Buying a new car or used car is arduous task. Vehicles are big-ticket items that could require a five-year commitment or more. One of the most frustrating aspects of car buying is dynamic pricing by car dealers. With the advent of the internet and then mobile apps that provide car prices, the anxiety of getting the best price has been reduced. There are many new and proven mobile experiences for car buying or selling that our readers voted as being their favorite.
Because connected cars have so many features it becomes difficult to keep track of the features a buyer wants. Car buyers are turning to their smartphones for information. The Mobile Car Shopper Survey by Versta Research, found that more than half of car shoppers use their smartphone on dealership lots to get more information. Most often they are looking up vehicle prices (64%), or comparing makes and models (51%). One-quarter read dealership reviews to ensure a positive experience. Therefore mobile web information or apps can highly influence car buying decisions.
In the digital car buying and selling app/web space there are tried and true stalwarts and some newcomers who are re-defining the car buying/selling process. The voting for AUTO Connected Car News’ Tech CARS Award for “Best Car Buying or Selling App or Mobile Web Experience,” showed an introduction of new services and also appreciation for content, transparent pricing and good content.
Tech CARS’ Honorable Mention for Newcomer for Best Car Buying or Selling App or Mobile Web Experience
Blinker received an “Honorable Mention” for the glowing comments from voters such as:
“Because Blinker helped me buy and finance a car from a private seller. Made my life super simple.”
“Blinker takes the danger out of buying a used car, which is good for consumers and the environment.”
Blinker offers an app for buying and selling cars. To sell a car, the seller takes photo on a smartphone, and Blinker will instantly display the estimated Black Book value, mileage and all of its model-specific details. After uploading, the car list it for sale on the Blinker marketplace and all of your own social networks. Plus, Blinker will automatically list your car on other major marketplaces. Think of it as fishing with dynamite.
3rd Place SHIFT – Complete Buying and Selling Service
Shift’s website states that “From pricing your car to paying for listings to negotiating and meeting with strangers, selling your car private party is not fun. With Shift, our friendly Car Enthusiasts will work as your personal concierge from start to finish, whether it’s bringing a test drive to your door or coming to you for an instant appraisal of the car you want to sell,”
Shift contractors provide a quote to the seller, pick up the car, take it to the company’s warehouse for mechanical inspection, do Department of Motor Vehicles paperwork, and sell the vehicle for the customer. Shift’s contractors bring the car to the prospective buyer for the test drive, and handle the paperwork.All vehicles pass a rigorous inspection and come with a 5-day / 200 mile return policy.
Second Place Tie: TrueCar & Kelley Blue Book
There was tie for second place TrueCar and Kelley Blue Book both offer great qualities for voters.
TrueCar Car Buying offers transparent pricing and ability see what other’s paid. When looking for car the buyer searches the TrueCar webiste or app. A price quote with a no-haggle price for a local dealer is emailed to the buyer. New car prices at TrueCar.com can save thousands off the MSRP on your new car.
Where we found the best discounts was for cars that were not the most popular such as used electric vehicles. For some buyers the TrueCar experience is the easiest way to go.
Kelley Blue Book enables users to search vehicle prices, compare vehicles and find a dealer. Buyers check KBB car price values when buying and selling new or used vehicles. Recognized by consumers and the automotive industry since 1926. Kelley Blue Book. Car sellers can get an instant cash offer their car. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its Blue Book Trade-In Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new and used cars this week.
1st Place Winner Cars.com
Cars.com has a strong presence in the mobile space. Voters noted that Cars.com has great features and is easy to use. Voters also liked the well-written content and ability to compare prices on the go.
Cars.com offers many features for car buyers and sellers. It offers expert content, on-the-lot mobile app features, millions of new and used vehicle listings, a comprehensive set of research tools and the largest database of consumer reviews in the industry. Cars.com helps shoppers buy, sell and service their vehicles and includes ratings of dealers through DealerRater. Sellers can get a cash offers online or with an in-person appraisal. Cars.com works with another Tech CARS’ winner RepairPal for car repair and maintenance services.
Cars.com staff members are enthusiastic about their products.
“We’re incredibly proud to be named the Best Car Buying or Selling App Experience or Mobile Web by AUTO Connected Car News’ Tech CARS Awards,” said Brooke Skinner Ricketts, chief marketing officer at Cars.com. “The mobile experience is critical to today’s car shopper and car shopping journey, which is why we have prioritized this experience. We’ve dedicated significant resources to ensure consumers have a superior and seamless experience on Cars.com across devices, which has resulted in a highly engaged audience of ready to buy shoppers.”
Winners please follow AUTO Connected Car News’ the rules and permissions‘ guidelines for usage of winning announcements.