Make Lemonaid from a Lemon
Lemonaid from a Lemon?by: Debra VaughnAbout 2 months ago my family grew by one more. When we had our baby,
the reality that we could no longer fit our family into a car hit us.
Our back seat simply would not fit 2 carseats and a carrier car seat.
So off the the dealership we went to buy a mini-van.
After browsing several dealerships in one day.
I found two vans that
I liked at two different dealerships. Here is how I got a van that is
practically brand new, though the year of the van is 1996, for
$8,999.00. The best part about it is, you can do it too!
First, my husband and I went to 3 different dealerships. We found
three vans that we loved. at the last dealership, I fell in love with
a particular van.
The van was marked at $13,995. I mentioned to the
salesperson that there was a van that was practically identical at
the dealership right across the street that was priced at only
$9,999. I told my husband that maybe we should just go across the
street and see about getting that one. I did this intentionally right
in front of the salesman loud enough so that he could hear me. Within
two seconds, maybe less, he chimed in with, "Let me talk to my sales
manager and see what we can do for you." I agreed.
I was expected him
to come back with a price that matched the dealership across the
street. To my amazement, he came back with a price of $8,999! That
was a full $5,000 LESS that the original price with NO trade-in and
nothing down! We jumped on that offer and signed the contract within
45 minutes. We did insist that they give us a 30 day dealer warranty
with no deductible. They agreed.
Being the "savvy shopper" that I am, I immediately drove my new van
off the lot and took it to my father, a mechanic.
He gave the car a
good evalutaion and gave me a list of everything that was wrong with
it. On my way home that night, my service engine light came on, six
hours after I signed the contract. To say I was upset would be an
understatement!
I got up the next morning and purposely got myself all worked up and
ready for battle. I waited for one hour after the dealer opened then
drove my new van back to the dealership. The trick here is to not
call ahead of time and go to the dealership at a busy time, usually
on the weekends.
One thing that dealers count on you not knowing is that, by law, you
have a 72-hour cooling off period to take any major purchase back to
where you got it and return it for no reason. So knowing this, I went
back. As soon as I pulled into the lot, I was approached by another
salesman. His first reaction to me was to ask me how I was. I replied
with a simple, "Not good!" He asked what was the matter and I told
him and gave him a list of everything that was wrong, including a
cupholder being missing.
I let him know that no matter how much I
liked the van, I was had no reservations about giving it back, after
all, I was within my legal limit.
He immediately went back and got the sales manager, I vented to him,
in front of other customers. He took back my keys and put my van into
the shop immediately to save face in front of the other customers. he
gave us a loaner van to use in the mean time.
After two days, I still didn't have my van back, so I called the
edalership and told them that unless I could get another 72 hour
cooling off period, he could keep my van.
I was obviously not going
to be stuck with a van that I only had for 6 hours! Needless to say,
I got my time extended.
My van was returned to me that day. My cooling off period was
extended, I had the 30 dealer warranty and the repairs were made.
Curious as to what needed to be fixed? He is the list: the catalytic
converter, several sensors, the transmission, the alignment was out,
two tires were worn, it needed an oil change, the gas cap was missing
and my cup holder was broken. By the time my repairs were done, my
$8,999 van was worth a total of $15, 127! I got a practically new van
after all the work was done! Then 2 days before the dealer warranty
was up, I took it back in and got a new belt in the motor.
I got a
lemon and made lemonaide, you can too!
Hint: Check out Carfax.com to see if your vehicle has been in an
accident or anything else has been done to it. Most dealerships
subscribe to this service so you should get it for free. If they dont
subscribe, ask if they have an internet access you can use to check
yourself, for free, while at the dealership.
The Top 10 Rules of High-Mileage Car Maintenance
(ARA) - Americans are keeping their vehicles longer and driving farther than ever before. Today, the average age of vehicles on the road is greater than nine years and more than 68 percent of vehicles have more than 75,000 miles. As a vehicle's engine ages, its performance decreases and oil starts to break down at a faster rate. Over time, seals begin to deteriorate, gaskets become brittle and oil consumption increases -- all leading to a reduction in engine performance.Treating your high-mileage vehicle with a little TLC and consistently following the 10 rules for high-mileage vehicle maintenance will help ensure it will go the distance. Using premium motor oil specially formulated for higher-mileage cars -- such as Castrol GTX High Mileage Formulation --will also help a higher-mileage car feel young again.Rule #1 -- Make sure you change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles -- whichever comes first.
No exceptions. Think of your engine as the heart of your car and motor...
The Top 10 Rules of High-Mileage Car Maintenance
Toyo tires > The Top 10 Rules of High-Mileage Car Maintenance
Segway of Oakland Appeals to EMTs - Emergency Response Vehicle Latest in Line of Custom Segways
The newest line of Segways ? customized in-house by Segway of Oakland's professional staff ? will appeal directly to emergency response personnel. The Segway is already a machine designed perfectly for these types of difficult and demanding jobs, providing a unique, convenient and reliable way for security and emergency officers to negotiate tight corners and crowded sites. The new Segway EMT features the durability and reliability of the standard i Series with a number of handy, necessary applications to make the job of the EMT easier.The Segway EMT is also perfect for novices or volunteers responding to emergencies at special events, both indoor and outdoor, and so will prove convenient for more than just EMTs. These models can now be rented or purchased through Segway of Oakland at 212 International Blvd. The Segway i Series is the company's ?most rugged and powerful model,' with added stability and generous cargo capacity.
This model easily navigates variable terrain, including...
Segway of Oakland Appeals to EMTs - Emergency Response Vehicle Latest in Line of Custom Segways
Toyo tires > Segway of Oakland Appeals to EMTs - Emergency Response Vehicle Latest in Line of Custom Segways
Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 4 Buying Platinum Jewelry
Whether you presently own a retail or web based business and are looking for an additional profit center or you are thinking of starting a business, jewelry is a "no-brainer" choice for a proven product category. The buying public, (particularly women) never tires of jewelry as the choices in color, materials, finishes and styles are endless and innovations are continual. Every generation reinvents jewelry for itself in much the same way that it reinvents music and fashion. Styles change but the basic facts remain the same. If you are a seasoned professional, please consider the following a refresher course.
To the new comer, use this information as a foundation for your ongoing jewelry education.The Facts About Platinum JewelryPlatinum is a precious metal that costs more than gold. It usually is mixed with other similar metals, known as the platinum group metals: iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.Different markings are used on platinum jewelry as compared with...
Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 4 Buying Platinum Jewelry
Toyo tires > Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 4 Buying Platinum Jewelry
High Fuel Prices Killing Families, Vehicle Emissions Killing the Environment
Vancouver, BC (ContentDesk) August 3, 2006 -- High Fuel Prices killing families, yet damage to the environment grows ever more dire.
Eco E-Mall Inc. Launches EcoPower to address both issues Head On.Carbon Credits Affiliate Program also Launched to help encourage people to increase gas mileage, reduce pollution, and increase safety of their vehicles. Did you know that the average vehicle and driver put 4 tonnes of pollution per year into the environment?With so many families driving 2 or more vehicles that means the average family puts as much as 8 tonnes of pollution into the atmosphere.
Even in a small community of 5000 people that is enough pollution to fill 10 baseball stadiums annually.Did you know that 90% of Carbon Monoxide in the air comes from automobiles?
Scary stuff.We focus so much time and energy on recycling our garbage yet the average family only produces 1.5 tonnes of garbage per year, small when compared with 8 tonnes of pollution from our two...
Toyo tires > High Fuel Prices Killing Families, Vehicle Emissions Killing the Environment
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