Shoe manufacturers used to use nails and better stitching.
Now - everything is mass produced with poor quality materials, including the rubber soles that fall apart far too soon and terrible bonding agents they use.
There should be class action lawsuits against the major shoe/boot manufacturers for intentionally sourcing shoddy materials.
Everything these days, including shoes - is built to break. Absolutely terrible.
The car emergency fund is excellent advice! This is a great idea for anyone with an older car.
We actually have a general emergency fund (which is separate from the $31,000 budget challenge), which is why we can pay for the car repairs in cash, instead of putting the costs onto a credit card. But this experience has made me rethink my car repair strategy because the pinch point of our current situation isn't actually the money, but the difficulty in finding affordable parts in a timely fashion.
This was a great article.. Only, why didn't you put links for all the delivery services? I'm actually interested in learning more about one (the dreaded #11), but the sites I ended up with through my google search definitely weren't the one you mentioned in the article.
Yes! I'm always sorting, purging and organizing year-round but I add extra vacuuming and dusting in those hard to reach places. My number one priority on the first nice weather day is to open all the windows and doors and air out the house! Always feels like Spring on that day! :)
An etiquette pointer on #9: stacking plates at fine dining places is a no-no. It looks gross and leftover food can squirt out and fall on to diners. Servers can handle multiple trips to clear a table properly - plus this is an integral of service.
My general rule of thumb seems to be if I must crawl over anything to get out of my front door, I clean it -- spring or not. When one has two dogs, every month of the year is spring.
Commercial pilot? We start out at a regional airline at $23,000 a year. Several years later, we get hired at the majors with a step down in seniority and possibly double/triple our annual pay. And yes, you DO need a Bachelors degree to get hired for the majors!
Nike offers free workout classes and run clubs at a lot of their stores. And if you don't live near a Nike store that does, they also have a free app called Nike Training Club with 100+ workouts. Lifesaver.
Great recipes! What dutch oven do you have? I want to buy it but I don't know what to choose. I read that Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron Covered Oval Dutch Oven and Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven are the best dutch ovens at bestadvisor.com and amazon. com What of the dutch ovens can you recommend?
No, we don't really spring clean. But we probably should! We certainly de-clutter, change out winter blankets and clothes, but I think adding things like cleaning the windows and carpets should be added to our list.
Indeed a very interesting article, as there is no hard & fast rule to be followed to be on footstep of successful people. But positive action at the correct time, can pave towards success in the long run.
They said I have to try to get a loan from bank before they can set up payments.an I told them I cant afford to do that then they tell me to borrow money from a relative like a $1000.00 and then they can set the payments that I want what do I do
No it is not the fact that you are old. It's the fact that we actually care.
Back in the day any salesperson did not care quite at all if the customer was satisfied, they just box pushed the easiest purchase and torqued the customer until they bought. This is not the case now a days, if any dealer is worth your time and money they will listen to what you are asking for, be fair about things and take of you like family.
Anyone who tells you, you are getting "screwed on your trade" is purely not true. The vehicle may have dings and dents, that the client has forgotten about. Or it has rust or mechanical trouble or other problems. Cars are depreciating assets and every day they are on the road they lose their value. No vehicle will appreciate unless you are driving something vintage. If you drive a common sedan you will get common money for it, it is that simple.
There is not much money in a vehicle. We charge a certain price for our products because we install them professionally, the fact the author of this article wrote that "VIN Etching" can be done at home makes me cringe because a certified technician from for example "Sherlock" has to do it. We do things a certain way because that is how the manufacturer requests it to be done and if for example ruin something on the car doing an installation of something, we have to pay to fix it. We also guarantee every product we sell you, there is the value in having it done through us.
If the salesperson is being transparent with you, don't think they are playing you. Most salespeople these days are transparent, like myself. Integrity and honesty are the name of the game, if you don't take pride in what you do no one will come back to buy from you again and there you go, short term sales long term nothing.
As for warranties being for "suckers" yeah that can't be farther from the truth. That is like saying insurance is for suckers. Down the line after the manufacturer warranty has run out you will thanking your lucky stars for the extended warranty. I see many clients that come and say the reason they want a new car is because they DONE putting money on repairs. The extended warranty may seem like a lot up front, but in the long run when the car lasts you eight years being fully warrantied and you not having to drop a cent on maintenance but brakes, tires and windshield wiper blades, your pocket will be happy and you will be much happier. You can stretch the longevity of your vehicles life with a single warranty. Drive the car longer, get better bang for your buck and spend less money in long term.
As for the "four square" the reason why we use it is because the majority of people who sit down with their significant other or their friend use this method. It allows us to show different options of purchase or lease. We do not manipulate the figures, legitimate salespeople are in this for the long-run. Manipulating a client only creates negative feelings towards the salesperson and the dealership. This again does not create return clients which is how we make our money. If you give a good service and make the client understand what we are talking about and both parties feel good about the transaction then we did our job. It's all about the clients, no happy clients, not a very productive and long career.
As for us "playing with your head" and asking random questions about the value and options on a car. We do not know until the car is evaluated. We ask you these questions to make the evaluators life easier so we can get the evaluation done promptly so you do not have the spend hours in the dealership. Your time is valuable and we take that seriously. Also if we do not investigate your wants and needs properly you probably won't be interested in the vehicle that we will show you. By asking for your vehicle options, we can get a basis as to what you are used to driving and we can then discuss if you would like something equally equipped, less equiped or more equipped. We don't play with our client's heads, that just leads no where.
If you are paying invoice there is a reason for it. Cars in high demand will not be sold for a deal, it's like a Tesla, they do not negotiate. If the salesmen asks you early on how much you want to put down, they are not interested in finding a vehicle that will build value for you. They just want to go straight ahead to payment so they do not have to actually do their job.
The dealer has to be able to come up with the reason why the payment is that high. The dealer can't just put the monthly whatever they want and expect the client to just pay it. That is not good business practice and here in Canada actually incredibly illegal. If you buy accesories of course your price will cost more, otherwise its the taxes, borrowing cost, msrp, dealer fees for vehicle preparation and any applicable rebates that create your monthly payment.
At my dealership, if a car is hail damaged we don't even try to sell it...it just get's brought to auction...In fact we don't get reimbursed because every vehicle has a certain deductible and if the insurance pays for the damages we are obliged to fix it. Most dealerships do not pay the deductible for the insurance because it's usually above 5000$. Then just increases with every claim so it is not intelligent to do it that way. Most dealers actually take a massive hit for a damaged vehicle because they usually get sold at auction for a much much cheaper price and the dealer loses loads of money.
You do not get the best deal from the internet salesmen. Low price maybe, but value no definitely not. The internet salesmen usually does not qualify the client. He does not assess their needs. If for example you tow on a daily basis (because you are in landscaping) 8000LBS. Currently you are looking at a light duty pick up truck, and the internet salesperson does not know this. You agree on price, meet up and buy the truck and then you realize that you miscalculated the amount the truck which now is 7000LBS. This might not seem like much, but down the line you will hurt the truck and then have to either buy a new one, strengthen it or keep fixing it. A true salesmen has his customer's best intentions at heart. Be wary of those who only talk price those ones are the true sharks in the water because they actually do not care about you.
Non-factory aftermarket parts are not added unless the customer asks for them. No one these days does that unless they want to get stuck with a modified vehicle. Not one dealer where I am from modifies any vehicle unless it is pickup trucks and that does not happen that often either. Modifications occur only if the client asks for it.
Getting your own financing can be a good idea if the interest rates are higher than normal. Majority of places have their interest rates floating around 0%-2.99%. Getting a line of credit for example will get you an interest rate of around 2.4-2.8%. If you buy a vehicle that is above 2.8% it's understandable but dealerships usually offer better rates than the banks because now almost everyone has their own financial institutions that allow for way better interest rates than the average consumer can get through their financial institution of choice. Reason being: dealers deal in volume, so they have the best ways to negotiate with the banks for the best interest rates out there.
You can cancel the contract, but all of my clients don't because I actually take care of them. If a salesperson is honest with you their is no reason to cancel, it has to make sense for all parties and that's why I am doing well where I am.
We are not the scum of the earth trying to squeeze every dollar our of clients. We are honest individuals trying to make a living, just like you. Cut us some slack and I promise that you will get a good deal and above all the right vehicle to fit what your wants and needs are. Listen intently and let the salesperson go through the motions with you. They do this because they care and want to make sure that the vehicle you end up driving will serve you well for the years to come.
sometimes i do spring clean. usually when the weather is better.
Shoe manufacturers used to use nails and better stitching.
Now - everything is mass produced with poor quality materials, including the rubber soles that fall apart far too soon and terrible bonding agents they use.
There should be class action lawsuits against the major shoe/boot manufacturers for intentionally sourcing shoddy materials.
Everything these days, including shoes - is built to break. Absolutely terrible.
Yvonne--
The car emergency fund is excellent advice! This is a great idea for anyone with an older car.
We actually have a general emergency fund (which is separate from the $31,000 budget challenge), which is why we can pay for the car repairs in cash, instead of putting the costs onto a credit card. But this experience has made me rethink my car repair strategy because the pinch point of our current situation isn't actually the money, but the difficulty in finding affordable parts in a timely fashion.
Josh--
Can you hint more loudly so my husband can hear you? I would love to be a one car household, but I'm facing a lot of pushback from Mr. Driveypants.
This was a great article.. Only, why didn't you put links for all the delivery services? I'm actually interested in learning more about one (the dreaded #11), but the sites I ended up with through my google search definitely weren't the one you mentioned in the article.
Yes! I'm always sorting, purging and organizing year-round but I add extra vacuuming and dusting in those hard to reach places. My number one priority on the first nice weather day is to open all the windows and doors and air out the house! Always feels like Spring on that day! :)
An etiquette pointer on #9: stacking plates at fine dining places is a no-no. It looks gross and leftover food can squirt out and fall on to diners. Servers can handle multiple trips to clear a table properly - plus this is an integral of service.
My general rule of thumb seems to be if I must crawl over anything to get out of my front door, I clean it -- spring or not. When one has two dogs, every month of the year is spring.
Commercial pilot? We start out at a regional airline at $23,000 a year. Several years later, we get hired at the majors with a step down in seniority and possibly double/triple our annual pay. And yes, you DO need a Bachelors degree to get hired for the majors!
Yes! Washing curtains, cleaning places you forget about. It helps!
A zero based budget is key to achieving your monthly goals
Nike offers free workout classes and run clubs at a lot of their stores. And if you don't live near a Nike store that does, they also have a free app called Nike Training Club with 100+ workouts. Lifesaver.
Great recipes! What dutch oven do you have? I want to buy it but I don't know what to choose. I read that Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron Covered Oval Dutch Oven and Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven are the best dutch ovens at bestadvisor.com and amazon. com What of the dutch ovens can you recommend?
Great!!! You may also add; prevents pigeons (air rats) -by spraying a little of it -from frequenting your balcony and outdoor A/C areas.
Regards,
José
I have a Panasonic DMPBD65 and I am in Canada and it won't let me watch Canadian Netflix . Says only Us .
How it can I change this ?
No, we don't really spring clean. But we probably should! We certainly de-clutter, change out winter blankets and clothes, but I think adding things like cleaning the windows and carpets should be added to our list.
Yes we do a deep cleaning every spring.
I blend a bit of extra cleaning in when spring starts, mainly to get to the things I couldn't do when it was cold and dark outside in the winter.
Indeed a very interesting article, as there is no hard & fast rule to be followed to be on footstep of successful people. But positive action at the correct time, can pave towards success in the long run.
I don't do spring cleaning. I just randomly will deep clean an area when I am in the mood.
Yes, I always do. I like to use it as a time to clean out my closets, etc.
Not really. I try to clean windows inside and out, wash curtains and do a general declutter though.
Absolutely! Top to bottom, every room including the garage!
They said I have to try to get a loan from bank before they can set up payments.an I told them I cant afford to do that then they tell me to borrow money from a relative like a $1000.00 and then they can set the payments that I want what do I do
No it is not the fact that you are old. It's the fact that we actually care.
Back in the day any salesperson did not care quite at all if the customer was satisfied, they just box pushed the easiest purchase and torqued the customer until they bought. This is not the case now a days, if any dealer is worth your time and money they will listen to what you are asking for, be fair about things and take of you like family.
Anyone who tells you, you are getting "screwed on your trade" is purely not true. The vehicle may have dings and dents, that the client has forgotten about. Or it has rust or mechanical trouble or other problems. Cars are depreciating assets and every day they are on the road they lose their value. No vehicle will appreciate unless you are driving something vintage. If you drive a common sedan you will get common money for it, it is that simple.
There is not much money in a vehicle. We charge a certain price for our products because we install them professionally, the fact the author of this article wrote that "VIN Etching" can be done at home makes me cringe because a certified technician from for example "Sherlock" has to do it. We do things a certain way because that is how the manufacturer requests it to be done and if for example ruin something on the car doing an installation of something, we have to pay to fix it. We also guarantee every product we sell you, there is the value in having it done through us.
If the salesperson is being transparent with you, don't think they are playing you. Most salespeople these days are transparent, like myself. Integrity and honesty are the name of the game, if you don't take pride in what you do no one will come back to buy from you again and there you go, short term sales long term nothing.
As for warranties being for "suckers" yeah that can't be farther from the truth. That is like saying insurance is for suckers. Down the line after the manufacturer warranty has run out you will thanking your lucky stars for the extended warranty. I see many clients that come and say the reason they want a new car is because they DONE putting money on repairs. The extended warranty may seem like a lot up front, but in the long run when the car lasts you eight years being fully warrantied and you not having to drop a cent on maintenance but brakes, tires and windshield wiper blades, your pocket will be happy and you will be much happier. You can stretch the longevity of your vehicles life with a single warranty. Drive the car longer, get better bang for your buck and spend less money in long term.
As for the "four square" the reason why we use it is because the majority of people who sit down with their significant other or their friend use this method. It allows us to show different options of purchase or lease. We do not manipulate the figures, legitimate salespeople are in this for the long-run. Manipulating a client only creates negative feelings towards the salesperson and the dealership. This again does not create return clients which is how we make our money. If you give a good service and make the client understand what we are talking about and both parties feel good about the transaction then we did our job. It's all about the clients, no happy clients, not a very productive and long career.
As for us "playing with your head" and asking random questions about the value and options on a car. We do not know until the car is evaluated. We ask you these questions to make the evaluators life easier so we can get the evaluation done promptly so you do not have the spend hours in the dealership. Your time is valuable and we take that seriously. Also if we do not investigate your wants and needs properly you probably won't be interested in the vehicle that we will show you. By asking for your vehicle options, we can get a basis as to what you are used to driving and we can then discuss if you would like something equally equipped, less equiped or more equipped. We don't play with our client's heads, that just leads no where.
If you are paying invoice there is a reason for it. Cars in high demand will not be sold for a deal, it's like a Tesla, they do not negotiate. If the salesmen asks you early on how much you want to put down, they are not interested in finding a vehicle that will build value for you. They just want to go straight ahead to payment so they do not have to actually do their job.
The dealer has to be able to come up with the reason why the payment is that high. The dealer can't just put the monthly whatever they want and expect the client to just pay it. That is not good business practice and here in Canada actually incredibly illegal. If you buy accesories of course your price will cost more, otherwise its the taxes, borrowing cost, msrp, dealer fees for vehicle preparation and any applicable rebates that create your monthly payment.
At my dealership, if a car is hail damaged we don't even try to sell it...it just get's brought to auction...In fact we don't get reimbursed because every vehicle has a certain deductible and if the insurance pays for the damages we are obliged to fix it. Most dealerships do not pay the deductible for the insurance because it's usually above 5000$. Then just increases with every claim so it is not intelligent to do it that way. Most dealers actually take a massive hit for a damaged vehicle because they usually get sold at auction for a much much cheaper price and the dealer loses loads of money.
You do not get the best deal from the internet salesmen. Low price maybe, but value no definitely not. The internet salesmen usually does not qualify the client. He does not assess their needs. If for example you tow on a daily basis (because you are in landscaping) 8000LBS. Currently you are looking at a light duty pick up truck, and the internet salesperson does not know this. You agree on price, meet up and buy the truck and then you realize that you miscalculated the amount the truck which now is 7000LBS. This might not seem like much, but down the line you will hurt the truck and then have to either buy a new one, strengthen it or keep fixing it. A true salesmen has his customer's best intentions at heart. Be wary of those who only talk price those ones are the true sharks in the water because they actually do not care about you.
Non-factory aftermarket parts are not added unless the customer asks for them. No one these days does that unless they want to get stuck with a modified vehicle. Not one dealer where I am from modifies any vehicle unless it is pickup trucks and that does not happen that often either. Modifications occur only if the client asks for it.
Getting your own financing can be a good idea if the interest rates are higher than normal. Majority of places have their interest rates floating around 0%-2.99%. Getting a line of credit for example will get you an interest rate of around 2.4-2.8%. If you buy a vehicle that is above 2.8% it's understandable but dealerships usually offer better rates than the banks because now almost everyone has their own financial institutions that allow for way better interest rates than the average consumer can get through their financial institution of choice. Reason being: dealers deal in volume, so they have the best ways to negotiate with the banks for the best interest rates out there.
You can cancel the contract, but all of my clients don't because I actually take care of them. If a salesperson is honest with you their is no reason to cancel, it has to make sense for all parties and that's why I am doing well where I am.
We are not the scum of the earth trying to squeeze every dollar our of clients. We are honest individuals trying to make a living, just like you. Cut us some slack and I promise that you will get a good deal and above all the right vehicle to fit what your wants and needs are. Listen intently and let the salesperson go through the motions with you. They do this because they care and want to make sure that the vehicle you end up driving will serve you well for the years to come.
Cheers,
Nick