How To Buy Your Dream Car And Avoid Car Dealers' Dirty Tricks

How to buy a new Car

Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our life.

There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste and style, our economic status and our character. Some women even claim that a car is a man's extension of his reproductive organ. One the other hand (the good hand) there are women out there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they "fall in love" with a certain car model.

There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.

In our modern life it's almost impossible to function without one and it's expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.

Buying a new car is a lot of fun, the new car has its unique smell no doubt about it, the very fact you can afford to own a brand new car is a great feeling.

When is the best time to buy a new car?

There are two "best times" to buy a car. The end of December is a good time for car buyers to buy a new car. Everyone is out buying Christmas gifts, leaving new car dealer lots void of customers, motivating dealers to cut costs, and break year end sales records. Another good time to buy a car is July to October as new car dealers sell off cars at low prices to clear space for new car models. Secret factory to dealer incentives can be $1000-$6000 in addition to new car consumer rebates!

How and where to search for prices:

Invoice price - what the dealer pays the manufacturer - has become the real negotiating point. Allowing for the dealer's need to make a profit, the price you pay should be somewhere between sticker and invoice.

Virtually all car buying sites on the Internet show invoice and in most cases their buying tools automatically add option/package invoice amounts as you work your way through the process.

Any car buyer, with very little effort, can get an accurate summation of a car's value, which immediately puts him or her in a stronger negotiating position.

Happily for the consumer, the Internet now allows a prospective buyer to uncover market conditions at any moment in various parts of the country.
http://www.Edmunds.com/

for example, reveals the True Market Value: http://www.CarsDirect.com/, which sells cars online, has its own version called Guaranteed CarsDirect price http://www.Intellichoice.com/ sorts out the Best Deals of the Month.

The negotiation phase and the dirty tricks:

After you made your research via the Internet, it's important you make some phone calls to car dealers and ask for some written offers to be sent to you via the fax or email for the car of your dreams. That way, you can compare prices between several dealers without being pressured by a salesperson.

You would be much better off selling your old car yourself rather than to trade it in through the dealer because the dealer will have to earn some money on it as well.

Remember, everything is a negotiable, car too. Buying a new car is tricky from the moment you step into the car dealership arena, you might be manipulated by scam artists, well trained sales persons that will use every trick in their fat book of tricks to extort every last Dollar out of your bank account.

There is one well known trick they teach in car dealers sales courses, it's called "throwing a lowball", in this tactic a customer is offered a very good price on a car,
Perhaps as much as $500 below competitors prices. The good deal, however, is not genuine, its only purpose is to cause a prospect to decide to buy at this dealership and not from the other dealers. Once the decision is made a raft of purchase forms are filled out, extensive financial terms are arranged. The dealer knows, customers develop a range of new reasons to support the choice they have now made.

Then something happens. All of a sudden an "error" in the calculations is discovered, It might be the salesman forgot to add in the cost of the air conditioner and if the customer insists on having it, then $500 must be added to the price...

The cover up operation is played sophistically, some times they let the bank handling the financing find the "mistake", other times the boss is not approving the deal because "we'd be losing money". They make it look as if it's not that big mistake as it's a relatively small percentage of the price of the car and as they stress out it only brings it to be equal to competitors.

The impressive thing about the lowball tactic is its ability to make a person feel pleased with a poor choice. If anyone tries to change the originally-quoted terms or talk you into buying a different vehicle, just say "no" and go somewhere else.

If you are interested to learn about many others car dealers scams and how to avoid them go to: http://www.carbuyingtips.com/scams.htm

Until all the papers have been signed there are still ways in which a shrewd dealer may add to his profit by talking you into extras you don't want and probably don't need. These can include added and overpriced insurance, extended warranties, rust proofing (absolutely unnecessary), paint or fabric protection, anti-theft plans, and more. Smile and firmly turn them all down.

Finally, before you drive away, do a careful inspection of the car, looking for scratches or dents; anything that mars the perfect finish. If you're not happy, get a written agreement (known as a Due Bill). It means you have the right to later return the vehicle in order that flaws can be corrected.

Debt Consolidation Loans: The Answer To Mounting Bills And Debts

Nobody likes to receive bills, even at the best of times. But when debts and expenses are mounting faster than we can keep up with, the common bill can cause considerable problems. Unless dealt with quickly, the situation can eventually become too much. So what is a solution? Debt consolidation loans for one.

There are several steps that a bad credit borrower can take to set about addressing their debt situation, but not all of them are effective. However, clearing existing debts in one go makes a hugely positive impact on it – though it is important to realize that consolidation results in the debt being replaced rather than removed completely.

So with that in mind, how beneficial are consolidation loans when it comes to dealing with mounting debts? Can it really be the perfect solution that everyone claims it is? In almost every way, the answer is yes.

So What Is Consolidation?

Understanding what consolidation is and how it works is the first step in working out if it will be as beneficial as hoped. The basic idea is that everything (in this case all individual debts) are gathered together into one sum and paid off using a single debt consolidation loan.

It might seem like simply replacing the debt with a new one, and that is not a million miles from the truth. However, the single loan has a single interest rate and is therefore less costly than the combined interest paid on 5 or 6 individual loans with different interest rates.

Also, by clearing existing debts in this way, there is a chance to better structure the debt repayment schedule. So, while the combined monthly repayments on 6 loans might have been $1,500, the consolidation loan can have repayments of $750, depending on the terms of the loan.

Factors That Make The Loan Ideal

Of course, it is the terms of the loan that actually makes a debt consolidation loan affordable or effective. So, it is important to choose a loan deal that is right for your specific needs. But what are the particular factors that applicants should look out for?

The first is interest rate, which obviously is a chief concern for all loan applications. Keeping the rate as low as possible is important. This is where going to the right lender is effective, with online lenders especially charging very competitive rates even when lending to bad credit borrowers.

But to make this method of clearing existing debts as affordable as possible, the term of the consolidation loan is extended to beyond the normal period. For example, instead of a 5-year loan, a 10-year loan is granted. And when the debts are large ($50,000 or more), the term can extend to 30 years.

Qualifying For A Consolidation Loan

This not a particularly difficult task to complete, with no surprises to be wary of. Applicants seeking a debt consolidation loan need to meet the same criteria needed for every other loan. So, as long as they have a full-time job to show a means of making the repayments, there should be no problem.

However, there is a loan limit set by the debt-to-income ratio, which restricts the amount to be committed to loan repayments to just 40% of your income. This means that an income of $3,000 has a restriction of $1,200 in total debt repayments.

After clearing existing debts, this should not be a problem but the repayment limit affects the size of the actual loan – so keep this in mind too. And remember that a consolidation loan does not necessarily have to clear all debts. Even clearing half of the debt can make a huge difference to the borrower.

What To Know When Working With A 3pl Company

When it comes to adages such as “time is money” and “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," applying these to the way you operate your business often leads you to engaging a third party logistics (3PL) company to facilitate your supply chain operations.

Your businesses bottom line can be impacted negatively if there is an inefficient supply chain established. Essentially, a 3PL company acts as the intermediary between you and shipping and delivery carriers. To ensure your goods reach their destination in a timely manner, a 3PL company can incorporate services such as warehousing and transportation services, integrated packaging and much more at the best price. With the supply chain being such an essential element of your business, outsourcing these services can save you time and also have a positive impact on your customer service by professionally putting the bird into the hand. These particular skills in-house for supply chain are not needed when engaging a third party specialist which enables you to direct attention to other elements of your company. Since they are able to get certain volume special discounts, these 3PL companies can save on your shipping and transportation expenses.

When it comes to outsourcing tools these logistical services, you are going to want to check the stability of the 3PL credit. In this respect it can be a good idea to find out from the freight companies they service what they are like to do business with. Because this is a company who could be representing you and your business, you really need to make sure your reputation is not damaged in any way by an unprofessional company working on your behalf. Get a perspective by speaking with freight companies about what a 3PL firm is really like. Do they have a good reputation? Are they really on a financial basis secure? Are they really in financial stable and in fact pay their bills on time. Additionally it is important for you to be clear about your obligations should your 3PL company fail to deliver. Arrangements will have to be discussed and what type of insurance coverage is there for your protection. A report on the 3PL credit rating can be obtained by a credit checking company who will present you with helpful information.

When going into an agreement with this type of company, you need to be clear about what your expectations are and if the 3PL company is equipped to fulfill them. The partnerships your company already has in position and the scale of logistics needs can be deciding factors when it comes down to your 3PL company preference. One of the add-on services a 3PL can provide you is access to data and reporting components that can provide assurance to you on the exact costs of shipping and also provide you with an insightful and accurate glimpse of every stage of the supply chain that may be difficult for you to ascertain on your own.

Working with a 3PL company is a business relationship that could be helpful to you overall. It can help to think of them not as an outsider but as an extension of your business. You subsequently need to have a clear a precise idea of who you will be dealing with. It is ideal if they know you and your business well to ensure that them to represent your interest effectively. Finding a company that can change and grow with you and be forthcoming in terms of identifying aspects of the supply chain that you could improve upon, or finding solutions for you that you may not have considered, can lead to long-term and mutually beneficial relationships.

Cheap Car Insurance - Love Your Car and Express It

You can not imagine a day without a car such as it has become a part of your family. It provides you speedy service whenever you need and it is your traveling partner in your long drives. It runs over the road so that you can reach office on time daily. These are just some benefits of your car but do you take a proper care of it, if not then you should opt for cheap car insurance.

In fact, your car is prone to so many misfortunes. A small short circuit in the engine may result in a fire and it can damage the paint of your car excessively. It also can fall victim to some kind of vandalism while standing in the parking or sometimes some hooligan can try to steal it from you. These are general cases apart from the fact that your car can be damaged totally due to a serious accident.

But, you can avoid the financial implications of any such misfortunes by opting for cheap car insurance. Various kinds of car insurance can provide you financial security against fire, theft, attempt of theft, vandalism or accidental damage to your car. Most car drivers assume that car insurance simply pays for auto crash injuries; repair of damaged cars and for stolen vehicles. But the fact is that various cheap car insurance pays for a wide range of services. They provide benefits to the policyholders and the others affected in car crashes.

Sometimes, cheap car insurance coverage may also extend to others who drive the insured car such as, relatives who live with the insured driver and drive the insured's car, with or without permission. Furthermore, you can get benefits like a lifetime guarantee on all paint and bodywork repairs and a free courtesy car while your car is being repaired by one of their recommended garages. You can have 24 hours claims helpline and you can call for the repair assistance on road any time you want.

Some auto-insurance companies also cover for personal belongings, clothing, car audio etc. Hence, if you love your car then cheap car insurance is the best way to express it.

How To Stop Losing Money Using Stop Losses

There is nothing stable about the markets. They are extremely volatile and can change from one second to the next. That's why it’s important that you are a smart investor and know how to protect yourself and avoid losing all of your money when things start to go south. One such way to do this is to use stop losses.

To set up a stop loss you have to decide up front how much you are willing to lose before you sell that stock off. And doing it this way is actually the best way to go because you haven't invested any of your money yet which means you are more objective. Once you have invested money it becomes emotional and you can easily end up making bad decisions.

Of course everyone has a different opinion when it comes to stop losses and what percentage you should use. I am going to give you my opinion and you can use this information as a guide to help you come up with your own percentages as you become a more savvy investor.

25% is a good stop loss percent to use. That means if you are investing $1000 once it falls to $250 you would sell it. That way you would be left with $750 instead of losing the whole $1000. Generally speaking you will find that a stop loss in the range of 21% - 27% will get you the best results.

If you set the stop loss too low it will cause you to stop out of investments too often. On the other hand, if you set the stop loss too high you can lose a lot of money before selling off the stock. Its really a delicate balance. You don't want to lose too much and you don't want to stop it too soon as it could turn around and go back up.

That's really the basics of how to stop losing money using stop losses. But let me just give you a quick little warning. When your money is on the line it can be very hard to stick with the plan. Many times your emotions will come into play and override all of your sensibilities.

You will see a stock going down but you will hold on to it as long as you can because you think it might come back up. It will be the hardest thing ever for you to take the 25% loss because you are hoping and praying the stock will rise again.

Don't be that person. If you set a stop loss stick with it. Because if you don't the scenario usually plays out like this. Instead of going up the stock no goes down by 35%. You continue to hold on to it and then it goes down by 50%. At this point you are in a panic and hold on to the stock because you want to recover at least some of your money.

Then it drops by 75%, then 90% and then all of your money is gone. So you can either lose all of your money or you can use the stop loss and only risk losing 25% of your money. I think we all know what the better option is here.

Professional Indemnity Insurance - What Makes It Beneficial for Professional Businesses

Any business that offers professional services or gives advice should consider taking professional indemnity insurance (PII). Any faulty advice or service provided can make the business legally liable to the claims made by the client/sufferer. In such cases, professional indemnity insurance helps the business handle all the legal costs that arise from the claims made by the clients.

Some of the professions which need to take professional indemnity insurance are - medical professionals, building/maintenance contractors, financial consultants, advertising and PR agencies, designers, etc. For some of the professionals, professional indemnity insurance is made mandatory by UK government so as to get their professional authorization. They include accountants, architects, solicitors, mortgage intermediaries, insurance brokers and financial advisers.

The insurance protects the professional business against liability coming up apparently due to negligence, error or omission, loss of data or information, violation of confidentiality, employees dishonesty, etc., which may affect the business's reputation and financial stability badly.

Benefits of taking this policy
As an individual professional/a professional business owner, it is important to protect yourself from legal liabilities while executing your profession because, loss due to any kind of errors or negligence on part of yourself/your employees, may prove to be costly.

• Ensures smooth run of the business
Professional indemnity insurance protects you by covering the expenses involved in the whole process and by providing legal aid so that you run your business smoothly. The rightly timed assistance provided by this insurance policy will not let you stop your business at the time of crisis, thus, ensuring smooth running of your business.

• Covers the risks associated with employee negligence
Your employee may delete or lose some crucial information related to your client accidentally while at work. This may lead to the client to bring lawsuit against you. Having PII, you can be rest assured, as this policy also offers cover to the damage caused by your employees' negligence.

• Saves from financial losses during lawsuits
Lawsuits sometimes can lead into thousands of dollars, which can be a huge burden for you. Sometimes, you will have to bear the expenses of litigation as well the indemnity to be paid to the client. Having the PII insurance would rule out these financial problems and thus, saves you from the financial losses.

• Offers support from expert attorneys
The advantage of this insurance is that it offers support from expert attorneys. As a professional business, you cannot tackle the enormous loss of time and the intricacies involved in the litigation. This needs an expert legal adviser to do the job. PII insurance in this matter would be a great help to you.

Approach a reputable brokerage firm while choosing this insurance
There are many things you need to consider while choosing professional indemnity insurance. Some of them include: premium calculation method, the risks involved in your business, the nature of business activity or the potential indemnity, etc. You should also check for the statutory authority and reputation of the insurance company.

It is always advised to take help of a reputable insurance brokerage firm while choosing this insurance. This should be so because these firms deal with several firms' insurance products. They are well aware of the market. They would advise you the most appropriate amount of cover for your business.

New Technologies - The Electric Car and Its Infrastructure Will Bail Us Out of the "Great Recession"

Those that are getting their regular paychecks may not feel it. Those that read and hear of others going through bad times, may still not get it. Real estate publications, economists, prognosticators, politicians tell us things are getting better. Some of us are scratching our heads.

Unemployment hits 11% in Florida, the dollar collapses, gold prices near record highs, foreclosures, bankruptcies, short sales, people moving in with other people, vacant houses, people can't get credit, people can't afford their real estate taxes, cities are going bankrupt because no ones paying their taxes, higher crime rates, people jumping off of bridges, people acting like their losing children in hot air balloons. Are these strange times we're living in or what?

Business owners, entrepreneurs, people in sales, independent contractors, and those that don't get regular paychecks don't know what to believe anymore. They read things are getting better, but why don't they feel better? The stock market is inching up, ok. But what's causing this.... book manipulations? layoffs which produce higher profits? Google clicks that tell us people are thinking about buying? holidays coming up? who knows? They are real numbers, yes, but what do they tell us? Yes, the market has been rising since March of this year.

But we all know something's not right. We haven't seen this in our lifetime, unless you lived in the 20s and 30s. I was selling real estate in the 80's with interest rates at 17 ½%, but this is different. There are more societal ills, things are more complicated.

Something's definitely broken. Obama is bailing everybody out and is on a Christmas buying spree. He wants to spend our way out of this recession, but what will the consequences be? Runaway inflation, socialism, or the downfall of the American society as we know it?

Our only consolation is that we live in a world economy now. Everyone is hurting. Our countries are interconnected economically. It is a world recession. We won't stop buying Japanese cars, because Uncle Sam asks us nicely. We can, however, start developing and enabling new technologies that are already here.

We need to develop the electric car and its infrastructure. This will bail us out and start the cycle of prosperity again. Millions of jobs will be created by this development, we will start eliminating burning of fossil fuels, and this will set us in the direction of the "green economy".

Many studies and research have concluded this. Larry Burns, the retired head of GM's research and development, has said that the electric-vehicle age will reshape the energy grid, redefine driving patterns, and generally improve the quality of life especially in urban areas.

First, there will be many types of electric vehicles, including the plug-in hybrid, the all-battery vehicle, and vehicles powered by the hydrogen fuel cell, which is essentially a battery fed by external source of hydrogen. These vehicles will come in all shapes and sizes, including all-terrain vehicles to large commercial trucks. These different vehicles will be able to tap into many different energy sources.

Solar, wind, or nuclear power, all free of co2 emissions, can feed the power grid that will recharge the batteries. Also, these energy sources can be used to split water into hydrogen and hydroxyl ion, and then use the hydrogen to power the hydrogen fuel cell.

Second, the storage capacity of the vehicle fleet will play an important part in the stabilizing of the power grid. Not only will the battery powered vehicles draw power from the electricity grid during the recharging, but when parked, can also feed additional power back into the grid, during periods of peak demand.

Third, the electric vehicles will open up a new age of smart vehicles, in which sensor systems and vehicle-to-vehicle communications will enable collision protection, traffic routing, and remote managing of the vehicle.

Automakers, utility companies, broadband providers, government road builders, and public-private funds will all have to contribute to this integrated system. The beauty of it is, it's already here, but it needs to be implemented and expanded in America. A company called Better Place has already built some of the infrastructure with battery swapping stations and recharging stations throughout Europe, Japan, and Israel. America must stay at the forefront of the implementation and development of this new coming electric vehicle age. Tomorrow is too late.

Several other studies have been done to show how many millions of jobs can be created throughout the world by implementing the electric car, its infrastructure, and the subsequent green technologies. The new age of the electric vehicle illustrates the opportunities that are now available as we make our way from unsustainable fossil-fuel technologies to a new age of sustainable technologies.

This is true not only for automobiles but in the choice for energy systems, building designs, urban planning, and food systems. So in a way the breakdown of the world economies has provided an opportunity for the new green revolution to evolve.