Shipping A Vehicle Purchased on eBay

eBay Auto Transport

The online shopping world is full of bargains and hidden gems and large purchases are no exceptions. One of the biggest purchases we make in life is to buy a new vehicle and it’s becoming more common for consumers to not only research online but also buy them over the internet. Sites like eBay Motors have grown exponentially and fewer people are walking into dealerships to buy autos every year

Even customers who use the traditional route for purchasing a car typically spend several hours researching and comparing prices first. This has completely changed the way the auto industry operates. Consumers are now able to pinpoint the exact car or truck they want, right down to the color, without even stepping foot inside a dealership.

Technology has accelerated the pace of buying for customers and given them access to more information and options than ever before. There’s more transparency in both the practices and pricing methods of dealers and customers can do everything from research to negotiating to purchasing it, all at the click of a button.

As consumers become more comfortable with purchases of big-ticket items, it begs the question of auto buyers: how do you haul an auto you bought on eBay to a different city or state?

Delivery Options For Purchase

There are a few ways to make an online purchase, but they ultimately boil down to one of three options. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of each.

• Drive It

This is probably the first thing that occurs to most people, particularly first-time shoppers. This is not always a bad option, especially if you’ve had a mechanic look at the vehicle and feel confident that it can handle a long drive without mechanical issues. The downside to driving it yourself is that the risk increases with the distance. A couple of hours of driving may seem doable, but a couple of days may cause you to reconsider. If it isn’t operable or isn’t in prime running condition, this is not a viable option.

Advantage: Affordability and the chance to see firsthand how it performs over distance.

Disadvantage: Breakdowns, damages, and time spent driving all come at your own expense.

• Tow It

Towing offers a bit more security than driving that you’re unfamiliar with over a long distance. In many cases, this works out great for customers, especially for cars that aren’t too far away. Like driving it you’ve just bought online though, the further the distance, the more of a risk you’re taking. It makes sense to rent a trailer and tow it up to a certain distance, typically about 150 miles. Beyond that, the risk starts to outweigh the reward for both vehicles involved.

Advantage: Somewhat affordable and still a do-it-yourself method.

Disadvantage: Less than ideal protection over long distances and damages and gas come out of your pocket.

• Deliver It

The third option is to have an auto-bought on the internet moved by a professional hauler. A mover can pick up your new purchase and have it delivered to a terminal in your town or even right to your door. What often surprises customers is that the larger upfront cost of hiring a hauler are often less than what they would pay in gas alone for driving or towing it.

Advantages: Insurance coverage, convenience, less wear and tear, long-term savings.

Disadvantage: Larger upfront cost.

What To Know Before An Online Purchase

Before you do anything with a car you’ve bought online, make sure you have the title in your name and insurance coverage on the automobile. If something happens to it that you’ve purchased it and you don’t hold the title or insurance, the cost of any damages will likely come out of your pocket. Make sure to take the same steps in buying online as you would in person.

Resources

CarFax Reports - Using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate, you can look up a true history, including accidents, salvaged titles, and more.

Why Women Should Shop For Cars Online - An article from the Daily Finance that details some of the advantages of buying for women.

Online Buying Guide - Tips and advice about purchasing from Edmunds.com.