News

Driveitaway.com launches dealer-to-consumer used car auctions

April 23, 2002

PHILADELPHIA - The secret is out.

Two Philadelphia businesswomen are letting the public in on used car auctions once known as hotbeds of dealer-only bargains. Auto sales manager Darryl Draper and Stacy Ratner, an attorney and Web designer, are the founders of Driveitaway.com.

Local dealers and corporate fleet managers can post their late model-inventory on Driveitaway.com's online auto auction. With that information, consumers can log on, browse through the available vehicles and bid on what they like. At that time, bidders are encouraged to visit participating dealerships for an inspection or a test drive.

Pacifico Dealer Group and Holman Enterprises, two of the area's largest dealerships are adding Internet-enabled kiosks to their showrooms so that customers can bid on Driveitaway.com vehicles. By doing so, the dealerships believe, inventory is replenished faster and car prices go down.

Used-car shoppers can also place bids on Driveitaway.com vehicles by using the company's kiosk at the Cherry Hill (New Jersey) Mall.

A pilot program will be conducted in the Philadelphia area for three months before expanding to key markets nationwide.