Florida's Person-to-Person Used Car Market Gets Tune-up With StraightAway Launch

    NAPLES, Fla.--March 1, 2001--

    Consumers Buying and Selling Vehicles Privately Save Thousands of Dollars in a Safer and Easier Process Only Recently Available to the
    Public

    StraightAway, the Naples, Fla.-based company offering a fast, easy, hassle-free way to buy and sell used cars, begins statewide expansion of its service today, revolutionizing the way person-to-person used car sales are transacted.
    Buying a car privately saves the consumer money by avoiding traditional dealership markups. Conversely, selling a car to an individual, instead of trading it in to a dealer, puts more money in the seller's pocket. Although financially beneficial, the person-to-person buying/selling process leaves much to be desired -- up until now. Finally, consumers can avoid the traditionally cumbersome and oftentimes uncomfortable and/or unsafe conditions that have made many people shy away from individual used car purchases and sales.
    A completely new approach to buying and selling used cars, StraightAway provides consumers with an all-inclusive service previously only available at dealerships. Consumers who buy or sell using StraightAway have the advantage of services such as financing with low monthly payments; escrow and lien payouts; warranties; accessories; and DMV tag, title and registration transfer services, items never available before for person-to-person transactions. In addition StraightAway does not charge a commission on the sale to either the buyer or seller.
    "This comprehensive approach is meant to empower consumers by providing them with buying and selling options never before possible," said Ben Freeland, founder and chief executive officer of StraightAway. "Buyers can now look to private sales knowing that financing and low payments are available, and sellers can market their cars in a way that assures them of a price much better than a trade-in."
    The automobile market is one of the largest industries in the United States today, with $350 billion being spent on used cars alone each year. Of the more than 40 million used cars are sold annually in the United States, 29.5 million are sold through car dealerships, and 10.5 million person-to-person. Within the used vehicle market, approximately 55% (22.2 million) of transactions are financeable, giving StraightAway a large addressable market.
    Purchasing a car from an individual is a much better buy -- according to Money Magazine, "Dealers make more money selling used cars than they do selling new ones -- no surprise when you consider that their typical used-car markup is 15% to 20% vs. 3% to 8% on a new car."
    StraightAway has already gathered many supporters including, Deanna Sclar, international best-selling author of Buying A Car For Dummies. Deanna states that, "Consumers will receive peace of mind and a less complicated experience with StraightAway because they get all necessary inspections, warranties and vehicle history available -- in one convenient location -- so they can buy with long-term confidence."
    In addition to the financial benefits, StraightAway pre-qualifies buyers and schedules test drives and inspections, so that sellers don't have to worry about a buyer's ability to pay or have the hassle of strangers coming to their home. Likewise, buyers can buy with confidence knowing that StraightAway can provide vehicle inspections, warranties and all available vehicle history, schedule convenient appointments to test drive prospective cars at a neutral meeting site, as well as bypass the long process of lien payoff and DMV visits.
    Several companies in the marketing, finance, warranty, and insurance industries have established associations with StraightAway, including AutoTrader.com, First Union, Wachovia, Regions Bank, American Investment Bank, and Universal Underwriters Group.
    Founded in 1998, Naples, Fla.-based StraightAway is a completely new approach to buying and selling used vehicles. Offering better value to sellers than a trade-in, and offering buyers the convenience of a dealer, StraightAway gives both buyers and sellers more value and less hassle. For more about StraightAway, visit www.straight-away.com

    Editor's Note: Ben Freeland, CEO of StraightAway is available for telephone interviews. He can be reached directly at 941/659-5300.