[ethbro]

To compare and contrast the two methods of research/purchase: both online and in person feature the same marketing jargon.

Online: You can perform further self-guided research to discern what these terms actually mean and whether you need those features or not. Furthermore, you can see what other people thought about those features.

In Person: You can have the salesperson explain those terms to you. Except... do you really trust someone with a direct financial interest in your purchasing a new car to help you figure out whether you need features and whether this car is the right car for you?

[JoeAltmaier]

In person is there for one reason: so the salesperson can direct the dialog, completely control the conversation. They are heavily trained in the dance of sales, and its all in their interest and not yours.

The primary reason to get the dealership out of the picture is, to get the salesperson out of the picture. You don't buy a toaster that way, or even a house. Why a car?

[gherkin0]

They're honestly not that bad if you keep control of the conversation (to the point of being willing to walk in response to BS) and double-check their claims. You actually have a lot of the power in that relationship, since usually the salesman needs your sale more than you need to buy from him.

I actually like doing a lot of initial research face-to-face with a person. It's higher bandwidth, and the car is there in front of me, so I can get a sense of the intangibles and other facts that are hard to capture online.

[jaynos]

>so the salesperson can direct the dialog, completely control the conversation.

And direct you towards something they have in inventory, not the configuration you came up with on the manufacturers website.