Lies, damned lies and used-cars sales
Announcement posted by Boatshed Media 26 Sep 2016
Australians have an overwhelming distrust of used cars sales, according to new research.
From private sellers lying about the condition of their vehicles to high-pressure sales tactics at dealerships, most people approach the process with anxiety and insecurity.
According to HelloCars Australian Car Sales Index, 74.5% of people describe the experience of selling a car as painful, time consuming, disappointing, confusing, intimidating, a hassle and something they don’t want to do again.
Most people (51.5%) feel pressured to buy at dealerships – with nearly a third of respondents saying they were pressured into buying something they didn’t want to.
“You only have to look at the recent report from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission* into so called ‘add-on’ insurance sold at dealerships to see that there is a lack of transparency in the process which makes consumers anxious and vulnerable,” HelloCars Director Paul Higgins said.
When going into a dealership, almost 85% of people described feeling anxious, uncomfortable or ready for a negotiation battle.
“It’s well known that dealerships derive the vast majority of their profits from selling other products like finance and insurance, so they’re incentivised to sell these when people buy any car,” Higgins said.
Even private sales which have grown exponentially since online marketplaces have become ubiquitous, are a cause of concern for most consumers, with fears over financial and personal safety in the transaction. Almost 70% of those surveyed said they felt somewhat unsafe, unsafe or very unsafe when buying a car privately.
“The bottom line is that used-car sales is an almost universally unpleasant experience for consumers and the industry really needs a wake-up call,” HelloCars Director Michael Higgins said.
“We launched HelloCars to address these issues because we know consumers deserve greater transparency in the transaction and don’t have time to waste on scammers or being treated with contempt by dealers,” Higgins said.
Key findings from the research:
· 74.6% of people say they believe private sellers are not honest when selling their car
· 66.7% of people say they feel somewhat unsafe, unsafe or very unsafe when buying a car privately
· 51.5% of people say they feel pressured to buy in a car dealership
· 27.3% of people said they pushed into buying a feature they didn’t want
· 20.3% of people would rather go to the dentist than negotiate with a car salesperson
· 32.5% of people would rather spend their holidays with their in-laws than negotiate with a car salesperson
· 29.8 % of people would rather change a baby’s nappy than negotiate with a car salesperson
ENDS
SOURCE: HelloCars Australian Car Sales Index August 2016 – conducted by PureProfile.
ABOUT HELLOCARS
HelloCars is a Sydney-based start-up which gives Australians a safer, more convenient and better-value way to buy and sell used cars, without the hassle. Being a technology-driven business means HelloCars can sell cars for a highly competitive upfront price, guaranteed to be better than any dealer. You can buy a used car with HelloCars securely knowing you have a seven-day, 500km money back guarantee, a minimum three-month warranty and it will be delivered right to your door. Launching first in Sydney, HelloCars will expand to other Australian cities in 2017. www.hellocars.com.au
For more information or to arrange interviews with Paul and Michael Higgins, please contact:
Danielle Veldre
Boatshed Media
M: 0408 972 997
E: danielle@boatshedmedia.com.au