Menu

Monthly Archives2017 January

Home

Buy A Dirt Cheap Car From Government Auto Auctions

[ad_1]

Have you ever wondered how that guy across the street was able to afford that shiny Mercedes or that fully and amazingly loaded Jaguar or BMW?

Have you ever caught yourself dreaming that you are riding comfortably on a luxurious car?

Stop dreaming and smell the car wax, that auto might have been purchased in a government auto auction for almost a fraction of the car’s original value.

Ever obsessed on keeping up with the Joneses? Relax, be the Joneses for one and attend a government auto auction in your locality.

Where do the cars in government auto auctions come from?

Believe it or not, these autos auctioned off by the government come from caught criminals.

The government has always seized luxury high end cars as well as vehicles that are customized during investigations that are criminal in nature.

Some of the autos that are government-seized include BMW, Acura, Honda, Cadillac, Infiniti, Mercedes, Lexus, Nissan, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, among others.

If you are the type of car buyer who is interested in an extremely high end auto, a government auto auction is great for you.

Why buy in a government auto auction?

Believe it or not, thousands upon thousands of bargains are available in government auto auctions.

Whether the car be for yourself or for a teenager who just received his license, a government auto auction actually offer the best price in the market.

Almost all models and makes are available in a government auto auction. Your dream car could actually be at hand without breaking your wallet or sacrificing your very own safety.

Just like banks, the government also wants to get rid of their inventory as soon as possible as the cost of storing such luxury vehicles are high. Just like you, they also want to save money.

As much as possible, try to save time, effort and money by not listening to a fast talking, double dealing car salesman when your could purchase on your own a luxury car where all the info you need – and probably more – is offered to you by the government.

Look on, over and under the hood. Get inside, through, over and outside the car for inspection just before bidding. You will most probably find the car you are looking for and get to live and ride for real.

All in all, a government auto auction is an answer to your prayer of having the car you have always wanted for less of its actual retail price without sacrificing quality.

[ad_2]

Source by Anthony Lee

Japanese Car Auction Inspection Reports Demystified

[ad_1]

Car auctions in Japan are a great way for car importers around the world to source good quality, low mileage cars and other used vehicles at great prices.

However, in order to make the most of the opportunities these Japanese car auctions give you as a car dealer, you have to make sure that you understand the car inspection reports. As a well-informed buyer, you can make sure you sift out the gold and avoid costly mistakes.

In this article, we will look together at who makes these auction inspection reports and what you can find in them.

If you are at at serious about buying cars from car auctions in Japan, you need to read on.

Quick Primer: What are these Japanese Car Auctions?

There are about 86 different auction locations in Japan. A typical day will see anything from about 7,000 to over 40,000 used cars and other vehicles sold at these auctions all around the country.

A good Japanese car exporter will give his customers access to all these auctions through an online system. You may be a continent or two away from Japan, and yet sit down in front of your computer and tap right into this huge selection of RHD and LHD cars right away.

Enter a bid at the click of a mouse, and let the car exporter in Japan handle the rest. A few weeks later the car will be arriving at the port for you to pick up.

Used Car Inspections at Japanese Car Auctions

Car auctions in Japan employ seasoned mechanics to inspect all the vehicles they sell. These inspectors work on site in the case of most auctions, or off site at car dealerships in the exceptional case of Aucnet.

The auction inspection covers every aspect of the car, from mechanical areas and chassis, to the exterior and interior condition. The car auction inspectors are thorough in their approach, with the only caveats being that they do not drive the car at any more than parking lot speeds, and obviously they cannot dismantle the vehicle to check out really hard-to-reach places.

The Auction Inspector’s Report

The car auction inspector write his notes on the o-kushon hyo (auction sheet). He will use a combination of scoring systems, written descriptions and a diagram of the exterior to give readers a good idea of the condition of the used car.

Overall Auction Grade

Car auctions in Japan assign an overall grade to each of the cars entered in the weekly auction.

I do not recommend that you rely solely on this grade when you consider whether to enter a bid or not. You will need to check the other detailed information that the inspector has written on the auction sheet as well.

(A good Japanese car exporter will be able to give you a professional translation of these details.)

That said, the overall auction grade has a role to play in helping you narrow down the field of potential bidding candidates. Here is a quick summary of the different grades:

Grades 7, 8, 9 or S – These refer to brand new cars with only delivery mileage.

Grade 6 – This grade can sometimes be equivalent to the grades above, but cars with this auction grade will usually have a little more than just delivery mileage.

Grade 5 – These are vehicles in superb condition, very close to brand new standard, but with several thousand kilometers on the odometer.

Grade 4.5 – A car in excellent condition, but with up to a few tens of thousands of kilometers on the clock.

Grade 4 – A good, solid car usually having less than 100,000 km on the clock.

Grade 3.5 – A higher mileage vehicle or one which will need some work to clean up.

Grade 3 – Either a very high mileage car or one which is generally rough.

Grade 2 – Very rough vehicles usually with corrosion holes being the reason for this low grade.

Grade 1 – Usually a heavily modified car which has had a different engine or transmission fitted, or which has an aftermarket turbo charger. Other possibilities are used cars with flood or fire extinguisher damage.

Grade R, RA, A and 0 (zero) – These are cars that have had some kind of accident repairs. At one end of the scale the repairs will be a single panel replaced due a minor parking ding, whereas at the other extreme there are vehicles that must have rolled in an accident which have had almost every panel replaced.

Ungraded vehicles – These are sold as-is by the auction with no or almost no information about their condition. As such they are very risky and can result in escalating additional costs if they cannot drive or move.

Some of these grades are more common than others. For example, grade 3.5 and 4 used cars will make up about 50% of any given day’s auction, whereas there will only be a handful of grade 1 cars on the same day.

Interior and Exterior Grades

Japanese car auction inspectors assign letters to indicate the interior and (sometimes) exterior condition of the car. Again, these are very broad designations, just like the overall auction grading, and it is really important to read the details of the inspectors’ comments to get a full picture of the condition.

Essentially, “B” is considered “average condition, considering the age and mileage of the car”. So an interior grading of “A” means that the interior is above average, and if it is “C” then it is below average.

The “Car Map”

This is a diagram of the exterior of the car, and is usually found at the bottom right corner of the auction sheet.

The auction inspector will mark this with a combination of letters and numbers to indicate damage to the outside of the vehicle.

Here are some basic designations:

A = scratch

U = dent

S = rust (from the Japanese word sabi)

C = corrosion

W = unevenness in the panel (usually caused by panel beating)

These letters are also usually followed by a number to indicate the severity. So “1” is the least severe, and “4” is the most severe. In practice, the Japanese are so fastidious about these things that something like “A1”, which means the smallest scratch, is really barely visible to the eye.

Japanese Car Auction Inspectors’ Comments

In addition to the above, the inspector also will write comments about the used car as he reviews it. Obviously, the higher grade the car is, the less likely it is to have extra information written about it. So a grade 3 car will have many more comments than a grade 5 car.

The exception to this can be cars that have a large number of modifications and aftermarket parts fitted that the inspector then lists on the auction sheet.

Although it may seem that the overall grade, the interior and exterior grades and the car map give you enough information in order to place a bid, I strongly advise buyers to make sure that they get these comments professionally translated before they make the final decision to bid.

A grade 5 or above car may hold no surprises, but with anything below that it is possible that the inspector has written something which could influence your decision to go ahead with a bid or not. This is why it is very important to look for a Japanese car exporter who offers professional-quality translations of auction sheets.

Concluding Remarks

Car auctions in Japan offer a great selection of used cars to source at good prices, and the auction inspection regime means that you can get a good, detailed picture of the condition of any vehicle prior to bidding.

Although it may seem daunting to be buying used cars from halfway around the world, these Japanese car auction inspection reports make the process of finding good vehicles easier and more reliable.

[ad_2]

Source by Stephen Munday

The Five Basic Car Sales Closing Techniques

[ad_1]

When you sell cars for a living one of the most common terms you will hear is closing the deal. Sometimes a successful car salesman or a sales manager might be called a strong closer or a good closer which means they are skilled at closing the deal with the customer. If you are determined to make the big money you will need to sharpen your car sales closing skills. Below you will find the auto sales closing methods and techniques that most of the other techniques have evolved from or they are variations of these car closes.

Whether you are new to the car business or have been selling for years it will help you to know these car sales closing techniques like the back of your hand. The better you know them the more you will use them and the better you will become.

Car Sales Closing – Show Me the Money

1. Assume They Are Buying: This is by far one of my favorite car sales closing methods. When you assume the sale is a done deal you naturally act and talk in a way that not only is conducive to completing the sale but the customer will pick up on you words and actions and follow along. When you move through the steps to the sale assuming they are going to buy a car at the end of the process the customer will either buy the car or they will object. If they object you then move on to overcoming their objections.

2. Ask Them to Buy: This may sound simple, but you would be surprised how often new sales people or less experienced car salesmen continue to talk about the vehicle without ever asking for the sale. However you must remember that you don’t stop asking after once or twice. Typically when you use this car sales closing technique the first thing that comes out of your customers mouth is an objection. Great, that means you are moving forward, see objections below.

3. Create Urgency: If you are in the car business, you know how important it is to sell them NOW because we all know about “Be Backs”. The car buyer has a tendency to say we are just looking or we are not in a hurry, but it is your job to get them sold NOW. Sometimes in order to accomplish your goal you need to create a sense of urgency in your customer for your car sales closing attempts to work. You want to make them believe they are going to miss out on something if they don’t buy now. An example might be the end of a sale or availability of the specific car they are interested in buying. A note of caution here: a little goes a long way and when you overdo the urgency combined with closing the sale you can come off as being pushy or as a high pressure salesman.

4. Make it Easy for Them to Say Yes: Listen to what they want and then make their wants and needs part of your car sales closing statements. Use their statements to close the deal. For example: You said wanted a red car with a sunroof and a payment under $400, right! or You said you needed a car that gets 30 miles to the gallon that seats five people that has remote entry and $5000 for your trade-in, right! Are you getting the idea now, you make it easy for them to buy a car when you have filled their needs and wants and use their words to make that point.

5. Go for the Gold – Objections: This is where the money is, it’s in the objections of your customer. When it comes to car sales closing it always comes down to objections. It is the customer’s way of saying: I am not convinced yet, I need more information or You didn’t build enough value in your product, dealership and yourself. It’s not that they don’t want to buy the car; it means that you have some work to do before they buy the car. Overcome their objections one at a time like a checklist and then close the car sale.

The car salesman will often use several of these car sales closing methods or a combination of the many other techniques that are designed to sell a car. It all comes down to closing the sale with your customer and they must be willing to buy the car because no matter what techniques you use to sell the customer they have to make the ultimate automobile buying decision.

[ad_2]

Source by Karl Beckham

Searching For New or Used Cars Online

[ad_1]

The automotive sales market has been transformed by the digital age, offering consumers the option to perform their search for new or used cars from the comfort of their homes. Performing a search online can be done in various ways. Consumers have the option to compare prices from the websites of dealerships in their area, or they can utilize one of the many used car websites, which pull from individual sellers and dealerships, as well. There are some key tips to keep in mind when deciding to purchase a vehicle online:

Decide On A Budget

Select the maximum monthly payment you are comfortable with, then filter your search to include cars in this range. Don’t even waste your time by researching cars outside of your realistic budget.

Select A Car That Fits Your Lifestyle

Too many impulsive decisions are made based on look and style alone. If you are a commuter, search for great gas mileage. If you are a parent of three children, search for more room and ample space to transport your children and their belongings.

Beware of Hidden Costs

Keep in mind those additional costs that tend to raise your final cost, such as taxes and other fees. Typically, 10 percent of the base price is a good estimate.

Decide Which Features Are Necessary

Additional features and accessories hike up the total cost of a vehicle pretty quickly. You can always add on some accessories down the road, such as a GPS navigational system or a DVD player.

Shop Around For Financing Options

Ensure you are awarded the best deal. Some dealership sites offer e-prices and specials and even allow you to apply for financing online. It is in a consumer’s best interest to shop around prior to making a final decision.

Cross-Reference Other Online Listings

For example, utilize the free estimate tools at Kelley Blue Book to determine the actual worth of the vehicle you are in the market for.

Take Advantage of Free Car Applications

Take advantage of free applications such as Carfax to run a historical report of the vehicle you have your eye on. This report displays important information including accident history and previous owners.

Research Latest News

Websites such as CarMax.com and UsedCars.com are now providing current news about scams to avoid as a buyer, as well as certified dealerships in your area.

It is reported that over 65 percent of consumers are now performing their new and used vehicle search using online search engines. To aid in this trend, free vehicle search engines are becoming more advanced and personalized, allowing shoppers to compare prices across local dealers, obtain quotes from dealers, and even to share their top choices on their social media pages, bringing their friends and family members into their decision making process.

[ad_2]

Source by Andrew Stratton

The Function and Usage of Gearboxes

[ad_1]

A gearbox (also called transmission) provides speed and torque conversions from a rotating power source to another device using gear ratios. It can be used in various situations such as fixed machines, pedal bicycles, and anywhere else rotational speed and torque needs to be adapted. But the most common place is in motor vehicles, where the gearbox adapts the output of the internal combustion engine to the drive wheels. Because these engines need to be operated at a relatively high rotational speed, they can not be used in many operations such as starting or stopping.

As gearboxes are so widely used in motor vehicles, it is obvious that they must be largely used in cars. With the development of our economy, more and more cars are consumed, as a result, gearboxes are playing more important role in our daily life. Although many people have cars, few of them have the knowledge of how a car works, let alone the relationship between different mechanical components. Since car gearboxes are the fundamental parts for its working process, it is a wise decision for car owners to learn something about gearboxes.

In cars, the gearbox will generally be connected to the crankshaft of the engine. And the output of the transmission is transmitted via driveshaft to one or more differentials, which in turn drive the wheels. The gearbox converts engine speed into torque which will push the car forward. It is the main job of the gearbox. There is some difference between manual cars and automatic cars. For example, in a manual car, when the driver depresses the clutch, the gear will be disengaged from its original position so that it can slide up and down the gearbox, while automatic gearboxes are the opposite.

As the main task of the gearbox is to convert engine speed to torque so as to push the car forward, it is indispensable for your car. Your car will not be going anywhere if it lacks the gearbox. As a result, you should pay more attention to the gearboxes. Since we are talking about gearboxes, it is necessary to mention the gear ratios. Commonly, a gearbox will have multiple gear ratios, with the ability to switch between them as speed varies. And this switch may be done manually or automatically.

There is no doubt that gearboxes can be used in many other places except in cars. But no matter where they are used, these transmissions share an important feature, i.e. the gear ratio cannot be changed during the usage. It is because the gear ratio is fixed at the time the transmission is set.

All in all, there is more knowledge about gearboxes and their functions. It is advisable that you should have some basic knowledge of gearboxes. Maybe it will be helpful in your future life.

[ad_2]

Source by Lou Lingling

What Are Advantages of Using Carbon Fiber Wrap?

[ad_1]

A modern way in which the appearance of a vehicle can be enhanced is by using carbon fiber wrap. It can be used on cars, motorcycles, trucks and vans. It provides a solid exterior coating that protects the original pain from chips, nicks and scrapes while adding personality and beauty to a vehicle. Following are some of the most ideal reasons that carbon fiber vinyl should be used in a vehicle.

Affordability

In comparison to a custom paint job, the appearance of a vehicle can be enhanced and modified at a much cheaper price if carbon wrap is used. If applied properly, the original color of a vehicle is not affected but the same professional look as paint is achieved. Finished vinyl wrap looks very similar to paint, so telling the difference between the two is not easy. Unlike real carbon fiber, the vinyl is considerably cheaper and working with it is much easier.

Convenience

For car owners who are handy with tools, they will be able to install fiber vinyl on their vehicle quite easily since no special equipment is needed. If they get involved in an accident, which leaves their vehicle damaged in one section, the area can be repaired easily and cost-effectively by cutting out the wrap from the damaged section. Working with the vinyl wrap is very easy, and it can be easily matched up.

The wrap can also be easily removed. Car owners can simply peel off the wrap to restore the original state of their vehicle. As long as the correct technique is used, the surface beneath will not be damaged if the vinyl is installed or removed.

Self-Expression

Car owners can excellently show off their personality if they use a vinyl wrap on their vehicle for self-expression. Making a vehicle stand out is quite easy since a variety of designs and graphics are available. A unique, one-of-a-kind look can also be created by layering different colored sheets of carbon fiber one top of each other.

Choices

Since so many options are available, car owners can conveniently use carbon fiber car wrap to be unique. They can choose specialty colors like Matte Black and Pearl, plain colors or just about any kind of design they can think of, such as hood wrap and roof wrap. When it comes to the wrap, a perfectly suitable color or pattern can be found quite easily.

Advertisement

Advertisement is one of the oldest reasons carbon wrap was used. This has been done for years by big companies but using these wraps for advertisement can prove to be beneficial for anyone. Car owners can draw in a large number of customers by using carbon vinyl wrap on their vehicle to advertise their small business.

One of the biggest benefits of using carbon fiber for advertisement is that changes can be made whenever necessary. Corrections can be made without spending a large sum of money. Car owners can express themselves flexibly and show off their distinct personality if they use carbon wrap on their vehicle.

Thus, the advantages of using carbon fiber car wrap on a vehicle are endless, and car owners will definitely set their vehicle apart by using carbon fiber car wrap.

[ad_2]

Source by Zeeshan Naveed Bari

Five Things to Know About Auto Lending Before You Get A Car Loan

[ad_1]

Most people who buy a new or pre-owned vehicle from a dealership choose to finance their purchase rather than paying cash upfront. While this makes financial sense for most people, making a mistake while negotiating the terms of an auto loan can end up costing the borrower a lot of money. Here are five tips to help anyone tackle auto lending like a pro.

1. Credit reports sometimes contain mistakes.

People with lower credit scores often must pay higher interest rates on loans, so anyone considering borrowing money should become very familiar with his or her credit report. Sometimes mistakes happen. These errors should be fixed before meeting with a lender. Some shoppers might even find that dishonest lenders may try to claim their scores are lower than they actually are. Being familiar with all three reports could give the borrower additional negotiating power and save a lot of money in the long run.

2. Shop around for the best deal on an auto loan.

Although dealerships often advertise low-APR specials, those rates are usually reserved for borrowers with the best credit. Many people will find better terms at a credit union or an online or community bank. If the borrower gets prequalified at a bank, they will be in a better position to negotiate at the car dealership without being legally bound by any agreement with the bank. Bonus tip: Any credit inquiries within the same two-week period will only count as one inquiry when affecting a report.

3. Some lenders will take advantage of subprime borrowers.

Some dishonest lenders will offer high-interest loans to drivers with poor credit, and as soon as the driver misses a payment, the dealership will confiscate the car and resell it. Defaulting on a loan will do additional damage to already bad credit, so borrowers should be sure they can afford payments before agreeing to a loan. Even subprime borrowers should shop around for the best APR. Auto lending requirements are usually lower than mortgage requirements, so shoppers should check to make sure they are getting the best deal.

4. Lower monthly payments might actually cost more.

One tactic sometimes used in auto lending is for dealers to advertise low monthly payments while concealing a higher total purchase. Lower monthly payments also lengthen the terms of the contract, and longer loans usually have higher interest rates. Shoppers should be sure to negotiate the total purchase price separately from the APR and monthly payment.

5. Read the fine print.

Before driving away in a new vehicle, shoppers should be sure that the auto lending process is complete. If the lender says that the deal is still subject to approval after you leave, they may call later and demand a higher APR or monthly payment, or ask that the car be returned to the lot. The fine print should also say that the APR is fixed; otherwise, it may go up, possibly making payments unmanageable. In addition, some dealerships charge penalty fees if the borrower pays off the loan early.

[ad_2]

Source by Andrew Stratton

Why a Natural Leather Chamois Is Still the Best and Safest Car Drying Cloth

[ad_1]

Natural leather chamois’ have been used to dry vehicles and glass since the early 1700s where they were used by French “footman” responsible for the care and cleaning of carriages. They are no less effective or useful today for drying modern vehicle finishes and windscreens. Natural chamois cloths have been, and continue to be, used because they are durable, extremely soft, remove dirt and trap in the cloth away from the surface, and release dirt effectively when rinsed. And although many products have been introduced in recent years as better or less expensive substitutes for the chamois, none have the combination of these characteristics that make the natural leather chamois so useful and effective.

What is a Natural Leather Chamois?

A chamois, like any leather product, can last for years with proper care. A genuine leather chamois cloth is defined by the National Standards Body in the UK (British Standard BS 6715: 1991) and, in America, by the United States Federal Standard (CS99-1970) as “flesh split of the sheep or lambskin tanned solely with oils”; typically fish oils. Although they may be tanned in many different countries, the best chamois’ hides come from New Zealand. However, because they may be tanned in some other country, many chamois cloths that originate in New Zealand are labeled as “made in” or “product of” some other country; this is a result of the regulations that govern labeling. A genuine leather chamois will have a slight fish oil smell and will fade if left in direct sunlight.

The Softness of Chamois Leather

Chamois leather is one of the softest materials available for drying a car or truck. Like the chamois skin the original cloths were made from, sheep or lamb skin has a naturally open fiber structure. The open fiber structure has spaces or voids between the fibers that, combined with the frayed fiber ends, give a chamois leather its softness. When tanned with fish oils, soaps form in the loose weave of the fiber of the leather. These soaps give the cloth a slick feel when wet and create a “buffer” layer between the body of the chamois and the surface of the vehicle. It is the same fish oils that make it extremely absorbent and durable.

Although a genuine leather chamois will become stiff when dry, it may be re-softened by rewetting the cloth. To re-soften a chamois without wetting it, simply rub it against itself or grip it on either side and drawing it across the edge of a hard clean surface

Natural Chamois Nap

The spaces naturally created by the loose weave of the sheepskin and the frayed ends of the fibers that stick out from the weave create the “nap” or pile of a chamois. Nap is what gives a material a soft feeling and provides the pockets in the material that dirt and grit are pulled into and trapped. The natural nap of a chamois, and the soaps created by the tanning process, are what traps and retains dirt grit and water in a leather chamois. A large degree of nap is essential to any car drying product to keep from scratching or marring the finish. The advantage a natural leather chamois has over synthetic materials is that it not only traps the dirt, grit and water, but then releases the abrasive material when rinsed. Many synthetics are good at trapping dirt and grit, but then do not effectively release them when rinsed; causing the material to become increasingly abrasive over time.

Chamois Leather is Extremely Absorbent

A quality natural leather chamois will hold, on average, more than 5 times its own weight in water, while retaining the ability to be easily rinsed and wrung out. A 20oz cloth will hold 0.8 gallons of water. The loose weave of the fiber in leather chamois will not only release more dirt and grit than synthetic products, but will also release more water when rung out, making it an ideal material for drying a car.

Chamois as a Renewable Resource

In addition to being soft, absorbent and durable, a natural sheepskin chamois is organic and a natural byproduct of the sheep farming industry. In addition to providing a large percentage of the world’s food and natural fiber (in the form of wool) production, Sheep farming also produces numerous essential byproducts such as lanolin, tallow, gelatin and leather, to name a few. It is a renewable and sustainable resource that has been an essential part of the world economy for several millennium and promises to remain so for the foreseeable future.

Summary

Because of its natural properties, a leather chamois remains the most cost effective, safe and efficient product available for drying a car today. Although many newer materials and products have been introduced since Chamois first came into use in the early 1700’s, none have the unique combination of properties that make the chamois ideal for drying vehicles; And all, but the most recently introduced, have eventually fallen into disuse.

Properly maintained, a natural leather chamois can last for years. They are also extremely absorbent and cut down on drying time. Natural chamois cloths are extremely soft, especially when wetted, and protect the finish being dried with both soaps infused into the open fibers during the tanning process and by trapping dirt and grit away from the surface in the naturally occurring nap. So regardless of the numerous new products that are continuously made available for drying a car, a natural leather chamois is still the Best and Safest Car Drying Cloth.

[ad_2]

Source by Brian T Cooper

Maximum Efficiency in Auto Detailing Shops

[ad_1]

Many professional car care appearance specialists and auto detailing entrepreneurs ponder the benefits of a detail shop and the costs as opposed to the inexpensive mobile detailing option. One of the nicest things about setting up a fixed shop as opposed to a mobile one is that we can have more types of products available for special uses to insure the finest possible results in our work.

Fixed detail shops also allow us to set up a shop where we can move towards a more efficient platform and workspace. Much has been written on this subject. However the industry leaders have proven the test of time and continually update and innovate and of course we are the greatest recipients of their conquest to build the best possible and most efficient assembly style techniques. Bud Abrams invented a nifty all in one unit which dispenses all the products you use most, such as tire dressings, cleaners, wax, etc.. You may wish to check this out on his website: http://www.detailplus.com .

This is just one innovation of the business minded professional detailer. Bud has been the leader Auto Detailing for over 30 years. We know when we have a question Bud, has an answer. As you can might have guessed, in our company we watch the flow of work and make it efficient one perfect example of this is our newest innovation in our Auto Detail Shop Detail Center Lay out where we have things under control. Bud who owns Detail Plus has spent years perfecting the most possible efficiencies in the industry and the greatest achievements in work flow models and shop lay outs and he sells to the industry, his products and knowledge. Bud is the Henry Ford of the Auto Detailing Industry. On his website at DetailPlus.com you can see the world’s most efficient layout for detailing automobiles. Detail Shop layouts are important indeed, you would be wise to study up on all aspects for maximum efficiency.

Also important is the greater chance for perfection, after you lessen the variables created by an outside environment such as dust particles from wind, wax drying inconsistent rates and rain issues. By using check lists and creating a Six Sigma quality assurance program and concentrating on TQM along with such principles as ISO 9001 type standards in procedures you can literally claim to do a perfect job. Our goal is not to eliminate the artist who is a “Detailer” but to add to this an element of perfection, not readily seen in our industry.

Professional Car Care Specialists should not just limited to Wholesale Detail work for Rent-A-Car Companies, Auto Auctions, Bank Repo Work, New and Used Car Dealerships, but also to such things as add-on after market accessories, chip repair, pin stripping, windshield repair, gold plating and perhaps even spray-in bed liners.

By understanding flow processes in a systematic, quality controlled setting we can insure on maximizing our resources to effectively increase profits and increase productivity. Once this is done add-on services can be added which will not impede your core business. For information on what it means to work in such an environment may we suggest the books; “Finite Capacity Scheduling”

http://www.carwashguys.com/finite.pdf

Many people fail to understand how some car care specialists and auto detailing professionals can have all the best equipment, image, pay the best salaries and still charge less? Had they really looked at our operation they would say, why are you charging so much? Being efficient is the smartest thing you can do in business. We believe with economies of scale that franchises typically can deliver and the proper selection in our arsenal of competitive techniques that the game is actually won before it ever starts. When we enter or even many times start a price war, we know we can outlast the competition simply by efficiency. I am not suggesting you go and start a price war; that serves no one in the end. But if another operator in your market starts a price war and you are forced to compete due to a competitors mass mailing of coupons, it will be nice to know you can survive and even thrive in the process.

In the Business of Detailing, which in fact it is a business, the trophy goes to not only the best artist in the field but the most efficient company that can take that level of artistry and refine it into a system of maximum productivity. Without sounding too much like the late Henry Ford, we would like to make one comment. No matter what you thought about his views on other issues, his methodology which was later refined into many different industries is the reason we won W.W.II. It is also the reason Ford Motor Company is one of the longest standing companies in the world today. And thank God it is, without all those cars there would be less automobiles to detail. Please think about what I have said here today. Study your options and improve your flows of work, you’ll be glad you did.

[ad_2]

Source by Lance Winslow

What is the Best CB Radio Antenna That I Should Buy?

[ad_1]

I have been driving a tractor trailer for about 10+ years. I am a member to many CB Radio Forums, also a lot of Truck Driver Forums.

I see and get this question all the time, so I thought I would try and answer it here.

You made it through truck driving school, now you need a CB Radio? OK, first off we need to do some research on CB Radios. DO you want a 10 meter radio? Or do you want a standard 11 meter CB Radio? Well it is going to have to be the latter of the two. Because unless you are a Ham Radio operator licensed through the FCC, then it is illegal to own a 10 meter radio.

CB Radio operators are only allowed to talk on the 11 meter band.

There are 40 channels in the 11 meter band, no CB Channels go below channel 1- 26.965 or above channel 40- 27.405. Anywhere in between you are allowed to operate as long as your CB Radio has not been “worked on”, we will get into this later. There are several different kinds of CB Radio’s to choose from that are legal in the US.

  1. Cobra 25 LTD, 29 LTD, 148 GTL, 19 DX, 25 NW, 25 WXNW, 29 NW, 29 WXNW
  2. Texas Ranger 696, 121,966
  3. Uniden PRO 538 with weather, 510 XL, PC 68 XL, PC 68 LTW, PC 78 XL, PC 78 LTW, PC 78 Elite
  4. Galaxy 949 and the Galaxy 959

These listed here are the basic legal radios allowed to be used in the USA today without having to have a Amature radio license. They are allowed to be used as long as no modifications have been made to them such as a “Peak and Tune” where the power has been turned up on the radio. From the factory these radio’s are preset at 4 watts of power, which is legal. Tuned properly they will go up to about 35 watts, but again this is not allowed by the FCC.

But most truckers go to the nearest “cb shop” and pay $50.00 to $100.00 to have a “Connex Board” and a “peak and tune” done to their radios. The “Connex Board” is a echo feature added to the inside of the radio, so as to distort (echo) the voice it also adds a talk back feature so the operator can hear themselves through an external speaker.

Most drivers I know usually buy a decent radio ($150.00) then they buy a cheap antenna to go with it. Well this won’t work, your antenna is 95% of your cb outfit. I recommend any Wilson antenna, especially a Wilson 2000 or Wilson 5000. These range in price from $50.00 to $100.00 and that is usually installed. Yes, have it installed by a tech so that they can set your SWR for your antenna. SWR- Standing Wave Ratio this is what makes your radio talk. If you have a SWR of above a 3 or more it will burn your radio up. The tech will use a SWR meter connected to your coax and antenna to check it’s SWR reading. If it is to high they will cut some of the antenna whip off 1/8″ increments, until a satisfactory SWR is reached. If you do not want to spend a lot on an antenna at least buy one that is tunable.

The coax is another big part of the radios performance. Which would be caught by a good tech when they were installing your “new” antenna. But if you are already using the radio and you notice it drops in performance, it will either usually be the SWR or the coax. Truck stops sell precut lengths of coax, usually you will need a 18′ piece to replace what is bad runs about $25.00, I recommend the gray or clear coax. If you are just replacing the coax you can do this yourself, unless you want the SWR checked.

I hope maybe this has shed some light on what to buy.

Be safe out there.

[ad_2]

Source by Paul J Cox