Buy Local or Via Internet
November 12, 2007
When searching for a handicap van you can choose to buy from a local dealer or you can open up the possibility of searching on the internet. There is no right or wrong way, only advantages and disadvantages, which you will have to personally gauge to see where you stand. Of course you could always do both, and that is highly suggested in order to get an idea of what you do or don't like. Just keep in mind that you don't want to buy from the first place you look before you know what else is out there. You may see something at a dealer that you like, only to realize that you can find something very similar for $10,000 less online. Yes, it can be that big of a difference, or more.
When searching locally, you get to talk to the salesperson face to face and you can get a good feel for the company in general. Many customers feel more comfortable being there to see the van in person and actually and touch the vehicle they will drive home. This is probably the biggest advantage of looking locally. The problem, especially if you live in a rural or small town is the selection. You will be fortunate to even have one dealer close by, and what you see will be very limited. It's like going out to buy a new car and the only nearly location is a Mazda dealership, so you simply decide that your options are now limited to the selection they have right there in stock. You must realize that there are many options out there that these local dealerships don't want you to find. You will also end up paying a great deal more from a local dealer. This is because they bought the vehicle from the manufacturer who made money on the product, who then drop shipped it to its new location costing more. Then the dealership must mark it up thousands more just to break even after taxes, insurance, and all the business costs they incur. Many like the idea of a local dealer because service is so easy. When under warranty you just drive to the dealership where you found your van and they should take care of everything.
When buying off the internet you have the option of buying straight from the manufacturer. They can find you an affordable vehicle, convert it how you want it, and then deliver it straight to you cutting out costs all over the place. When browsing the internet, your selection also becomes limitless. You can view every option that exists, read unbiased articles, and find out what really does suit your needs the best. It is also much more convenient to just sit down on your home computer and view pictures, descriptions, and talk to whichever company you would like while never getting out of your house. This also helps to prevent you from making a rash decision. Often when you have already taken the time to drive to a dealership and converse with a salesperson it is easy for them to convince you to buy whatever it is they are showing you. They count on you liking the product, agreeing upon a price that seems reasonable, although relative to elsewhere it may be outrageous, and then they can coax you into settling so you can just be done with the whole thing. Of course the biggest disadvantage of buying online is that you never don't see the vehicle until it is on your doorstep, and you have to be very careful to use an accredited company. Many also worry about warranty issues when buying off the internet from a manufacturer in a different state. Something to understand is that you don't have to get warranty work done where you bought the van, and often times it is designed so simple that any local mechanic do all the work in one place.
Again, no way is right or wrong, you must simply prioritize your own personal needs. Some people just won't feel comfortable until they have seen what they are buying, while others are willing to save thousands and wait for delivery. Doing both is still highly suggestible as you can go to a dealership and look to see what you like or don't and can then see what kind of offers you can ge
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