Savvy shoppers gain access to vital pricing data so they can negotiate a better deal.
Raphael Pak is not your typical car shopper, but dealers will be seeing more like him. In his recent quest for a minivan, Pak cruised dealerships to find the vehicle he wanted. If more consumers shop for cars the way Pak did, which industry watchers say is likely in the coming decade, the Internet will send shock waves through the auto retail business. Armed with more information about vehicle pricing, buyers will be able to shop dealers outside their neighborhood and get a better deal. Dealers are there to make money.