Technology is now on the side of the law. You can now get a traffic ticket for running a red light without a law enforcement official being anywhere near your vehicle.
The dreaded traffic camera that takes a picture of the back of your car to record your license plate number is showing up in more areas of the country. It will soon enough be in your area you can count on it.
But technology has met its match this time with a non-tech product that you can use yourself. A company called PhantomPlate has come up with an ingenious product to keep you from receiving a traffic ticket if you happen to run through a red light.
It’s comes in a spray can that you apply yourself. No, it doesn’t turn your car invisible, but it does make your license plate invisible to the traffic cameras by using a reflective coating that is invisible to the eye but quite effective.
Why does it work? The traffic camera uses a high powered flash to capture the image of your license plate. When the camera flash hits the plate, the PhotoBlocker spray reflects the light and blurs the image completely.
Think of what a picture would look like if you aimed a camera at a mirror with a flash. That’s the effect on a smaller scale. You simply buy a can of the Photo Blocker, spray the license plates on up to two vehicles (only one application is needed), and never worry about getting a traffic ticket again by an automated traffic camera.
No worries of being pulled over for having the spray on your plates because it’s completely invisible to the eyes.
If you don’t want to use the spray, you can buy a plastic cover called a PhotoShield or Reflector cover that stays on your plate and works the same way.
These products are only illegal in Pennsylvania, so if you live or drive in any other state, you can use them.
I am not condoning the use of these products to purposely run red lights or other traffic signals. I do feel secure in recommending them to the average safe driver who may unintentionally drive through a red light.
For the cost of a traffic ticket of $100 or more, it’s worth it.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The new Green Hornet movie starring Seth Rogen features a Black Beauty car that's awe inspiring! The nice thing is that it doesn't move too far from the original at it's base, but man does it have some cool stuff!
The original Green Hornet was a 1930's radio program about a newspaper publisher turned crime fighter and his martial arts expert sidekick.
It then became a short-lived crime fighting show that ran during the 1966 and 1967 seasons. It's based on a comic book duo starring two crime-fighters: The Green Hornet and Kato. Kato was played by none other than Bruce Lee; the star of many karate movies in the 1970's.
The new movie keeps the Black Beauty intact with some 21st century modifications.
The Black Beauty is a 1965 Chrysler Imperial and the movie used 29 different versions for various scenes!
The car includes two hood mounted Gatling guns (machine guns) as well as a missile launcher or two.
Some of the cars were used to be chopped in half or otherwise damaged during filming. Others were made with roll bars so that stunt drivers could literally roll the cars over repeatedly.
Seth Rogen stars as Britt Reid, the son of a wealthy businessman. As Reid takes over his father’s business, he decides that there’s more to life than just earning a paycheck and decides to become a crime fighter .
One of his best and most loyal employees decides to build an indestructible crime fighting car that becomes the Black Beauty.
The twist is that they decide the best way to become effective crime fighters is to appear as villains themselves. That way they can get close to the actual villains and appear to be on their side.
Some of the other versions of the car were used for testing the various weapons and gadgets as the car was being built. Very cool!
The Chrysler Imperial was the most prestigious car for Chrysler from roughly 1955 to 1975. There were different versions along the way of course, and 1965”s was the Imperial LeBaron.
Another interesting fact about the series is that the Green Hornet was actually related to the Lone Ranger. He was supposedly his great grand nephew.
Like other antique cars, the Chrysler Imperial is a collectible, but one that is very affordable in most cases. Chrysler collectors have even paid as low as $5,000 for 1965 convertibles in good shape with original parts.
Check out the TV series with Bruce Lee through BlockBuster Online:
Blockbuster.com
Drive as fast as the Green Hornet? Check out Phantom Alert:
Most People Have 2.5 Seconds To React to a Speed Trap. With A GPS Detector You'll have All Week.
The original Green Hornet was a 1930's radio program about a newspaper publisher turned crime fighter and his martial arts expert sidekick.
It then became a short-lived crime fighting show that ran during the 1966 and 1967 seasons. It's based on a comic book duo starring two crime-fighters: The Green Hornet and Kato. Kato was played by none other than Bruce Lee; the star of many karate movies in the 1970's.
The new movie keeps the Black Beauty intact with some 21st century modifications.
The Black Beauty is a 1965 Chrysler Imperial and the movie used 29 different versions for various scenes!
The car includes two hood mounted Gatling guns (machine guns) as well as a missile launcher or two.
Some of the cars were used to be chopped in half or otherwise damaged during filming. Others were made with roll bars so that stunt drivers could literally roll the cars over repeatedly.
Seth Rogen stars as Britt Reid, the son of a wealthy businessman. As Reid takes over his father’s business, he decides that there’s more to life than just earning a paycheck and decides to become a crime fighter .
One of his best and most loyal employees decides to build an indestructible crime fighting car that becomes the Black Beauty.
The twist is that they decide the best way to become effective crime fighters is to appear as villains themselves. That way they can get close to the actual villains and appear to be on their side.
Some of the other versions of the car were used for testing the various weapons and gadgets as the car was being built. Very cool!
The Chrysler Imperial was the most prestigious car for Chrysler from roughly 1955 to 1975. There were different versions along the way of course, and 1965”s was the Imperial LeBaron.
Another interesting fact about the series is that the Green Hornet was actually related to the Lone Ranger. He was supposedly his great grand nephew.
Like other antique cars, the Chrysler Imperial is a collectible, but one that is very affordable in most cases. Chrysler collectors have even paid as low as $5,000 for 1965 convertibles in good shape with original parts.
Check out the TV series with Bruce Lee through BlockBuster Online:
Blockbuster.com
Drive as fast as the Green Hornet? Check out Phantom Alert:
Most People Have 2.5 Seconds To React to a Speed Trap. With A GPS Detector You'll have All Week.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Auto Insurance Terms
Almost all states require some type of auto insurance for its drivers and the days of states that don't require insurance are over.
How familiar are you with the auto insurance policy you have on the vehicle you or your family drives?
Here is a list of terms you should know very well. Make sure that you go through your insurance policies at least once per year as rates may have increased and coverage’s may change.
It’s also a good idea to receive quotes from competitors to the carrier that you have every two to three years. I personally saved about $1,200 per year recently by switching to my new carrier!
Deductible – The insurance lottery term as I like to call it. This is the up front amount you pay for damages to your vehicle. Typical deductible coverage amounts are: $100, $250, $500. Yes, you can carry insurance with no deductible meaning that the insurance carrier will pay for everything to fix your damaged vehicle. Great deal, eh?
Unfortunately, you’ll pay more for your policy if you don’t have a deductible. The higher that amount is, the lower your insured rate will be. Make sure you compare what your payments will be at different rates of deduction.
Full Coverage – This refers to the two main types of auto insurance coverage: Comprehensive and Collision
Comprehensive – This is the insurance that covers your vehicle for everything other than a collision. If your car is stolen and damaged, your comprehensive insurance would pay for any damages. Also, the Mother Nature coverage as in: floods or tree falls. If your engine catches fire and the car is damaged by smoke and/or burning, it’s covered by comprehensive insurance.
Collision – Yes, this is the one that covers you in the big bang, crash, dent, messy thing. If you hit another vehicle or something else on (or off) the road that you don’t like such as a tree, guardrail, or building; the collision coverage would kick in.
Here is an opportunity to save some money. If your car can be labeled a real “clunker” and is worth less than $1,000 in value because of age, mileage, condition, or a combination of those; you may decide not to carry collision insurance. If it’s already banged up, what’s another dent or two, right?
Uninsured Motorist – Oh yeah, they’re out there. Probably more than you think. Unfortunately, people that have a hard time paying their bills, will skimp on or skip insurance coverage. But, you need to carry it so that you (personally) or your vehicle will be covered in case of an accident with an uninsured motorist.
Bodily Injury – More important than fixing the vehicle in an accident is fixing you, your passengers, or those that may have been injured in an accident with another vehicle.
Property Damage – If you join your neighbor for dinner (accidentally) by crashing your vehicle into the side of their house, that’s property damage. This is typically written together with Bodily Injury insurance.
Glass Repair, Towing, Rental – These are less important (and less costly) to carry than the other types of auto insurance categories, but nice to have.
If your windshield cracks and needs replacement, that would be covered by glass repair.
If you’re a AAA member, you get a reduced rate for towing, but it can still be quite expensive so take a look at towing insurance.
I always get rental car insurance as my wife is good for an accident or two every couple of years (don’t tell her I said that), and body shop repairs can take a week or more.
These are the main types of vehicle insurances, so know them well and do compare your rates with other carriers. There’s a lot of competition in the insurance world so make sure you shop around!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Been in a wreck and need to buy another vehicle? Contact me at ProAutoBuying.com and I can help save you a bundle!
How familiar are you with the auto insurance policy you have on the vehicle you or your family drives?
Here is a list of terms you should know very well. Make sure that you go through your insurance policies at least once per year as rates may have increased and coverage’s may change.
It’s also a good idea to receive quotes from competitors to the carrier that you have every two to three years. I personally saved about $1,200 per year recently by switching to my new carrier!
Deductible – The insurance lottery term as I like to call it. This is the up front amount you pay for damages to your vehicle. Typical deductible coverage amounts are: $100, $250, $500. Yes, you can carry insurance with no deductible meaning that the insurance carrier will pay for everything to fix your damaged vehicle. Great deal, eh?
Unfortunately, you’ll pay more for your policy if you don’t have a deductible. The higher that amount is, the lower your insured rate will be. Make sure you compare what your payments will be at different rates of deduction.
Full Coverage – This refers to the two main types of auto insurance coverage: Comprehensive and Collision
Comprehensive – This is the insurance that covers your vehicle for everything other than a collision. If your car is stolen and damaged, your comprehensive insurance would pay for any damages. Also, the Mother Nature coverage as in: floods or tree falls. If your engine catches fire and the car is damaged by smoke and/or burning, it’s covered by comprehensive insurance.
Collision – Yes, this is the one that covers you in the big bang, crash, dent, messy thing. If you hit another vehicle or something else on (or off) the road that you don’t like such as a tree, guardrail, or building; the collision coverage would kick in.
Here is an opportunity to save some money. If your car can be labeled a real “clunker” and is worth less than $1,000 in value because of age, mileage, condition, or a combination of those; you may decide not to carry collision insurance. If it’s already banged up, what’s another dent or two, right?
Uninsured Motorist – Oh yeah, they’re out there. Probably more than you think. Unfortunately, people that have a hard time paying their bills, will skimp on or skip insurance coverage. But, you need to carry it so that you (personally) or your vehicle will be covered in case of an accident with an uninsured motorist.
Bodily Injury – More important than fixing the vehicle in an accident is fixing you, your passengers, or those that may have been injured in an accident with another vehicle.
Property Damage – If you join your neighbor for dinner (accidentally) by crashing your vehicle into the side of their house, that’s property damage. This is typically written together with Bodily Injury insurance.
Glass Repair, Towing, Rental – These are less important (and less costly) to carry than the other types of auto insurance categories, but nice to have.
If your windshield cracks and needs replacement, that would be covered by glass repair.
If you’re a AAA member, you get a reduced rate for towing, but it can still be quite expensive so take a look at towing insurance.
I always get rental car insurance as my wife is good for an accident or two every couple of years (don’t tell her I said that), and body shop repairs can take a week or more.
These are the main types of vehicle insurances, so know them well and do compare your rates with other carriers. There’s a lot of competition in the insurance world so make sure you shop around!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Been in a wreck and need to buy another vehicle? Contact me at ProAutoBuying.com and I can help save you a bundle!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Check the Car's History When Buying a Used Car
You’ve found the pre-owned vehicle that you want to buy. Whether it’s a beat up clunker you’ll use to get from point A to point B or a luxurious low mile sedan, you need to check its history.
It doesn’t matter how great it runs or how nice it looks, it’s important to know where the car has been, who has owned it, and to insure that the odometer hasn’t been rolled back.
In addition, the report will list all reported accidents, vehicles designated as lemons, branded titles and other valuable information.
Do you feel comfortable buying a car that was driven in Louisiana in 2005? It may be fine, but many cars that suffered flood damage from hurricane Katrina have shown up on used car dealer’s lots all across the country.
While it’s not necessarily a bad idea to buy a car that was part of a rental car fleet or was sold at auction; isn’t it worthwhile knowing that?
Some car dealer’s have these reports on vehicles on their lot so make sure to ask if it’s not readily available.
You should also check the odometer reading that will be listed on the report each time the vehicle has been sold and sometimes as it’s had major repair service. You want to insure that there is a logical flow to the mileage readings.
If you see on a report that a car has been driven 30,000 miles in a year, you should take notice. The most obvious sign you’ll be looking for is if a vehicle had 30,000 miles on it at some point and was sold a year later with 28,000 miles on it! That either means that a mistake was made in reporting or that an odometer was unlawfully rolled back.
The two leading companies that provide this information are CarFax and AutoCheck. CarFax is the one that most people are familiar with, but Auto Check is the better choice and here’s why.
An AutoCheck report is roughly 10% less expensive than a CarFax report and provides twice as many accident reports. AutoCheck also has an auction frame damage report and it uses a scoring system to make your decision as to whether to buy the vehicle or not easier.
If you want to check more than 5 vehicles, AutoCheck has an unlimited report program where CarFax’s limit is 5 reports.
Finally, the AutoCheck report uses color coding to identify areas where no problems are indicated (green), where there is information to report, but it’s not necessarily bad (blue), or a (red) exclamation point where there are problems that show up.
Peace of mind is important when buying a used vehicle, so make sure to use a vehicle history report as part of your decision making process on any vehicle that you look at.
Here is a link to AutoCheck:
Get a FREE VIN Check from AutoCheck®.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The price paid for the vehicle is also important and we at ProAutoBuying.com can help negotiate the lowest possible price on new or used vehicles. Contact us now!
It doesn’t matter how great it runs or how nice it looks, it’s important to know where the car has been, who has owned it, and to insure that the odometer hasn’t been rolled back.
In addition, the report will list all reported accidents, vehicles designated as lemons, branded titles and other valuable information.
Do you feel comfortable buying a car that was driven in Louisiana in 2005? It may be fine, but many cars that suffered flood damage from hurricane Katrina have shown up on used car dealer’s lots all across the country.
While it’s not necessarily a bad idea to buy a car that was part of a rental car fleet or was sold at auction; isn’t it worthwhile knowing that?
Some car dealer’s have these reports on vehicles on their lot so make sure to ask if it’s not readily available.
You should also check the odometer reading that will be listed on the report each time the vehicle has been sold and sometimes as it’s had major repair service. You want to insure that there is a logical flow to the mileage readings.
If you see on a report that a car has been driven 30,000 miles in a year, you should take notice. The most obvious sign you’ll be looking for is if a vehicle had 30,000 miles on it at some point and was sold a year later with 28,000 miles on it! That either means that a mistake was made in reporting or that an odometer was unlawfully rolled back.
The two leading companies that provide this information are CarFax and AutoCheck. CarFax is the one that most people are familiar with, but Auto Check is the better choice and here’s why.
An AutoCheck report is roughly 10% less expensive than a CarFax report and provides twice as many accident reports. AutoCheck also has an auction frame damage report and it uses a scoring system to make your decision as to whether to buy the vehicle or not easier.
If you want to check more than 5 vehicles, AutoCheck has an unlimited report program where CarFax’s limit is 5 reports.
Finally, the AutoCheck report uses color coding to identify areas where no problems are indicated (green), where there is information to report, but it’s not necessarily bad (blue), or a (red) exclamation point where there are problems that show up.
Peace of mind is important when buying a used vehicle, so make sure to use a vehicle history report as part of your decision making process on any vehicle that you look at.
Here is a link to AutoCheck:
Get a FREE VIN Check from AutoCheck®.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The price paid for the vehicle is also important and we at ProAutoBuying.com can help negotiate the lowest possible price on new or used vehicles. Contact us now!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
How to Deal with The Car Dealer
Let's face it; car salespeople get a bad wrap. The majority of them are not paid very well, they are pushed
extremely hard to sell cars, and they may feel bad about the way they are trained to deal with you the customer.
Some car salespeople are excellent. They're friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. We're going to talk about
... the others. They can be rude, obnoxious, and pushy. They're the reason that the profession has such a taint
associated with it.
In order for you to deal with the “bad” car salespeople, you've got to take control from the minute you meet with
or speak with them. I'm not saying you need to take on any of the characteristics of the bad salespeople above,
but you've got to establish that you're going to control the relationship.
In establishing control, you'll be preventing the salesperson from acting like... a car salesperson.
Here is a script to follow that you can use when dealing with a car dealer. This script assumes you are interested
in test driving the car you want to purchase.
You won't be rude, obnoxious or demeaning, just confident.
YOU: - introducing yourself to the salesperson: Hello my name is (first name only), and I'd like to test drive the
latest model Mean Machine.
SALESPERSON: Nice to meet you I'm (Super Car Salesperson). Let's go to my desk so that I can take some
information from you.
YOU: Thank you, but I don't have much time and I'd really just like to take a test drive.
SALESPERSON: OK, I'll have the car pulled in front and we can take a quick ride. I'll need a copy of your
driver's license for insurance purposes.
YOU: You can have a copy, as long as you seal the copy in an envelope and leave it in a secure place. I don't
want to be on a mailing list and I don't want it used for any other purposes.
SALESPERSON: That's fine. While we're waiting for the car to arrive, where are you in the process? Are you
ready to buy if you like the car?
YOU: I'm definitely not going to buy today whether I like the car or not. I'm going to test drive (their top
competitors brand) and decide after that.
SALESPERSON: (Once in the car) - Isn't this a great ride? Listen to the sound system (turns on the radio).
YOU: (Turn off the radio) - I'd really like to listen to interior noise, wind noise, and the engine so I'll need to turn
the radio off.
SALESPERSON: What are you looking to spend as far as a monthly car payment?
YOU: When I'm ready to buy, I'll do so based on the negotiated price of the car not a monthly payment.
Also, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask the questions since I don't have a lot of time and I do want to concentrate
on the test drive.
SALESPERSON: (When back at the dealership). So what did you think?
YOU: (Unless you really didn't like the car, say this.) It's OK, not exactly what I'm looking for, but I'll still consider
it. (Even if you loved the car and it's exactly what you want, don't show the emotion to him.)
SALESPERSON: Great can I have your phone number to call you next week in case there are any specials in
this model?
YOU: Thanks, if you give me your card I'll call you if I'm interested.
The same type of script can be used when you're ready to buy. By taking charge of the situation, you'll stop a
lot of the sales tactics and have the process played by your rules.
-----------------------------------
Dislike dealing with car salespeople, contact me at Professional Auto Buying Services - proautobuying.com and
I'll do all of the dirty work dealing and negotiating for you.
extremely hard to sell cars, and they may feel bad about the way they are trained to deal with you the customer.
Some car salespeople are excellent. They're friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. We're going to talk about
... the others. They can be rude, obnoxious, and pushy. They're the reason that the profession has such a taint
associated with it.
In order for you to deal with the “bad” car salespeople, you've got to take control from the minute you meet with
or speak with them. I'm not saying you need to take on any of the characteristics of the bad salespeople above,
but you've got to establish that you're going to control the relationship.
In establishing control, you'll be preventing the salesperson from acting like... a car salesperson.
Here is a script to follow that you can use when dealing with a car dealer. This script assumes you are interested
in test driving the car you want to purchase.
You won't be rude, obnoxious or demeaning, just confident.
YOU: - introducing yourself to the salesperson: Hello my name is (first name only), and I'd like to test drive the
latest model Mean Machine.
SALESPERSON: Nice to meet you I'm (Super Car Salesperson). Let's go to my desk so that I can take some
information from you.
YOU: Thank you, but I don't have much time and I'd really just like to take a test drive.
SALESPERSON: OK, I'll have the car pulled in front and we can take a quick ride. I'll need a copy of your
driver's license for insurance purposes.
YOU: You can have a copy, as long as you seal the copy in an envelope and leave it in a secure place. I don't
want to be on a mailing list and I don't want it used for any other purposes.
SALESPERSON: That's fine. While we're waiting for the car to arrive, where are you in the process? Are you
ready to buy if you like the car?
YOU: I'm definitely not going to buy today whether I like the car or not. I'm going to test drive (their top
competitors brand) and decide after that.
SALESPERSON: (Once in the car) - Isn't this a great ride? Listen to the sound system (turns on the radio).
YOU: (Turn off the radio) - I'd really like to listen to interior noise, wind noise, and the engine so I'll need to turn
the radio off.
SALESPERSON: What are you looking to spend as far as a monthly car payment?
YOU: When I'm ready to buy, I'll do so based on the negotiated price of the car not a monthly payment.
Also, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask the questions since I don't have a lot of time and I do want to concentrate
on the test drive.
SALESPERSON: (When back at the dealership). So what did you think?
YOU: (Unless you really didn't like the car, say this.) It's OK, not exactly what I'm looking for, but I'll still consider
it. (Even if you loved the car and it's exactly what you want, don't show the emotion to him.)
SALESPERSON: Great can I have your phone number to call you next week in case there are any specials in
this model?
YOU: Thanks, if you give me your card I'll call you if I'm interested.
The same type of script can be used when you're ready to buy. By taking charge of the situation, you'll stop a
lot of the sales tactics and have the process played by your rules.
-----------------------------------
Dislike dealing with car salespeople, contact me at Professional Auto Buying Services - proautobuying.com and
I'll do all of the dirty work dealing and negotiating for you.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Six Easy Steps to Buying a Car
What do you feel when you hear phrases like “car salesperson”, “car dealership”, and “car buying”? If you’re like most people, these terms send shivers down your spine and remind you of unpleasant experiences. In fact, most people would rather have extensive dental work than visit a car dealership.
It doesn’t have to be this way though, honest! While buying a car is usually the second largest purchase that most people make in their lifetime, it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience.
I'm not talking about the certainly pleasant experience of the invigorating smell of a new car’s interior or the gleam in your eye as the sun glistens off of the untarnished exterior. I’m talking about having a painless experience during the process of visiting the dealership whether you’re buying new or used.
A Sobering Profession
A 2007 USA Today/Gallup poll finds that car salesmen are the least trusted professional. That’s no surprise you say, but did you know that while 2/3’s of consumers said that they were at least “satisfied” with their experience at the car dealership, 10 years ago that number was 80 %.
How could that percentage have gotten worse when there is much more focus on customer service in most businesses these days?
There are a few related reasons for this such as: higher turnover of salespeople, less commission based sales, more educated consumers leading to lower profit.
Take Control and Be Prepared
So how can any woman prevent unfair treatment, unprofessional sales tactics, and outrageous offers by auto salespeople?
The easiest way is by obeying the scout motto: Be Prepared.
By preparing yourself BEFORE entering the lion’s den, otherwise known as the auto dealership, the salesperson will have no choice but to treat you fairly, act professionally, and respect your wants, needs, and desires.
1. Know your budget – Only you (NOT the salesperson) should know how much you can spend. Hey, I’d like to be driving a Lamborghini, but I know at this point in my life all that I can afford and the vehicle that suits my needs is a Camry.
2. Secure Financing – Unless there are special manufacturer to consumer financing incentives, go to your bank or credit union, make some calls and look at some websites and get the best finance rate you can. It will almost certainly be better than any that the dealership will give you.
3. Research, Research, Research!
You’ve determined your budget. Now look at the various websites such as Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book that will give you an idea of the dealers approximate cost for the vehicle(s) you want to test drive. Assume a 2 to 3 % profit depending on make and model, and you’ve got an idea on what it will cost.
4. Test Drive and Be Quiet – After researching within your budget, driving habits, safety needs, etc., you’ll have a good idea as to what vehicle or vehicle class will suit your needs. Put the pedal to the medal and put the car through its paces. Tell the salesperson you’re there to test drive only and will not be discussing anything other than questions on the car or cars you’ll be driving. They won’t like this because their job is to get as much information from you as possible, but they’ll respect you more for being up front on your intentions and won’t pester you with questions.
5. Give Them an Offer They Can’t Refuse – Instead of wasting countless hours visiting multiple dealerships trying to haggle with a professional who’s prepared to rebut and refute anything you say, use the information you’ve collected in your research and tell them what you’re willing to pay. Talk to friends and family to get an idea of what they may have paid for similar vehicles. Try offering exactly what you’ve calculated the dealer’s cost to have been without adding profit. That way if they deny your offer, you can always add small dollar increments to the offer instead of having to beat them down.
6. Pat Yourself on the Back – By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to getting your way when it comes to buying a car!
It doesn’t have to be this way though, honest! While buying a car is usually the second largest purchase that most people make in their lifetime, it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience.
I'm not talking about the certainly pleasant experience of the invigorating smell of a new car’s interior or the gleam in your eye as the sun glistens off of the untarnished exterior. I’m talking about having a painless experience during the process of visiting the dealership whether you’re buying new or used.
A Sobering Profession
A 2007 USA Today/Gallup poll finds that car salesmen are the least trusted professional. That’s no surprise you say, but did you know that while 2/3’s of consumers said that they were at least “satisfied” with their experience at the car dealership, 10 years ago that number was 80 %.
How could that percentage have gotten worse when there is much more focus on customer service in most businesses these days?
There are a few related reasons for this such as: higher turnover of salespeople, less commission based sales, more educated consumers leading to lower profit.
Take Control and Be Prepared
So how can any woman prevent unfair treatment, unprofessional sales tactics, and outrageous offers by auto salespeople?
The easiest way is by obeying the scout motto: Be Prepared.
By preparing yourself BEFORE entering the lion’s den, otherwise known as the auto dealership, the salesperson will have no choice but to treat you fairly, act professionally, and respect your wants, needs, and desires.
1. Know your budget – Only you (NOT the salesperson) should know how much you can spend. Hey, I’d like to be driving a Lamborghini, but I know at this point in my life all that I can afford and the vehicle that suits my needs is a Camry.
2. Secure Financing – Unless there are special manufacturer to consumer financing incentives, go to your bank or credit union, make some calls and look at some websites and get the best finance rate you can. It will almost certainly be better than any that the dealership will give you.
3. Research, Research, Research!
You’ve determined your budget. Now look at the various websites such as Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book that will give you an idea of the dealers approximate cost for the vehicle(s) you want to test drive. Assume a 2 to 3 % profit depending on make and model, and you’ve got an idea on what it will cost.
4. Test Drive and Be Quiet – After researching within your budget, driving habits, safety needs, etc., you’ll have a good idea as to what vehicle or vehicle class will suit your needs. Put the pedal to the medal and put the car through its paces. Tell the salesperson you’re there to test drive only and will not be discussing anything other than questions on the car or cars you’ll be driving. They won’t like this because their job is to get as much information from you as possible, but they’ll respect you more for being up front on your intentions and won’t pester you with questions.
5. Give Them an Offer They Can’t Refuse – Instead of wasting countless hours visiting multiple dealerships trying to haggle with a professional who’s prepared to rebut and refute anything you say, use the information you’ve collected in your research and tell them what you’re willing to pay. Talk to friends and family to get an idea of what they may have paid for similar vehicles. Try offering exactly what you’ve calculated the dealer’s cost to have been without adding profit. That way if they deny your offer, you can always add small dollar increments to the offer instead of having to beat them down.
6. Pat Yourself on the Back – By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to getting your way when it comes to buying a car!
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