Cyber deal
May 25, 2008 - 8:40pm — JYork
Buying and selling products and services online is a fact of life.
On the upside of cyber deals: Internet stores never close, the checkout lines are always open and waiting just for you; and the store assigns you a personal “cyber staffer” to check availability of products, sizes, colors and the price. Finally, a package delivery service brings the deal to your home.
There is a downside to digital shopping. You cannot touch the product or truly sense the shopping experience. There is no way to try on that “sweater” to see how it looks on you. You must have faith in the online size calculator and your sense of style. Returns are a pain in the neck. Finally, a package delivery service does their best to test the durability of the shipping carton and packing “cushion” designed to protect your deal.
I am sure you can think of more “ups and downs” in regard to computer shopping. This I know, available time and cost of travel fuel will put you in front of the computer and not behind the steering wheel.
I recently sold a used car and purchased a replacement used car from the comfort of my Lazy Boy. [Hey, I have seen many girls in that chair looking plenty lazy too!]
My online shopping deal went this way. I opened www.cars.com, and searched for a car by the year, type, and model. I reviewed the 678 listings located within a defined distance from my Lazy Boy.
I then went to www.kbb.com [Kelly Bluebook] and established the trade in/ private sale value for my seven year old Honda Accord with 225,252 miles on the odometer.
After emailing my interest in several of the listed internet vehicles, I began long distance discussions with several sellers. Finally, I found a reasonably priced 2005 Honda Accord with 30,000 miles on the odometer. All that remained was to negotiate a trade in value for my “fine” auto and the “off the lot” price.
Problem – the dealer was 325 miles away. So I sent digital pictures of my car and looked at digital pictures posted by the dealer. We both checked vehicle histories through http://www.carfax.com/ using the Vehicle Identification Numbers. With that done, we cut a verbal deal over the phone!
Neither of us did a test drive of the other’s vehicle. I didn’t even get a chance to kick the tires. We just trusted each other, and we did a cyber deal.
Out with the old and in with the “new”.
Am I satisfied with my purchase? Ask me that question again in seven years and I will have an answer for you.
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