#340 Amazon Autos: Disruption or Distraction?
About this episode
Exploring the impact of Amazon's entry into the automotive market, this episode delves into how Amazon Autos could disrupt traditional car buying. The hosts discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls of using Amazon for vehicle purchases, including pricing transparency and flexible payment options. Joined by Justin Fisher from Car Edge, they provide insights into navigating this new marketplace, addressing consumer confusion, and sharing tips for making informed decisions when buying a car online. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding extended warranties and avoiding common pitfalls in the car buying process.
In this episode, we dive into smart consumer tips for buying used cars online — and what the launch of Amazon Autos means for everyday buyers.
Joining us is special guest Justin Fischer of CarEdge, who brings expert insight into pricing transparency, dealer tactics, online buying risks, and how consumers can protect themselves in today’s digital car marketplace.
From vehicle history reports and hidden fees to return policies and financing traps, we break down what to look for — and what to avoid — before clicking “buy.”
If you’re considering purchasing your next used car online, this episode will help you shop smarter and buy with confidence.
automotive affordability
"...this is going to really continue to challenge dealerships regarding automotive affordability. You are coming in my garage and I love you for it because I'm in the business of keeping your vehicle safe and reliable."
Automotive affordability means how easy or hard it is for people to buy cars based on their financial situation and costs like interest rates.
Automotive affordability refers to the financial ability of consumers to purchase or finance vehicles, which can be influenced by factors like interest rates, vehicle prices, and economic conditions.
pre-purchase inspection
"Should you be paying attention, particularly via a pre-purchase inspection? I preached to you maniacs about that."
A pre-purchase inspection is when a mechanic checks a used car for problems before you buy it. This can save you money by finding issues early.
A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is a thorough examination of a used vehicle conducted by a qualified mechanic before a purchase. It helps identify potential issues that could lead to costly repairs after the sale.
Kia Rio
"You and your uncle Louis going by the Kia Rio with 80,000 miles. It's for sale."
The Kia Rio is a small, affordable car that gets good gas mileage. It's often a good option for people looking for a budget-friendly vehicle.
The Kia Rio is a subcompact car known for its affordability and fuel efficiency. It's a popular choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable vehicle.
Parts Authority
"...Rent your nation support comes from Parts Authority, providing automotive parts and supplies..."
Parts Authority is a company that sells car parts and supplies. They help people and businesses find the parts they need to repair or maintain vehicles.
Parts Authority is a company that supplies automotive parts and accessories. They cater to both retail and wholesale customers, providing a wide range of products for various vehicle makes and models.
Motorcraft
"...with nationwide locations, professional counter-assistance, and a wide range of manufacturers, including AC Delco, Motocraft, Denzo, and Bosch."
Motorcraft is a brand that makes parts for Ford cars. They provide things like oil filters and batteries that fit Ford vehicles.
Motorcraft is the parts division of Ford Motor Company, providing a variety of automotive parts and accessories specifically designed for Ford vehicles. Their products include filters, batteries, and brake components.
Denso
"...with nationwide locations, professional counter-assistance, and a wide range of manufacturers, including AC Delco, Motocraft, Denzo, and Bosch."
Denso is a company that makes car parts, like air conditioning and fuel systems, for different car brands.
Denso is a global automotive parts manufacturer known for producing a variety of components, including air conditioning systems, fuel systems, and electrical systems for many vehicle brands.
AC Delco
"...with nationwide locations, professional counter-assistance, and a wide range of manufacturers, including AC Delco, Motocraft, Denzo, and Bosch."
AC Delco is a company that makes car parts, especially for GM cars. They sell things like batteries and brake parts.
AC Delco is a brand that provides automotive parts and products, primarily for General Motors vehicles. They offer a wide range of components, including batteries, filters, and brake parts.
Bosch
"...with nationwide locations, professional counter-assistance, and a wide range of manufacturers, including AC Delco, Motocraft, Denzo, and Bosch."
Bosch is a company that makes various car parts, like brakes and electrical systems, and is known for their quality.
Bosch is a leading global supplier of technology and services, including automotive parts such as braking systems, fuel systems, and electrical components. They are known for their high-quality products.
Armor All
"Number one, see through that Armor All. Bottom line is that Armor All, I'm not saying it's a bad thing. People want to clean up their vehicle and get the Armor All in and make it look good. But if you see sludging in Armor All, be prepared, especially in the engine bay."
Armor All is a product that helps clean and shine parts of your car, like the dashboard. However, if it builds up too much, it can create a gooey mess, especially around the engine area.
Armor All is a brand of cleaning and protecting products for automotive surfaces, including dashboards and tires. While it can enhance the appearance of a vehicle, it may cause issues like sludging if not used properly, especially in areas like the engine bay.
transparent pricing
"So it would be nice if you could just pull up any automotive listing online, and the price you see is going to be the price you pay, but as we all know, more often than not, something's going to be snuck into the bill there."
Transparent pricing means that the price you see for a car is the exact price you will pay, with no hidden fees. This helps buyers know exactly what they are spending without surprises.
Transparent pricing refers to a pricing model where the final price of a product, including all fees and charges, is clearly displayed upfront. This concept is particularly important in the automotive industry to help consumers avoid unexpected costs during the car buying process.
Ford F150
"...who wants a F-150 Lariat in Arizona at a fair price, no markup,..."
The Ford F-150 Lariat is a version of the F-150 truck that has more luxury features. It's a popular choice for people who want a truck that looks good and is comfortable to drive.
The Ford F-150 Lariat is a trim level of the popular F-150 pickup truck, known for its balance of luxury and capability. It typically includes upgraded features and technology compared to the base model, making it a popular choice among truck buyers.
Lexus
"...I love my attorney family. You listen to the show with your bougie Lexus and your BMWs and Mercedes, but your bagies up."
Lexus is a brand that makes luxury cars, and it's part of Toyota. They are known for being comfortable and reliable.
Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota, known for its reliability and high-quality interiors.
BMW
"...I love my attorney family. You listen to the show with your bougie Lexus and your BMWs and Mercedes, but your bagies up."
BMW is a car brand from Germany that makes sporty and luxury cars. They are known for their performance and driving experience.
BMW, or Bayerische Motoren Werke, is a German automobile manufacturer known for its performance-oriented vehicles and luxury sedans.
Mercedes
"...I love my attorney family. You listen to the show with your bougie Lexus and your BMWs and Mercedes, but your bagies up."
Mercedes is a well-known car brand that makes luxury vehicles. They are famous for their high-quality cars and advanced technology.
Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive brand known for luxury vehicles, buses, and trucks, recognized for their quality and innovation.
Amazon Autos
"...Let's switch over to Amazon Autos. Is Amazon Autos viable, Justin?"
Amazon Autos is a service by Amazon that lets you buy cars online. It's similar to how you might buy other products on Amazon, but for vehicles instead.
Amazon Autos is an online platform launched by Amazon for buying and selling cars. It aims to provide a convenient way for consumers to purchase vehicles directly through the Amazon website.
Hyundai
"...I see they sell Hyundai's, new car Hyundai's. Is that, am I right by saying that?"
Hyundai is a car company from South Korea that makes many types of vehicles, including sedans and SUVs. They are known for offering good quality at reasonable prices.
Hyundai is a South Korean automotive manufacturer known for producing a range of vehicles, from compact cars to SUVs. They have gained popularity for their value, reliability, and warranty offerings.
certified pre-owned
"You can buy a certified pre-owned Ford and Hertz if you're one of the few that are interested in a used rental car."
Certified pre-owned means a used car has been checked and approved by the car company or dealer. It usually comes with a warranty, so it's a safer option to buy.
Certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles are used cars that have been inspected, refurbished, and certified by the manufacturer or a dealer. They often come with a warranty, making them a safer choice for buyers.
used rental car
"You can buy a certified pre-owned Ford and Hertz if you're one of the few that are interested in a used rental car."
A used rental car is a car that has been rented out before and is now being sold. They can be cheaper, but they might have more miles on them.
A used rental car is a vehicle that has previously been rented out by a car rental company. These cars may have higher mileage but can be sold at a lower price compared to new cars.
Hertz
"You can buy a certified pre-owned Ford and Hertz if you're one of the few that are interested in a used rental car."
Hertz is a company that rents cars to people. You can rent cars for a short time, like a few days or weeks, for travel or other needs.
Hertz is a global car rental company that provides vehicles for rent to consumers and businesses. They offer a wide range of cars, including economy, luxury, and SUVs.
no haggle pricing
"...that quite frankly, consumer may feel bamboozled because they saw the advertisement. No haggle pricing."
No haggle pricing means the price of the car is set and you can't negotiate it. This makes buying a car easier because you know exactly what you'll pay without any back-and-forth discussions.
No haggle pricing refers to a sales strategy where the price of a vehicle is fixed and non-negotiable, simplifying the buying process for consumers. This approach can reduce the stress and time involved in negotiating a deal.
Hyundai Santa Fe
"...you may see a price listed on Amazon Auto, say, for a Hyundai Santa Fe that does end up being the price that you could pay before taxes and fees..."
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a type of SUV that is roomy and good for families. It has a lot of safety features and is usually a good deal for the price.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV known for its spacious interior, safety features, and value for money. It's popular among families and those looking for a reliable vehicle.
out-the-door price
"...we always say negotiate the out-the-door price, not just the price. But if you're going with Amazon Auto, then there's so-called no haggle pricing."
The out-the-door price is what you actually pay for a car after adding everything up, like taxes and fees. It's different from just the sticker price you see on the car.
The out-the-door price is the total cost of purchasing a vehicle, including the vehicle price, taxes, registration fees, and any additional dealer fees. It's important to negotiate this price to avoid unexpected costs.
negotiation
"...surrendering your ability to negotiate a better deal based on local market factors or any incentives you may be aware of."
Negotiation is when you talk with the salesperson to agree on a price for the car. It can help you get a better deal than just accepting the first price offered.
Negotiation in car buying refers to the process of discussing and reaching an agreement on the price and terms of the sale. Effective negotiation can lead to better deals and lower prices.
APR
"...pay a few thousand dollars more on a car with, say, a 10% APR. And you know that interest adds up over 72 at sometimes 84 months these days."
APR is the interest rate you pay on a loan each year. A higher APR means you'll owe more money in interest when you borrow to buy a car.
APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, which represents the yearly interest rate charged on borrowed money. In the context of car loans, a higher APR means you'll pay more in interest over the life of the loan.
72 months
"...interest adds up over 72 at sometimes 84 months these days."
72 months means you would pay off your car loan in six years. While this can lower your monthly payments, it might cost you more in interest overall.
72 months refers to the length of a car loan, specifically six years. Longer loan terms can result in lower monthly payments but often lead to paying more interest over time.
84 months
"...interest adds up over 72 at sometimes 84 months these days."
84 months means you would pay off your car loan in seven years. This can make your monthly payments smaller, but you might end up paying more interest in total.
84 months refers to the length of a car loan, specifically seven years. While it may lower monthly payments, it can also lead to higher total interest costs.
extended warranty
"...you're in that back office with all these add-ons. We're going to get to that because that's a big deal for folks because they end up paying quite a bit. And we're going to talk about extended warranty because you, on Cartage, have an outlet for that."
An extended warranty is like insurance for your car that helps pay for repairs after the original warranty runs out. It can save you money if something goes wrong, but you need to know what it covers before you buy it.
An extended warranty is a service contract that provides coverage for certain repairs or services after the manufacturer's warranty expires. It can help protect against unexpected repair costs, but it's important to understand what is covered and the terms of the policy.
no-car haggling
"So the no-car haggling, Cartage will step in and make that a little more friendly for the consumer, correct? Yes. So with our concierge service, if you don't like dealing with dealerships and haggling..."
No-car haggling means you don't have to argue about prices when buying a car. Someone else does that for you, making the process easier and less stressful.
No-car haggling refers to a car buying process where the consumer does not have to negotiate prices with dealerships. Instead, a service or expert handles the negotiations, aiming to secure the best deal for the buyer without the stress of traditional haggling.
concierge service
"So with our concierge service, if you don't like dealing with dealerships and haggling and negotiating every line item on the deal..."
A concierge service helps you buy a car by doing all the hard work for you. They talk to dealerships, negotiate prices, and make sure everything goes smoothly.
A concierge service in the automotive context refers to a personalized service that assists consumers in the car buying process. This service typically includes negotiating prices, handling paperwork, and providing expert advice to ensure a smooth transaction.
negotiable
"A lot of people don't know that's negotiable, am I right? Yep, that if it's taxable, it's negotiable and that's certainly taxable."
Negotiable means you can talk about the price and possibly lower it. When buying a car or warranty, you don't have to accept the first price they give you.
Negotiable refers to the ability to discuss and potentially change the price or terms of a deal. In the context of car purchases, many aspects, including warranties and financing rates, can often be negotiated to get a better deal.
72 or 84 month loan
"...everyone's getting a 72 or 84 month loan these days with a high APR."
A 72 or 84 month loan means you'll be paying off your car over 6 or 7 years. While this can make your monthly payments smaller, it can also mean you pay more in interest and owe more than the car is worth for longer.
A 72 or 84 month loan refers to the length of time over which a car loan is repaid, specifically 6 or 7 years. While longer loan terms can lower monthly payments, they often lead to higher overall interest costs and can result in being upside down on the loan, where the car's value is less than the amount owed.
affordability challenge
"I would say the affordability challenge. So we have so many drivers just from around the nation who may not have purchased a new or used car in a decade because, you know, they're playing it smart."
The affordability challenge is about how hard it is for people to buy cars because they are getting more expensive. Many people might not have bought a car for a long time and are surprised by the high prices now.
The affordability challenge refers to the difficulties consumers face in purchasing vehicles due to rising prices. As car prices increase, many potential buyers may feel priced out of the market, especially if they haven't purchased a car in years.
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