“Do Your Research” - and Then What? Why Information Overload Isn’t Helping Women Buy Cars Smarter
I’ve conducted my fair share of research on tips and advice for women buying cars. It’s my business—and I’m always open to new ideas that could inspire or empower the women I work with.
Almost every list starts in the same way: “Always do your research.”
Groundbreaking! Not something I would’ve thought of on my own. You?
Here’s the thing: Women spend an average of 75 days researching their car purchase. That’s two and a half months of crawling down the rabbit hole of internet advice, car reviews, horror stories, and comment sections.
Have you ever innocently googled a health symptom and, within minutes, convinced yourself death was imminent? Exactly.
Of course, you should practice due diligence. Get clear on what you want to buy and what you want to spend. Gather information on the different makes and models, features and benefits, interest rates, and trade-in values. Dive on in.
So then what’s the problem?
When the Research Turns Against You
A few months ago, I finally decided to upgrade to a real grown-up fridge. I wanted it all: the bells, the whistles, the prettiest one on the block. I was excited to start shopping.
I know nothing about refrigerators, so I turned to the place we all go for clarity and comfort: the Internet. Ads crept up everywhere, no matter what I was doing or what device I was doing it on. And then something else started to appear.
ADVICE
“10 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Buying a Refrigerator.”
“5 Brands to Avoid at All Costs.”
“Red Flags Every Shopper Should Know.”
Did I click? You bet I did. This was potentially life-saving information!
My fun shopping excursion turned into the somber realization that it's a refrigerator jungle out there… It is not safe to just go out and buy one. Every article told me to avoid something different, and every review warned of some catastrophic malfunction.
I decided to "ask around" and many friends eagerly came to the rescue. No two people agreed.
Should I be brave, put on my big girl pants, and visit a store? Surely, I could get helpful advice from a professional. Someone who knows the product and could match my wants and needs with the refrigerator of my dreams? A Refrigerator Guru? With no small dose of apprehension, I went back online. Wow, so many golden nuggets of wisdom!
“When interacting with appliance salespeople, be wary!”
“Avoid overly enthusiastic claims about an appliance's features, performance, or lifespan.”
“If a sales associate becomes aggressive, don't be afraid to leave.”
Welcome to the Car-Buying Version of That
No shortage of advice, but a lot of it is unhelpful with a strong dose of fear mongering. We can do ALL the research, compare, budget, price shop, and review reading. But instead of feeling empowered and well-informed, we end up with a pit in our stomach. In doubt. Stressed out.
I’ve spent over two decades in the automotive industry—behind the desks, in the finance office, and on the sales floor. I’ve seen where the process breaks down for women, and more importantly, I know how to build it back up.
I may not be a refrigerator expert, but I am your girl when it comes to buying your next car.
I created She Drives Smart to give women the insider strategy that makes a real difference. My coaching is not about telling you what to buy. It’s about helping you buy smarter!
Let’s Talk
If you’re nodding along—or silently screaming YES—let’s talk. I offer a completely free consultation call where we’ll explore where you are in the buying process, what you want to accomplish, and how we can make that happen.
📩 Email me at info@shedrivessmart.com
📞 Or book your Free Consultation Call
With you all the way,
Barbara Scholten
Founder, She Drives Smart
