high interest rate. You could do either of these things but you wish there was another option. Well, there are other options and they are called car auction sites.

How Do Car Auction Sites Work?

If you want to avail yourself of this great money saving opportunity, it may prove helpful to learn a bit about car auction sites first. Car auction sites offer a wide range of vehicle choices due to their very nature. The automobiles being auctioned are usually placed up for bid by individuals or small auto dealerships so prices can range from the no reserve car auction to items that have a preset price or at least some reserve on the car where the seller has the right to refuse to sell unless the price goes higher than his stated reserve price. Thus if a seller put a vehicle on an car auction site with a reserve of two hundred dollars and the highest bidder only bid one hundred ninety dollars, the seller would have the choice of selling the car for the one hundred ninety dollar bid or refusing the sale and relisting the car thru another car auction site.

There are a few things to consider before bidding on car auction sites as well. One major consideration is the location of the vehicle and the cost and method of shipping. The automobiles sold on car auction sites are located around the globe so pay close attention to where the car is located before bidding because all bids are considered final and legally binding as contracts and if you win the bid you will be expected to fulfill your contractual obligations towards the purchase.

Another consideration before bidding on car auction sites is the reputation of the seller offering the vehicle you are looking at. Car auction sites such as Ebay Motors have a great way of making sure you know the sellers reputation. Every buyer and seller on Ebay has a rating. It is generally considered a very good practice to buy from sellers who have high ratings and good feedback. This helps to insure that your experience with car auction sites will be a pleasant one.

Dealing with automotive salespeople is probably the most painful part of the car buying process for just about everyone. But, alas, it is this part of the car buying puzzle that is all but inevitable.

Spending a few hours (and especially a large part of your day) conversing and dealing with a car salesperson can be a daunting task. No one likes to do this.

Probably more specifically, it is not specifically the salesperson; it’s the negotiating process that people despise. And at car dealerships negotiating, or the need to do so in order to get your best deal, is going to greet you at every turn – your trade (if applicable) – the car you are purchasing – and the financing options.

Throughout history the car buying experience has developed into an adversarial relationship between the potential car buyer and the dealership. Both sides have developed a mutual distrust for one another.

For you the buyer it’s important that you stay calm and focused the goal of getting your best deal.

The most important element for you to understand these days is that knowledge is power when it comes to negotiating car deals. What used to be ‘insider’ knowledge within the car business has now pretty much become an open book due to the readily available and wide spread information about the process and costs that are involved.

In order to get the negotiating process off on the right foot, you can get the salesperson excited about working with you by being reasonable with your requests and offers. If you come on too strong (thinking you have too as a form of defense) with unreasonable expectations, you’ll not garner the salesperson’s interest in negotiating anything with you. Remember, negotiating is creating a win-win scenario – not one in which I win – you lose.

Selling and negotiating are two different animals. Selling is all about establishing the needs and presenting a product that fits those needs at a particular price. Negotiating is establishing that price and terms at which the goods will exchange hands.

Negotiating is a time consuming process and this is where many car buyers either don’t take the time or give in after a certain amount of time. Also, when negotiating it also takes time to find someone willing to negotiate and work to put a good deal together. If you find that the salesperson or dealer doesn’t seem to want to negotiate in good faith, then move on; there are plenty who will.

Do your research and plan for spending some time if you want to insure that you get your best possible deal on a car. Shorting yourself in either area will make it not only more difficult to get the best deal but it will server to raise your frustration level throughout the car buying process as well.

When you have made a solid decision about which type of car will best fit your needs, it is time to zero in on the details. You will have to decide on specifics like, make, model, color, options and more.

Of course we all would like to own a car that we have chosen every last bit of detail for, be it an unusual paint job or something as practical as an ABS system.

However the more leeway you are willing to give on your preferences, the better your chances are of making a great deal on your car purchase. There’s no need to sacrifice any options that are absolutely necessary to ensure your safety and comfort while on the road, but if you are willing to be flexible as to what color and accessories are included in the package, you may just find a more reasonable deal and certainly more options to choose from. This will give you more leverage when it comes time to bargain for the final price of the automobile.

Let’s put it this way: say you have very strict requirements about your chosen car’s paintjob and rims. Or perhaps you just have to have that expensive and esoteric car stereo system. What are the chances that your car dealer has a car on stock with those exact same specifications? Fairly slim actually and if they do have what you want in stock, chances are you will have no other choice but to pay the price the dealer is asking for. Either that or find another car dealer who does carry your chosen model in stock but is willing to lower the price.

Of course if you do find the model you want with the specifications you want, you wouldn’t want the dealer to know that so you can proceed with the negotiation as if you were just not that particular about the little details.

You may want to call several car dealerships in your area and ask about your chosen car model. This will give you an idea how much of them are available so you can then plan your bargaining strategy accordingly. Keep track of the results you gather from your inquiries; make notes detailing the name and contact information of the dealer and what line of cars they carry. This will help you get a clearer picture of all the options available to you when you make your final decision.

Who hasn’t seen that popular depiction of a car salesman as a slick, smooth-talking con artist out to sell you what seems to be a serviceable enough automobile, only to have it break down as soon as you drive off the car lot? This scenario has been used in countless movies and comic strips; unfortunately it’s not very funny if you are on the receiving end of a lemon.

We’re certainly not suggesting that all car dealers are unscrupulous hucksters lying in white for the next pigeon to come along but the sad reality is that there are people who, while not entirely deceitful, may “neglect” to mention hidden defects or slap you with a surprise bill for “additional” costs. Understanding your rights as a consumer and learning how to negotiate from a position of strength will go a long way in helping you get the best possible automobile deal for your money.

When you are first making inquiries at various automobile dealerships for a car you wish to purchase, take the opportunity to get a feel for the salesperson at each of the particular branches; to test drive them so to speak. It is important to take this crucial step before you get into the nitty-gritty of bargaining.

Trust your instincts; is this person someone you will want to deal with for such an important transaction? Do they inspire trust in you and make you feel comfortable? You will want to deal with a person who shows genuine concern about giving you what you need yet informed enough to suggest better alternatives.

On the other hand, if a salesperson is impatient or too insistent or possibly even downright rude, walk away; you don’t need the aggravation and there are certainly many much more accommodating car dealerships that will help you out.

Make sure you test-drive your potential car as much as is reasonably necessary and ask all the questions you need to know no matter how trivial; a good salesperson will know that every little question is a legitimate concern and it is reasonable to expect thoroughness on the part of a customer.

Another thing to be sure of is that the salesperson is clear and straightforward in all the aspects of the planned purchase.

It’s true: a salesperson’s ultimate goal is to close the sale. But there are good, knowledgeable salespeople out there who will not be afraid to suggest a totally different solution even if it affects his commission.

The art of negotiation is a tricky, possibly long drawn-out matter and sometimes you are never really sure you got the best deal even after you’ve walked away from the bargaining table.

If you are like most buyers, you probably have a good idea of how much you are willing to spend and would like to settle the issue of cost even better you go to the dealer to check out the car. Indeed, since the advent of the Internet, most companies are even willing to quote you the actual retail price sight unseen, over the phone or perhaps through e-mail. This is in sharp contrast to only a few years ago when standard practice was to lay on as many enticements as possible to the customer before the actual bargaining started.

Of course chances are, in your inquiries to several different auto dealers or through scanning of the local ads, you may have already encountered a quoted sale price on one or more cars you are interested in. Most online car dealerships in fact, will readily give you the price knowing that this is a crucial factor in your decision to purchase a car from them. What you have to realize though, is that it may still be possible to knock a few dollars off their asking rate.

You may possibly already have a pre-conceived price point at which you are confident that you have scored a great deal. Most people though, are willing to give a little leeway on this issue as long as they feel that they will get a fair price.

The best way to prepare for the inevitable haggling that will take place at your car dealership is by being as informed as possible about current market rates for your chosen car model. Ask around several different dealerships about the car you’re interested in and ask if they offer any added-on value, like free accessories or free service checkups and towing services for example. Each dealer is different but they all have the common goal of selling as many units as possible and many have come up with some interesting solutions to help you part with your money.

Finally remember that it’s not always all about paying as little as possible; you will want to buy a car that you are totally happy with, at a fair price. Take the time to do your research and you will walk away the winner in the deal.

Most know the most glaring auto repair pricing abuses: Service centers overcharging $100’s even $1000’s for repairs, or charging for repairs that were never done at all.

To be sure, this still happens every day. However, there are many other techniques which involve flying just low enough to avoid detection.

The savvy service centers increase the price so as not to set off any alarms. It has become so common that it’s not just an accepted industry practice, but even service customers have accepted paying higher prices.

Knowing how ingrained price-gouging is within the automotive service industry, it’s shocking (although understandable) that even service customers have succumbed to excessive car repair prices. I frequently hear service customers’ state:

“Yeah, I know I was ripped off, but my car’s fixed now.” Or, “I know they charge too much, but they’re convenient.”

This is insane! To accept auto repair price-gouging is to allow its continuation. The difficult part, of course, is how to stop it. Given that the automotive service industry is so big and powerful (and so frightfully necessary) how does one battle such a force?

Perhaps the first thing to understand is the degree to which this type of stealth-like price-gouging occurs. A two-decade undercover investigation has revealed that 98% of all repair shops (dealerships, local shops, and franchises) are price-gouging their customers in one form or another.

The following exchange, between a service manager and service advisor, provides an idea of the “scope of scamming” below the radar.

A service advisor asked his manager how to bill more hours per month, which is another way of asking how the advisor can make more money. The service manager casually stated:

“Simply add an additional two tenths to every ticket you write.”

In other words, every customer this service advisor “helps,” he was instructed by a superior to add a “little” extra. So if the labor rate is $100 per hour two tenths would equal $20. Rather than pay $100 per hour, the service customer would actually pay $120.

$20 doesn’t sound like much compared to the gross injustices we all know. However, whether it’s an overcharge of two cents or $20, it’s too much.

If you visit a shop practicing this strategy alone (there are hundreds of strategies, many applied simultaneously), you may end up paying over a $100 or more by year’s end.

What’s really shocking is that being ripped off $100 over a year’s time is actually minor!

Try $500-$5000

Lookers has acquired 10 sites from HR Owen in a move that will see the dealer group now represent the Mercedes-Benz franchise.

The consideration payable in cash will be £5m goodwill and £8.1m of fixed assets. Once the value of stock is taken into consideration, however, the value of the deal could rise to between £18m-£25m.

The acquisition is expected to add around £175m to Lookers’ annual turnover and enhance profits in the first full year of ownership.

It represents the Manchester-based dealer group’s first purchase since the drawn-out battle with rival Pendragon for Reg Vardy at the beginning of the year.

Lookers’ chief executive Ken Surgenor told Motor Trader the deal was representative of the group’s strategy to expand its range of premium brands.

So far this year Lookers has boosted the number of Land Rover sites it operates by three as well as adding two Volvo and Jaguar dealerships in a multi-million pound deal with HR Owen at the start of the year.

“Our stated strategy has been to strengthen the mix of premium brands that Lookers operates. The market is going the way of the premium brands. You can see both BMW and Mercedes strengthening their market share and our strategy is in response to those market trends,” he said.

Surgenor said that the group had been keen to add Mercedes-Benz to its portfolio and did not rule out adding to the newly acquired franchise but said that was dependent on the manufacturer and the sites that became available in the future.

“We’re delighted to be approved by Mercedes. It’s a brand we’ve wanted to represent for some time,” Surgenor added. The deal covers four Mercedes sites in Redhill, Gatwick, Eastbourne and Brighton, with the latter also selling Smart; two ChryslerJeep outlets in Hatfield and Romford; two Lexus sites in Hatfield and Brighton; and Land Rover sites in Acton and South Kensington.

Mercedes Benz continues to be one of the most exhilarating cars on the market that can offer you a multi-media experience. There are hundreds of different places you can find Mercedes Benz, and a wide variety of them as well. Whether you are looking for an older classic or a newer state of the art vehicle, you can find what you are looking for. So where do you look to find a Mercedes Benz?

The first part to finding a Mercedes Benz for yourself is determining what kind you would like. Are you looking for a used vehicle or a brand new 2007? If you are looking for a used car, you will probably have better luck looking online for the particular model you want. Car dealerships are best when looking for a newer model because it allows you to test drive the car right then and there.

You’ll also want to consider smaller things when purchasing the car such as color, manual or automatic, and what type of engine it has. All these factors play a role in which dealership or online site is going to have the Mercedes Benz that you are looking for.

If you do not want to take the time to go to a car dealership, you may want to check out Mercedes Benz’s website itself to compare prices and models. This can help you get an idea of exactly what model is best for you. It will also allow you to find a Mercedes Benz within your price budget.

When searching online some of the better places to look for your Mercedes Benz are at automotive.com, autobuyguide.com and CarSmart.com. Searching online is a quick way to find the model you are looking for and get quotes for your area. For some sites like CarSmart.com, you simply place the model of the Mercedes Benz you want along with your zip code. After doing this, you give the website your contact information and then several dealerships will contact you with your request.

This way you have options and can quickly identify which dealerships in your area have the car you are looking for. When you type in the phrase “where to buy a Mercedes Benz” in the Google search bar, there are close to ten and a half million results. By doing so, you can find multiple sites similar to CarSmart.com to receive quotes and find what you are looking for.

Mercedes Benz has been one of the elite car makes around for awhile. Because of the high demand, it is fairly easy to find multiple models that are new and used. By looking online and at dealerships, you should have no problem finding the Mercedes Benz for you.

Insurance—it’s everywhere. One can insure just about anything. Are tires an investment one needs to insure? Tire insurance, also called a road hazard policy, road hazard warranty, or tire reimbursement plan, is a rapidly growing industry in the automotive world.

Tire warranty plans pay in full or in part for the replacement or repair of damaged tires and/or rims from “road hazards.” Road hazards are defined as pot holes, debris, nails, wood, and other hazards found in the road. Curbs, sidewalks, and stone walls are not road hazards. This is an important distinction to consider when deciding if tire insurance is right for you (discussed further ahead).

Tire plans last for a specific period of time and tire wear tread-depth. Some plans last 2-3 years. Others can last 5 years or 60,000 miles. Several plans come with fixed amounts of coverage: $500 per year up to 4 years. Many contracts require three years of law school to comprehend. In terms of tread depth, a tire is usually considered worn out (and thus the plan null and void) at 2/32 to 3/32 of an inch.

Another important distinction is in the type of plan.

Tire reimbursement plans are just what they say. You, the plan holder, will be reimbursed after the claims process is finalized—usually 2-8 weeks. There is an out-of-pocket expense. These plans are often sold by new car dealerships. The prices can range from $300 to $600 dollars.

Road hazard policies operate similarly to reimbursement plans. However, some tire insurance providers, in partnership with the repair facility, may have a direct-pay relationship. Thus, there would be no out-of-pocket expense, except for applicable deductibles, and items not covered in part or in full. These plans are primarily sold by tire dealers and repairshops. The prices range from $10 to $30 per tire. They also can be based on a percentage of the cost of the tire: usually 12% to 15%.

Both types of plans have a number of variables, requiring a magnifying glass to read the fine print. Also, many are pro-rated warranties, covering only a percentage of the cost of the tire based on its wear.

Claims and Coverage: Depending on the plan, claims are initiated by the repair shop. The process is fairly smooth, although there can be a significant delay from the provider for authorization. This delay may be an hour or an entire weekend. This means that you’ll have to “ok” the tire replacement, and then hope it’s authorized for the full amount, or drive on your spare.

Some plans offer national coverage either among their service facilities or from other repair centers. Claims procedures will vary. Others only provide local coverage, or coverage at the selling facility.

Limitations: Tire insurance does not mean that everything is covered. Pro-rated warranties are based on the wear and tear of the tire. You may get 75%, 50%, or only 10% coverage depending on the tread-depth. You’ll pay the remainder. While there are plans that offer full coverage, even these have limitations, or they may conflict with a repair shop’s policies.

For example, many plans allow for a maximum of $30 to mount and balance one tire, and a maximum of $15 to repair a tire. However, sport tires often have significantly higher mounting and balancing fees—upwards of $50 per tire—and tire repair prices can exceed $90. There are also discrepancies on the tire and rim prices themselves, which in the end, may have to be supplemented by the service customer.

Although there usually is not an issue with the latter given the competitive market, the service center’s price mark up may be unacceptable to the plan provider. In this case, the service center needs to lower the price or you, the service customer, need to pay the difference—or go somewhere else. This does happen!

Rim Prices and Repairs: Rim replacement is becoming less frequent. With the high cost of aluminum wheels and sport wheel packages, tire insurers have opted to have them repaired. Repair will only be done if the rim does not hold air. What this means is that even if the rim is warped—enough to cause a vibration and even premature tire wear—they won’t replace it. Rather, they will send it out to be straightened and repaired.

Rims are replaced only if the damage is so extensive that the new tire, when mounted on the rim, won’t hold air. However, even in this case, especially if it’s an expensive sport wheel, they may still attempt to repair it.

Repairing rims is a bad option. While some rim repair is acceptable, badly warped or damaged rims will in no way ever be the same.

Alignments: If a car hits a road hazard hard enough, such as a pot hole, it’s wise to have the alignment checked. Road hazard policies and tire reimbursement plans do not cover alignments. The service customer will have to pay for this procedure.

Road Hazard Protection Positives: Some plans include tire rotations, wheel balancing, and nationwide coverage.

Myths:

1) “Can I pop all 4 tires and get a new set of tires?”

You can try. But this type of claim will trigger a number of red flags with the insurer. The policy holder will likely send out adjusters and/or require photographs. You will also have a difficult time explaining how a “road hazard” caused all 4 tire pop.

2) “New tires come with a road hazard warranty.”

New tires do come with a warranty by the tire manufacturer. However, it only covers defects in workmanship. New tire warranties do not cover punctures or damages from external sources. This is why “road hazard” protection is being pushed.

New tires are rarely defective. If there is a problem, it’s usually noticed when balancing the tire. Or, there is a drivability concern such as vibration or noise. If there’s a defect it’s generally caught right away, and the tire swapped out.

3) “It’s so cheap; it’s a no-brainer, right?”

Actually, the experts don’t agree with this statement.

The Economics of Tire Warranties: An article from the Washington Post by Terence O’Hara explains the economics of extended warranties and purchase protection plans in general. It is quite fitting for road hazard warranties. He writes:

“The decision to buy an extended warranty…defies the recommendations of economists, consumer advocates and product quality experts, who all warn that the plans rarely benefit consumers and are nearly always a waste of money.

‘[Extended warranties or purchase protection plans] make no rational sense,’ Harvard economist David Cutler said. ‘The implied probability [of having an issue with the product] has to be substantially greater than the risk that you can’t afford to fix it or replace it. If you’re buying a $400 item, for the overwhelming number of consumers that level of spending is not a risk you need to insure under any circumstances.’”

In short, road hazard warranties are a waste of money. Don’t insure that which you can afford to replace.

Numbers Game and Slim Chances: Like all insurance, tire insurance plans are a numbers game. However, this is a game you have a 98% chance of losing. Insider statistics show that the percentage of claims paid out by providers is as low a 2%.

Curbs: Another interesting note is that a lot of tire damage is caused by curbs. Curb damage is not covered under most road hazard policies. High granite curbs with sharp edges slice through tens of thousands of tires per year.

You Won’t Notice: Many people don’t even notice tire damage. Other than to see if the tires are holding air, who “really” looks at tires? Tires are subject to a whole host of external influences which cause bubbles, slices and gouges.

Despite the potential dangers of damaged tires, the damage very often does not translate into any noticeable drivability issue. The point is that if you don’t notice any tire damage you can’t benefit from the coverage.

Research Shows: Those raving about the benefits of a road hazard policy are the actual folks in the industry who stand to benefit from the sale. They’ll argue that it’s so cheap—only $10 to $20 per tire. Even so, for four tires, that’s $80 based on the “possibility,” the “chance,” of damaging a tire that meets the repair/replacement requirement protocols.

Auto Insurance: If a rim and tire has incurred significant damage, it’s quite likely that other problems have resulted as well. The first is that the vehicle may have been jarred out of alignment. Secondly, hub bearings, front end components: tie rods, spindles, ball joints, and a variety of other components may have sustained damage. In this case, auto insurance, which you are already paying for, will pay for everything—brand new.

Free Road Hazard Warranties: Many tires come with road hazard warranties FREE. In other words, in an effort to secure retailers, many tire distributors provide service centers FREE road hazard insurance. Some shops pass this on to their tire customers, others sell them. Ask if the tire “comes” with a road hazard protection policy. If not, request that one be provided at no additional charge. It’s worth a shot.

Also, some car manufacturers provide road hazard warranties FREE of charge for 12 months or 12,000 miles. If you’re buying a new car or even used, ask that the dealer provide a complimentary road hazard policy (after all the wheeling and dealing is done, of course), and just before you commit.

“What’s the best road hazard policy?” Money in “your” bank account.