TrueCar & DealerPinch - DealerPinch Blog

Now more than ever, car buyers are looking for a transparent, honest car buying experience. Buyers no longer want to deal with the back and forth haggling with salespeople inside a dealership only to leave without making a deal or getting roped into paying more than they expected. There are several online companies that claim to provide an easier way for buyers to find and purchase a car for a fair price without the inconvenience - one of these companies is TrueCar.com.

Founded in 2005, TrueCar.com’s primary goal is to assist consumers during the car buying process by eliminating the “negotiation and haggling of price.” Buyers are able to view what other people in their area have paid for the same make and model, which they refer to as “upfront pricing information.” The TrueCar.com process allows buyers to find the make and model they want, choose a price they feel is fair and print out a “Guaranteed Savings Certificate” to apply toward the purchase of the specified make and model of car at a “Certified TrueCar Dealer.”

In the eyes of a consumer, this process would seem like the easiest and most foolproof way to buy a car from the safety of their home, but there have been some instances found that the TrueCar.com process may not be as simple and easy as it seems. Through consumer reviews and personal experiences it was found that:

• TrueCar.com may not provide any guarantee that their Certified Dealerships will honor the quote provided to their consumers. This completely negates their claim to eliminate “negotiation and haggling of pricing,” leaving buyers stranded and price haggling as if they had initially walked into the dealership.
• TrueCar.com may not be completely anonymous. They require consumers to input their name, phone number and email before they receive their Guaranteed Savings Certificate. That information is sent to the dealerships associated with the criteria entered, thereby leaving the consumer with tons of emails and phone calls.
• TrueCar.com only works if the dealership has the specific make and model in stock. Many of the dealerships associated with TrueCar.com may use the site to generate leads and bring in potential buyers. This is, in a sense, false advertising. The pricing provided by the website brings in customers, however, when the customer arrives, they may be informed that the dealership does not have “that specific car” and are then put into a situation where they end up paying more than promised.

In comparison, a new company called DealerPinch.com allows consumers to compare and buy cars in a similar fashion - but in a much better way. DealerPinch.com provides a unique process to assist customers to make a smart offer on the car they want while protecting their identity and credit with TransUnion and ACRAnet. Consumers are provided with comprehensive data and reviews to assist in making an educated decision. All without having to personally speak to salespeople.

The process is simple and completely anonymous. Clients begin the process by choosing a make or model of car. Buyers then build their vehicle, selecting as many of the available options they want. The MSRP is subsequently presented and the client now has the option to make an offer. Unlike TrueCar.com, DealerPinch.com allows the buyer to choose a down payment and their desired price for the car all on their own! Simply plug in what you want to pay and let the dealerships work for you. Dealerships throughout the area receive the offer and either accept or counter within hours. When the deal is accepted, sign your finance documents and drive away in your new car. It’s that easy.

Not only is this car buying process easy, it gives you peace of mind. Here are just a few great attributes brought to consumers by this company:

• DealerPinch.com saves time. Buyers research and build their new car online, are able to approach multiple dealers simultaneously and get responses within a few hours.
• Dealerpinch.com saves money. Select your terms and your price. You say how much you want to pay!
• Dealerpinch.com eliminates the traditional car buying process. Shop privately and anonymously, avoiding the need to walk into a dealership to shop for the car you want.

With that being said, that next time you are in the market for a new car, where are you going to go for a simple and honest experience? Head over to DealerPinch.com! Your Car. Your Price.