Online shopping went from being an added extra option in a customer’s shopping experience to a necessity when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. From groceries to medical supplies, customers were clicking to purchase. The vehicle industry also joined, with online car shopping becoming frequent. However, online shopping has its risks, with hackers lurking and waiting for vulnerable individuals to manipulate. You have to be careful with online shopping, especially for a purchase as large as a vehicle. This article gives you tips on how to shop online safely and avoid scammers and hackers before they even think of striking.
Safety and verification first and always
You should NEVER complete the transaction online unless you are using a reputable platform that secures your purchase. There are simply too many potential avenues for loss. Given how expensive cars are, both parties must have a great deal of trust in one another. You shouldn’t deal with a seller that won’t offer you their full name, address, and phone number.
Nevertheless, you’ll require much more details than that. After all, obtaining an incognito Google Voice number or faking a name and address is not difficult. You should check that everyone has the same information on their driver’s licence, title, and insurance card if you are buying from a private seller. This will validate two points:
- They are who they purport to be.
- It’s not a stolen car.
Another thing to consider if you are buying from a private seller may be meeting and test driving the car, and with a used car sales dealership, you can always ask for the full list of specs for the car or simply book a test drive. Always go and meet your private seller with someone you trust and your used car sales dealership at the branch you are looking to buy the car from. Safety all round.
Careful of the payment
Scammers ask for anonymous payment methods because the transactions cannot be linked to them. And To make matters worse, it disqualifies you from receiving any kind of reimbursement from your bank. A significant red flag should be if a seller requests payment using Western Union, Money Gram, cryptocurrency, or a reloadable debit card. Don’t pay attention to any justifications they come up with because there is no good reason to buy an automobile with an untraceable money trail. Never agree to send a money transfer (eWallet, CashSend). That’s a major red flag, and you probably need to report that seller.
Paperwork that works
You should ask your used car dealership for a full spec on the car(s) you want to purchase; the same goes for a private seller. Before you finalise the sale, it’s advisable to see and test-drive the vehicle. However, if the car is outside of the city or province and you have made up your mind that you must have it, then follow these steps.
- Request a complete copy of the car’s documentation, including the registration.
- You may obtain a vehicle history report for the car using this information on sites such as VINDocs and First Check.. The car history report will provide you with a wealth of useful information, including the number of prior owners, the validity of the odometer, any accidents, and any impending vehicle recalls.
Finalise the deal in public
The day you are going to fetch your car is an exciting one, and we don’t want you to miss a small step that could potentially land you in a scam. Just because the transaction between you and your private seller went smoothly, it doesn’t mean you should agree to meet anywhere. Avoid meeting at a private seller’s home, and always choose a central location, and as mentioned earlier, with dealership sales, it is better to meet at the dealership always.
Final words
The process of buying a car may seem extensive, but it is worth it. The convenience, achievement, and pride you feel when you finally have your car in your hands will be possible if you opt for reputable used car sales dealerships and trusted and verified sellers to find the best used cars for sale for you.
