Technology is changing the way in which traditional retailers do business. Brick

Question

Technology is changing the way in which traditional retailers do business. Brick-and-mortar retailers understand that a shift is taking place between retailers and consumers. In the past, the retailers control over pricing information provided them with the upper hand in most transactions. With information provided by the Internet, the consumer's knowledge in transacting and negotiating with retailers has given them the upper hand. By channel surfing, consumers can gain detailed pricing information about product ranging from bikes to office supplies to digital televisions, thus enabling them to negotiate better deals. What is expected of retailers is changing dramatically. In order to compete, companies like JCPenney, Target Corp., Best Buy, and Amazon.com are pushing new mobile programs. They hope these efforts make it easier for customers to shop online with their smartphones. This enables customers to get news of sales earlier than with other methods such as commercials or circulars. Failure to keep up with the Internet will spell failure for most retailers.

How would you use the Internet to purchase your next car?

Using your smart phone, laptop computer, or desktop computer, select two or three different auto websites.

List their web addresses, such as www.autobytell.com, and make a report describing what they have on their websites.

Which one you like best?

Why?

Can you purchase online from each website?

What is the buying process?

Can competitors gain anything from looking at these websites?

Answer these questions in a two-page paper (plus a reference page) and submit it through this Assignment in Canvas. Paper should be double spaced and submitted in .doc, .docx, or PDF file format. Sources, citations, and quotations should be utilized and formatted according to either APA, MLA format, the choice is up to the student. Any questions, contact your instructor.

Explanation / Answer

Technology has literally changed every facet of the way any business operates and never before in past has that change occurred so fast.

Below listed are the ways in which technology has essentially changed business

1. Mobile Solutions

2. Cloud Computing

3. Extreme Customer Segmentation

4. Connectivity

5. Decreasing Cost/Increasing Functionality

6. Changing Consumer Base

7. Social Impact

8. Decreased Downtime

Technology and internet has given the power to compare price of the products, compare products with other similar products, read reviews and feedback of the products and the favorite research medium are by Mobile (smartphones), tablet (ipad’s) and through desktops.

E-commerce online companies compete with other companies by pushing new programs to consumers. For instance, Best buy has the following plans for their consumers.

Hottest deals

Weekly Ad

Deal of the Day

Member offer

Best Buy Outlet

Student Hub

Price Match Guarantee program. This program helps consumers by simply identifying the product and showing it to the associate in the store to match the price of the product.

How would you use the Internet to purchase your next car?

I would use internet for the below reasons

                Compare the price of the car

                Compare identified car with similar other brands car

                Read reviews and feedback about the car

For instance, I would use cars.com for side by side comparison, or truecar.com for getting real, transparent, and discounted price, specs, photos and reviews.

                2018 Chevrolet Impala vs. 2018 Dodge Charger vs. 2018 Toyota Avalon

Which compare pricing (List, MSRP, Invoice), engine and fuel economy and so on.

Using your smart phone, laptop computer, or desktop computer, select two or three different auto websites.

                Cars.com

                Truecar.com

                Autoguide.com

                Kbb.com

List their web addresses, such as www.autobytell.com, and make a report describing what they have on their websites.

Cars.com:

Cars.com has

Popular Side-by-Side comparisons

[Category wise: SUV’s, Sedans, Sports cars, Wagons/Hatchbacks, Multivans/Vans, Hybrid/Plug-ins/ Pickup trucks]

We will be easily able to customize our comparison by Pricing, Fuel economy, Entertainment, Warranty, Seats, convenience, cargo, climate, safety, security, exterior, specification, instrumentation, mechanical, IIHS crash test ratings, NHTSA crash test ratings.

It also gives services in the following areas:

Buying & Selling

Find a Car

Used Car Buying

Certified Pre-Owned

Sell Your Car

Car Book Values

Car Dealers

Compare Car Prices

Listings by City

Truecar.com:

Difference in true car’s true price is getting better price, get dealers competition for car comparison and to get the true price curve for every car.

It gives details on retail price, market average, true price and you can navigate through the detailed specifications. Few common specifications are listed below

Engine & Transmission

Tires & Wheels

Dimensions & Capacity

Safety Features

Crash Test Ratings

Complete set of pictures in the gallery and great reviews for the selected car are available in truecar.com

Autoguide.com:

It give details of the below metrics for the selected car.

General Information

MSRP

Invoice

Destination

Local Dealer Pricing        

Fuel Economy   

Engine

Transmission     

Horsepower

Torque

Basic Warranty

Drivetrain Warranty       

User Ratings (Exterior, interior, performance, comfort, fit and finish, quality and reliability)

It also gives details on auto shows, auto news and access to auto forums

Which one you like best? Why?

I would like to go with Cars.com

Reason: user friendly, at first instance, I was able to see what I wanted to see. Details were segmented as per category which gives clarity for the consumers in comparing details of the car.

Can you purchase online from each website?

Yes, we can buy from online from these websites.

What is the buying process?

With regards to Truecar.com

Select the Car’s brand and model

Key in the ZIP code

Select interior and exterior color and add-on

Enter email address/create account

Enter phone number

Enter Address

Find Savings program (Truecar, Sam’s Club, AmEx, GEICO, Allstate)

Plan for Pay (Lease, Finance, Cash)

Schedule drive and shop

Can competitors gain anything from looking at these websites?

Yes, competitors can get details about consumer's interest and also plan their offerings accordingly this helps in the business for the competitors

Reference:

Eight Ways Technology Is Changing Business. By Scott Olson in Technology Dec 05

https://appdataroom.com/eight-ways-technology-changing-business/

https://www.bestbuy.com/

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/customerservice/pricematchguarantee/

https://www.cars.com/research/compare/acodes=USC80CHC131A0,USC80DOC201A0,USC80TOC011A0

https://www.truecar.com/prices-new/dodge/charger-pricing/

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/compare.html

https://www.kbb.com/compare-cars/

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