Dealer Websites

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Zee09

Zee09

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Please refrain from telling me not to go to them. ( I know it is coming )

Dealers use so many pop ups and jam up the whole website to the point if you are on a cell or tablet
you can't even navigate their websites. It is bad enough on a 30" desktop monitor.

It maybe a ploy to get you to come in instead.
I'd never do that. After you shut down chat once you shouldn't be bombed with it every 45 seconds!
 
What information are you trying to get from a dealer website?

I normally get all my product info from manufacturer's website. You can even search dealer inventory directly from there.
 
True, I do the same- I also use Edmunds-Cargurus etc.

If you do go to their website it is a fiasco.
I'm checking various dealers inventory as the other sites are not always accurate on true inventory
Or dealers put up bogus vehicles to get you to check out their website.
 
Having just had to shop for a car recently because I was involved in a bad accident with my past vehicle, I can tell you that Dealer websites are really horrible and frustrating to use and compare specs. Why they feel the need to over complicate things is beyond me.

That said I went to the consumer websites first to determine the short list, then did my google searching for known problems / concerns etc. then once I had it narrowed down, visited dealerships to see the vehicle for fit (because I'm tall) and preferences I like etc. then test drives of models I was considering and then went to the dealer websites and looked through the different trim levels specs and pricing.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Having just had to shop for a car recently because I was involved in a bad accident with my past vehicle, I can tell you that Dealer websites are really horrible and frustrating to use and compare specs. Why they feel the need to over complicate things is beyond me.

That said I went to the consumer websites first to determine the short list, then did my google searching for known problems / concerns etc. then once I had it narrowed down, visited dealerships to see the vehicle for fit etc. test drives and then went to the dealer websites and looked through the different trim levels.


I know the feeling. Just as you said. The dealer website should be free of nonsense and nagging pop ups!
 
I use Autotrader.com and plug in "new" along with a bunch of other search criteria to see who has the lowest prices. Then see how accurate those prices are. If there's too much fine print and price is misleading then I don't want to do business with them.
 
Originally Posted By: Zee09
Please refrain from telling me not to go to them. ( I know it is coming )

Dealers use so many pop ups and jam up the whole website to the point if you are on a cell or tablet
you can't even navigate their websites. It is bad enough on a 30" desktop monitor.

It maybe a ploy to get you to come in instead.
I'd never do that. After you shut down chat once you shouldn't be bombed with it every 45 seconds!



Agree they're horrible. Especially with all the annoying pop ups of "experts" who do nothing but take messages.
 
I visited every Toyota and Jeep dealer website in the Phoenix Metro area when I bought both of my new cars. I never had any issues with any of them. Just what are they supposed to be, "screwing up"?
 
Originally Posted By: Zee09
I know the feeling. Just as you said. The dealer website should be free of nonsense and nagging pop ups!


If the owner feels that website experience is acceptable, you can expect the same kind of treatment once you get there.

However, always use the Right Tool For The Job.

A properly configured browser, say firefox with Adblock Plus and ABP Element Hiding Helper, can disable *almost* anything on any website. Ads, popups, scripts, tracking, malware, or just clutter you don't want to see. The fun part is a lot of sites use the same cut and paste code for these things so if you disable something without a domain name restriction, instead globally, you kill multiple birds with one stone.

Doing this can break some sites, but can be disabled on a per site basis too. I can't even imagine the experience some must be putting up with to run a browser in the internet today without these kinds of blocks in place.

Even so, a multi-pronged approach blocks more. Use a firewall. Use a windows hosts file. Only turn on scripting and flash when you need them.
 
When visiting a retailer's website, I generally know within a few minutes (if that long) whether or not it is going to be intuitive and easy to navigate website, or whether it is going to be a pain.

I generally move along before giving out my phone # or email address if it is the latter. I have zero patience for those firms that set up clumsy websites for their face and interaction with much of the public. It is not terribly difficult to set up an easy to use and intuitive website, but many businesses do not think that way.
 
many of my local dealers have extremely annoying websites. I don't like to be chased around on the screen by repetitive popups that want to start a chat. many dealers wont respond to online inquiries, and very few will actually give you usefull information.
 
Dealer website are good for finding specials and close outs on OEM accessories such as floor mats, trunk trays, etc.
 
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
many of my local dealers have extremely annoying websites. I don't like to be chased around on the screen by repetitive popups that want to start a chat. many dealers wont respond to online inquiries, and very few will actually give you usefull information.


You said it better than I!!!
Like the scam where they ask you to contact them for a better price!
It's just to get your info and the price stays the same.
 
Originally Posted By: SeaJay
When visiting a retailer's website, I generally know within a few minutes (if that long) whether or not it is going to be intuitive and easy to navigate website, or whether it is going to be a pain.

I generally move along before giving out my phone # or email address if it is the latter. I have zero patience for those firms that set up clumsy websites for their face and interaction with much of the public. It is not terribly difficult to set up an easy to use and intuitive website, but many businesses do not think that way.


Exactly! Make your website informative and avoid harassing your customers.
If we want to contact you i think we can find your contact info very easily!
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
What information are you trying to get from a dealer website? I normally get all my product info from manufacturer's website. You can even search dealer inventory directly from there.


That is how I located both of my cars. As far as pop ups appearing afterward, that happens everywhere. Go look at Amazon or Home Depot for something. Pop ups will appear on dozens of the websites you go to afterward.... Even here. Welcome to the Internet.
 
Been looking at a new Camry. Being 2+ hours away from the nearest dealer, their websites are the best way to gather info. But they are truly annoying.

One thing I've noticed, at least here in the area controlled by the SE Toyota distributor is instead of the dealer adding their BS addendum sticker to the MSRP, with things like paint protection, Sctochguard, etching, etc..., SE Toyota is doing it for them. In my opinion just to make it look more like a factory option. Things like $699 Toyota Patinum Care (for basically two oil changes and a few tire rotations), $299 floor mats, $199 for clear door paint protection (whatever that is), $359 for LED illumination Package, etc... This nonsense can add upwards of $1600 to the MSRP of a vehicle. One dealership even adds an addedum sticker to vehicles, on top of the SE Toyota add-ons. I told a salesman yesterday that if we can't make a deal without this nonsense added to the price, it's not going to happen at all.
 
Agreed. In the end as you said the dealer website is eventually where you have to go.
 
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
What information are you trying to get from a dealer website? I normally get all my product info from manufacturer's website. You can even search dealer inventory directly from there.


That is how I located both of my cars. As far as pop ups appearing afterward, that happens everywhere. Go look at Amazon or Home Depot for something. Pop ups will appear on dozens of the websites you go to afterward.... Even here. Welcome to the Internet.


I've been on the net since 1995
Run many websites. No need for this nonsense
BTW- Amazon throws nothing at me- maybe its being a Prime member but I don't get the obnoxious trash car dealers
give you. Seedy websites designed to feed you malware aren't as bad as some dealer websites. I found one Ram dealer
that resorted to none of this. If I was a car dealer I would not market to my customers like that. I want to attract them
not p them off
 
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