Car Dealers vs Import Brokers
Learn the difference.Car Dealers vs Import Brokers
There are many aspects of Drift & Drive's business that separate it from conventional used car dealers.
In the table below, we discuss these differences.
| Car Dealer | Import Broker | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adds margin on their cars and you never find out how much it is! | Charges a set fee for the work done | When dealers are committing their own money to import their stock overseas, they can charge whatever their market is prepared to pay. The problem for the dealer is the market is getting smarter and savings of over $10,000 are not uncommon when purchasing a $30,000 car overseas through a broker. |
| Has the car in front of you – you can see it and drive it before you purchase. Have cars “in stock” | Helps you purchase the car, in most cases sight unseen. Doesn’t carry stock, but does have access to a range of available cars. | We’d love to say there is less risk when you purchase from a dealer, but as many of you know, buying cars from dealers can be a crapshoot as well. There is increased risk when importing a vehicle which makes finding the right people crucial! If you think this risk will stress you out too much, we encourage you to purchase your car through a dealer but be prepared to pay premium money. |
| Buys the car then sells it to you. | Helps you buy your car overseas | Sounds simple and yet may be the biggest misunderstanding. Import Brokers provide a service . Your car is purchased through from an agent or dealer in Japan, not from your broker. |
| Provides warranty and back up service | No warranty or back up service | Import Brokers sell a service, not a car. Dealerships pay third parties to provide the warranty that is included when purchasing a car. An insurance policy of that protects against mechanical breakdown. The cost of this warranty is factored into the sale price of the vehicle. In terms parts or service most times brokers will point their customer in the right direction but in the end, the customers will need to do the legwork. *Drift&Drive assists its customers in locating parts |
Car Dealers vs Import Brokers
There are many aspects of Drift & Drive's business that separate it from conventional used car dealers.
In the table below, we discuss these differences.
Car Dealer |
Adds margin on their cars and you never find out how much it is! |
Import Broker |
Charges a set fee for the work done |
Notes |
When dealers are committing their own money to import their stock overseas, they can charge whatever their market is prepared to pay. The problem for the dealer is the market is getting smarter and savings of over $10,000 are not uncommon when purchasing a $30,000 car overseas through a broker. |
Car Dealer |
Has the car in front of you – you can see it and drive it before you purchase. Have cars “in stock” |
Import Broker |
Helps you purchase the car, in most cases sight unseen. Doesn’t carry stock, but does have access to a range of available cars. |
Notes |
We’d love to say there is less risk when you purchase from a dealer, but as many of you know, buying cars from dealers can be a crapshoot as well. There is increased risk when importing a vehicle which makes finding the right people crucial! If you think this risk will stress you out too much, we encourage you to purchase your car through a dealer but be prepared to pay premium money. |
Car Dealer |
Buys the car then sells it to you. |
Import Broker |
Helps you buy your car overseas |
Notes |
Sounds simple and yet may be the biggest misunderstanding. Import Brokers provide a service . Your car is purchased through from an agent or dealer in Japan, not from your broker. |
Car Dealer |
Provides warranty and back up service |
Import Broker |
No warranty or back up service |
Notes |
Import Brokers sell a service, not a car. Dealerships pay third parties to provide the warranty that is included when purchasing a car. An insurance policy of that protects against mechanical breakdown. The cost of this warranty is factored into the sale price of the vehicle. In terms parts or service most times brokers will point their customer in the right direction but in the end, the customers will need to do the legwork. *Drift&Drive assists its customers in locating parts |
