CAR BUSINESS LANGUAGE AND LINGO-EPILOGUE

“Using All The Terms In One Short Story” I was going into work one day and my thoughts were focused on selling a car. I had a couple of bad days where it seemed like everything went wrong. The “Up” I had turned out to be a “Bogue” that was also “Upside Down” in his trade…No deal. The next “Up” I got wasn’t much better off…He was “Hooked” so bad he didn’t have a chance of doing anything. Then I had a “Be Back” that wasn’t much better off than the first two “Fresh Ups” I had earlier…He was “Clobbered” and reminded me of the guy I had last week that was “Buried.” I figured the next “Up” would either be “Hammered” or I’d put a deal together and it would be a “Roll Back.” Yeah, my attitude wasn’t the best so I needed to find a way to get pumped up about selling something. I needed a “Lay Down” bad. Someone that by the time I got done with them, they’d be completely “Laid Away” and it would be a “Spot� [Read More]

published June 21, 2011 at 3:41pm CDT

GAS-SAVING TIPS FOR TRYING TIMES

Brought to you by ASE - National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence Every day seems to bring higher prices at the gas pump. Some commuters are sharing rides, others are taking public transportation. But if you are like countless others, you depend on your personal vehicle. So here are some easy-to-follow gas-saving tips from the experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and#40;ASEand#41; on how to conserve fuel and make sure your car or truck gets optimal miles per gallon. Monitor tires. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. Remove excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage. Consolidate trips and errands. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions. Keep your engine "tuned up." Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems and#40;rough idling, poor acceleration, e [Read More]

published May 16, 2011 at 1:12pm CDT

THE ULTIMATE GAS SAVINGS SUITE

Gas prices.  The very mention of the term makes my stomach clench.  Is there no end in sight?  Everyone seems to have somewhere to lay the blame, and my Facebook and Twitter feeds are seeing more and more pumpside rants as people post enraged photos of their ginormous fill-up costs. Regardless, however, of who or what is to blame for our current plight, be it a political issue, an economic one, or a vast conspiracy involving shadow governments and other dimensions, one thing is certain:  The only really reliable way to lower gas prices is to use less gas.  With this in mind, CNN money has compiled a suite of six apps and websites to help us seek out the lowest fuel prices, plan shorter routes, ease the stress of carpooling, and track your car's fuel economy.  These apps include: GasBuddy, a smartphone app that uses user-submitted photos to find the lowest gas prices nationwide Bankrate's gas calculator, a website that will help you calculate whether driving across town for [Read More]

published May 10, 2011 at 7:50pm CDT

FTC PROVIDES “TIPS ON MAKING MOST OF YOUR AUTO WARRANTY”

Brought to you by Car Care Council The FTC offers these tips to help consumers make smart decisions and get the most out of their auto warranties: Read the warranty that came with the car, or check the “owners” section of the manufacturer’s Web site. Be aware of when the warranty period ends, and get any problems that arise checked out beforehand. Service the car at regular intervals, following the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. Keep all service records and receipts, regardless of who performs the service. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads and inspections. These receipts can be used to prove that the vehicle was properly maintained. Complain if you believe your warranty claim has been denied unfairly. Speak to a supervisor at the dealership, and then go to the manufacturer or another dealer. Consider filing a complaint with the state Attorney General, local consumer protection office, local Better Business [Read More]

published April 17, 2011 at 6:32pm CDT

Q. WHAT ACTIONS ARE YOU TAKING TO COPE WITH RISING GAS PRICES? A. NOT MUCH!

This year, the folks at Kelley Blue Book asked the question, "What actions are you taking to cope with rising gas prices?" and America answered.  The question is one of their regular Quick Polls to drivers nationwide, and the results of this particular one are pretty interesting.  Head past the jump for the scoop. When asked the question "What actions are you taking to cope with rising gas prices?" what would your answer be?  Pollsters were faced with the following series of choices: Can't do much, just have to deal with it. Bought or looking to buy a more fuel efficient car Biking, walking Carpooling Using mass transit Telecommuting / Working from home Speaking for myself, I can answer affirmatively to several of the above, but it doesn't make me grumble any less when I do have to fill up.  Perhaps that's why the poll's results are as skewed as they are.   Of the 598 responders, about half and#40;294and#41; answered with option number one, resigned to open their wallets at th [Read More]

published April 12, 2011 at 11:46am CDT

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEASING AND BUYING A VEHICLE?

Knowing the Answer Helps Consumers Make an Educated Decision With leasing making a comeback, consumers again are faced with the option of buying or leasing a vehicle. While buying and leasing each have their own advantages, they have important differences that Americans Well-informed on Auto Retailing Economics and#40;AWAREand#41; recommends consumers consider before going to the showroom.   “The decision to buy or to lease depends on an individual’s circumstances now and in the future.  Before visiting the dealership, consumers need to consider their driving needs and requirements,” says AWARE spokesman Eric Hoffman. “Consumers who do their homework and understand the key differences between buying and leasing can apply that knowledge to their personal situations.” To help consumers get started, AWARE outlines the major ways buying and leasing differ.  Ownership – One of the biggest differences is who owns the vehicle. Leasing: Consumers have the right to use the v [Read More]

published April 9, 2011 at 11:33pm CDT

FUEL SAVINGS TIPS AS GAS PRICES SOAR

Brought to you by Car Care Council With gas prices exceeding four dollars a gallon in many parts of the country, the Car Care Council is offering gas-saving maintenance and driving tips that really work. "Millions of dollars worth of gasoline is wasted every day by motorists, because simple and inexpensive vehicle maintenance is neglected," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Loose or missing gas caps, under-inflated tires, worn spark plugs and dirty air filters all contribute to poor fuel economy." The Car Care Council offers these fuel-saving tips: Check vehicle gas caps - About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year. Make sure tires are properly inflated - When tires aren't inflated properly, it's like driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon. Replace spark plugs regularly - A vehi [Read More]

published March 22, 2011 at 11:22am CDT

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY?

If asked this question, I know that many Ask Patty readers would say "I'd get a fancy new car."  Well, that’s exactly what Cynthia Stafford did.  She won a $112 million dollar jackpot, and went right out and picked out two new Bentleys—a baby-blue convertible and a bright-orange sedan. But her big win was more than just a lifestyle chage - it was the beginning of a whole new life. She chose to use her windfall to chase a dream she'd always had of making movies. Now, four years later, that dream has been realized: she runs her own production company, and she credits her success to the power of positive visualization.  We usually hear stories about lottery winners' lives becoming unbearable after their win, because they were completely unprepared for that kind of change - it's a breath of fresh air to see a truly inspiring story for a change. According to this article in Parade, it's a story that is the stuff of films:  in January of 2007, Stafford was raising five kids, str [Read More]

published March 1, 2011 at 12:00pm CST

HOW TO GET THE BEST FINANCING DEALS ON YOUR VEHICLE PURCHASE

by Sharleen Benet If you're buying a new car or a truck or any other vehicle, you would look for the price you're getting on the purchase of the vehicle. You must look for ways you can get the best financing deals on your new vehicle purchase. There are a lot of expenditure apart from buying the vehicle and maintaining. You also need to purchase an auto insurance policy for your car or automobile. Get to know how a car financing is done and how much you can save on a new car purchase or get good deals when making a new car purchase. What is vehicle financing? Apart from buying the car and financing it, you also need to insure it against any mishaps or untoward incidents. So, check out the total costs you have to incur. When you're purchasing the auto insurance, you must get auto insurance quotes for better rates. If you want to buy a new vehicle, you need to finance or lease to get the vehicle. In cases with direct lending, buyers take out a loan from the bank or credit union. W [Read More]

published February 2, 2011 at 4:47pm CST

LADY GAGA, OPRAH AND DANICA PATRICK TOP 100 MOST POWER WOMEN - FORBES

Forbes just launched its very diverse and mixed bag, Power Women Issue, which is lead by first Lady Michelle Obama. Forbes divided the power women candidates into four groups: politics, business, media and lifestyle and#40;that is, entertainment, sports and fashionand#41;. Then ranked the women in each group, and then group against group. Quote:"Not easy, but that's today's reality: an incongruous, diverse mash-up of hard power and#40;currencies and constitutionsand#41; and dynamic power and#40;audience and audacityand#41;." Here are a few that caught my attention and admiration: Ranked #93 is 28 year old Danica Patrick women race car driver! Profile: In 2010 Danica Patrick took a calculated risk: to split her time racing between the IndyCar racing that she's competed in since 2005 and NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series stock car circuit. And as the season draws to a close, despite middling performances on both circuits, she sees her decision as a good one and is up for a repeat next [Read More]

published October 8, 2010 at 12:46pm CDT