Many years ago, buying a car meant visiting a dealership in person, hashing out the details with a salesperson, and hoping to get a good deal. While there is nothing wrong with this strategy in today’s day and age, you don’t want to overlook the benefits of buying online.

Most of the buying process can be handled via the internet if you take the appropriate steps and are aware of what you should and should not be doing. Here are five tips for getting started:

1. Request more than one quote. Every reputable car dealer has a website on which you can view its inventory, which typically includes the price of each vehicle on the lot. Once you know which car you want to buy, request a quote from several dealers. This will give you a clear idea of where to start your negotiation.

2. Identify the primary contact. Did you know that most car dealers have an internet department? For this reason, you need to strike up a conversation with an internet sales person. This worker is dedicated to online inquiries. He or she is also in position to negotiate with you over the internet.

3. Know what you are getting. Since you are not viewing the car in person just yet, you need to know exactly what you are getting if you agree to a deal. Did you request that the salesperson send you the sticker via email? Do you know how many miles are on the vehicle? Don’t leave anything to chance. Ask all the right questions during this step in the online buying experience.

4. Don’t buy anything until you see the car in person. There is nothing wrong with agreeing to purchase a vehicle online, but don’t pay a dime until you see what you are getting in person. The last thing you want is to make a deposit, just to find that the vehicle you thought you were getting is not the one the dealer wants to sell you.

5. Meet with the internet sales person, as well as anybody else who can help finish off the transaction. Once you arrive at the dealer, the person you were communicating with online may pass you along to somebody else. There is nothing wrong with this, as long as your new contact is aware of the deal you have already negotiated.

If you are tired of the traditional car buying experience, the time has come to use the internet to your advantage. The five tips above will guide you in the right direction when buying a car online.