Online

Car buyers

Private customers and businesses from around the globe buy cars online. Shipping a car bought online is easy.

Is buying a car online a good idea?

When all is said and done, we know there are obvious benefits to going the online route. First thing is that you will have more control and easier time comparing. Dealers will have a harder time tricking you into paying more. You will have a larger pool of vehicles from which to choose. And you have the freedom to go outside your local area.

Having a choice is always a good thing. In a way, this affects competition throughout the country. With the rise of online car buying, people and businesses both have to adapt and try and make the best out of what is to come.

Who is buying cars online?

Today, everybody is buying cars online. Or at least  everybody starts the process online. What does it mean to buy a car online? Does the entire process have to be conducted online? Does it count if you go and see the vehicle in person? What if you are just ordering a new car from the manufacturer or an authorized dealer?

Clearly, these are very distinct scenarios. Are there websites where you can buy a car online? Yes, there are plenty of reputable websites, and actually most auto dealerships sell and ship cars across the country. This means you can find and buy a car from another state and have it ship to you home. We work with auto dealerships from across the country and will be happy to give you some recommendations. In our years of experience shipping cars, we can confirm that online car purchases happen daily.

Call our team of logistics experts now to discuss your options and price. We are here to explain how online car buying works.

The three major markets – new, used and classics cars

Depending on the situation, buying a car online will be somewhat different. If you are on the look for a new vehicle, the process is often simpler than buying a classic, for instance. Trying to find a used car online may also be a great option. That is because you will have a larger pool from which to pick. On the other hand, there are some pitfalls to look for.

You may also be wondering whether or not the internet is a good place for buying a classic automobile. Are there authorized auctions for such things? Considering the investment, is it not better to be there in person? Or maybe the deals online are better, with a larger pool once again? To better answer these questions we will look at the situations separately.

The majority of people consider this to be the easiest case. You avoid in-person haggling at the dealerships. You can check the price in real time. And you can compare multiple dealerships across the country – all at the same time. However, there is a caveat.

You need to research before you begin the process of buying a car online. A good piece of advice is to go and check out the vehicle of your choice in person at a local dealership and test drive it. Online photos and videos can sometimes be deceiving. You may miss important details that may sway you in a given direction. And since a car is not a small investment, you should know exactly what you buy before the purchase.

After you have seen the car and checked a couple of dealerships near you, it does not mean you have to buy it there. You can purchase it online. Since you now know the car, you can buy it from across the country. Many good deals are available online from out of state. Sometimes you may get a lower price by a few thousand dollars. This kind of a discount will put money in your pocket and more than cover your shipping costs.

With used cars the situation is a bit different. It is not a new vehicle, so you don’t know if anything is wrong with it. If you don’t drive it and check it personally you can not be sure. You can go and check out a new car, then expect to buy the same thing wherever you go. This is not the case with used vehicles. The best tip for getting your used car online is to research and consider certified vehicles. Know its weak spots and common points of failures. 

It is good to understand how to check such things. This will save you any troubles down the line. Or you can also hire a certified company to go and check the car for you. Such companies exist and their services are available to book online. They will test drive the vehicle for you and provide you with a report. Once you are set and buy your vehicle online, all you need is to ship it.

If you are buying from an auto dealership you need to let the car shipping company know. The carrier needs to know in advance and discuss the pick-up time, which usually has to be within the operating hours of the auto dealership.

The same applies when buying from a private seller out of state. You will have to discuss the shipping operation with him and make sure he is ready to cooperate. The carrier will coordinate the pick-up day and time in advance and try to accommodate the seller’s schedule. When shipping a car flexibility is important, unless you are paying a premium for expedited auto transport service or guaranteed dates.

Buying a classic car often happens online. This is where you will find all good deals by private sellers. The other two places for classic automobiles are at auctions and in specialized classic cars dealerships.

Well preserved and maintained classic automobiles, of high value, are often sold at auctions. These creatures you find at auctions though cost money, but if you are in the market for a really valuable classic, go ahead and visit some auctions such as Barrett-Jackson. You will certainly find gems worth your time and money.

If you are not ready for this type of investment yet, then you can research classic car dealerships online. At such dealers, you can find a variety of classic vehicles and also negotiate the price a bit. They are responsible for getting the car in the best condition possible. Any problems for each particular vehicle have to be listed in details. Corsia Logistics works with several classic car dealerships from across the country.

All in all, buying a classic car online is not as risky as people think. Of course, it is always easier to buy it from a place near you. But you have one more option here – search online, find a private seller. Many car collectors have their own websites or advertise their vehicles online on various websites. Hemmings and Bring a Trailer are such platforms. You can also read some details on forums. Deals could be anywhere online. So, everything starts with good research. And when the time comes, shipping a classic car is a service we offer nationwide. 

What auto transport services can I choose from?

Both open and enclosed car carries work for any car bought online. Shipping time is always an estimate and thus a more delicate matter to be discussed.

  1. By carrier type – you need to choose from open or enclosed.
  2. By time-frame – you need to choose standard or expedited service.

 

Choosing a carrier type really depends on the type of vehicle you need to ship. Standard everyday sedans, such as your Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla usually go on an open-air trailer. If you need to ship a high-end sports or luxury automobile, or any classic vehicle you should choose enclosed trailer.

Standard car shipping means that a carrier will pick up your vehicle within few days.

Expedited vehicle delivery could guarantee that your car is picked up or delivered on or by a specified date and time.

open auto transport

door to door auto transport corsia multi level
What is open auto transport service?

Open car transport works for any make and model vehicle. This is the most popular method of transporting vehicles, and the most economical as well. Whether you are shipping an everyday car or a moving luxury or sports car, open carrier is the standard method to ship your car.

enclosed auto transport

Why choose Enclosed car carrier?

When shipping a high-value automobile, protecting it from the elements is crucial. Enclosed car shipping is more expensive and there are several reasons for that.

door to door auto transport enclosed carrier porsche

FAQs in Online car buying

Domestic transport is simple. You only need to sign your shipping contract and accept Terms and Conditions, which is usually done online. At delivery, you will also be required to sign a Bill of Lading (BOL) which also serves as an inspection report.

While in transit on a vessel there is limited liability in effect. The policy will cover any damages sustained during transport, not to exceed the market value of your vehicle.

By law, every car carrier in operation must have cargo insurance. A car carrier cannot operate without an active insurance policy. For most 7 to 10 car open carrier the standard coverage is $250,000.

 

Shipping a car could take from 2 to 32 days. Various factors could affect the shipping times and this means that shipping time is always an estimate. Open auto transport is usually faster and cheaper due to high availability.