All transactions will be carried out through the digital platform www.carrocooponline.com, which will launch tomorrow, Thursday, October 1st. (Archive)
As part of the beginning of October, Cooperativism Month, and tempered by the reality of the pandemic, a score of savings and credit cooperatives, in conjunction with 16 car dealers, will hold the first virtual fair, in which consumers will be able to buy your vehicle digitally.
This innovative effort will run until October 31 , and depending on the reception it could be extended for an additional 30 days. All transactions can be completed through the digital platform www.carrocooponline.com, which will launch tomorrow, Thursday, October 1st.
The Carro Coop fair will offer interest from 1.99% APR for new cars and from 3.99% APR for used cars. “Interest rates in cooperatives are below what banks charge for this type of financing,” said Aurelio Arroyo , president of the Jesús Obrero Cooperative and member of the Association of Cooperative Executives (ASEC).
For his part, Jaime Cuevas , CarroCoop spokesperson, indicated that there are almost 1,000 vehicles in inventory between new and used. He explained that through the platform, the client will be able to see all the cars, or choose to see them by category, whether new or used, by make, model or by year.
“They have the opportunity to see the inventory of the 16 'dealers' without visiting each dealership, without exposing themselves … and they can see all the specifications of the vehicle, ” said Cuevas. This, because each car is accompanied by several photos, from different angles, as well as a description of each unit.
The platform also allows you to obtain basic information on financing options and even submit a pre-qualification request . If you are interested in a car, the customer can mark it by leaving his name, email and a comment.
This information will reach the dealer and the cooperative, and they will make a conference call with the customer to clarify any doubts, so that they can make an informed decision.
Cuevas stressed that customer information will be encrypted to avoid the risk of identity theft.
The goal with this first virtual fair is that each cooperative can finance between 20 and 25 units, for an approximate total of 840 vehicles sold.
“We are very excited about the launch of this project. It is an advance for the industry. The client can do everything from home, he has absolute control of the negotiation ”, stated Javier Acevedo, from Hyundai San Sebastián, indicating that it is a very transparent program.
At the time of negotiation, the customer chooses where he wants to see and test the car before buying it, whether at home, at the dealership or at the cooperative . “Everything will be done with hygiene and safety protocols, but the consumer will be able to see and test the car before making the final decision,” Cuevas said.
Another advantage of CarroCoop is that the client will be able to acquire credit protection when financing the unit, in case they become incapacitated or involuntarily lose their employment. It is an optional protection, but the cooperative includes it for free for the first year.
This credit protection, called Confía, is a financial product, not insurance, and can be paid monthly or in a single installment. The monthly cost is between $ 7.25 and $ 8, and can be included in the financing.
Cuevas explained that Confía protects the consumer's credit in the event that they also lose their driver's license due to health conditions, suffer accidental death or if they resort to personal bankruptcy in the case of self-employed workers.
Confía allows you to deliver the car to the dealer without damaging your credit. In addition, the Confía Premium Plus gives you additional protection, since you can keep the car for three months and your payment will be covered for that period of time, Cuevas said.
Among those who buy a car, a prize of $ 3,000 in cash will be raffled.
