Online Transactions Are Inevitable -- Agree or Disagree?
As consumer confidence in online transactions for electroniics and other consumer goods grow -- supported by developing technologies that include security measures for online credit and disclosure of personal information enhanced by efficiencies in processes to accomodate an online purchase -- auto dealer's assumptions based on old school wisdoms that major purchases -- like automtobiles -- are suspect.
Combine that with the empowerment of consumers using social media to support their online shopping and purchase decisions and the consolidation in the retail auto industry which has already blurred the line of state franchise regulations and I believe that online transactions are inevitable. I already represent several cutting edge applications that range from two way video customer interaction platforms tied to a dealer's DMS to accomodate a complete push/pull transfer of information through the glass wall and online shopping carrts that provide the consumer -- and the dealer -- with everything that they need to complete a negotiation, a purchase agreement and even a delivery and once again I see online transactions as being inevitable.
In light of growing consumer control of the WWW, reduced profit margins on vehicle sales and the ability of new technology to provide a granular comparison of vehicles across brands, models and yes -- even dealers -- I believe that the role of the brick and mortar dealership will change to accomodate the new efficiencies realized by an online transaction with a virtual dealer.
Similarly, the sales person will still have a role to facilitate the sale and delivery but the control that they currently enjoy will also be changed by customers who can now source the same information from their Facebook friends who are more than willing to share their online shopping, buying and serviice experience to help them buy a vehicle with or without the saleperson or any particular dealer.
Of course I could be wrong, but I don't think so; if not today, then tomorow.
What do you think?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Philip Zelinger on
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Silly question -- I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE! Call me at 561-962-2738 after today's Lunch With Phil Discussing Autotmotive Advertising blog talk radio show where I will be intervieiwing James Bradford about his TK Carsites. We should be done by about 2 PM EST. Thanks!!
Todd Mathews said:Curtis,
I am developing a new online i-negotiate/ i-delivery platform for automotive dealers and will be beta testing the system in December. If you would like to know more, please let me know.
Curtis D Snyder said:Online transactions are certainly sooner than later. In addition they're already in full force happening for some very smart dealers. A good friend of mine in the Phoenix area has a small 40 car lot. A majority of his transactions are in which he never meets his clients. He works with a shipper and his deals are all over the country via the internet and wire transfers. He has been practicing business like this for at least 4 years now.
Us larger groups need to step up to the plate and be a head of the consumer. Formulating our selling strategies now. That way we can work these online transactions by our terms not the consumers.
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Permalink Reply by Curtis D Snyder on
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Todd there hasn't been a product yet that I won't at least look at. However, I have a store that is run by the "Old School". To give them a little credit they embrace the "New School Ideas" but once they have them they just carry on using the old school practices.
Todd Mathews said:Curtis,
I am developing a new online i-negotiate/ i-delivery platform for automotive dealers and will be beta testing the system in December. If you would like to know more, please let me know.
Curtis D Snyder said:Online transactions are certainly sooner than later. In addition they're already in full force happening for some very smart dealers. A good friend of mine in the Phoenix area has a small 40 car lot. A majority of his transactions are in which he never meets his clients. He works with a shipper and his deals are all over the country via the internet and wire transfers. He has been practicing business like this for at least 4 years now.
Us larger groups need to step up to the plate and be a head of the consumer. Formulating our selling strategies now. That way we can work these online transactions by our terms not the consumers.
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Permalink Reply by Todd Mathews on
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That's cool because we are incorporating the old with the new, in other words having the ability to take allot of the old school desking practices and apply them online. All it takes is a little shift in their thinking.
Curtis D Snyder said:Todd there hasn't been a product yet that I won't at least look at. However, I have a store that is run by the "Old School". To give them a little credit they embrace the "New School Ideas" but once they have them they just carry on using the old school practices.
Todd Mathews said:Curtis,
I am developing a new online i-negotiate/ i-delivery platform for automotive dealers and will be beta testing the system in December. If you would like to know more, please let me know.
Curtis D Snyder said:Online transactions are certainly sooner than later. In addition they're already in full force happening for some very smart dealers. A good friend of mine in the Phoenix area has a small 40 car lot. A majority of his transactions are in which he never meets his clients. He works with a shipper and his deals are all over the country via the internet and wire transfers. He has been practicing business like this for at least 4 years now.
Us larger groups need to step up to the plate and be a head of the consumer. Formulating our selling strategies now. That way we can work these online transactions by our terms not the consumers.
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