What is a Shift?

A shift is a change in position or direction. It can refer to a physical move (such as changing gears in a car), or to a change in attitude or perspective. A political or social shift can mean a change in policy. A shift can also be used to describe the changing of a person's role or responsibility, or to make a new decision.

The term "shift" can also refer to the way data is processed or shared. A data "shift" could refer to a change in the format or location of a document, for example, moving it from an old disk drive to a new one. A shift in data processing might involve a change from a traditional SQL database to a Hadoop cluster.

People who work in shifts often have more flexibility than those with a typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule, but they may experience sleep problems as a result. Shift work can also be disruptive to the home life, and it can lead to strained relationships.

Both Shift and Carvana allow potential buyers to browse their inventory online, where they can see a no-haggle sales price, car history, detailed photos, expected monthly payment information, 150-point inspection reports, and other information. Once they've found a vehicle they like, they can reserve it with a $250 non-refundable deposit. Then, the company will ship it to their home or workplace for a test drive and in-person inspection. If they decide to buy the car, they can complete the process in about an hour. If they don't, they can return it with no penalties.