New Study Finds Consumer Generated Content Plays a Large Role in Online Auto Shopping

According to a recent Yahoo! Autos study, 85 percent of online shoppers consider consumer generated content, particularly ratings and reviews, to be a key element in their research process when shopping for a new vehicle.

Yahoo! Autos, one of the most comprehensive sources of automotive information on the Internet, commissioned J.D. Power and Associates to determine how and to what extent auto shoppers use consumer-generated information, opinions, images and video in their vehicle purchases. The findings demonstrated that online shoppers are tapping into the insights of other online users to help them make a more informed decision when buying a new vehicle.

While consumer ratings and reviews were found to be the most helpful, users also found other types of content helpful. They turn to auto enthusiast sites, online forums/message boards, question and answer sites, and blogs to find additional information such as pricing, features and specifications and product reliability/dependability information.

The study confirmed that consumers would welcome auto manufacturer participation in online discussions about their products as long as they were clearly identified. Users also felt that ongoing manufacturer interaction in consumer forums could allow for early detection and response to potential product issues and customer issues.

PayPal Settles with Ohio, 27 Other States

In a settlement with Ohio and 27 other states, the online-payment service PayPal has agreed to simplify its fine print. Along with making its user agreement clearer, PayPal also will keep users better informed about fraud protection.

During the payment process, the company will now explain how the company protects customers against fraud, for example when a seller fails to deliver goods paid for with PayPal.

Ohio attorney general Jim Petro says the settlement will ensure that consumers have relevant information about how PayPal works.

The company will pay $1.7 million dollars to the states to cover the costs of the investigation, and Ohio will receive $102,000 dollars