When eBay first hit the automotive scene a few years ago, it was a big hit for many. It took time for many dealers and car buyers to get a full understanding of how it worked. After all, eBay at the time was really for buying and selling nicknacks, not major purchases like cars.
Fast forward to today and the platform has become one of the easiest ways for dealers and buyers to connect. The boundaries of distance have been torn down by the internet and eBay is an ideal spot to find the exact right vehicle. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits for both buyers and dealers:
For Car Buyers
Most of the time, people aren’t sure what they want. They go to a dealership with the notion of buying one particular vehicle and end up driving off with something completely different. This happens more often than most realize.
Then, there are those who are looking for the exact right vehicle that meets their needs. A friend of mine is looking for a particular SUV for his wife. She wants a certain model, has a couple of mileage options, and… it has to be manual. He searched. He called. Where did he end up finding it? Of course, it was eBay.
There’s one thing that people can know when they go to eBay verses going to some of the automotive-only sites. Because of the cost to post to eBay, it’s more likely that dealers are putting up their best vehicles, the ones that people want that are harder to find. eBay is ideal for this.
For Dealers
Automotive marketing online is all about channels. People visit multiple channels during their car research phase. eBay is one of those channels and unlike other venues, fewer dealers are taking advantage of it.
The ROI is very clearly there. LotVantage, an automotive inventory posting company, shared a case study with us that showed a strong return on investment with eBay. Across the board, there were many more bids made on cars than actual auctions initiated. Anyone familiar with selling on eBay realizes that this is not common, particularly for higher-ticket items.
Dealers that want to take advantage of a firm and trusted venue should really consider eBay.