Hassle free: Internet company rolls out car-shopping program on behalf of consumers

It's a predicament that befalls more than a few people interested in owning a car. They're ready to make the move. But they just aren't too keen about the whole shopping experience, dealing with salespeople, negotiating over price, sweating over whether they're getting a raw deal.

A certain percentage of consumers bite the bullet and visit a dealership or any number of outlets to comparison shop. Some come away with pleasant experiences, either because the sales approach was low key or they enjoyed the give and take of determining a purchase price.

Then there are customers such as Sandi Flood. "I absolutely, positively hate the process of going into the dealer and buy a car," said Flood, who moved from Kansas to Murrells Inlet, south of Myrtle Beach last fall. "It's hours of your time that doesn't always end up with a deal."

But her eight-year-old Toyota Camry was in need of a trade. So Flood, like many consumers these days, went online.

Within a short time she found a national company, Carchex, that recently started a "car buying concierge service." Shoppers electronically transmit information on where they live, what car they want and a suggested price. Then, after receiving a purchase agreement, company representatives scout out the desired car at the recommended price.

Flood said she signed paperwork on the week of April 21 to give a Carchex buyer the go ahead. By May 6, she had a burgundy red 2009 Toyota Camry parked in the driveway. It came from a Myrtle Beach area Toyota outlet and cost $21,600, no fees included.

Read more in tomorrow's editions of The Post and Courier.