Retailing 8th Edition by Patrick Dunne,Robert Lusch, James Carver

Exercise 3

You are thinking about buying a Ford Focus after you graduate this semester. Use the Internet to see if you can get a better deal than the traditional auto retailers offer. All you will have to do is make three online connections, all free.
Start by using DealerNet (www.dealernet.com), created by Reynolds Reynolds, which provides computer services to dealers. You can see a picture of the Ford Focus and find out how it compares with competitors like the Chevrolet Cruze in such key areas as trunk space, fuel economy, and price.
Suppose you decide on the four-door Titanium Model because you really want 17" sport aluminum wheels and the SYNC voice-activated system. Key over to the prices posted by Edmund Publications (http://www.edmunds.com), a longtime compiler of such information. There you discover what the current sticker price is for the Titanium Model as well as what the dealer pays. You can also explore the Edmunds site to find out what special discounts and financing are available for the car you want. These facts may help you in evaluating the price your local dealer quotes.
When you're ready to order, type in "http://www.autobytel.com." There are several buying services on the Web, but AutoByTel is free. From here you can buy the car using AutoByTel directly or placing your order, and you'll get a call from a nearby dealer. The dealer will charge you a fixed amount over the invoice and deliver the car. Now you've saved enough to buy a copy of this valuable text for all your friends.