When it comes to buying a new or used vehicle women do not feel as comfortable about the car buying process as they do about other high value purchases. Recent research highlights the issue of women often feeling under more pressure in the showroom or at a dealership than men (What Car? Magazine).
Leading economist Linda Babcock and author of “Women Don’t Ask” claims that women are 2.5 time more likely to feel “a great deal of apprehension” about negotiating than men, especially when it comes to purchasing a car, which may lead to women putting off going to a showroom or car dealership altogether.
However, as the Internet continues to grow and people are increasingly purchasing high value goods online, there are further signs that it is also changing how people buy cars. Ford Retail, the UK's largest dedicated Ford dealer group which is wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, has launched ‘FordOnline’ (
www.fordonline.co.uk/social), a new easy-to-use car buying website that offers both convenience and value for Internet shoppers looking for new or used Ford cars as well as commercial vehicles. Most car buying journeys start with browsing the Internet for information. Surprisingly, FordOnline has found that a large proportion of Internet shoppers (37%) are now prepared to purchase vehicles without a test drive, removing one of the final barriers to online selling of cars. The convenience of the process is becoming increasingly important.
New research carried out by FordOnline.co.uk shows that motorists believe the benefits of buying a car online are convenience and a hassle free process, especially with today's busy lifestyles.
Steve Hood, Managing Director of FordOnline.co.uk, commented: “We know that with the growth of the Internet there are car buyers out there who want to search for and buy a car without visiting a dealership. We have specifically designed FordOnline.co.uk for those people, offering them great choice, low-prices and high levels of customer service. What you see on FordOnline.co.uk is exactly what you get. Our customers only need to visit a dealer to pick up their vehicle.”
FordOnline.co.uk aims to make car buying simple and straightforward, it is also 100% owned by Ford Retail, so users can be confident in using the website – it is the trusted, quick and convenient way to buy a Ford vehicle. They are now also to be found with the latest stories and updates on Twitter @FordOnlineUK. To find the best deals on your next Ford, visit
www.fordonline.co.uk/social.
Those lovely people at FordOnline have provided us with some very handy in-car accessories as a prize.
Win this handy organiser, that consists of a pink 4-sectioned boot tidy that can be expanded or collapsed to suit any boot size, plus 2 x shopping bags that come in their own case and clip to the end of the Boot Buddy for storage when not in use. Also includes a shopping trolley token on a key ring clip.
PLUS keep yourself looking in tip-top condition with a pair of in-car hair straighteners! 
All you have to do is tell us the most useful thing you keep in your glovebox by October 1st and you could win this handy prize! Email us at girlstravelclub @gmail.com and let us know your top in-car item!
Employees of Fordonline and their families may not enter, the judges' decision will be final. Winner will be notified by email by October 31st.
