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Anti-Theft Car Covers

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Most people only think that car covers are only meant for protecting the car from elements of weather, dirt and other basic purposes of the sort. These are some of the benefits that you can get from these covers but there are others. One of the other basic things that these thin fabrics can do is protecting your car from being stolen. This sounds absurd as the covers are thin sheets that can be removed with a razorblade but it has been proven a fact. Most thieves steal things because they are seeing them and not because they had plans for it. A cover can prevent your personal items from being stolen.

Look at a situation where thieves want to steal a car in a public place and are not aware who the owner of the car is. This will compel them to get in the car as fast as possible and drive off at the speed of lightning. A car that is covered will require some tine to remove, fold and store it as you cannot just discard it on the street as this will look suspicious and attract attention. This makes the car covers essential and cheap antitheft investments.

Other than the external part, the covers are responsible for providing protection to contents inside your car. Kleptomaniac are thieves who still for the sheer thrill of it. If the contents that you have stored in your car are not being seen, there is less likelihood that a thief will take time on planning to break into your car. This ensures safety of contents stored in your car. In addition, you will require to take off the cover before getting into the car,. This is another task that will require a lot of time and thieves are always in hurry and escape before being noticed by the owners.

There are some car covers that come with car locks. The cover lock is a means of making it difficult for thieves to remove the covers. Since only the owner has the keys to unlock the covers, thieves will be forced to tear off the covers to get access to get into the car.

The covers fitted with locks also come with cables customized in them. The cable in the cover is coated with vinyl and is hence friendly to all parts of the car. There are some that were attributed with destroying the color of the car but this one is safe. These covers are sold with grommets and loops for tying down. The cable is passed through one of the grommet and under the car. Let the end pass through the other grommet and then you can lock it. Your car and covers are both secure now. Most people prefer using lock and cable car covers since they are hard to break through. Moreover, breaking them will take a lot of time. In addition, the tools used to break the lock and cable attracts attention or the owner of the car.

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Source by Greg Mitchell

Automotive Equipment and Tools For The Automotive Industry

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The automotive equipment industry deals with the production of every kind of tool and machinery that is needed for the manufacture, maintenance and repair of vehicles including cars and car parts. As such, the industry produces several different varieties of equipment starting from basic hand tools to more complex machinery.

Different Kinds of Automotive Equipment

Automotive workshops and garages will be unable to function without automotive equipment. Shop furniture, lifts, exhaust hoses, air compressors, lubrication equipment, electric and light reels, jacks, vehicle servicing equipment, fluid storage tanks and trans-air piping are some of the many different types of automotive equipment that are used by automotive manufacturing and automotive repair businesses.

Common Types Of Automotive Equipment

* Hand Tools: Automotive repair shops use several different types of hand tools for their repair and maintenance projects. Some of the commonest items include ratchet sets and wrench sets, crowbars (also known as pry bars), socket sets, screwdrivers, star and clutch-head drivers, hammers, pliers and wire cutters, electric drills, hacksaws and torque wrenches.

* Pneumatic Tools: Most automotive workshops now use pneumatic tools as an alternative to electricity powered motors because the latter is more prone to fire hazards. Such tools are powered by compressed air and are high powered versions of the more traditional hand tools. Common examples of pneumatic automotive equipment include air compressors that can be used to power a variety of tools including hammers, drills, ratchets and spraying tools.

* Availability of pneumatic equipment makes it easier for mechanics and technicians to undertake repair and maintenance work because they are powerful and easy to use. For example, a set of pneumatic shears can cut through sheet metal at a faster rate and leave behind a smoother edge when compared to traditional tin snips. Similarly, air hammers outfitted with chisel or punch bits have multiple uses. They can they be used for straightening dents. The chisel feature can be used to break rusted parts loose and the punch bits can be used to remove old rivets and bolts that are too difficult to take out by hand.

* Lifts: several different kinds of lifting equipment are used to lift and secure cars so that mechanics and repair persons can easily work under the vehicle. These lifting tools include both low-tech tools such as basic floor jacks, car ramps and jack stands as well as hydraulic lifts and floor jacks for better efficiency and performance.

* Vehicle Exhaust Removal Systems: vehicle exhaust removal systems are used to capture and remove harmful exhaust fumes to insure optimal air quality in automotive maintenance and repair facilities. These are mandatory equipment as per OSHA Standards in order to limit exposure to harmful vehicular emissions. Common vehicle exhaust removal systems include hose drops as well as reels.

* Lubrication Systems: Automotive lubrication systems include several different types of oil meters, ATF meters, gear lube meters, dispense valves and grease dispenses valves.

The Automotive equipment business is a very large and competitive business. Automotive repair businesses must buy equipment from reputable dealers for the best deals and performance levels.

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Source by Aurelia Lucy Dudley

7 Top Tips to Car Salesman’s Or Saleswoman’s Success

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Given that car sales account for 19% of total U.S. sales in 2000 (source: U.S. Small Business Administration), a lot of people are buying cars which mean that are a lot of people selling cars. Additionally, new car sales have dropped from 63.4% in 1989 to 60% in 1999. Selling cars is not easy given that many still have a negative perception of car salesmen or women. Hopefully, these 7 tips may help you to sell more cars.

  1. First and Foremost YOU need to think of yourself as a business. Car sales people work for an auto dealership, but most work on a salary and commission basis. When your compensation is commission based, this means you have more control of your destiny and should view yourself as a business instead of just a sales person.
  2. Adopt a Planning Attitude. If you do not have a plan, then you are on some else’s plan – usually the successful car saleswoman or salesman. As a practicing performance improvement consultant or coach for the last 10 years, I have observed that most people plan less for their entire lives than they do for a simple visit to the grocery store.
  3. Learn how to prospect. There exists a fundamental belief that the auto dealership is responsible for bringing traffic through the door because the dealership owners have all those “big bucks” for media advertising. Given that 80% of all new sales comes from referrals, would it not make more sense to prospect individually rather than rely on outside resources to control your destiny? Those media efforts usually bring in suspects, not prospects. Use your time wisely by focusing on prospects those who have a need, dollars and are a decision-maker. Don’t rely only on the auto dealer to send out letters. Take the time to write some handwritten notes.
  4. Improve your sales skills to make more money. Today’s buyers are far more savvy than years ago. Learn how to cultivate and develop long term relationships. Consider a proven buying/selling sales process where marketing and selling skills are united to deliver to the desired results of another sold car. New car sales to used car sales are far more relationship based selling than years ago when car sales was a commodity sale.
  5. Establish your sales goals using your great planning attitude. If you are a car salesman or car saleswoman and have 300 customers and the industry average sales cycle is 3 years, then every year you should be selling 100 cars. Focus your efforts of those who will be buying a car this year, but remember to continue to touch those who will potentially be buying another car in 2 or 3 years. HINT: Use the W.A.Y. S.M.A.R.T.criteria for goal setting.
  6. Identify the attitudes or beliefs that are obstacles to your success. Working with those in the auto industry, I have heard countless reasons why sales cannot be made. However, when these reasons are reviewed, they are usually unfounded reasons based upon existing attitudes and beliefs. For example, “corporate has ruined the car industry by posting prices on the Internet. Everyone knows everything about the car.” My response is “if price was a real objection, then everyone would be driving a Yugo or a Chevette. And doesn’t it make more sense to have an educated buyer than an uneducated one when it comes to your time and resources?” HINT: When you change how you look at things, the things you look at will change.
  7. Make managing yourself priority number one. You must learn how to maximize your time especially in the area of time management, ongoing professional development such as through business coaching training and personal life balance. The auto industry is truly a 24/7 business given that cars are with us each and every day of our lives. However, it is important not to lose sight of your personal life including family, friends, physical health, etc.

Yes, you can be an incredible car salesperson who can increase sales through these 7 simple car salesman tips. Just remember, sales regardless of industry is all about knowing your numbers and then multiplying your activity to secure those desired results.

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Source by Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Junk Car Removal – No Title, No Problem!

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You would think that the world of junk car removal with no title would just be ripe for abuse. After all, without having the official paperwork that actually states that you own the car, any person could claim that any old abandoned vehicle was theirs, sell it for salveagable parts, or donate the car and fraudulently claim a tax deduction. But then there are those honest people who own an old vehicle outright but do not have the title to state ownership. Can you still get that junk car towed away from your property for good without a title? The answer is yes!

Order a replacement title

If you have a junk car that you would like to be rid of, one of the most obvious answers to your problem of not having the title is to get a replacement. In most states, you can order a replacement title as long as you have your vehicle identification number (VIN). Get your replacement title and then you can finally say goodbye to your old, unusable car. After you receive your replacement title for your auto, then you can go about making arrangements have your junk car picked up and removed.

Find a company that doesn’t require a title

Some people just may not want to go through the hassle of getting that replacement title, and that’s fine, there are ways to work around getting rid of your junk car without title in hand. The first is to sell your junk car via private bill of sale. If you can find a buyer, you can negotiate a private sale, describing the make, model, and year of the vehicle, the agreed-upon sale price, and legal signatures. Before going through with the sale, you will want to make check with an attorney to make sure that all of this paperwork is legit in the eyes of the law. Ending up in small claims court is a major hassle that can completely be avoided by doing your homework beforehand.

Another option is to completely outsource this process by going through a nationally recognized service, such as Junk My Car. You can get rid of your old clunker, no matter where you live in the United States or Canada. Simply call the hotline and an operator will walk you through the process. There is no fee for this service and you can generally expect to receive a call from a towing company within 48 hours to finally get your old automobile off of your hands. And to save yourself a headache, you do not need a title.

If you do not have a title, check the state-by-state Vehicle Documentation Guide on the Junk My Car website to review the steps you need to take to prepare for the vehicle removal process. If you live in one of the Canadian provinces, the information you need is also live on their website.

What Happens After You Schedule Your Vehicle To Be Removed?

One of the best things about using the Junk My Car service is that your car will be scrapped for usable parts. It doesn’t matter whether your car is wrecked, totaled, missing parts, or inoperable. While this is a free junk car removal service, you may interested in how you can earn cold hard cash for your junk car. If so, then you can consult their sister company, Buy My Wreck, and have them make you an offer. You can consult with an operator to determine how much your car may be worth, you will be emailed a purchase agreement, and upon agreement, arrangements will be made to tow away your used car for recycling. You can expect to get paid for your vehicle in some cases on the spot during pickup or, in some cases, no later than 14 days via check.

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Source by Isaac MacIntosh

Car Theft Solved by Private Investigators

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From time to time, a private investigator might be asked to track down a missing car. A car can be stolen from a public place, private residence, or a car rental agency.

Types of Car Thefts:

During economically challenged times, car thefts increase. Some people try to steal cars from rental agencies by using fake IDs to rent cars, and then simply never return them. Some steal cars for their own use, whether for regular daily use or for transporting contraband and later abandonment. Some turn the stolen vehicles over to chop shops, where the cars will be used for parts. Some just want a car to take on a race or joyride, and will abandon the car after using it for a period of time.

Some will sell a stolen car to an unsuspecting person, who has no idea that he or she just purchased a stolen vehicle. Sometimes, the owner sold the car in good faith to a person who passed a bad cheque. In other cases, a couple may have surrendered their second car to a re-leasing company to cut down on expenses; however, the car may have been leased to a “customer” who disappeared. Thefts may be for convenience – the thief may have some stolen goods to transport.

No matter what the reason for the theft, it’s up to the private investigator to use his or her ingenuity to figure out what happened and track down the car. It’s always a good idea to file a police report first, but because the police might not be able to take the time to track down your vehicle, a good Private Investigator can come in handy.

How We Track Down the Car:

A private investigator will use tools such as phone calls, casual conversations, and interviews. A good Investigator knows how to word questions and statements to get the most cooperation. Most people are shocked if someone they know has stolen a vehicle, and they will want to cooperate. The trick is in putting all the pieces of the puzzle together and tracking down hard information that is admissible in a court case.

Investigators can use license plate scanners, GPS tracking that comes with certain cars, handheld devices, cameras mounted on cars, or interviews with anyone whose job requires driving around, such as delivery workers. PI Agencies in some countries might have memberships in professional organizations where information gathered from license plate scanners is stored in a database. Surveillance on public streets is generally legal and does not overstep privacy issues. One popular technique is keep a watchlist of all vehicles reported stolen by owners, and using the scanners to detect license plates of parked vehicles. Since thieves often switch license plates, it can take time.

The human element in the form of social media and community alerts can work wonders, too. Many people have assisted in recovering their own cars by posting pictures of their stolen cars on social media and asking people to share. It’s never a good idea for a friend to confront a car thief, but it can be really useful if they snap pictures or report sightings of the stolen vehicle without getting noticed by the perpetrator.

Clumsy planning on the part of the thief helps, too. Sometimes a thief will falsify an ID card to rent a car that they never return, but use a real address of someone they know. As we interview the person whose address was used, the person might recognize the description of the thief and give us clues as to where to find him or her. We can then conduct a surveillance and get videos of the perpetrator using the stolen car, which will be admissible in court. Once we have enough evidence to stand up in court, we can wait for the perpetrator to turn in for the night and immobilize the car with car boots before there is any attempt to make contact.

Over the years, Private Investigators form relationships with informants. Knowing how to befriend people who can supply information is golden. Cooperation from all sources is the most important key to solving crimes, and a good Private Investigator knows how to form those relationships.

Other sources of information, although not glamorous, are salvage yards, auto manufacturers, trash bins on public streets, and hidden cameras in public areas. We can also keep lists of vehicles with out-of-area registration tags on them, check on the vehicle registration for those tags, and track down the lienholder (lender) for the vehicle. That is public information and we can call the lender to see if the vehicle is stolen.

Another easy way to verify if a car is the one we’re looking for is to check the VIN number, which is often in plain sight on the driver’s side.

Repossession of the Car:

Once the car is located, it can be repossessed rather easily and the Private Investigator and client will agree upon the method in advance. Upon finding the car, it can be booted or disabled before the PI does one of three things depending on what the client wants: knocks on the suspect’s door and asks for the keys, notify the police, or notify the client. It is never a good idea for the client to contact the perpetrator, but the client could contact the police.

If the client is a business such as a rental car agency, the client may instruct the private investigator to repossess the vehicle. A team of two pis will drive to the location, boot the car, and explain to the perpetrator who they are and why they are there. They will cite to the violator the specific vehicle codes that were violated and the jail time or fines attached with such crimes. They will be firm but also very professional. Most perpetrators will hand over the keys without too much fuss once confronted. If not, a tow truck can be called to remove the vehicle. This should not be done without hard evidence and knowing the laws in your area.

How to Prevent Theft:

Most vehicles sold nowadays have key codes or tracking systems such as LoJack or Onstar. Some have microdots that tag individual parts of the car, so they can be identified if the car goes to a chop shop. However, even very sophisticated systems can be bypassed by professional thieves.

The best car theft prevention devices, such as ignition interlock and pedal locks, disable the vehicle so that it can’t be moved without the right key. If your car does not come with these devices, you can buy a self-setting immobilizer. Always lock your vehicle and park in the safest spots you can.

Unfortunately, car thefts are very common. Using reasonable security precautions and keeping a photograph and copies of vehicle registration information can help you in case of a theft. A good Private Investigator will work for your better interests in recovering the car.

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Source by Meini Listanti

Thinking of Buying a Used Mobile Home? 18 Steps For What to Watch Out For and How to Do it Right

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If you are thinking of buying a used mobile home, there are things you need to watch out for. Buying a mobile home is not like buying a regular stick built. You need to know what to watch out for before you buy a used mobile home. Here are 10 things to watch out for when buying a used mobile home. These tips will guide you to make the right decision and/or how to negotiate in your best interest. Better safe than sorry. My seven years of selling used mobile homes has taught me a lot. I am now passing on that information to you so that you can make an educated choice.

1. Age. If your finances are tight, do not buy anything older than 1977. That is the cutout time for good financing and also the year a lender can determine if the used mobile home is a HUD home. 1976 and older were registered with DMV and not built to code. Therefor, lenders requires a 20% down on a 1976 or older. The term will be no longer than 15 years and the rate will be somewhere around 11-12%. That is a lot to pay. 1977 or newer requires only 10% down, you can get 20 years of financing and the rate is 1-2% lower. That is a much better deal. If the home is newer, the rate can be as low as 8%. Preferable, look for a home that is no more than 15 years old.

2. Park. Not all parks are approved by the lenders. Before making an offer to purchase, get yourself loan approved for that particular park. If the space rent is too high or if there are too many foreclosures in the park, lenders might say no to financing.

3. Rent control. Is it or is it not? Most parks are but some are not. If not, make sure yo fully understand what kind of yearly increase the park will impose on you. You might not mind paying that extra increase per year but each time the space rent is raised, the value of your mobile home WILL go down. Its like a car, depreciating. Still, it beats renting an apartment with people above, below, left and right.

4. Crime. Does the park have a security program? Is the park patrolled regularly by a security patrol company? If not, you probably should stay away. Yes, it is true, all residents have to follow the rules and regulations but if there is no security, many things can happen. A security patrol is a deterrent, crime will go elsewhere. Call the park manager and inquire. You can also call the local police office and ask for a crime report. Strongly recommended.

5. Pets. What is the parks policy? Your 80 ldb golden retriever might have a VERY hard time getting approved. Same for your pitt bull or any other so called “vicious breed”. Most parks will NOT approve them. There is only one park in the Santa Clarita Valley that will approve a large dog, even two. However, no “vicious breeds”. How stupid. Recently, I had a dog trainer with good credit, a large down payment and a German shepherd. That dog was the most well trained German shepherd but no, considered “vicious”. So are dobermans, boxers, pinchers, chows and a couple of more. Inquire with the park BEFORE looking at any used (or new) mobile home. Save yourself the time (and your agents) by finding out first.

6. Neighbors. Most people are nice. However, since you are going to be living in tight quarters (most mobile home spaces are small and set very closely together), go and talk to the neighbors. Both the ones next door and some a few doors down. The ones a few doors down are the ones that will tell you what REALLY is going on. Maybe the couple next door do not get along any more. Maybe there is an alcohol problem. Maybe the kids play too loud. You need to know. Drive by in the evening, hang around for a while. Do the same for the weekend. Spend an hour on a Saturday night, driving around the mobile home park, you will then now if this is a place for you.

7. Managers. Do they do a great job? Do they care? Do they make the residents follow the rules and regulations? Do they arrange get togethers every now and then? Any holiday dinners? Do they publish a newsletter to keep you updated? Do you feel welcome in their office? Most managers take great pride in their park and are happy to try to help you. Make sure that is the case.

8. Trash. An old toilet sitting at the end of a car port? Knee-high weeds? A car jacked up and being worked on in a carport? You do not want that. What you should want, is a clean, manicured park community where the residents take pride in their mobile homes and keeps their surroundings clean. A carport is not supposed to be used for storage (or a back yard). A shed is where you keep your excess belongings, period.

9. Mobile home values. Holding steady? Going up? Declining? Have your Realtor find out for you. Buying a used mobile home is very much like buying a used car. A seller can set any price but is it worth it? Please do not over-pay. If you need to finance your used mobile home, you are then in a much safer position. You are then required to pay for an appraisal to find out the REAL value of the mobile home. However, if you are planning to buy your mobile home for cash, watch out. No appraisal is required but I would recommend you pay the $400 to the appraiser. It could save you thousands. The choice is yours.

10. Health and Safety. What condition is the mobile home in? The basics should all be there. If not, it is the sellers responsibility to have it done. That includes;

A. Smoke alarms. Each bedroom needs one, that is the code. And, it needs to be working!

B. Water heater. Needs to be double-strapped and not with those tiny metal bands that has little wholes in them. Is there a pressure release valve? If it where to over-flow, does the pipe go underneath? Should not. It needs to extend out to the side of the skirting. Is the water heater closet dry-walled? Has to be. Any leaks?

C. Steps. Are they solid? No rips in the carpeting (trip hazard)? What about the railing? Is it loose? Can not be. How far apart are the rails? Should not be more than 4″ so that a small child can NOT get stuck in between.

D. Cooling system. Does it work? It is not really a health and safety issue but if it were me, I would insist on it or ask for a reduction in price. Who wants to live in a used mobile home, maybe with metal siding as well, and summer comes around and it is 105 degrees outside.

E. The furnace. When was it last serviced and how dirty is the pad? Take a good look and make sure it works. Have someone come and take a look at it.

F. Plumbing. Any leaks? Should not. Run all faucets and look underneath.

G. Electrical. Does all the outlets and the switches work? Make sure they do. GFI’s? You do not want the risk of being electrocuted. Both kitchen and bathrooms needs GFI plugs.

H. Roof. Any leaks? Look around carefully to see if there are any water stains in the ceilings or around the upper walls. How old is the roof?

I. Earthquake bracing. Does it have it? Bring a flashlight and open up the access door in the skirting. There should be (on a double wide mobile home), two in the front and two in the back. Compare them to the regular piers and jacks. Are they beefier? Bolted to the I-beam? They should be. Surprisingly enough, there are still some used mobile homes out there who do NOT have them. On top of that, it is not considered a health and safety issue and it is perfectly legal to sell a used mobile home WITHOUT them!

If you do buy a used mobile home without earthquake bracing and later on decides that it was not the smartest idea, a contractor will charge you about $5000 to install them. Not cheap. If it does not have it, ask for a price reduction and then order the escrow company to set aside $5000 to the contractor. At the close of escrow, your contractor will come out and install them for you. If you can have him install it the day BEFORE close of escrow even better. Because, if you just take a price reduction, you are going to be so busy moving and exited about your purchase of your mobile home. You’ll “forget” about the bracing and end up buying new furniture instead!

Ideally, you should hire a health and safety inspector who KNOWS how to inspect a mobile home

8. Once you are park-approved, it is time to schedule your health & safety inspection. You are free to use any licensed health & safety inspector for your inspection or I can recommend several to you. Besides the health & safety inspection , I would strongly recommend you have an electrician look over the home. Sometimes, a regular h&s inspector can not really know what’s going on. These inspections are not free and depending on who it is, they all charge slightly different. When we go to see the inspectors at your future home, please bring your check bock. Once the inspection is over, the inspector will go over his findings with you.

9. It is now 24-48 hours after that the health & safety inspection took place and now we are holding the report in our hands, going through it together. It is the sellers responsibility to cover any health & safety issues, such as electrical, plumbing, roof, smoke alarms, double-strapped water heater and so on. Anything cosmetic is just that, cosmetic and the seller does not have to do anything. However, you could always try to negotiate if you strongly feel there is something you want the seller to do and of course, I am there for you, every step of the way.

10. Termites? Pesky little critters and they are usually EVERYWHERE! We would absolutely want to have the home inspected for that too. We will get a written report with a diagram, showing their findings. Anything that they find that is classified as a SECTION I, has to be taken care of and hopefully, the seller is willing to do that. If not, it’s on you. I have a very strong opinion in regards to termites. That is, if I were buying a home, why should I have to pay for somebody else termite problem? I never lived there. I did not invite them. So, why pay? On the other hand, if I got the home at a very good deal, I would probably pay for it. It is your decision and hopefully we will not run in to this problem if the seller gladly pays. SECTION 2 are recommendations from the termite inspector of things that will need attention in the future and are not items that has to be taken care of now. Termite inspections are paid through escrow.

11. Time to order your appraisal. An appraisal will be necessary if you are going to finance your purchase, the lender will require it. This is an expense that can not be financed and you will have to pay it upfront either by meeting the appraiser at your future home or by simply writing the check to the appraiser and let me handle it for you.

12. Your loan conditions. When you first got pre-approved, we submitted certain papers to the lender. There might also be additional paperwork they are asking for and whatever that is, now is the time for us to do that.

13. Your home has now been appraised and hopefully, it did appraise. If not, we might need to either re-negotiate with the seller or you might have to come up with a larger down payment, whatever is the case or we might have to look for another home for you.

14. Your loan documents are now ready to be signed and there will also be additional paperwork from escrow to sign, such as hazardous disclosures. We live in earthquake country, there are massive rains sometimes and we get flooded. You might be close to a prison or maybe an airport. These things are hazardous, we all live with them. Escrow wants you to know this,and you already do. When you go to sign all this papers, please bring your cashiers check for the balance of the down payment. Before you do, I will give you an estimated closing statement so that you know how much to bring. There will be an overage, meaning escrow will ask for a little bit more, just in case. We do not want to delay closing escrow because they are a few dollars short (maybe they needed to over-night a package twice).

15. Time for us to do a final inspection of the home. We want to make sure that everything that needed to be taken care of, has been done. We will do a final walk-through together.

16. You are now going to go to your appointment with the park to sign your lease, read and sign the park rules & regulations and pay your space rent and deposit. This takes about 1 ½ hour. If this is in the middle of the month, escrow will pro-rate the space rent. Parks do not take partial payment, only full. The deposit is refundable after paying your space rent on time for 12 consecutive months. You can then, in writing, ask for it back.

17. The loan has now funded, the money has been received by escrow, every single piece of paper has been signed by all parties involved and escrow is now closed. CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE NOW A HOME OWNER.

18. I will give you your final closing statement from escrow and possibly a check too, together with the keys to the home, TIME TO START MOVING IN!

Again, congratulations. Let me know when the movers are coming, I want to order you some take-out and something to drink, you are going to be too busy and besides, who has time to cook while moving.

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Source by Eva Liland

Why Can’t I Get Full Retail Replacement Value For My Dinnerware?

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Selling replacement dinnerware has many factors involved in setting a piece or pattern’s “retail value.” Just as a car dealership is generally able to get a much higher resale price for a used vehicle than an individual could, selling replacement china has the same economic principles.

A used car’s value is based on overall condition, mileage, reliability, brand name and consumer demand. The better the condition (nothing is broken and there are no major repairs in its history which is true for the car OR the china in this example), the lower the mileage (how often was the car driven/china used – general wear & tear), the more reliable the vehicle (how durable is the china), the brand or maker (manufacturer) AND its model (pattern) and how many people are actually looking to purchase that particular car (china pattern and/or particular piece) ALL go into determining its overall resale retail value.

If you were to sell your car, chances are VERY good that you will get A LOT less than a car dealership would get – the dealership has invested tons of money into building a client list and advertising. They will have more “traffic” – that is, a dealership has more potential buyers than any one individual.

A car dealership has also established itself as an EXPERT. People know that when they buy from a reputable dealer, the will get the EXACT car that is promised in the EXACT shape that it is advertised to be in. If there are issues, the consumer KNOWS that they can go back to the dealer to handle any issues that may have been overlooked. All car dealerships must adhere to some type of limited warranty, lemon laws and the like. Also, a consumer knows that they have not only purchased a car from the dealership, but along with that they now have a relationship with that dealership – a place that they can return to again and again for on-going maintenance. These two points are generally the reasons why most people will pay premium prices to a dealer when purchasing a used car.

A consumer that purchases a vehicle from an unknown individual generally has little or no recourse if the car was either intentionally OR unintentionally misrepresented. Usually the only protection a consumer would have is to bring a civil lawsuit against the seller.

In the China Replacement resale market, these same points hold true – people are willing to pay more to a company that stands behind their inventory, offers no-hassle return policies and has a standardized condition grading system.

China Replacement Firms that sell “full price, first quality” dinnerware have inspected the dinnerware and have certified EACH AND EVERY piece to be in as close to BRAND NEW condition as is physically possible based on the age, scarcity and durability of that particular piece.

These firms also know what each manufacturer’s “seconds marks” (defects, flaws, irregularities) look like and will NEVER sell any “second” quality piece at “first” quality pricing.

Oh Goody, my set or item is selling for TONS of money on eBay and/or Replacements, Ltd!!!!

MAYBE, but possibly not – you cannot ascertain the actual selling price of something from the asking price!!!

MOST replacement dinnerware does NOT sell (on eBay or elsewhere) for more than what the leading China Replacement Retail Establishments are asking. That said China Replacement Firms will price their items based on the number of clients they have for a particular pattern, how many total pieces they have currently on hand for each particular piece type and THEIR realized consumer demand for EACH piece.

The eBay marketplace however, fluctuates madly; generally valuing items on the overall consumer demand and the item’s perceived “collectability”.

As an example, a pattern that was only produced for one year may bring MUCH higher prices on eBay than a China Replacement Firm would charge as they may have none or only a handful of registered clients – they may not even have much, if any pieces, in stock of that particular pattern.

Additionally, pieces that are in stock with high retail prices ARE NOT NECESSARILY “flying off the shelves.” It is highly probable that some higher priced serving pieces (as well as place setting pieces) have been in their inventory for YEARS – with only a handful (if that even) of actual completed SALES.

When researching what “your set is worth.” It is important to understand the difference between what current eBay prices are ASKING and what the pieces have ACTUALLY sold for. MANY, MANY auctions and Store Listings end with NO buyers. MANY Store listings end up selling for a “Best Offer” which can sometimes be CONSIDERABLY less than the seller’s original asking price.

As in the general retail market, the Dinnerware resale market has plummeted as well. It does not make sense to value your China based on ANY sales prior to the past two or three months, as prices fluctuate wildly based on the current economic climate. MANY items are CURRENTLY valued at 50% LESS than they sold for just one or two years ago.

An item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, on any particular day and at any one particular location. Not one cent more and not one cent less.

A good rule of thumb HAD BEEN that a seller with a GOOD online reputation could get 50% to 75% of retail China Replacement prices on eBay.

In THIS market, the general rule of thumb is that a seller, who is willing to run MULTIPLE auctions or put items in their “Store”, can hope to get 25% to 30% of retail prices for their dinnerware.

Because it takes longer to “move their inventory,” sellers are getting hit with more initial fees and higher final fees. Sellers are also sitting on their inventory longer and thus may come up against storage space issues.

It generally costs a seller about 12% – 17% of the final purchase price in fees. Once you add additional costs for shipping supplies, the extra pictures required and the time involved in selling dinnerware; the fees to sell an item are about 20%.

Why Can’t I Just Sell It Myself on eBay?

You can, OR you could employ a Trading Assistant. HOWEVER, either way, you will not get your money all at once. Selling an entire set of dinnerware at once on eBay is A VERY BAD IDEA. As the quantity of items you are selling increases, your average selling prices per piece will DECLINE DRAMATICALLY.

For one reason, MOST people are shopping to REPLACE broken pieces – VERY FEW eBay buyers think to themselves – “oh I think I want to buy a whole new set of china today”. Consumers purchase BRAND NEW sets at Department Stores and Retail Outlets.

Additionally: “Shipping 50+ pieces of china is a COMPLETE NIGHTMARE.” BELIEVE ME – I KNOW.

In order to actually get anywhere CLOSE to the best prices on eBay, you would need to split out EACH and EVERY piece type and sell them individually.

HOWEVER, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SPLIT THE SALT & PEPPER SET!

You should sell the dinner plates and the higher priced place setting pieces individually, but group together 2-4 piece sets of the lesser demand pieces.

When listing each item you need to accurately measure each piece and describe ANY and ALL flaws. You will need to take AT LEAST one picture of each item (to get higher prices, multiple pictures are usually a necessity).

Once you have started splitting your set into small sets you will quickly see that the “better pieces” will sell first. You will most likely be left with the lower priced items – the small bread plates, the cereal bowls and the cups and saucers. The creamer and sugar bowl will also be difficult to sell; however the teapot and/or coffee pot will sell almost immediately.

After each sale, eBay and PayPal will take their piece of the pie (eBay has now BANNED off-line payment methods.) You will need to either accept PayPal, have your own merchant account and accept credit cards directly or participate in another “eBay accepted” on-line payment solution (they do NOT accept Amazon, Yahoo or Google payment solutions.)

Next, you will need to safely package and ship each item. You will need a LOT of bubble wrap, packing peanuts and packaging tape. Just as an FYI, if you use newspaper you will NOT have a repeat buyer and most likely the buyer will trash your detailed seller ratings and feedback. eBay uses both your Detailed Seller ratings and Feedback ratings to not only determine your fees, but also where your item ends up in a “best match” search result (near the top of the list or buried on page 14 of the returned found set) and whether or not eBay will even allow you to list new items. Welcome to the new eBay – selling just got a WHOLE LOT harder!!

You can always contact a Trading Assistant who can handle all the eBay headaches, BUT a Trading Assistant typically charges a 40% commission on the FINAL selling price PLUS all the fees. As an example, if you sell a $100 item on eBay yourself, you will probably end up paying out around $20 in expenses and fees. If you have a Trading Assistant sell it for you, you will pay the Trading Assistant $40 and will also be charged $12 to $17 in fees. REMEMBER, this $100 item may well be “worth” anywhere from $200 to $400 retail.

Set Realistic Expectations for Yourself

So now that you have decided you want to sell your dinnerware set, you need to take a realistic look at what your set is worth. First off, check out on-line what the RETAIL price would be – NOW FORGET THAT NUMBER!!!

Seriously, or you will beat your head against the wall.

Check out the COMPLETED auctions on eBay and see what your stuff is ACTUALLY selling for. Items in RED did NOT sell. Pay attention to the total number of bids and how many visitors looked at the successful listings. This gives you an idea of what the ACTUAL demand for the items tend to be. DO NOT use the China Replacement Firms completed auctions to get a feel for market prices. There are retail prices on eBay too – don’t be fooled into thinking you could get close – you can’t.

If NOTHING comes up when you search, that could be a GOOD thing OR a BAD thing. It is very hard to predict.

When there are completed listings check and see what the overall success rate is. If only 2 out of 20 or more listings sold, that is generally VERY BAD. Low sell through rates are usually an indication of low market demand. ALSO, it is REALLY important to note what selling format the majority of the items that sold were listed under. If the majority of the items that sold were out of eBay stores that usually indicates low demand and slow turnover.

Here’s a little secret – MOST sellers put items in their stores only AFTER an item was unsuccessful at auction.

Now, you need to decide how you are going to sell it:

  • Put it all up on Craigsist and hope… if you sell it for super cheap, it will eventually sell. When I say super cheap, I’m talking LESS than $1 per piece!!!
  • Sell it yourself on eBay – take that plunge, roll up your sleeves and start listing. You PROBABLY can sell the good stuff, but get ready to sell it piece by agonizing piece.
  • Have a Trading Assistant sell it and pay you as it sells (most Trading Assistants take possession of your stuff – so at least it will be GONE). You pay through the nose for this service.
  • Sell it as a box lot at auction – local auction houses may take your set and try to auction it off. Some auction houses will allow you set a reserve minimum price – but many will not. Take your chances and you will also have to pay the seller’s premium (this premium is typically 35% to 40% of total sales).
  • Have a yard sale. Be prepared to sell for super, super cheap. Yard Sale people DO NOT CARE that the set was “handed down from your Great Grandmother and it came over on the Mayflower.”
  • Sell it at a swap meet or Flea Market. You could probably get a little higher premium (not much though) over a yard sale, but you will also need to rent the space.
  • Sell to a China Replacement Firm. You will need to contact them, package and ship the pieces that they are buying (more than likely they will NOT buy everything) and AFTER they have inspected your items you will get a check mailed to you in 10-14 days. DO NOT EXPECT to get the full amount of their offer price unless your pieces are in EXCEPTIONAL condition. You will be left with the items they were not purchasing at all and if you want your “rejected” stuff back, you will have to pay for the return shipping.
  • Sell it to a local China Replacement Dealer. Generally the Dealer will come to your house /storage unit, pay you cash, wrap it up and take it away. It usually takes an hour or so to inspect and pack your stuff. The Dealer will generally ask you to count the number of each piece type you have, the manufacturer and pattern (if you know what it is) and the overall condition. Most Dealers will make you a ballpark offer over the phone or via email based on YOUR descriptions. However, once they actually come to see your set, they will grade the condition themselves and will give you a final purchase price based on the ACTUAL overall condition, correct piece types and what they are ultimately able to sell the set for themselves.

As you can see there are several ways to sell your china and dinnerware, the choice is yours based on how much time and effort YOU are willing to put into the actual selling process.

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Source by Deborah Henry

Pros and Cons of Buy Here Pay Here Car Dealerships

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Bad credit score may cause hassles for car buyers. BHPH car dealerships offer purchasers with bad credit score access to autos that they could not typically qualify for. Buy here pay here car dealerships will finance your car loan via their dealer. Instead of acquiring approved for a car loan via a lender, purchasers acquire and repay the loan via the buy here pay here car dealership.

There is nothing like the liberty and opportunity that having your own car gives you. For car purchasers with bad credit, BHPH car dealerships might be the only option. If banks have turned you down for a car loan checkout this website to find buy here pay here car dealerships near you. They know that low credit can stand in the way of getting a car, and they are here to help.

Hopes of owning a car can be ruined within instantly after many lenders have declined your car loan application. With the difficult fiscal times that we are upon us in the United States tons of car loan applications are rejected on a daily basis. The banks and finance companies use the credit scores to estimate whether an application is dependable to repay an auto loan. BHPH car dealerships can help high-quality persons who are having a challenging time. Banks and finance companies will not see beyond the credit score in an effort to help a person get a car.

Here are the pros and cons:

Pro: Buy here pay here car dealerships are readily accessible and increasing in popularity and are the quickest growing part of the auto sales market. They can found in all 50 states including: California, Florida, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Some cities with the most are: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago have over a dozen buy here pay here car dealerships.

Pro: Buy here pay here car dealerships specialize in car buyers with bad credit. BHPH dealerships get the financial details out of the way first and aid buyers in determining how much you can practically afford to pay for a car. This is more advantageous than typical car dealerships that will first attempt to sell you a car only to discover later that you can’t get a car loan with bad credit.

Con: Buy here pay here dealerships are limiting in that the buyer can only pick from the cars that they have in inventory on at their dealership at that time. The amount of the buyer’s down payment will most likely determine the amount they are able to finance. You most likely have to choose a car that falls inside a particular price range.

Pro: Buy here pay here car dealerships will most likely pledge to finance buyers. This eliminates buyers the time of filling out car loan applications at dealers and being rejected over and over.

Con: Buy here pay here dealerships charge elevated interest rates than a bank would for a car loan. For purchasers with bad credit, BHPH dealerships could be their only source.

So is it an advantageous idea to obtain a car from BHPH dealerships? If you do have bad credit score and you need dependable transportation on a restricted finances then they are just want you need. If you do not have bad credit score buyers will find that a typical car dealer could be capable to offer you a more advantageous choice, a decreased interest rate, and a decreased monthly payment.

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Source by Andy Schepper

What Is Car Body Glass Coating?

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Glass coating is an inorganic material made of a Silica or a Quartz-Silane-based compound. It is used to protect the painted surfaces of car bodies. It is less likely to stain. Unlike traditional wax, its luster and protection can be long-lasting once it is applied. This is because they do not contain materials that oxidize (bind with oxygen). Oxidation weakens the original protection and shine of many car products, thus rendering the car surface prone to damage. It is easy to maintain, provides clean, shiny surfaces and long-lasting protection.

What is the difference between coating and wax?

The main component of wax is carnauba wax oil, which is extracted from palm trees. In recent years, some waxes have added petroleum. Higher quality waxes contain more carnauba oil. Carnauba wax is oil based, so it has water-repellent characteristics and can obscure scratches. However, there are also disadvantages. Waxes can easily become dirty because oil has a high viscosity (thick and sticky). This means dirt can stick to it. Also, wax can easily melt and deteriorate because it is sensitive to heat. Sunshine or engine heat can promote deterioration and cause wax to melt off the car’s surface. Wax can also break down in the rain or when the car is washed.

On the other hand, coating has a chemical composition of silicon, silica, fluorine and titanium. These molecules form a film coating that penetrates between the molecules of the car’s painted surface, creating a very powerful protective layer. Resistant to dirt, heat and rain, coating’s protection and shine will last over a longer period than wax.

There are various kinds of coatings that range in application complexity from simple, which any consumer can apply, to products for professional use only.

During its application, if the car’s surface is dirty and rough, materials will not adhere to car body paint, so surface preparation before application is important.

Types of Glass Coatings

Glass-based coatings can be broadly divided into two categories: quartz-silane based coatings and silica-based coatings.

The quartz-silane-based glass coating, also known as “completely cured glass film type” achieves very high gloss and strong durability. It protects the car body by creating a cured coating of silica on the car’s surface. However, it takes about three weeks for the coating to be fully cured, which is a drawback. It is also expensive because it takes a long time for the product to be formulated.

The silica-based glass coating, also known as “glass fiber type “, also makes a film, coating the surface of the car body. It is fixed to a silicon polymer molecule. It is an easy formulation and, therefore, is costs less to produce. However, its durability and water repellency is inferior compared to the quartz-silane-based.

In addition, some of the fluorine-based coatings, such as Teflon, are used to coat car bodies. They are excellent in durability. However, they are inferior compared to glass coatings and more expensive to formulate. As a result, glass coatings are on the cutting edge of technology’s focus of exploration.

A Glass Coating Hybrid

Currently, there is debate about whether hydrophilic (attracts water) products are more effective than hydrophobic (repels water) products for car care. Glass is hydrophilic. The new types of glass coatings are hybrids, adding a silicone resin layer to the existing glass layer to change the hydrophilic trait of glass to hydrophobic, thus creating a strong water repellant product.

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Source by Keiichi Suzuki

Car Registration – Why It Is Important To Register Your Vehicle

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All vehicles in the US are required to be registered, by law, before being driven through public spaces. This needs to be renewed on a yearly basis and those who break the law are subject to a fine and possibly imprisonment.

The registering of a vehicle basically means that in return for paying a fee you are now free to drive the automobile on public roads. It is provided only if you have insurance for the vehicle and is based on several factors including the year, make and model of the car.

The actual process of obtaining registration may differ in each state. However, the most common documents that will have to be produced at the time of registration are the title to the car, proof of insurance and a bill of sale. Many states will refuse to register a automobile without these being supplied by the current owner of the automobile.

When you purchase an automobile, you become legally responsible for the payment of any monies owed on the vehicle, as well as associated fees and charges. This is why anyone selling a car privately is suggested to consumers to record the transaction with an auto bill of sale form. This will provide proof that the vehicle has been transferred to a new owner and that the new owner is now responsible for any of the above fees and charges.

Although the process of registering your vehicle may seem expensive and troublesome, it is however a necessary part of car ownership and will protect you against various types of fraud associated with your automobile.

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Source by T Potter