(CHICAGO) –Swap Motors, the first peer-to-peer marketplace of evaluated cars, announced today the opening of its first Swap Center, a new concept in automotive sales that gives consumers a safe location to independently manage all aspects of buying and selling a car themselves. Located at 4850 Main St in Skokie, the Swap Center is the company’s first retail location and evolution of the online platform it launched in 2016. Swap Motors plans to open as many as five Swap Centers in Chicagoland in the coming year.
“We started Swap Motors to take the hassle and fear out of selling a used car. Opening Swap Centers is a big part of that mission, and will be what sets Swap Motors apart from other options to buy and sell used cars,” said Alex Johnson, CEO, and co-founder of Swap Motors. “Too often, consumers will forgo the savings of selling their car themselves, because they are overwhelmed by the process and have safety concerns when it comes transacting with strangers. Through our new Swap Center, we are excited to provide a safe alternative where they can confidently manage the entire process and keep more money in their pocket.”
The Skokie location is a model for future retail outlets and will provide an extension of the services Swap Motors provides online to help consumers buy and sell used cars, including:
- Quick Drive-In Evaluations For Sellers: Consumers interested in selling their car can visit the Swap Center for a multipoint car evaluation that can be used to set a fair listing price for their vehicle.
- Vehicle Listing Service: Swap Motors will create a professional quality digital listing with high-definition photos & videos of the vehicle that will be posted to Swap Motors website and numerous online classified sites to attract buyers.
- Safe Test-Drive Locations: Sellers and buyers can safely meet with at the Swap Center for test-drives, making parking lot meetups a thing of the past.
- Simple Way to Close the Deal: Buyers and sellers can avoid the confusion of where, when and how to complete the transaction by simply scheduling a time to close the deal at a Swap Center.
- End-to-End Assistance: Swap Motors’ team of specialists guide both sellers and buyers through the paperwork, title transfer, and payment process. Swap Motors can also assist buyers with financing, insurance, and extended warranties.
“While online technology plays a core role in our product, the addition of physical retail locations where car shoppers can physically kick the tires and complete a sale is key to our model,” said Sanjay Patel, co-founder, and head of product and technology. “Unlike traditional online classifieds, we are giving sellers and buyers the tools and support they need to complete the sales process. We are putting all the conveniences of a car dealership directly in their hands, without the used car salesman.”