Alternatives to Buying from a Dealership: Car Selling Platforms

With many online platforms at your disposal, you can easily sell your car from the comfort of your home. The internet offers a vast marketplace, increasing the likelihood of finding the right buyer and selling your vehicle faster compared to traditional methods. However, selling your car online exposes you to potential scammers and security risks, impacting your safety and the sale success. 

Selling a car online can sometimes result in challenges when negotiating the price and finalizing the transaction. As a seller, you must exercise caution when accepting payment methods and handle these details independently, as opposed to relying on a dealership. Here are the top 5 online car sales platforms you may consider and compare. 

A typical CarMax dealership occupies approximately 5,500 square feet, has an inventory of 300 - 400 vehicles, and turns it eight times a year. Every car goes through a 125-point inspection process, in addition to any government inspections, and includes a 90-day warranty, three days of free financing changes, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. CarMax offers customers the opportunity to test drive for 24 hours. It may be a wise decision to use CarMax as a shopping tool and compare offers from other dealers in Indiana.

Carvana is a trailblazer in the online buying and selling of pre-owned vehicles. Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, this company quickly emerged as the fastest-growing online retailer of used cars in the United States. Renowned for its distinctive multi-story glass tower car vending machines, Carvana has made a significant impact in the industry. Although it is feasible to examine a vehicle on the Carvana website, a significant limitation is the inability to test drive the car. Furthermore, if a used car in their inventory is not eligible for free shipping, you might incur substantial costs for car transportation.

Since 2006, WeBuyAnyCar has been providing online car valuation and sales services. Operating both in the USA and internationally, the company leverages its online platform and physical stores to evaluate, inspect, and purchase used cars in nearly any state. While the company tends to make reasonable offers for newer vehicles, our findings indicate that offers for older or junk vehicles may be comparatively lower.

Driveway provides a convenient online platform for buying and selling cars, offering personalized vehicle delivery and pickup services across the country. Our investigation revealed that Driveway's prices for used cars often surpass those of other dealers, frequently exceeding fair market value. At the same time, the company's purchase offers for used vehicles generally fall below fair market value.

Peddle offers a convenient and efficient service for selling older or junk cars, providing free pickups and at-home inspections. However, their specialization in older vehicles means that they won't offer the best value for newer cars. This is because the dealerships they work with are primarily interested in older cars for scrapping or selling to junkyards. Therefore, if you have a newer car to sell, you might want to explore other options to ensure you get the best offer.

CarBrain is one of the companies ready to acquire used, imperfect vehicles from car owners, insurance firms, and auto repair shops seeking to sell vehicles deemed not worth fixing. The company offers immediate cash quotes online for your car and hosts an online platform for users to sell their vehicles. They offer complimentary towing services and assist in selling cars even if there is a loan on it. However, a common grievance among customers is that CarBrain sometimes fails to honor the initially provided offer. Some also report difficulties in receiving an offer for their vehicle as it gets rejected during the quoting process.

When you need a real place where you can be sure about the location, existence, transparency and legal purity of the deal, the Indy Auto Man used car dealership, IN, offering an array of online and off-line services, including buying, selling, trading in, and financing used cars with free delivery within 250 miles from our location in Indianapolis. It is your reliable alternative to online car selling platforms. With 300+ used cars, SUVs, trucks, and commercial vans, we have everything to meet your needs. 

Online car-selling platforms differ significantly from conventional car dealerships in Indianapolis. Both avenues allow you to peruse cars online, submit inquiries, and get preapproved for a car loan. At a dealership, you will promptly encounter a salesperson who can assist you throughout the process. Typically, dealerships feature a finance manager who can assess your credit and locate the optimal auto loan for you.

In contrast, platforms offer an automated process with no human help. Car prices on online platforms are not lower than those at traditional dealerships. But the vehicle stock can be outdated or falsified, and vehicle prices are non-negotiable.

Pros compared to a dealership

• Access to national inventory
• Great variety of attractive offers
• 24-hour/7 day availability
• Independent reviews 

Cons

• High risks of scam
• Falsifications in car descriptions 
• Non-actual stock
• No price negotiation

If you want to buy or sell a car in Indianapolis, Indy Auto Man is a perfect alternative to an online car-selling platform. We practice a customer-centered approach, guaranteeing a fast and smooth car buying experience. Our inventory includes cars for any taste, from convenient hatchbacks and family SUVs to luxury sedans, sports coupes, and hard-working trucks. You buy at the Indy Auto Man dealership 100% online as well, with a 7-day return and 30-day price match guarantee.

Check our inventory online, and visit the Indy Auto Man dealership to test drive any of the represented autos right now!