Well, wouldn't you just love to know?? Founded by a former owner of a franchised new and used car dealership with over 25 years of successful experience in our local community, CarsAndTrucksDirect.com is one of the first of a new breed of independent "Internet" dealers. We do things a bit differently by design. We know that buying a vehicle on the Internet is all about stocking the right vehicles with the right options, mileage, and condition, at the right price--a price your local "brick-and-mortar" dealer simply can't match. We operate out of a very cost-effective 2 Acre/2,000 Sqft warehouse/office facility in Boerne, Texas. Our typical vehicle could be described as a one owner or off-lease, late model (2005 or newer), that typically has lower mileage. Many of the cars, trucks, and SUVs we sell will still be under a factory bumper-to-bumper warranty, powertrain warranty, or maybe both.
Sprechen Sie Deutsche?? It wouldn't hurt to brush up on your German language skills and develop a little Texas twang if you're headin' our way, Herr Pardner! That's because you'll find our humble green metal office/warehouse complex near the quaint German-settled town of Boerne, Texas, (pronounced "Burr-Nee"), in the scenic Texas Hill Country. A place where the locals still call Main Street "Hauptstrasse", and when that German mixes with "Texan", you can get some pretty interesting pronunciations! As for our physical address, you'll find us just a short 30 minute drive northwest of downtown San Antonio on Interstate 10, at 28691 IH-10 West. That's just north of exit 546 (Fair Oaks Parkway) on the west side access road, next to the church with the big cross.
Actually, an "Internet" dealership is a very different business model. Even though you'll see "brick-and-mortar" dealers advertising on the Internet, they usually just use it as a tool to drag you into their store, where they can work you over at their leisure. Internet dealers usually only have ONE showroom--their website--displayed on your computer monitor! Even though we have a dealership location too, CarsAndTrucksDirect.com's sales efforts are PRIMARILY Internet-based, and along with this single focus comes much lower overhead, so our prices are more realistically based upon market demand for the vehicle AND what other people are really paying. On the other hand, a brick-and-mortar dealer's idea of pricing is generally what they WANT a vehicle to sell for; based upon covering their substantial overhead and some big profit formula. GREAT for them, but not necessarily a good deal for you!
We've heard about that too, but we've never actually seen such a vehicle. Maybe they're out there if you don't mind lots of blood or bullet holes in your purchase! There are a lot of myths about shopping on the Internet, and a lot of people searching the Internet for a used car expect to find a vehicle in perfect "new car condition" at a bargain basement "used car price." That isn't really as easy or realistic as it sounds, because quality vehicles are always going to bring a higher price--even on the Internet--than well-worn vehicles (or those with bullet holes in them).
We won't insult your intelligence with such tricks. If a price looks too good to be true, it usually is! CarsAndTrucksDirect.com ONLY resells vehicles with clean titles: this means we DON'T sell vehicles with "branded" titles--titles which negatively impact the value of your purchase. A branded title is one that has been stamped or has a notation with words like: "salvage", "rebuilt", "reconstructed", "manufacturer buyback", "lemon law", "insurance claim", or "flood damaged". These markings indicate the vehicle had or could still have issues, and cars with branded titles are always worth a lot less than those with clean titles. Hey, we've also seen vehicles whose titles should have been marked "cat box", "drive-thru dumpster", "hairball", "barf bag", or "ashtray", but those markings don't exist in real life--unfortunately. Needless to say, we don't buy those vehicles, either! Finally, we don't sell "gray market vehicles" (vehicles which have been imported from other countries and may or may not meet current U.S. safety or emissions standards--unless that is specifically noted and conspicuously displayed on our website ad.) Rest assured that if we ever discover any deficiencies or even minor defects in a vehicle we've purchased, they are either corrected or plainly disclosed to you in all advertising.
To compete in this market, we know we have to be both FAST and EFFICIENT. That's why CarsAndTrucksDirect.com has somewhat limited on-site services. We don't have a big, fancy building. No parts or service department, and NO salespeople...NONE! We DO have friendly Customer Service Specialists who are available online or by phone to guide you if or when you need help. "Limited on-site services" simply means that our facility is set up to provide all of the essential services you need in order to purchase a vehicle, without all of the frills you don't need. Like an airport-sized concrete parking lot or big, fancy showroom. Or even salespeople. (What--you never thought they were a "frill?") This also means a mob of hungry and aggressive...humans...won't swarm your vehicle the minute you drive through our gates. Sounding better all the time, isn't it? Sometimes less IS more.
If you actually decide to visit us in person, don't be offended if we don't rush right out to greet you. It could take a minute or two. After all, we don't like interrupting our coffee break, nap, foosball game, or whatever it is we're doing, any more than you like being pounced upon by pushy car salesmen. (Just kidding about the coffee break and nap thing--we're normally quite busy on the phone or the Internet, working with customers.) Feel free to take some time to look around and make yourself at home. Don't worry though, if you DO visit our facility, there are plenty of signs explaining how we work on-site. We're always happy for you to take a test drive, ask us questions, or even buy a car right off of our lot. Inside our cozy waiting area, we have a computer where you can settle in with a fresh cup of coffee or tea and search our inventory right on eBay Motors, Autotrader.com, Cars.com or our own website, www.carsandtrucksdirect.com
An appointment isn't necessary, but we are happy to set time aside if you're on a tight schedule and that works better for you. Unless one or two of our vehicles happen to be in-transit from an auction, a dealer or out at a vendor being serviced, they're all located right here at our 2 acre, security-fenced facility. If you're coming to check out a particular vehicle, you might want to call first to make sure it's still here for sale--cars can sell very quickly when you have a nationwide marketplace. Oh yeah, we're big on barbed-wire and gates in these parts, so don't try anything funny!! Kidding. Our gates are always open for you during business hours, which are 9am to 6pm, Monday-Friday, and 9am to 1pm Saturdays, all Central Time. So, drop in anytime. We can always use a fourth for foosball!
We can do as much or as little as you want. If you're online you can send us an email and we'll respond quickly, or if you want to get into more detail, just call us on our toll-free phone. Our Customer Service Specialists will do their best to answer any questions you may have. If you wish, we can guide you through every step of your vehicle purchase process. What we lack in typical car dealer luxuries (and annoyances) we make up for with a fun and focused work environment, because having a good time while doing the right thing is a prerequisite to work here. We know that smaller can be better, and we're fortunate to be able to do what we love in the beautiful little place we love to call home. Not everyone can say that. That's why we won't take your business for granted--you are the sole reason we get to work from here and we never forget that. Even though we may never get the opportunity to meet some of our customers face-to-face, we hope you'll feel right at home with us on the phone or on the internet.
Getting a little personal, aren't we?? Actually, there's no great secret here. Some dealers would like you to think they have lots of private sources that no one else knows about. The fact is that most dealers share many of the same sources for the vehicles they sell. So, like other dealers, the vehicles we retail may be purchased at auction sales, off-lease sales, directly from large franchise dealers, or from manufacturer's financial sources. Other sources include credit unions, banks, and sometimes trade-ins. Actually, a great vehicle can show up just about anywhere at any time, so where it comes from is much less important than the quality of the vehicle. The vehicles we sell are usually late model (2005 and newer,) have lower miles, and many may still be under a factory warranty. Regardless of where we purchase them, the one thing all of our vehicles have in common is QUALITY. There's that word again, and you'll see it used a lot around here. We're into QUALITY!
Thanks for the help with that definition, Mr. Webster! Geez, Picky, Picky!! That's okay--because we understand. We're probably even pickier. All of our vehicles are given the full "spa treatment", with a profession detailing inside and out before the sale. They undergo yet another meticulous final cleaning and inspection prior to their departure to your home. If there are any mechanical issues noted by the inspector, they are addressed before the vehicle is sold. The amount reconditioning needed varies depending upon make, model, age, mileage, and other factors. A vehicle could require new tires, perhaps shocks or struts, or maybe a brake job. Lower mileage vehicles usually require far less--perhaps just new fluids or maybe an air filter or wiper blades. Some may be so recent that the "new car smell" is still present.
Remember, these are used cars, not brand new. All used cars can show wear; even those that have been well cared for and maintained. So every now and then, a vehicle may have a very minor issue (usually cosmetic) that doesn't affect the functionality, safety, or overall appearance of the vehicle. It could be something that is so small that the cost of the repair doesn't represent a good value--for example: repainting an entire bumper to fix one tiny scratch. In those cases, we may elect not to fix the issue. If that happens, it is fully disclosed in our listings and we'll show pictures of whatever it is. We can quote complete costs for any other repairs, if the issue is something you just can't live with.
"Because we said so!" (Okay, so that answer didn't fly when you were 7 and Mom tried it out? It probably doesn't work for you now, either.) Perhaps it would it help to know that our professional buyers have personally inspected thousands of vehicles and know what to watch out for? We do our very best NOT to buy problem vehicles to begin with. After all, Mom always told us to be careful who we hang out with. We also provide a free CARFAX report on each vehicle, and our eBay listings feature both CARFAX and AutoCheck reports--for free! We will always do our best to point out any possible shortcomings in the vehicles we sell because we want to exceed your expectations, not just meet them. If you're the "show me" type, we welcome you or your agent to come to our facility and inspect the vehicle you're interested in. Keep in mind that no mechanical item will be perfect forever--which is why we offer quality extended warranties for your vehicle in the event you are interested.
Nope. Just the opposite. We're just gonna offer you one. You can find out more by clicking on the Warranty tab. Some of our vehicles will still be covered by their original factory bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties. We do have many different extended warranties with longer coverage, available through Preferred Warranty Company, one of the nation's most respected warranty providers. However, selling you an extended warranty is not the goal or focus of our business. Extended warranties can be cost effective, but based upon your driving habits and the length of time you usually keep a vehicle, only you can really determine if you need or want one. So, if you're interested, just ask your Customer Service Specialist about extended warranties. Of course, when closing your purchase, we will check with you one more time just to make sure you were offered one.
Like death and taxes, fees are a certainty, but they're certainly NOT hidden! For purposes of full disclosure: Fees include 6.25% taxes-if the vehicle stays in Texas (otherwise, your home state will collect your taxes and their registration costs), a $395.00 dealer prep fee for reconditioning and final preparation of the vehicle prior to shipment or delivery, Texas Vehicle Inventory Tax (VIT) of .001797, a $5.00 e-tag fee for a temporary license tag, $125 documentary fee which provides for handling of paperwork, titles, secure document storage and disposition, and any copying costs. We also collect $50 for Postage related expenses. Texas Vehicle inspection fees are $14.50 or $15.50. Please note that typically, these fees total less than $600 excluding tax. Fees offset many vehicle processing expenses and allow us to maintain our low-margin retail pricing structure. All fees are fixed and are non-negotiable, so before you bid on eBay, please understand that they WILL be added to the final sale price of your vehicle.
Yes, CarsAndTrucksDirect.com is one Internet dealer who welcomes your trade! Actually, some great vehicles can come to us in this way. So, if you are interested in trading in your vehicle, please contact us in advance of bidding to discuss your trade options (and potential sales tax savings for Texas residents.)
Quickly, we hope...very quickly! But don't worry, we'll make it as painless as possible. We can arrange financing for you should you desire or for "cash" sales we accept Certified Cashier's Checks drawn on US Banks in US funds. We also accept real U.S. currency, but unless you like to attract unnecessary attention from the IRS or other unsavory types, it wouldn't be very wise for you to carry around that sort of wad in your wallet or purse. Not to mention how long it would take us to examine all of those $20s with our little pen! A Certified Cashier's Check is the best choice. We also accept financing checks from your local bank or credit union as long as they can be verified in advance.
CarsAndTrucksDirect.com offers nationwide financing through Chase and soon other quality lenders. Just click on the Finance Tab on our website to fill out our secure, on-line form and let us take care of it for you. Depending upon your personal information, we may be able to offer you better rates than your local bank. However, we're also happy to work with your local bank or credit union to get the paperwork processed and your vehicle financed. In most cases it takes just a day or two to get the paperwork finished.
Pretty simple, actually. A large number of eBay transactions involve selling and shipping vehicles out of state. Here is the process broken down step by step:
Cash Purchase from Out of State:
CLICK IT!! You place the winning bid and make the $200 eBay deposit via Paypal or major credit card. We contact each other via email and phone to finalize the transaction. BUY IT!! You FedEx certified funds for the remaining balance due plus any shipping charges.
When we receive your funds we ready the car for shipping, have it picked up by your transport carrier. Your vehicle is on it's way to you. Most deliveries take from 7 to 14 days.
We send you duplicate copies of the bill of sale, one for you to keep, and one for you to sign and return to us.
When we receive the signed bill of sale, we FedEx all title documentation to you. DRIVE IT!! You take delivery of your vehicle at the location you have arranged with your carrier, or pickup your vehicle at the destination terminal if you have chosen to do so.
Transaction Complete! WASN'T THAT EASY??
Okay: "that's easy too." Just a couple of extra steps to follow.
Financed sale working with a bank:
CLICK IT!! You place the winning bid and make the $200 eBay deposit via Paypal or major credit card.
We contact each other via email and phone to finalize the transaction.
We fax all required paperwork to the bank, including copies of the Purchase Order and Title documentation. BUY IT!! The bank sends us certified funds for the remaining balance due. We FedEx the banking institution the title to the vehicle.
When we receive your funds we ready the car for shipping, and arrange to have your carrier pick it up at our facility. Your new car is now on it's way to you, and typical interstate delivery time is 7 to 14 days. We send you duplicate copies of the bill of sale; one for you to keep, and one for you to sign and return to us.
DRIVE IT!! Your carrier delivers your car to your home, or you pick up your car at the destination terminal if you choose that option. Transaction Complete! WASN'T THAT EASY??
Easy, there! No need to hyperventilate. Now, take a deep breath. Everyone has a first time, and we promise to be gentle. Buying a car long-distance (or even short-distance) over the Internet is much simpler than you might think, and we are happy to handle all of the details of shipping your new vehicle to its new home. In fact, you'll never need to leave the toasty warm glow of your computer monitor, unless you really want to. Just send us an email to info@carsandtrucksdirect.com with your zip code and the car or truck you need to ship; we will get back to you with a firm quote on shipping. By the way, our "Shipping" page has lots of do-it-yourself information and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each shipping method. There's even INSIDER INFO to help you navigate the world of automotive shipping. Check it out here. Common shipping methods include:
Professional Drive Away - A service using professional drivers who pick up your vehicle at our facility and drive directly to your home or wherever you specify. This is more common and cost-effective for short intrastate trips or when you need a vehicle, like, NOW.
Open Carrier - These are the big trucks you see out there on the interstate, with 10 cars on a big rack type trailer. This is the most economical way to transport, especially for long distances. Because of the risk of additional road debris or weather element damage, we strongly recommend that many high value, exotic, or specialty cars be shipped in an enclosed carrier. You'll thank us later. Enclosed Carrier - You vehicle will be transported in a closed container. This eliminates any possible damage that can come from exposure to road debris and weather elements. It also keeps that beautiful exterior detail job intact. However, enclosed carriers can typically run several hundred dollars more in cost.
Incidentally, when it comes to INSURANCE, all vehicles are covered by a carrier's insurance while in transport, but you will still need to provide a personal insurance policy covering your vehicle before we can release it to the carrier.
Hey, since when is saving money NOT cool?!? Isn't that why you're here in the first place? Of course you can come to us! It's a very popular way to take delivery of your vehicle, and some of the most scenic "driving roads" in Texas are within 50 miles. Please make arrangements to fly into San Antonio International Airport. We are a short 25 minute taxicab ride away. Or you can drive in from wherever you like. Most local roads are completely paved for your convenience.
Please make sure you contact your Customer Service Specialist to set up a delivery appointment in advance, so we will have the paperwork completed and your vehicle ready to go when you get here! We will give you complete directions to our facility, and should you desire to stay overnight before driving home, we can recommend several hotels in the vicinity, ranging from budget to five-star. We are happy to pick you up from your Boerne/Fair Oaks Ranch/La Cantera/Rim area hotel should you elect to take a cab there prior to your delivery time.
No problem. You never have to visit us if you don't want to. *Sniffle* See, that's the beauty of buying a car over the Internet. We can sell and ship a vehicle to you just about anywhere. We can complete the entire transaction via email, phone, and an overnight package or two. And you never need to leave your computer...unless you actually want to drive your new vehicle! DISCLAIMER: Driving a vehicle while surfing the web is NOT recommended and may even be illegal in your state.
Um...well, while we're ALWAYS happy to see you, it is not always possible to have all titles on hand for all vehicles that are placed for sale. Sometimes titles may be in transit from banks, from other dealerships, or from the state--and there are a host of other reasons for normal processing delays in title paperwork, which is why the State of Texas allows us up to 30 days to get clear title to you or your bank. We are a licensed and bonded dealer in Texas and we absolutely guarantee clear titles on all vehicles that we sell.
CarsAndTrucksDirect.com will sell a large number of vehicles in any given year--which means the movement of vehicles and titles is forever ongoing at our dealership. We have peeps whose responsibilities include processing vehicle titles. If having title on hand is of critical importance to you, please call your Customer Service Specialist to verify its disposition prior to contracting for sale.
If you can point your mouse and click, and you sometimes buy large quantities of things you may or may not really need, like a lifetime supply of "Sham-Wows", you are TOTALLY qualified to bid on eBay! Seriously, only those buyers who have their financing pre-approved or have sufficient cash on hand to complete a purchase transaction should bid on any eBay Motors auction. Also, if you don't have any buyer "feedback" or have negative feedback on eBay Motors, you'll need to call us before bidding. Otherwise we may reserve the right to cancel your bids.
Like many Internet dealers, we take great pride in the vehicles we sell and take care, time, and energy making our listings complete. That's probably obvious from the many high-quality photos and detailed descriptions you'll see with each vehicle. You are welcomed to give us a call directly or email us to discuss any questions you may have about a vehicle you are interested in prior to placing a bid. If you need help obtaining financing, we're happy to do that but please call us prior to bidding on a vehicle. Often, we can put a deal together right over the phone and many auctions end early with a phone call.
Bogus bidders bog down the sale process for everyone else and cost buyers and sellers money. We respectfully ask that you bid responsibly on eBay. When you win an eBay auction, you are legally obligated to complete the purchase transaction. If you get overly enthusiastic and enter the wrong bid amount--don't worry--we understand that it can happen. However, you'll need to call us immediately to retract any incorrectly entered bid. If you don't do so within 30 minutes, we'll consider your bid to be accurate and binding.