More Americans say they will buy a used car once their current vehicle is no longer running, according to a recent telephone survey conducted for CarMax, Inc., the nation’s largest retailer of used cars. This opens a greater opportunity for independent repair shops to help customers get good deals by offering inspections on used vehicles before they buy them.
“Buying a used car is a smart way to spend in any type of economy,” says Tom Folliard, president and CEO of CarMax. “Consumers can save thousands of dollars and still get the car they want for less than they expect.”
And your inspections, which can range in price from $20 to $100 depending on services you offer, help customers be more at ease with their used vehicle purchases and can earn you customers.
Thirty percent of respondents surveyed indicated that buying a used car is what they will do once their current car stops running. A greater percentage of women chose this answer (34 percent) than men who were surveyed (26 percent). One in five (18 percent) respondents said that they purchased a car in the past year despite the recession, while seven percent say that they are ready for a new car, but will buy a used car to be smart.
The following are the results of the recent telephone poll that asked adults: As the weather and the economy both show signs of possible thawing, which of the following statements best describes your attitude toward shopping for your next car?
The survey was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of CarMax. The national, random sample consisted of more than 1,000 U.S. adults who were interviewed by telephone during Feb. 18 – Feb. 22, 2010. Of those surveyed, 23 percent responded "none of the above/not applicable."
For more information, visit www.carmax.com.
