Archive for the 'Buying a Car' Category
An introduction to collecting car brochures Part 3 What to look for when buying.
If you have read the previous articles in this series you should now have a clear idea of what brochures you are trying to obtain for your collection.
Now for the fun bit! Starting, maintaining and increasing your collection.
As you are collecting second-hand items, the condition of an item you are after can vary dramatically. Also, it does not help that sellers regularly either omit or misdescribe items.
Therefore, it is paramount that you ask the right questions and look for what the seller hasnt said as much as what he has in his advert description.
Having been disappointed on more than a few occasions when a pristine item has arrived through my letterbox, I have a checklist that I consult before committing to buying. The list is as follows:
1)What is the size of the item in centimetres? Pictures can be deceptive and what looks like a 21cm x 29cm item, may be much smaller in size.
2)How many pages long is it? Beware that on smaller brochures, there can be confusion between seller and buyer with what represents a page. My firm only uses the term pages for items that are 6 pages long or more. Otherwise, we use the term number of sides. As a reputable seller, this avoids any confusion and disappointment.
3)What is the reference number of the brochure? Most manufacturers have a code system for their brochures that you will become familiar with very quickly. By keeping a note of the references, you will avoid duplicates in your collection.
4)What is the condition of the brochure? Amazingly, very few sellers have a condition scale attached to the advert (we do). One persons pristine may be fit only for the bin in other collectors eyes! I therefore ignore vague words like the above and ask direct questions Has it any creases or tears and if so how many and how bad? Any fading? Any foxing (A term used to describe stains, specks, spots and blotches in paper)? Any water or damp damage?
5)How will the item be delivered to you? On auction sites especially, it is natural to go for the cheapest posting method. However, if the item is being sent for the cost of the stamp, can you really expect anything more than for it to be delivered in a flimsy envelope? Probably not. The only way that a collectable paper item should be sent is in a card-backed envelope preferably marked do not bend with the item wrapped in plastic to prevent water damage and a return address inside, just in case the postal system loses it. I also insist on a proof of posting, again just in case the item goes missing. For any item over a preset limit, in my case 30/$60, I offer to pay extra for recorded delivery. Better safe than sorry.
If you get a satisfactory answer to the questions above, you will be as certain as you can be that you will get the item and that it will be of a standard reflecting the price you have paid. The list sounds a bit daunting, but essentially it boils down to ensuring you know what you are getting and making sure it arrives in the same condition with which it left the seller.
Many is the time that I have received a sodden envelope that contains a perfectly preserved item because I have insisted on it being wrapped in plastic. If the seller says, he does not normally do this, offer to pay extra for the service or if practical, collect the item. If your seller cannot or will not take this care, may I suggest that you walk away and wait for another to turn up.
Please remember that for older brochures especially, a bit of fading and foxing and the odd crease or small tear is perfectly acceptable. In fact, I prefer an item with a patina to an as new item as it seems to have more character.
Finally, unless it is extremely rare, I would avoid buying any incomplete, falling apart or badly damaged brochures. On the whole, they have little or no value and it is best to wait for a better one to be offered for sale.
Next week, I will be discussing the correct way to store your collection.
Tags: Advert, Blotches, Brochure, Car Brochures, Car Part, Confusion, Creases, Disappointment, Letterbox, Occasions, Reference Number, Specks, Stains, Vague WordsRelated posts
It is a fact of life that many people need adequate forms of transportation to commute to and from their jobs. If you are like most people, your car is one of the largest expenses you will have next to your house. In all the research I’ve done on personal finance, how you go about purchasing an automobile can have a large impact on your credit and financial picture. If you go about purchasing a car the wrong way, it can put you in a financial strain which will be difficult to recover from.
Can You Afford It?
As of this writing, the average American makes about $33,000 per year. Most brand new cars cost well over $12,000. This means that the cost of a brand new automobile makes up a large percentage of the annual income made by most Americans each year. Most people cannot afford to pay $14,000 up front for a brand new car, so many choose to get car loans. When you take into consideration the interest that must be paid, it can take as long as 7 years for the average worker to pay off this loan. At the same time, the car will depreciate in value, and will be worth very little once it is paid off compared to its original value.
Job Security
It is also important to remember that most people don’t keep their jobs for seven years. Many people, especially those that are young adults, may work multiple jobs within a single year. This shows a lack of stability, and it is easy to get into a financial strain if the economy suddenly experiences a downturn and jobs become harder to find. It is for this reason that you should avoid car loans and consider buying used vehicles instead. There are many advantages to buying a used car instead of a new one.
Benefits of Getting Used
Used cars tend to be much cheaper than brand new cars. Because of this they are easier to save money for. They will often be sold by private owners instead of a company, and the owner is likely to be much more flexible. You save money because you are purchasing a car at a wholesale price. Unlike a car loan, you won’t have to pay interest when purchasing a used car. At the same time, there are some disadvantages to buying a used car. Used cars will often have a large number of miles on them, and are much more likely to breakdown faster than new cars. This could leave you having to make costly repairs.
Cant Addon
Used cars don’t have the options that you will get with new cars. The color and other accessories can’t be chosen, and what you see is what you get. While there is little you can do about this, you can have a mechanic check the used car prior to buying it to make sure there are no mechanical problems. If the transmission goes out, it could cost you well over $1000 to get it fixed, and this could put you into a financial strain. You should buy quality used cars from companies which have a reputation for making good vehicles.
Pay the True Value, Not What You Are Told
You should also check the bluebook value on any used car you’re interested in to make sure the price the owner is asking isn’t to high. If the bluebook value on a specific car is $3,000, don’t buy it from an owner who asks for $4000 unless there is a good reason to do so. Car loans should be avoided at all costs unless you have a stable job, a high income, or a large amount of savings.
Tags: Brand New Car, Brand New Cars, Buying A Used Car, Car Loans, Downturn, Economy, Fact Of Life, Forms Of Transportation, Job Security, Jobs, Many People, New Automobile, Personal Finance, Private Owners, Purchasing A Car, Seven Years, Wholesale, Wholesale Price, Wrong Way, Young AdultsRelated posts
Purchasing sports seats for your car is considered as one of the ways of sprucing up and upgrading your vehicle. In fact, it is one of the not so used ways to customize a vehicle. You see, for most people, the common ways of upgrading a vehicle would be to change wheels, wheel covers, car seat covers, carpets, bumpers, and grilles.
Changing your cars seats to sports seats may not be so popular however, there are some matters to take into consideration when you have decided that sports seats may be the best thing that could happen to your vehicle. After all, overlooked as they may seem, sports seats actually do not just provide your car with a sporty and aesthetic appeal but they also give you and your passengers comfort through long or short drives.
Before doing anything else, you should ask yourself how much are you willing to spend and how much could you really afford. By answering this first question, you would be able to check and ask around as per any sports seats that would fall within your budget range. Remember that sports seats come in a variety of options each more sophisticated than the next. In fact, there are even sports seats that come with electronic adjustments of the lumbar support.
If you have no idea whatsoever as per the kind of sports seats that you would like for your car, you can check out automotive magazines. Or you can also visit automotive websites. If you choose to do so, you can also try contacting manufacturers to get the names of dealers of sports seats in your locality.
Upon visiting an auto parts store that offers sports seats, make sure that you ask the stores personnel to show you their collection of these. That way, you can personally inspect the seats so you could choose which ones to purchase. Consider the seats safety features. Make sure that you choose those that has a high and close back rest which has the capacity to support and protect your back. Also make sure that it supports not only your back but your whole body as well.
Tags: Aesthetic Appeal, Auto Parts Store, Automotive Magazines, Back Rest, Budget Range, Bumpers, Car Carpets, Car Seat, Car Seats, Cars Sports, Grilles, Locality, Lumbar Support, People, Safety Features, Sports Car, Sports Seats, Wheel, Wheel Covers, WheelsRelated posts
If you are thinking of buying a used car then the internet can be a very useful resource to you. While you can get the car of your dreams and there are many reliable dealers out there, there are also many factors that you have to take into consideration when it comes to making the choice of not only the right car for your needs but also the right place to buy.
The choices when it comes to buying your car include buying from a private dealer, going to a second hand car dealer or looking through the many online sites that offer used cars. Of course if you choose to look online for your used car then this gives you the biggest scope and choices.
There are many sites which deal specifically in selling second hand cars, here you can select the area in which you want to confine your search, either locally or countrywide depending on how far you wish to travel.
The beauty of looking online for your used car is that all websites selling cars include photos; this of course can give you a very good idea of the condition of the car as most include more than one photo. However while this is a great starting point it isnt where it ends, there are many other factors to take into account other than the colour of the car.
By conducting an online search you are able to get a great idea of how much the particular model that you interested in is going for. Even if you dont intend buying the car online this is a great starting point for ideas on how much the car roughly costs.
Websites that offer used cars also give a lot of information that perhaps you hadnt thought about when it comes to the safety aspects of buying a second hand car. Along with this they give sensible tips on what to look out for if this is your first time of buying a used car.
After gathering all the information on the particular car you have in mind, then comes the choice of where to purchase it from. If you choose to go privately then you will have less protection than say buying from a second hand car dealer, although when bought correctly this can be the cheapest way to get the car of your dreams.
Whichever way you choose to go for your used car, always make sure you get to see the correct documentation on the cars history and if you know nothing about cars then take someone with you that does to give it the once over. Buying a used car it can be a gamble, but it can also be the cheapest way to get the car of your dreams when care is taken.
Tags: Beauty, Buying A Second Hand Car, Buying A Used Car, Buying Car, Car Buying, Car Of Your Dreams, Choices, Great Starting Point, Lot, Photos, Private Dealer, Right Car, Safety Aspects, Scope, Second Hand Car, Second Hand Car Dealer, Second Hand Cars, Selling Cars, Sensible Tips, Travel OnlineRelated posts
Bad credit car loans are easier to get than ever before, thanks to the growing subprime loan market. Almost half of all car loans today are bad credit loans, in that they are made to borrowers with FICO scores below 620.
Bad Credit Buyers Beware
Bad credit car loans come with slightly higher interest rates, which mean higher profits for car dealers and unwary buyers may wind up spending more than they have to. NADA Chairman Charley Smith admits, We recognize that many consumers may not know that the interest rate may be negotiable or that the dealer may be compensated for obtaining financing.
This is one reason many experts recommend that car buyers use direct financing. This means getting a car loan directly from the lender instead of through the dealer. Not only can they find more competitive rates on bad credit car loans, they can avoid the hassle of going through a dealers high-pressure finance office.
The difference between the interest rate on new or used car loans does not vary that much because used vehicles dont depreciate as quickly as newer models. This makes them better short-term collateral for lenders. The average used car costs less than half of what the average new car does. Thats why they outsell new cars three-to-one. However, choosing a new car gives the buyer more control over optional features, plus a warranty that lasts for years.
Hispanic Car Buyers
Some of the shoppers looking for bad credit car loans are Hispanic. The term loosely refers to all Spanish-speakers. Most Hispanics in the U.S. are descended from immigrants from Mexico and Central America. Our Hispanic population now stands at 41.3 million and is growing three times faster than the general population. Hispanics will number 47.7 million by 2010, and 60.4 million by 2020.
Hispanic buying power is growing at an annual compound rate of 8.2%, nearly twice the rate for non-Hispanics. It is projected to reach $1 trillion annually by 2010. A recent survey by The Media Audit reveals the following interesting facts when it comes to car buying:
Of the 26.1 million Americans planning to buy a vehicle this year, 4.7 million are Hispanic. Of this number, 1.9 million are planning to buy a new car.
While 29.5 percent of all adults surveyed have car loans, just 27.3 percent of all Hispanics have car loans.
Among the 4.8 million adults who plan to spend $30,000 or more on their next car, 830,000 are Hispanic.
Much of the shopping Hispanics do for cars and loans takes place online. A study conducted by eMarketer projects there will be over 16 million Hispanic Internet users in the U.S. by 2007. That equals 8.4% of all Internet users. Hispanics go online at home an average of 9.2 hours a week. Seventy percent say the Internet is the best source for comparing the prices on both cars and loans.
Among the growing number of automotive sites aimed at the Hispanic market is Prestamo Automotriz. The entire site is in Spanish. It includes several helpful articles and an application for a free loan quote. While Prestamo Automotriz specializes in bad credit loans, all credit levels are welcome.
Tags: Bad Credit Car Loans, Bad Credit Loans, Borrowers, Car Buyers, Car Costs, Car Loan, Compound Rate, Credit Car, Fico Scores, Finance Office, Hispanic Population, Hispanics, Immigrants, New Cars, Number 47, Optional Features, Spanish Speakers, Subprime Loan Market, Trillion, Unwary BuyersRelated posts
If you are a prospective car buyer, finding just the right car for you is a decision not to be made lightly. Everyones needs are different and when you factor in personal tastes, theres just no telling what will push you into making the final decision.
Its easy to get carried away when you shop for a car: the smell of the brand-new upholstery, the satisfying purr of the motor, not to mention the slick salesman promising you outrageous deals, all conspire into making you part with your hard-earned money. Hopefully you will find a great deal for the amount of money that you are willing to pay. However you put it though, buying a car will cost a fair amount of money; you do want a car that is in decent condition and that will last for several years dont you? It is of utmost importance then to do research on the particular models you are most interested in, know the current market trends in car sales and weigh your options carefully so you are confident of making the right choice when it comes time to whip out your checkbook.
The type of car you choose will be dependent on several factors: are you looking for a roomy, comfortable way to truck your kids to ballet class or soccer practice or are you searching for a rugged, off-road trail warrior who willingly follows were your adventurous spirit leads? Maybe you want to tear it up at the racetrack in a screaming blaze of high-octane performance or perhaps gas mileage and ecological-friendliness are your primary concerns. Either way, consider what your expectations and projected requirements are for your planned vehicle and anticipate your need in the future. Youre family may grow beyond its current size or you may have a need to use your vehicle for an expanding business. Think of whats best for your needs and choose a solid, practical model; this years flashy, 2-seater with day-glow paintjob and shiny designer rims might get your pulse racing but is it really what you need and can use many years down the line?
Get up-to-date on the latest models though, so you at least know whats out there and get a feel for current market rates. Check out what new features and innovations have come out recently; the automobile industry is a fast-paced one and new enhancements are coming out all the time.
Tags: Adventurous Spirit, Amount Of Money, Ballet Class, Car Buyer, Day Glow, Decent Condition, Gas Mileage, Hard Earned Money, New Upholstery, Octane Performance, Outrageous Deals, Paintjob, Personal Tastes, Prospective Car, Pulse Racing, Purr, Racetrack, Right Car, Slick Salesman, Soccer PracticeRelated posts
Benefits of Buying a Vehicle from a Brunswick Used Car Dealer
Benefits of Buying a Vehicle from a Brunswick Used Car Dealer
Each day a large number of individuals purchase a used vehicle. If you live in or around the Brunswick area there are numerous benefits to purchasing your vehicle from a Brunswick used car dealer.
One of the best reasons for buying a used vehicle from a Brunswick used car dealer is to support the local economy. In a world that loves internet shopping some of the businesses in your area may be seeing a decrease in sales. This sales decrease can sometimes be seen in car dealerships as well. Although you may not think that purchasing a vehicle from a local Brunswick used car dealer will make a difference it actually will. Without profits many businesses may have to cut back on the number of employees that it has on staff. Potential cut backs may cost your friend, your neighbor, or even yourself jobs.
Purchasing a vehicle from a local Brunswick used car dealer will also work to your advantage if something were to happen to your vehicle. Providing warranty or maintenance plans are completely optional to all used car dealers; however, there are some that do. Even if your vehicle does not come with a warranty or maintenance plan many buyers are given small discounts for having repairs completed at the dealership where the vehicle was purchased from. Once again, even if you have to pay for the repairs you will still be giving back to your community by having the service performed locally.
In addition to potentially cheaper maintenance, if you purchase your vehicle locally you will be closer to the dealership. This will help you in a number of ways. If you have to return to the dealer for additional work or meetings you will not have to travel far. This will not only be convenient, but it can save you time and valuable gas money. With a large number of quality Brunswick used car dealers in the area there is really no need to travel a long distance in search of a used vehicle.
If you are interested in purchasing your next used vehicle from a Brunswick used car dealer you will need to find one to visit. There are a number of ways that you can learn about the car dealerships in the Brunswick area. You can learn about used car dealerships through word-of-mouth. It is likely that at least one person you that know will have recently purchased a vehicle at one time or another. You should ask them where they purchased their vehicle from and if they were satisfied with the service that they received. You may also use a local Brunswick phone book or the internet to learn about used car dealerships in the area and where they are located.
If you purchase your next used vehicle from an area Brunswick used car dealer you will not only be getting a vehicle, but helping your local economy at the same time. If you are planning on purchasing a vehicle why shop somewhere else when what you need is already located in your own community.
Tags: Brunswick Area, Buying A Used Vehicle, Car Benefits, Car Buying, Car Dealer, Car Dealers, Car Dealerships, Cut Backs, Economy, Gas Money, Internet Businesses, Internet Shopping, Jobs, Maintenance Plan, Maintenance Plans, Neighbor, Profits, Purchasing Vehicle, Vehicle Warranty, WarrantyRelated posts
Best Buy Used Car Tips: When It Pays To Be Meticulous
Nowadays, more and more people are enticed to buy used cars. With so many financial choices available and cars living longer, many people just opt to buy used cars.
In fact, many smart consumers contend that buying used cars is just the same as buying new ones if the buyer knows how to buy used cars.
So, to help those who wish to buy a car but cannot afford a new one, here are some of the best tips that can be implemented when buying a used car.
1. Research
It is extremely important for an individual to conduct some research when buying used cars. In this way, the buyer will be able to know the ideal make and model to buy, the kind of performance to seeks, and the prices of used cars in the market.
Moreover, the risk of buying used cars is lessened if the buyer knows the important details to consider when buying used cars.
2. Check the cars history
The cars history will definitely provide the buyer some solid information regarding the performances, repairs, and problems of the car. So if you CAN discover some history it would be to your advantage. In this way, the buyer will be able to compare and differentiate one car from the other. There are instances wherein used cars are being sold because of some past accidents or negative experiences. Buyers might consider more if the car he or she is about to buy has a history like this one.
3. Check the safety features
What more can you expect with a used car but it does not necessarily mean that the buyer will neglect the availability of safety features in the car.
By all means, an ideal car must possess safety features, whether it is old or new. According to some reports, almost 80% of the accidents are heightened because safety features are not available in the car.
4. Buyers should be wary about the documents that are included when buying used cars.
Buyers should be sure that the car is not stolen, there are no liens on the vehicle, and that the one who signed on the Bill of Sale is the true vendor and the possessor of the property.
5. Before buying a used car, it is best to meticulously inspect the overall condition of the car first. Buyers should be wary of any rust or damage; the tires should be checked, etc.
Indeed, buying a used car can be very tedious. Nevertheless, it will give the buyer some satisfaction and assurance that what he or she has bought is a good buy.
Tags: Accidents, Best Buy, Buy Cars, Buy Used Cars, Buying A Used Car, Buying Cars, Buying Used Cars, Car Buyers, Car Tips, Cars History, Discover, Financial Choices, Ideal, Instances, Many People, Negative Experiences, Prices Of Used Cars, Risk, Safety Features, Smart ConsumersRelated posts
To get the best deal, whether you’re buying a new or used car, you want to avoid the “lion’s den”. In other words, don’t even go to a Dealer until you’ve already struck a deal.
That’s right. To get the absolute best price possible, you do not want to be sitting there in a Dealership negotiating back and forth with a salesperson. This is where they want you.
The Dealership is where they can wear you down or confuse you with their very effective selling techniques such as “the 4-sguare”, “going for a bump”, “using leg”, and many others.
Instead, you want to stay off their turf entirely by simply using the phone.
Call three or four Dealerships with similar vehicles and tell them you are buying a car in the next 48 hours. Also tell them the car you are interested in and that you are comparing final offers from four different Dealerships. Keep the call straightforward and short.
By doing this, the Dealers are forced to compete for your sale. Let them get back to you with their best “out-the-door” prices. If a Dealer’s quote takes them out of the running, let them know you’ll consider another offer from them.
Trust me, Dealers want your business. They’re not going to want to lose the sale, particularly when they also know you are buying a similar vehicle somewhere else.
The last Dealer standing wins. Only then do you go to the Dealership to look at and drive the car, and to then do the paperwork if you are satisfied.
This technique also works even better during the last two or three days of the month. Often, Dealerships have monthly quotas and their last few days “make or break them”.
By following this technique, you’ve been the one in control during the entire process.
Tags: Absolute, Bump, Buying A Car, Buying Car, Car Buying, Days Of The Month, Effective Selling, Few Days, Lion, New Car, Paperwork, Phone Call, Quotas, Salesperson, TurfRelated posts
Unless you are lucky enough to have a huge wad of money lying around, and very few of us have, then when it comes to buying a new car you are going to have to think about the best choice for you when it comes to borrowing to buy a car.
One of the most popular ways of borrowing is to take out a loan with the dealer you are buying the car from, while there are many benefits to this option there are also downsides. One of the biggest pluses is that providing you have a good history of credit then this is one of the easiest ways to get finance, although it isnt always the cheapest rate of interest you can get deals which are very attractive. The majority of dealerships will put together deals such as giving you free tax and test or will give you a great deal on your car insurance for the first year or two. When you take things such as this into account you can make savings and it could be worthwhile taking this option.
Another option when it comes to borrowing to buy a car is taking out a loan yourself, sometimes this can be the best way to get a good rate of interest and if you go with the money in hand then you can sometimes negotiate with the dealer to knock something off the price of the car. If you are considering going this way for your finance then you should look around to give you a good idea of how much the make and model of the car is roughly going for and this will give you an idea of how much you will have to borrow. Of course you should have weighed up the low rate of interest against any deals that the dealer might offer you if you take out finance from them.
Whichever way you choose to go when it comes to borrowing to buy a car, the internet is always the best place to start. You can check out the lowest rate of interest at the bank and loan companies and very often the lowest rates on interest can be found online, not only this but you are able to check out the many car dealerships and this is without a doubt he quickest and easiest way to compare any special offers they might have.
Tags: Best Choice, Buy A Car, Buy Car, Buying A New Car, Buying Car, Car Dealerships, Car Insurance, Car One, Doubt, Finance, History Of Credit, Insurance, Loan Companies, Lucky, Model Car, Money, Pluses, Rate Of Interest, Spe, Wad