February 25, 2008
Don't Fall For Car Salesman's Tricks
By Marlie Parsons
One of the transactions that many consumers seem to be afraid of is buying a vehicle, and with good reason. A former sales representative from an automobile dealership recently confessed to using psychological tricks in order to get unsuspecting customers to buy a car or truck. He revealed some of the methods he was trained to use for the purpose of overcoming resistance and influencing people to make the commitment to purchase on the spot. Closing techniques are things that automotive sales people are instructed to do in order to close the sale and finalize the buying transaction. One closing method is secretly referred to within the industry as the Abraham Lincoln Close. It is used when a potential buyer says that he or she would like to think about whether or not to buy a particular vehicle, rather than immediately agreeing to the deal. The salesman tells the customer that, when Abraham Lincoln was faced with an important decision, he had a wise way of analyzing the situation so he could make an intelligent choice. Honest Abe, the salesman says, would take out a sheet of paper, divide it into two vertical columns, and label the two columns Yes and No. Of course, the salesman does this in front of the customer, taking out a sheet of lined, notebook paper as he delivers the pitch. The salesman continues to say that, in the first column, Lincoln would write down all the factors in favor of one particular course of action, and in the second column he would write down all the negative aspects of the decision. The sales person then assists the customer by writing down, in the first column, a long list of reasons why they should buy the vehicle under consideration. After the first, "Yes" column has been filled out, the sales person then asks the customer to tell him if there are any negative reasons. Unlike with the first list, the salesman does not offer any suggestions to go into the second, "No" column. It is unlikely that the customer will be able to think of enough negative reasons to counteract all of the salesman's positive ones. Another psychological ploy the sales representative revealed to using was the use of the term, OK. When he wanted a prospect to sign a binding sales document, he would never ask the person for his signature. Rather, he would casually ask him to OK what they had talked about, and then hand him the pen and paper. Despite the fact that an automotive sales person may say he is looking out for the best interests of his customer, a wary consumer will not be fooled into rushing into a sale that he or she may later regret. Instead, buyers should realize they are being subjected to professional sales tactics, and remember they always have the right to walk out of the dealership without any obligation to buy a car or truck until they are absolutely certain they are doing the right thing. Marlie Parsons writes about new and used car buying tips and auto financing scams for the Car Buying website at: http://primeinfosite.com/carbuying
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Want To Find Great Car Deals? Learn This Secret To Save Money On Your Next Car Purchase
By Tom Hassom
You can find great car deals by attending repossessed car auctions (also known as repo auctions). It used to be that only car savvy individuals knew about these auctions. Today, these auctions have become more popular due to the word-of-mouth. People tell friends and family about the tremendous savings they get, and soon they want to check it out too. And the savings is quite substantial - as much as 75% off of retail! Plus, you will find cars of all different makes and models. Also, low-mileage cars are common sights so many times you will find cars in excellent condition. It's important to keep a few hints in mind to get the most out of your auction buying experience. In order to find great car deals, you need to do some homework on site. First of all, it is very important to have a Kelly Blue Book or some other valuation tool handy so you'll know exactly how much of a bargain you are getting. Also, take advantage of the inspection period prior to auction. You have the opportunity to inspect any vehicle you wish before the auction takes place, usually two days before. There are no warranties at the auction and all sales are as-is. Keep in mind that most of the people at the auction are car enthusiasts looking for luxury or sporty cars. So if you are interested in these cars, you will often be competing with them for these cars and drive up the auction price along the way. By going where there's little competition, you'll find great car deals and pocket huge savings! So lean towards the family cars and sedans. Finally and most important, you should take advantage of the Internet to find upcoming repo auctions. I personally love using the Internet and in doing so I save a lot of time and hassle. Save a lot of money on your next car purchase now! Use the same online site that I do - http://www.cardealsonline.info. It's the best way to find repossessed cars in your area at tremendous savings! Check it out now - Car Deals Online
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7 Ways To Increase Gas Mileage
By Shamir Ahmed
- Make sure your tires are inflated. When was the last time you checked on your car tires? Tires with low pressure can reduce overall mileage by 4% - Replace The Air Filter With A New One. Dirty air filters can reduce the fuel economy by up to 10% or more. - Always park your car in the shade. On a hot summers day, the burning sun also drinks away some of the fuel from your gas tank. - Make your car go on a diet! Take out all of the excess weight and junk that may have piled up in the boot, underneath and between the car seats. Every pound removed counts.... This is often a very easy but overlooked way to increase the gas mileage in your car. - Use The Air Conditioner in the highway. This is because at highway speeds, rolling down the windows can cause a huge aerodynamic drag, which reduces the fuel efficiency of your car. - Buy Radial Tyres. That's true, radial tyres can give your gas mileage a boost by a good 3%. - Tune up your engine. A well tuned engine is very important and can make a huge difference in increasing the mileage of your gas. The Conclusion And An Alternative. The above methods are very good ways in which you are bound to improve the gas mileage in your car. Save gas by taking these simple steps to increase your overall mileage. Also, be smart about driving your car and caring for your vehicle so that you can make your gas budget reach further. Want some more tips? How about converting your car to run on partially water and fuel? The water 4 gas system has helped thousands of drivers increase their mileage by up to 50% and has generated national press on various programs like Fox and others. See what all the buzz is about and visit www.Water-4-Gas.org. Ways To Increase Gas Mileage
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Review on Rubber Floor Mats After Our Spring Break Vacation
By Andrew Bernhardt
So to help paint a realistic picture here, I first need to describe the absolute reckless and careless nature of my brother's children. He's a great parent, but perhaps a bit mellow on the discipline end of things. One example that first pops in my mind is of a road trip to Palm Springs that we made in my Chevy Camaro last spring break. We were all very excited because this is a yearly trip that we have been making since being children, but when I pulled up at my brother's house, out came the destructive rats from their house and in they came through the passenger window. That's right, they had jumped through the passenger window just like they saw the actors do on Dukes of Hazzard. Their muddy feet went all over my Sheepskin seat covers! I couldn't believe it. So the first attempt that I made to clean up any further messes was to make sure they stayed buckled up. This was important for their safety as well as for the preservation of my sweet Camaro. Needless to say, the seat belts kept them buckled up but their arms and feet were still flying all over the place while I was driving. I've never seen a brother and sister fight and play as much as these two do. One second they hate each other, and the next second they are best friends. Luck would have it....I remembered that I received a great gift from my father for Christmas. He sent me some car mats for the trip because we had several outdoor activities planned including hiking, swimming, etc., and the mats were still in my trunk.. So I promptly pulled over at the next exit which happened to be in the lovely town of Fontana. What a place! I'll write more about the Stangs and Chevelles that I saw out there during our brief stay. They also have a great race track there. The mats were a total success. They were rubber mats and covered the entire flooring of my Camaro! So all I had to do was take the suckers out and hose them down to get all of the mud that the kids tracked in. Simply put, I recommend rubber mats to anyone that has passengers that are anything like my niece and nephew :) Many of these mats are custom-fit for your ride. This was a major plus because some of the mud stains could have ruined my interior, but the mats held on to the mud like David Tyree did for the Giants in the Super Bowl. The gifts that paid off for me were these 3 mats: Lloyd Rubber Cargo Liners, Lloyd Mat Cargo Liners, and the Lloyd Invisible Cargo Liners. Thanks Dad.
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Police Repossessed Cars for Sale
By Charlene Nuble
When you are looking for great car buys, don't forget to research about police repossessed cars for sale. Majority of these cars have been seized or impounded from a police raid or drug bust operation. These repossessed cars are very much ideal if you are on a tight budget. They normally cost less than their actual value. In fact, you can enjoy a total 90 percent off the original price. But then again, before you jump for joy and buy the first repossessed car you lay your eyes on, there are certain things that you need to know. First of all, you have to make sure that the cars don't have any problems in their engines or in any other car parts. Remember, even if they are very cheap, you don't like to waste your money on something not worth it in the first place. It may be wise to bring an expert with you, like an auto mechanic, if you're not really familiar on the components. Moreover, it's not only the motor that you need to check. Too many police really don't have much time checking on the cars for sale. So make sure that you have also monitored underneath the carriage and the bumpers and hoods for any dents or rust. Indeed, it pays to be very vigilant with your police repossessed cars for sale It's not like you don't trust them. It's simply ensuring that you can get the most out of your investment, even if they are already used. Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women's issues, parenting and other internet related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about Police Repossessed Cars for Sale
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February 20, 2008
Increase Your Gas Mileage, This Might Work
By Mike Yeager Ozzie Freedom has written a couple of books designed for one purpose, to help save money at the gas pump. Having said that I have to add a couple of caveats; Ozzie Freedom is attempting to do something that is absolutely preposterous, ridiculous and insane. How dare he attempt to take on the large oil refineries, the government and anyone else trying to make an honest piece of change from us gas buying consumers? He has written two books which offer concise instructions on using water as a way to increase not only performance but also mileage of any gas or diesel vehicle. No, it is not a kit that is offered that you simply place onto your vehicle and you are ready to go. This is like having Ozzie's brain in a box; in other words he attempts to lay out his philosophy and methodology for achieving increased mileage in a practical way allowing the reader to assemble the actual hardware needed on his/her own. So what does that really mean? His books show you how, but you get to do the building. A couple of final comments on what Mr. Freedom has put together here. First, the knowledge offered in the books. The research I have done on this topic show that theoretically it is sound. Yes, the principal will work (you are introducing a combination of water and hydrogen into the fuel mixture) thereby producing a cleaner burn and better engine performance. The books show the reader how to do this, so you have to go out and buy your own hardware and equipment, (according to Ozzie, somewhere between $20-$100 in expenses) or he also provides a list of people who assemble their own and from which you can buy one. Second, some unintended results from using this technology on your vehicle. His web site addresses some of these and I want to cover a couple of them here: 1. What will your insurance company think? This is an interesting question, because now you have changed the workings of some important components of your car. His response is tell them that "you have an add-on Hydrogen product that has been proven to be safe in many 1000's of miles in most parts of the world and in all climates/car types, and see what they respond." To be honest, I'm not entirely comfortable with that response. Most likely the representative on the other end of the phone is not going to have any idea what your talking about. 2. Vehicle warranty. I was not able to find anywhere on the web site where he addresses what I think would be a basic question, what about my vehicles warranty. I suppose this is a moot point with older cars. All right, so here's the bottom line. The technology is interesting, even kind of fascinating, because it seems to work and it is amazingly simple; though perhaps a little complicated to set up and running on your own actual car. I think for someone who likes to tinker with mechanical things, who has an interest in tweaking and boosting their cars gas mileage, this would be right up their alley. http://www.businessjudge.com/
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Advice For Buying A New Car
By Cathy Seiler
Buying a car is more than often not a fun experience. Quite the opposite really. Want some real advice for buying a new car? Read on because I am going to tell you what the ideal things to do when shopping for your new ride. I am going to highlight just a few things that make the car buying more aggravating and more importantly more expensive for you. First and the most important is this. Do not play the trade in game with the dealer. You WILL get screwed. Period. You have purchased a car before so this is no surprise. As soon as your salesman walks up to you and you tell him which model you are interested in he asks you, "you got a trade in?". Now if you are going to pay as less as possible for your new car then be prepared not to let them play with you. The best way to avoid this game is to understand it. You see car dealers can play with 2 sets of numbers when you have a trade. Which makes it easier on them to pull in big profits and give you the proverbial shaft. with a trade it is hard if not damn near impossible to even know what you are paying for the car. They tell you that they will give you X amount for the trade, then they start talking monthly payments and not amounts for the vehicle. In the end, they will win and you will not. Here is how to avoid falling into this... Don't even do a trade! If you can take your time and sell it out of the paper or Auto Trader. You will get more value from this and you not only get more money for your car but you keep the dealer from having another hand to work you on. You win big time if you can do this. I know that it is a pain to sell your car on your own, and if you owe money still to have to go to the bank and do all the required errands. However, this will save you a lot of money. Moreover, you don't exactly buy a car every three months so suck it up and get it done the right way. Now, if you are going to have to trade into the dealer for some reason do it like this... Now, they will usually stand there like vultures and watch you drive up in your trade. Don't do that! Have your friend drive your car and tell the dealership that is your friends car. Negotiate the price of the vehicle and then mention the trade. The keyword here is price. Do not purchase the vehicle based on monthly payments. That is a bunch of crap and dealers do this for a reason. If a 2008 Camry has a sticker of $19,187 then why the hell would you purchase it based on just a monthly payment? They will start writing down figures like: $1500 Down
$567 a month So based on that do you have any idea if you are paying $19,000 for that car? No you do not. You have no freaking clue what you would be paying for the car, so don't do that. Just to give you an idea on the level of screwing you would get if you took that deal. A car that is $19,000 with a down payment of $1500 for a 5 year loan should be closer to $367 a month not $567. So that would mean you end up paying closer to $28,000 for that car if you thought that deal was good enough and you could handle the payments. So it is vital that you negotiate the trade and the price of the car separately. You can do that, there is nothing that says you can not do that. If you are in a position where your car is worth less than you owe you are going to have to figure this out. In fact most people fall into the dealership trade in trap because of this. People think that since their car is worth $7,000 and they owe $10,000 that they are going to have to trade it in at the dealer so they can get it paid off for you. I know that you have seen those commercials that they play all the time... "We will pay off your trade no matter what you owe!". Ohh, they will pay off your trade for you alright. Then roll it into your new loan making sure that the next time you want a new car you are in the same predicament. If you really think that car dealers can afford to pay for all those print, TV, and radio ads by being generous with you then you need to grow up. The fact is that you still should take care of this yourself. If your credit is good then you have plenty of options. Heck even if your credit is a little lack luster you can still save some money by taking care of this yourself. So let's go over a scenario that is common. We will use the example above. I owe $10,000 and my car is worth roughly $7,000, and I don't exactly got all that in the bank to cover what I am short. Still sell your car out of the paper. Sell it for what it is worth and then get a loan directly from the bank to completely pay off the difference. You will need to secure this loan ahead of time, but that is no big deal. The day you place your ad in the paper fill out the forms for your loan. Now, you only need $3,000. So that is not exactly a huge loan and I am sure you can get that. In this case you are about to save so much money that you could just put it on a credit card and still come out on top (be sure to have a rock solid pay off plan in place before you do this). Ideally you can get the small loan from the same bank and when you go to sell it have everything waiting there for you at the bank. They have your loan check, they have transferred the title to the branch, the buyer meets you there with a cashiers check and it is all done. I have personally arranged all of this before and it can be done. Now, what just happened? I have no trade for the dealer to screw me on and I saved thousands by doing so. I got more for my trade by selling it out of the paper and also have leverage to purchase my car without playing to trade game. Stick with the advice I just gave and save yourself a ton of money and frustration. Want to learn more about buying a new car even if you have bad credit? Please visit buy a new car with bad credit for more info.
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Vintage Car Parts Is Like Looking For A Needle In A Haystack
By Jeffrey Hayes
And so much more expensive too. If you own, maintain or are planning to buy a vintage or a classic car, you better prepare yourself to a tough time looking for the much needed parts to bring it back to life. Classic or vintage cars have a certain aura of distinction and there is so much history in them that many people spend many of their time, efforts and money just to have one in their garage. But this is not for everyone. Vintage car parts can be very expensive because they are not manufactured anymore. And because of this rarity, many people tend to ask for a large asking price if they do have one that is in working condition. Finding a vintage car that is in good running condition is rare, and if there is one, you can expect it to have a huge asking price. As one may expect, a vintage or classic car part would come as used, so there is still the fear that the part may work now, but in the near future, it may still conk out. This can cause a great dismay to the restorer. To a newbie, all of this may seem as a very daunting task. But for those who are willing to do the effort, here are some places where you can find vintage car parts. Before anything else, make sure of the model and make of your car. Some models may require special parts and the part that you may find may not work with it just causing you to waste your time and money. If you're not the one who's restoring your vintage car, make sure that you bring it to a specialized auto repair shop to ensure that the work done will be satisfactory. These specialty shops have the proper knowledge and skills in vintage car restoration. One of the best places to look for a vintage car part is through the internet. There are now numerous websites that offer used vintage car parts and they have been tested for their workability. Looking through the internet will allow you to save some time in your search. All you have to do is to specify the make and model of your vehicle and the car part that you need. Many search engines can direct you to a site where such part may be sold. By doing some comparisons between different car parts retailers, you will be able to find a particular vintage car part that can be well within your means. For some people, going to a junkyard or two is the best way to find a vintage car part. This can be a very tedious chore for anyone, especially to those who are not really familiar with car parts. But in the end, some enthusiasts say that it is more satisfying and they can get the part for much less. http://www.Consumerreportcars.com/ Once again be sure that you get the exact part that you need. Junkyards don't have money back guarantees nor do they offer warranties and have return policies. You don't want to lose money over this and surely you don't want to waste your time. Finding the vintage car part that you need can be easy or hard, depending on the method of search that you choose. But one thing's for sure, it is a very rewarding experience. Jeffrey Hayes
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What a Cheap Car? Then Import a Car From Japan
By Terry Bolton
Do you like being on the cutting edge with the highest quality technology? You might want to join the few who are taking it upon themselves to import a car from Japan. What few Americans realize is that the Japanese people don't pay as much for their cars as Americans do. While it is true that there are some taxes and other factors that will come into play when you import a car from Japan, there is still a savings to be had. Most importantly for most of those who import a car from Japan is that the latest car features found on Japanese cars can be had years before they reach the marketplace in the United States. In Japan, cars are built to be faster than the Japanese cars you can buy here in America. The Japanese love horsepower and add it liberally to cars manufactured in their country. The Japanese cars you can buy in the U.S. pale in comparison to their counterparts overseas. If you want power in your import, it's time to shop online to find one that can be shipped over here. Buying and importing from Japan saves you money. If you're buying a Japanese import car in the U.S., you're paying 20-30% more than you would if you were to buy direct from Japan. Saving that twenty or thirty percent allows you to put more money into fixing up a used car and reselling it. So if you buy a used import directly from Japan, it already has more horsepower and you can fix it up in order to resell it for top dollar. This makes buying imports directly from Japan an excellent business opportunity. You can see now why importing cars from Japan is so popular. With that popularity comes a legion of import fans who want to know the ins and outs of getting cars from there to here the right way. It's easy to get informed about all you need to know about importing the Japanese car of your dreams. There are registration and custom requirements you need to know about and you'll also want to learn how to import your car for the lowest price possible. Learn how to make freight arrangements for your car once you've found the one you can't resist and how to save money on freight. There are so many deals to be had online when it comes to Japanese cars, once you see how much money you'll save buying from overseas, you won't be able to pass up such a deal. If you're uncomfortable with the idea, keep in mind that there are middlemen out there who would be happy to arrange the details for you. You won't be able to resist the low prices on great Japanese cars that you find online! So take the time to learn how to do this, whether you're doing it for profit or to buy yourself a great, affordable car loaded with resale value. Go to the resource box and click on the link to learn more about buying cheap used cars online, including Japanese imports. Remember that successfully buying used cars hinges on several different factors, so see what you can do to improve your opportunities at cheap used cars
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Warping Automobile Disk Brake Rotors Are Preventable
By Melvin Stanley Tan
In the aircraft and aerospace industry, the standards required for various components, parts, and specifications are considerably higher. Everything built for the aircraft and aerospace industry is light and strong. It is the "AND" part of that sentence that makes the parts expensive, not the "light" part. Automobile manufacturers today who build high-performance and sophisticated vehicles understand the "light" part, but not necessarily the "strong" part. But what they do understand is how much force can be applied to these parts before they succumb to failure. Today's brake rotors (or disk brake system) are built very light with advances in technology such as slotting, cross-drilling, cryo-treating and many other advances to allow the brakes to breathe better and last longer. However despite all this technology that goes into the rotors, they are still not strong enough to withstand a mechanic's error. How often have you had a car pulsate when applying the brakes? The reason this happens is because the lug nuts on your wheels were not torqued down to specifications set out by the manufacturer. Every mechanic shop you walk into, you can always hear the distinctive sound of the air wrench being used to loosen and tighten parts and lug nuts. These air tools are capable of putting out an immense amount of torque, but that is where the problem starts. The torque setting on these air wrenches are preset to a single setting (usually the strongest), never changed, but used to tighten down everything on your car. BAD! Today's modern vehicles are built almost like airplanes and have very acute specifications that must be followed. The most commonly made mistake by mechanics and car owners are to over-tighten the lug nuts on the wheels of their cars. Some even go as far as jumping on the tire wrench to ensure that the lug nuts are "tight" and that the wheels will not "fall off" while driving. However, over tightening your lugs will lead to premature failure of your brake rotors as seen by warping or deformations in the rotor. It may also lead to wheel bolts "snapping" when over-tightening the wheels stretches and weakens the bolt. It is therefore important to ensure that your lug nuts are tightened to the appropriate specifications and to do that, there are several things you can do. For most vehicles, the lug nuts need to be tightened down to 70-100 ft-lbs using a good quality torque wrench. However, you do not need a torque wrench to tighten your lug nuts correctly. The approach I have always taken is to tighten the nuts as tightly as can be done with your fingers first. Then taking a tire wrench, tighten the nut without apply much effort until you feel some resistance. Then simply (without jumping on the tire wrench), put your body weight on the wrench until it stops turning. You do not need to jerk your body to ensure that there is more room to tighten. In general, if you follow this practice, you will put about 80-90 ft-lbs of torque onto the lug. Do this consistently for all your wheels to ensure that your brake rotors have maximum life. However, for best results, I still recommend acquiring a quality 1/2" drive torque wrench, my favorite being the Neiko Pro line that I use religiously for every mechanical work conceivable. It is a worthwhile investment and they typically range in price from $20-40, which is cheaper than a single brake rotor for your car. The brakes and wheels are the most important components of your car and therefore, requires the most care and attention. Go check your lug nuts today. Melvin S. Tan is an avid automobile enthusiast and loves to wrench on his cars and bikes. Melvin S. Tan is also the webmaster for http://wrenches.innershell.net and countless other websites providing useful everyday information from life-lessons learned the hard way.
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February 16, 2008
Car Care And Maintenance For First Time Drivers
By Nicholas Hunt
Getting that very first car is a big step and life changing event for most young people. A car means potential popularity, independence, and a chance to prove to friends and family that they are mature. For many first time car owners the actual care and long term maintenance of the new vehicle (outside of washing it occasionally) doesn't even factor into the equation. Ironically enough many of the roadside assistance calls that new car owners make could have been avoided by basic, routine, maintenance. One of the first things you should always remember is to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles. More than a few people have failed emissions checks and/or ended up having to pay for hundreds of dollars worth of repair simply because they have neglected to get their oil changed. To find out who does oil changes check out your local yellow pages or ask friends and family. Many repair shops offer discounted oil changes several times a year in order to attract new customers so keep your eyes peeled for these sales. Another thing that can help keep your new car running smoothly is to take advantage of fuel injector cleaner that is sold at almost all gas stations and in chain stores. Adding a bottle fuel injector cleaner to your fuel tank before getting gas can really do wonders. The cleaner removes excess deposits as you drive which helps your car to run noticeably smoother. Replacing wind shield wipers whenever they become worn is also something that can be extremely useful down the line. There is nothing worse than sitting on the side of the road during a downpour because your wind shield wipers are too old and worn to improve your visibility. Some people go so far as to replace their wind shield wipers each time they get an oil change just to make sure they are never caught in a bad storm with worn wipers. Last, but not least, keep an eye on your tires. Check your tires often for excessive wear, punctures, and low pressure. Invest in a small pressure checker from your local automotive store or gas station so that you can check your tires to be sure that their pressure is what the owner's manual recommends. There is nothing worse than getting in your car only to discover that your tire is completely, and totally flat. In addition to maintaining your car properly, always be prepared for the worst case scenarios. Be sure that you have a spare tire in your car and that you know how to put it on your vehicle in case you get a flat. Keep emergency supplies in your trunk at all time, first aid kits, bottled water, blankets, flashlights, and some snacks in case you are stranded for a long period of time during inclement weather. Nicholas writes about online car insurance and related subjects including female driver insurance and carbon neutral cover.
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How Are Car Decals Made?
By Brian Sethson
Vehicle owners have long been seeking for great solutions that can help them customize their cars. They have considered replacement of car parts, painting, polishing, and other methods until they found out one thing that can create a huge impact to their desired image - the car decals. The car decals have been around for quite some time now. It is known by experts as a form of adhesive that works to enhance the feel and look of a vehicle. It features primarily graphics and texts that are full of designs and colors. It is currently becoming an important piece of the pop culture, with more and more people of this modern era getting their own decals for car applications. It is fortunate for them that these materials are now offered anywhere in the United States and the world at almost all vehicle stores and outlets. Now, if you are one of the thousands out there who find getting a vehicle decal a considerable move, then it would make a lot of sense if you'll know first how they are made. Knowing this basic will help you determine exactly which from the laid options is perfect. So basically, the car decals are deigned and crafted from a variety of materials. Most manufacturers use the litho stock, latex, vinyl, and other plastics. Of these materials available, the latex is what most manufacturers employ to create a line of flexible decals. The vinyl option, however, is deemed the most durable of the choices given mainly due to its being weather resistant. Foil is often used though to create a metallic effect. Aside from those materials mentioned above, the decals are also crafted to contain some forms of adhesive, including the repositionable, permanent or removable option. The permanent option is not common for the general public for the fact that it is not used generally by car decal manufacturers. The other two options are more popular, but they are used not just for car applications, but for arts and crafts purposes. The car decals are marketed today not just to boast those major components, but to feature a variety of graphics and texts in different styles or forms. The graphics vary from simple to sophisticated; each is patterned from a particular subject or theme. If you have seen those decals possessed by the NASCAR vehicles, then you definitely know that several signs, symbols, lines, and pictures are presented by them. The responsibility of finding or choosing the right car decals then depends on you, so do your part. Brian Sethson writes about cars and car modifications on sethson.com. Go there to learn more about car decals and other great stuff for your car.
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3:25 AM ::
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Handy Tips On Buying And Applying Car Stickers
By Brian Sethson
Through the years, car stickers have become wonderful tools to express individuality and a fashionable way to make a statement of sorts. It has also evolved to become an eye-catching advertising scheme designed to make heads turn and effectively get your marketing message across at a significantly inexpensive cost. With the lot of choices available today, you are sure to find every imaginable design, styles and patterns that you fancy. So whether it's for official, business or personal use, decals or stickers definitely infuse more personality into an ordinary looking car. Among the best materials for car stickers are those that are made of vinyl, and more often than not, it comes with an adhesive below the design for a more convenient application. However, there are also some types of stickers with adhesives on the top of the design part, which require you to apply it from the inside of the car window. But you don't want to put up with having to scrape off the stubborn adhesive marks should you decide to remove it in the future, its best to opt for the ones that does not have any adhesives and only stick to the surface with the aid of static charge. What is great about static stickers is the fact that you have the freedom to move it around and position it on any type of surface without having to worry about leaving those unsightly marks. Recent versions of car stickers have also included UV-resistant and weather-resistant features. The great thing about car stickers is that small applications do not require the knowledge and expertise of a rocket scientist. Still, if you want to achieve a more professional-looking installation, experts advise the use of a small hobby knife to efficiently transfer the vinyl sticker from its backing sheet to the surface of your car with minimal fuss. Another handy tip that you should remember is to spray a mild soap solution on the car's surface before the application to make it easier for you to slide the sticker on the surface and allow you to make position adjustments before you leave it to dry into place. Among the most common problem in installing stickers are wrinkles. The great way to reduce those bubbles and creases is to use a blow dryer over the car sticker before you smooth it out. Just make sure to apply the heat at the considerable distance in order to avoid damaging the surface or worse, melting the whole sticker in the process. Brian Sethson writes about cars and car modifications on sethson.com. Go there to learn more about car stickers and other great stuff for your car.
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Tips For Buying a Car Online
By Gary Giardina
Here are some tips to buy cars online.You can buy vintage cars,hot rods,and even new cars.When you know what to look for, you can find what you are looking for. The first thing you must do is consider what kind of car you are going to be looking for. Instead of going to the dealership you can do most of the research online. Purchase your new or used vehicle by sitting in the comfort of your own home. When you decide which car you are interested in, do some comparison shopping. Start with the Kelly Blue Book. Condition,options and the average value of a vehicle based on year is in this book. Judge a good starting point for what you are willing to spend. Many trusted sites, like eBay, will show you the seller's track record. This is wonderful when you are dealing with an unknown factor. To determine if you want to do business you can check the seller's rating. Also, the PayPal feature of eBay is very secure and can give you added protection when entering your banking information. If you are looking at local dealerships you can also search for any history of complaints. There are many sites which allow the consumer to register a complaint about a company due to poor service or inferior merchandise. By searching for the company name plus complaints you may find more than you really wanted to know about certain dealerships in your area. This will give you a good insight as to what type of service the dealership offers it's customers. While researching the car you are interested in purchasing, another source of information is the J.D. Power and Associates. They also keep track of what certain companies are doing. With the vast testing being done in their research departments, you can also determine if the car you are interested in buying online is worth the investment. One last thing to remember about buying a car on line is figuring in the transport cost. You will have to get the car from the seller to your home in some way. Whether this is driving out to pick it up or having someone deliver it, there will be expenses. You will then be able to determine exactly how much you are paying for the car. This is one advantage the local dealerships do have over buying a car online. You don't have to deal with high pressure sales people or running from dealership to dealership. Gary Giardina, For More Information on Buying Cars Online, please visit: http://www.buynewusedcarsonline.com
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Thinking About Buying That "Large Car" And Becoming An Owner Operator?
By Eric Lorence
With the many big trucks on the road, often we see many familiar trucking company names and colors. But the vast majority of freight is still hauled by "Independents" or owner operators. Owning a tractor-trailer and running your own "authority" is similar to running any small business. A good amount of thought must be put into planning and starting your trucking business. Many truck owners opt for a "lease contract" with a large logistics/brokerage company. By doing this they ease the burden of having to hunt for customers themselves. In essence, the company is leasing YOUR services, truck and time. This also means an obligation to run only said companies freight and no other. For those starting in the industry, this may be a better choice until more experience is gained. When buying that shiny new ten wheeler, don't let emotions get involved. Some new luxury "Road Trucks" can cost upwards of $125,000. Or the price of a new home in most of the country. After your "spec" and other options it could run nearly $200,000. For many this will simply be too much to get started, try looking for a good "new/used" tractor and keep the miles around 200,000 with plenty of drive train warranty remaining. When buying an older used or "reconditioned" tractor, familiarize yourself with terms like "dyno testing" and "oil analysis" these reports are critical to the overall value of the truck. Check the warranty on the reconditioned or rebuilt motor, was the build "long"(complete engine) or "short" (top half). And like with any vehicle, check the history report for any "rolls" or major wrecks. Next is tires, drives, ("caps" or new), steer tire odd or uneven wear (clues to steering problems). Is there ANY leakage, cracks or welds on the frame rails? Rebuilt rears, drive shafts,clutch, and turbos? Such items could cost ten times as much to replace in a ten wheeler than in a standard "half ton" In closing,just remember while some add-ons may be critical (aux power unit,deer guard) however, be wise as to extra expenses. Forget about the ten "low-pro" wheels and tires until you've achieved some success. Just remember to go at it like a business person, conserve cash, reinvest, be frugal, and most of all be safe! Ride with pride! Ready to get OUT of the truck? Trucking life not at all what you expected or were promised? I left the trucking life and started a home internet business. Built it all from my laptop, and so can you! http://www.zentrucking.com
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February 10, 2008
Driver Fatigue - Most Underestimated Cause Of Accident On The Road
By Arnold Cafe
Signs of fatigue can seriously impair your driving skills while on the road. When you are fatigued your reactions are much slower, your ability to concentrate on driving is reduced and it takes longer to interpret and understand what is happening with the other traffic. Fatigue related crashes are often more severe than others because driver's reaction times are delayed or they have failed to make any maneuvers to avoid a crash. Add fatigue to alcohol or speeding and it is a lethal mix. Driver fatigue is now considered a serious road safety issue, claiming more than forty deaths and nearly a thousand injuries in road crashes in 2006 alone. Over the period of 2002 to 2006, driver fatigue was identified as being responsible for 256 deaths or twelve percent of fatal crashes, and more than 4,350 injuries. Recent international research has suggested that driver fatigue is under- represented in accident statistics, and some estimates show that it could be a contributing factor in twenty to twenty four percent of fatal crashes. To make drivers aware of the dangers of fatigue driving, herewith are the warning signs that one has to strictly observed: - Blinking or yawning frequently. - Having trouble keeping your head up. - Eyes closing for a moment or going out of focus. - Having wandering or disconnected thoughts. - Realizing that you have slowed down unintentionally. - Braking too late. - Not being able to remember driving the last few kilometers or miles. - And the most dangerous warning sign of all: Drifting over the median line unto the other side of the road. It is urged that drivers have to recognize the symptoms of fatigue and not feeling to acknowledge the warning signs for any potential deadly consequences. It is therefore essential that drivers get plenty of sleep before a long journey and they should drive during normal waking hours. To manage fatigue they should strictly consider the following: - Take regular rest stops every couple of hours. - Share the driving with other passengers. - Eat light meals or fruits throughout the journey and drink water. - If feeling tired during the trip, a nap of twenty to forty minutes is an effective way of reducing sleepiness. Arnold Cafe is an active internet marketer and author of Ideas Galore: http://www.affleap.com/blog/
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How To Locate Repossessed Vehicles For Sale
By George Tho
You may have heard that you can get repossessed vehicles for sale at a fraction of the market price. It will be true if you know where to find these sales, how to go about getting the best bargain and avoid being scammed. Repossessed vehicles for sale typically come from sources like cars repossessed by banks or impounded by the police. The job to repossess and store these vehicles is outsourced to a third party who will hold auctions or sales to sell off these cars. Therefore, the first key is to be able to locate these auctions or sale locations. Due to the fact it can a very lucrative form of business, these auctions were not widely publicized. Most of the ones involved in the auctions where those within the trade as they will buy these cars at very low prices and later on sell them at a higher margin after some refurbishing if necessary. Fortunately, there are online databases that provide these information. These services allow you to search for repossessed vehicles for sale both within your state as well as nationwide. You can even find deals on SUVs and trucks. A few to note before you commit to buy a repossessed car. Firstly, check the condition of the vehicle. As these vehicles can come from any source, they may or may not be well maintained. In my opinion, it will be good if you can bring someone who can help to inspect the automobile before you make the purchase. Secondly, before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to read the fine prints to ensure you know what you are buying. There may or may not be hidden costs, lapsed warranty or information like damages not covered by guarantees written within. In order to save time and effort, go for online listing of repossessed vehicles for sale in order to locate the source and buy direct from them. George Tho is a webmaster and reviewer of online services. Read his review on an online listing that contains database of repossessed vehicles for sale in US, Canada, Australia and parts of Europe here. Author's review website on clickbank products: http://www.clickbankproductreview.com
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The Automotive Industry of Today
By Tarang Bhargava
Today's automobile is very popular. It has grown from a luxury item to necessity! This almost attributes to its fast growth and development. Gone are the days when only a highly successful businessman only could think of buying a car. At that time again, more than the need, it was a status symbol. Just the possession of a car was enough to mark a person's economic stability! Today however, the scenario has changed. There are various genres of cars - from the one's that are highly stylish and lavish to the one's that are fairly budgeted to suit the pocket of everyone who is of average income. Day by day, with extensive competition and development in technology, the vehicle models are growing in number per day and also becoming better with each new model. This also gives the consumer the freedom to choose the one that best suits his needs and requirements. The models being launched now are as per user's or consumer's needs and demands. Everyday sees a new idea, launch or development. With the launch of 'Nano', the dream of a car has become achievable even for a middle class salaried person! It fits right into the budget of everyone and its stylish design matches everyone's car fantasy! Now-a-days, with the advance in the finance sector, it is much easier to get a loan and thus simpler to buy a car! The main reason in the cut of the price of various models is competition and use of modern technology methods for vehicle manufacturing. These are some of the reasons that attribute to automotive industry's exponential growth and today this industry is a lucrative businesses. Read more articles about Automobiles: http://www.AboutAutomobiles.net Tarang Bhargava is the CEO of Vexat Inc. and has an affiliate marketing experience of six years. The website http://www.earncashonline.in is Affiliate Marketing invitation that provides an opportunity to Indians to make money through internet using his experience. Read articles by him at http://www.ArticlesDirectory.in
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9 Tips For Safer Winter Driving
By M. Allen
Driving in snow, slush, or on icy roads requires a different approach than driving in normal weather conditions. Combining common sense with preparation usually results in a safe winter driver. Here are nine tips for safer winter driving: Always Drive With Your Headlights On Even if you feel you don't need your headlights on to see the road, turn them on so other motorists can see you. When the daylight is dimmer because of cloud cover some color of cars can blend in with the fog, roadway, or reflections. Drive For The Conditions If the roads are icy, slow down. Drive for the conditions you are in, not the conditions you wish the road were in. Make Room When Stopping Stopping on snow, ice, and even in slush without skidding requires extra time and space. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it to the floor. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. In both instances make sure you allow yourself plenty of room between you and another vehicle, an object or person, or a stop sign to come to a stop. Avoid Cutting Off Large Trucks Large trucks and semi-trucks require greater distance to stop because of their weight. If you cut off a large truck in winter driving conditions, it may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting you or something else. Look Farther Up The Road Many only pay attention to the road, weather, and traffic conditions of the exact spot their vehicle is in. Focus your attention farther up the road and pay attention to the roadway that you're driving towards. Other drivers actions (braking, swerving, stopping, etc.) can be a sort of tip-off as to what lays ahead. Avoid Cruise Control Cruise control is a great modern feature for the open road in good weather. Using cruise control in severe winter weather can be disastrous as your car could hit ice or slush and continue to use the accelerator. Allow More Room When driving in winter conditions, allow more room between you and all vehicles (driving or parked) that are around you. More room is needed to stop your car when you are on ice or slush, the same is true for other drivers. Slow Down For Trouble Spots Most collisions occur at intersections, off ramps, bridges, and shaded areas. Slowing down before you enter one of these spots can mean the difference between being involved in an accident and driving right on by. Avoid Abrupt Actions Avoiding abrupt actions whether they are swerving, accelerating, or stopping will decrease the likelihood of you being involved in an accident of some sort. Using common sense and being careful can get most motorists through the winter driving season unscathed. Drive safe, drive smart. Find a traffic camera near you or on the route you'll be driving. Check out http://dotwebcams.com for all the traffic cams in the USA... and more! Traffic cameras are a great way to check out other areas as well.
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How To Negotiate So You Can Get A Good Deal For A Vehicle
By Levi Quinn
If you want a good deal on a vehicle, you have to be willing to negotiate. Negotiation takes some practice, and you need to know what to say and what not to say to the salesperson. When you familiarize yourself with pricing and other information, you can start to work your way into the price that you want. The more you know, the less chance the salesperson has to get over on you. Here are some pointers you can use when looking to negotiate a deal: • When you look to negotiate, you should be confident in your demeanor and keep a positive outlook. • While discussing price and other information with the salesperson, don't do it in a condescending manner. Otherwise, they won't want to work with you. • Make sure that you have all your ammunition ready when seeking to negotiate a deal for a vehicle. Be ready to have a counter strategy should the salesperson try to get over on you. • For additional ammunition, being advertisements from other dealerships. This can give the salesperson an incentive to go ahead and give you the best price. • If possible, try to get your loan financed through your bank or credit union. This way, you save money on unnecessary fees that you would pay if the vehicle were financed through the dealership. • It's always good to bring someone with you for that extra support. It's even better if the person is experienced in purchasing vehicles from a dealership. That way, they can give you tips on what and what not to do. Be mindful of any tricks the salesperson may have up their sleeve. They will say things to try and rush you into making a decision. They do this to get you to pay more money when you are trying to get the vehicle for less. Here are some of the lines you may hear from them: • "The vehicles are leaving the lot fast. This same model may not be here tomorrow. Or if it is, it may be at a higher price." Don't fall for it; you can always leave and go somewhere else. Then, if they really want your business, they'll change their tune. • If they brag about how many vehicles they've sold in a certain time period, ignore it like the plague. You can walk away and that will let the salesperson know that they are not the only ones in town. • If the salesperson claims to have another buyer for the same vehicle, telling you "The other person is willing to pay more than what you're offering." In that case, you'd better run away from that as fast as you can. Don't allow the salesperson to use intimidation to get what they want. • The salesperson claims the dealership paid so much money to cover overhead costs. This is just another ploy to push your buttons. In this case, have your paperwork available to show otherwise. Whatever you decide, don't allow these tactics to stop you from getting the best deal for a vehicle. If one dealership is not willing to negotiate, there are many others who will be more than happy to take care of you. Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and receive free quotes for cheap car insurance for young drivers from respected insurance companies.
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February 06, 2008
Get New Wheels for The New Year
By Paul Mcindoe
Keeping your old car going can be hard work. Not only do you have to cope with the regular repairs you would get with any car, you also start having to cope with more and more other - and more major - things that start going wrong. The older your car is, the less peace of mind you are likely to have every time you climb into it. It takes more and more attempts to get it going during the winter, you've spotted one or two leaks when it rains, and it's even looking really old all of a sudden. It's good to make any car last as long as you can, but there comes a time when it is no longer economically viable to keep your current model on the road. So why not start the hunt for a new one now? The colder weather generally leads to more problems with getting an old car started every day, and it can take a lot longer to warm an old car up than a much newer one with more advanced heating systems. Why stand out in the cold scraping the ice off your windscreen when you could be sitting in a car that defrosts it all in record time for you? You might be put off by the hassle of getting another car, but it's actually much easier to do so than you might think. The internet is a great place to start your search, as you can do so at leisure and in the comfort of your own home. If you need a car loan to help fund your new purchase, you might find it easier to look for a company that supplies both the loan and the car for you. This has a multitude of benefits - it cuts down on the time you need to spend searching, it means there is only one company to deal with, rather than having to tie everything up together yourself, and you're likely to get your hands on your new car much more quickly than you would if you got your car and your loan from separate companies. To make the whole process as smooth as possible, do your research online and get some quotes for the type of car you want to buy. You should then take a look at your finances to see whether the monthly payments are affordable for you. If not you have two options - you can either make some savings by cutting down on your current outgoings, or you can look for another cheaper car. Whatever you decide to do, treating yourself to a new car for the coming year is a wonderful way to beat those New Year Blues and step out in style and comfort. Or should that be drive out?
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BMW M3 - A 4th Generation High-Performance Sports Car
By Rand Stuck
The current BMW M3 is the fourth generation of the famous high performance offering from BMW. The current version offers a new high performance V8 engine as well as a new drive train. The stiff yet lightweight body offers a lower center of gravity than before through the use of a carbon roof. It is as strong as steel yet weighs far less. As expected, every BMW design is thoroughly tested under a variety of harsh driving conditions. For this car, style is not the main goal; it will always be designed by functionality. The front is designed to accommodate the high-rev engine. The back sports a wider track and four tailpipes. Even the shape of the exterior mirrors enhance the overall aerodynamics. It is this mixture of form and function that guarantee the the final effect. This car provides sports performance that is perfectly suited for everyday driving. Upon starting up the engine you are instantly met with the capabilities of the high-rev engine. As you shift through the gears, you will propel the BMW forward as it reaches and surpasses the boundaries of driving pleasure. As you near the first bend you will have to brake, but keep holding tightly to the steering wheel to maintain your advantage. There are many different paint finishes which can be used to personalize your BMW M3, adding to the enjoyment of the powerful sound of the engine at 8,400 rpm. The exterior of the car has a curved front section with wide wind intake vents. The elegant shape of the headlights deflects wind in all directions as it passes the flexed arch of the bonnet. Accelerating as it moves over the long curving lines of its gently sloping roof it, then disappears as quickly as it arrives, the BMW M3 continues on unperturbed leaving wind resistance far behind. So, the BMW performance is just amazing. One glance inside the cockpit and across the distinctive dashboard and you immediately know that within the BMW 3 Series M3 hides a realm of discoveries: interior trims in fine wood, titanium or aluminum compliment the perfectly combined colors and materials that underscore the generous spaciousness inside the vehicle. You would be forgiven for overlooking the intelligently positioned instrument dials - they are simply placed where you expect to find them. Their seats are remarkably spacious and comfortable. The optional Sports seats, with their excellent side support, are perfect for dynamic driving, and make the longest journey into a relaxed pleasure.
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A Personal Marketing Plan for Automotive Professionals
By Bob Blackburn
My travels across the country discussing sales process and precision marketing for special finance take me to all kinds of dealerships. At the majority of the dealerships, salesperson after salesperson waits by the "point" or the window for the next "UP" to arrive. A small number of sales folks exist to whom this does not apply (like a salesman in South Florida that I met who does 30+ units a month on his own!), but all too often this is the way it is. There is a better way! You can increase your sales - the Mystery of Productivity follows. The training I received from my first GM, Chuck Palmer (now owner of his own dealership in Georgia) and Gary Hensley (now semi-retired working for a wholesaler in the Carolinas) revealed the key to the mystery of productivity. They trained me to own and grow the business personally. We were not permitted to take a "Lot-Up" until we made 50 calls to either past customers, their neighbors, or people on our own prospect list. This is not another version of an "I walked 3 miles in the snow, uphill, into the wind, barefoot to school" story but an illustration of what is possible if properly envisioned. What if each sales person and manager could roll three (3) units per month from their own efforts? It does not take much thought to see how this would benefit the salesperson, the desk and the dealership, significantly! Gary Hensley (a 45 year automobile veteran), offers an insightful comment, "We have forgotten how to prospect in this business. Dealers continue to pay full commission for a percentage of the job." We are aware dealers are utilizing various packs etc., but Gary's point is we can "incentivise" the reps to bring in their own business to add to the monthly gross and units. After contemplating Gary's comments I felt compelled to see what 3 sales a month per rep would impact the average dealership. 3 sales X 10 reps = 30 Sales 30 sales X $2,000 = $ 60,000 / month $60,000 X 12 = $ 720,000 / year These results also don't account for the additional revenue that these three customers per month can add to Service & Parts as well as additional referrals from this business! How can this be done? This is a great question! For the sake of space let's look at two steps toward building a personal marketing plan. What are the necessary steps to build a Personal Marketing Plan? First, you must subscribe to the fact that people buy from people they trust. To take that a step further we have to be positioned to take our relationships from Salesperson to Trusted Advisor and Resource. There are many steps needed to take a "new relationship" from Salesperson to Trusted Advisor and Resource. However if you have existing relationships with people from church, Little Leagues, Civic Organizations, school groups, etc., it is not such a big leap. Some sales reps have naturally built-in relational markets from past experiences (sports, fraternity/sorority, schools they attended) and it would be a wasted opportunity not to tap these relationships and take full advantage of the network. Computer savvy reps can utilize social networking sites (Linked IN, RYZE, Facebook, and Xing), to name a few. These sites can be quite useful if approached properly. A second key step is: Simply learning how to ask a provocative question Who do you know who... • Just had a baby and needs a minivan? • Has a small expanding business that may need vehicles? • Just had an accident and needs to replace a vehicle? As an industry we have promoted the culture in many places that does not challenge our Sales Staff to participate in marketing themselves. If we focus some time in this area, it will prove PROFITABLE! This is not an exhaustive list, but hopefully the idea is clear - we need to reach out to our network and ask the questions! There are additional tools I'd be glad to provide you. Please email me (bob.blackburn@autolendingnetwork.net) for a complimentary copy of : Personal Marketing Plan f | | |
