April 8, 2006 would be the day of the Sacramento Safety Fair. One of the important topics and messages that this safety fair would be spreading and disseminating to drivers and vehicle owners would be about child safety warnings. This is primarily because reckless and careless driving has been one of the main reasons for injuries and death to children.

Despite laws in various states that protect children from any kind of vehicular accidents, the statistics on children’s fatalities are still alarming. This is one of the reasons for further spreading this campaign on child safety warnings. Other moves have been the laws passed like in California where all children who are below than 6 years old or weighs less than 60 pounds should be secured in the child passenger restraint seat and should not ride up front.

During the said event, there will be a sponsored child safety seat fair by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the 21st Century Insurance. Cars and vehicles would be checked and if there is a necessity to replace or to install new child safety seats, the officers would be doing so. The new child safety seats were donated by the 21st Century Insurance. Aside from this move, offers from the CHP would also be educating attendees on how to use these newly installed seats.

The commission of the CHP, Mike Brown states, “Wearing your seat belt and making sure your children are properly bucked up is the best insurance against being killed or seriously injured in many vehicle crashes.” Also, actor Erik Estrada would be assisting in spreading this campaign. Estrada states, “I urge all parents to have their child’s safety seat inspected. Just a few minutes could save a life.”

To assist with this campaign on child safety, auto parts stores like Auto Parts Corner has continuously offered durable and quality auto parts that would make a vehicle run smoothly. This assists in keeping a vehicle working well and avoiding any kind of accident, thus keeping children passengers safe as well. Auto Parts Corner actually offers a wide array of specially crafted auto parts for specific vehicles and the list include Isuzu parts, Acura parts and Plymouth parts to name a few.

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Tracy is a 29 year old researcher and writer from Dallas, Texas with extensive experience in writing auto-related articles and covering automotive related events. She is currently a contributing writer for a leading automotive e-zine.

How can you buy a used car and avoid getting ripped off as you do? This is a question that a lot of people ask themselves since more people buy used cars than new cars every single day. Car dealers make a lot of money from people making mistakes that cost them money in the buying process too. So being prepared is essential to buying smart.

Of course, it’s only fair that a car dealer make some profit, as they have to in order to stay in business. But for many years the advantage has been mainly in the dealer’s hands as car buyers simply didn’t have most of the information necessary to stay in control of the buying process. And staying in control as you buy is absolutely vital to getting the best deal possible as you shop.

For instance, getting a clear picture of a car’s worth has been fairly difficult in the past, but today it’s as easy as making a few clicks online. By going to kbb.com and nadaguides.com you can easily get car pricing information in just a few minutes. This is extremely useful for both cars that you intend to buy and for knowing the value of the car you presently own if you plan on trading it in to the dealer.

Once you know what your car is worth, and what vehicle you want to buy and what it is worth as well, you can start shopping. Using the internet to find all available models that you want to buy within easy driving distance of where you live is a great way to shop. This expands the number of cars to choose from and therefore improves your chances of getting a great deal. Yahoo Auto and Edmunds.com are great places to search for your next car. Once located, narrow down your choices to a handful that seem to be the best buy for you and then arrange time in your schedule to visually inspect them. Be sure to call in advance of your visit to make sure that the car is still available before making the trip though.

Before your actual visit to the dealer or private party, make sure that you have your financing arrangements all taken care of in advance and know exactly how much you can afford to pay. Of course, if you plan on paying cash this is an unnecessary step, but the vast majority of folks will be using a car loan to pay for their next car, so do yourself a favor and save plenty of money over the life of the loan by arranging your own financing in advance with one of the online loan vendors that specialize in making auto loans directly to consumers.

This one simple step can often save you more money than anything else that you do in the buying process, as the success of your car buying deal often hinges on how simple you can keep the buying process. When dealers can introduce financing and monthly payments into the equation, true sales and trade-in figures get much harder to pin down, so having advance financing can keep the deal simple and save you money.

Be sure to read Part 2 of this article where it discusses how to negotiate the deal the smart way.

Jim Johnson writes on many consumer related topics including autos. You can find out more about used car buying tips and a used car buying guide by visiting our Auto Review website.

So you have decided to sell your car already. You may choose to market it to a private party or to a car dealer, however, there are still some things that you would have to do to ensure that you are going to get your money for what your car is worth.

According to Charlie Vogelheim, the editor of Kelly Blue Book, “The most important thing is to clean the car inside out. If the car is older, a good wash and wax on the exterior and vacuum of the interior is probably enough. The extent of the detail will vary depending on the age of the car.” However, Vogelheim also adds that if your car is still on the newer side, it would be best to have a professional do the cleaning of the interior, exterior, and engine. This would make the car look really good. After all, a car that looks shiny and clean gets more attention of buyers compared to those that look dirty and dull.

Any broken items or equipment should be replaced. These could include lenses, headlights, and mirrors. Of course, this would give your car an edge over other vehicles. A car that looks well-maintained would be sold quicker compared to others. On the other hand, if your car has dents, you have these removed by professionals. You can also offer them a deal of having all the dents removed at one time only for a much cheaper cost compared to having the dents removed one at a time.

The appearance of the vehicle is not the only thing that interested buyers may look for and be interested in when it comes to purchasing your car. It would be advisable to have all your records complete and in handy. It would also help a lot if they are arranged and organized neatly. By doing such, you are actually exuding a perception that you did take good care of your car.

Adding other touches to your vehicle could also boost up the sales of your car. If there is a need for Isuzu parts to enhance your vehicle’s buy-ability, you can turn to Auto Parts Information. They have a vast array of well crafted Isuzu parts and auto parts for other vehicle models and brands.

Terry Brown is a 32 year old from Houston Texas, and an enthusiast for anything auto-related. He currently writes auto-related articles for several publications.

German sport luxury brand Audi has played a strong role in helping to shape consumer tastes and influence the entire European touring market. For nearly 100 years, the Audi brand has been synonymous with producing high quality, reliable, and well engineered vehicles. An odd start almost scuttled the company’s plans, yet today Audi has risen above adversity and is producing cars that are world renowned in quality and engineering.

August Horch founded Horch Automotive in Cologne, Germany in 1899, and began manufacturing cars in 1901 which featured a horizontal engine producing upwards of 5 horsepower. Demand for these models propelled Horch to expand production and move to a larger manufacturing facility where a newer, more powerful model cranking out a then-amazing 10 horsepower was released.

By 1910, Horch himself was booted out of the company that sported his name so he set up shop elsewhere and began to sell cars under the Audi moniker. Originally, Horch tried to use his family name, but German courts ruled against him thus the Audi name was selected instead. In German, Horch means “hark” and the word “audi” is the Latin translation of horch/hark. So, although he could legally no longer use his family name, the Latinized version of the same won out. Guess which name is known today?

In between a pair of devastating world wars, the modern Audi company began to take shape. Indeed, the “four rings” logo of the company represents the union of four distinct German automotive manufacturers under the auspices of Audi. Yes, you guessed it: the Horch company that originally booted Mr. Horch was absorbed by Audi and makes up one of the four rings. August Horch lived to see that big day, but he also witnessed the dismantling of the company following the end of the second world war.

Reparations was the rallying cry when World War II ended, thus the Soviet Union who was occupying the eastern portion of Germany during the postwar era, appropriated the company, took all of its assets, and by August 1948 the company no longer existed. One year later thanks to state loans and Marshall plan assistance, a resurrected Audi was back on the scene producing a delivery van and a motorcycle. Continuous growth throughout the 1950s highlighted by Daimler’s acquisition of the company in 1958 fueled further expansion. In 1964, the Volkswagen group purchased Audi from Daimler and to this day Audi remains a significant part of the Volkswagen establishment.

By the late 1960s, Audi began what many consider to be its historic run to the top of automotive excellence. New models were developed several of which were also marketed as Volkswagen models for that era. In 1980, Audi shook the automotive world to its foundation when it released its Quattro sports car, a vehicle with full time all wheel drive and a turbocharged engine. Instantly, the Quattro propelled the Audi name to the top of the race car world when the vehicle began to win race upon race. Undeniably, the Quattro was such a runaway hit that the model was banned from some races for having an “unfair” technological advantage.

Throughout the 1980s and the 1990s, Audi began to produce additional models including its first premium model, the Audi V8 in 1988. Sporting a 3.6L 32-valve V8 engine, the Audi V8 featured full time all wheel drive and a four speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. This particular model was a huge departure from earlier Audis and set the brand on a collision course with Mercedes and BMW, Germany’s two other luxury brands in a bid for automotive supremacy.

Today, Audi continues to expand and compete against all of the top luxury brands in the world. New technology including its Audi Space Frame all-aluminum body - known for its rigidity and improved crashworthiness - are among the highlights of a brand that doesn’t settle for second best. From sedans to sport coupes to an all new SUV, Audi has a model that competes against the likes of Lexus, Mercedes, Cadillac, Infiniti, and BMW its chief competitors.

That “hark” sound you hear is both the name of a company and the attention the brand deserves in a sea of capable premium models produced by Germany’s esteemed Volkswagen Group. Yes, Audi has weathered several storms and the company appears poised to continue its thrust forward thanks to its many innovations and continued high quality.

Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is an automotive writer specializing in covering new models and car parts. Your Audi TT or Audi A8 have a rich legacy worth preserving. Read All About Audi and what you can do to keep your Audi operating for years to come.

Appointments - How to take the phone calls

Now that you have advertised you should soon start to get some calls as soon as your ad hits the media.

It’s not just a matter of making a time to see the car.

This is a turning point and where you start to locate your buyer.

A lot of the time I can tell that the person is going to buy my car even before he comes to see it.

Pre-selling

You can look at this step as pre-selling. If you do a good job here you will have buyers who are warmed to your car before they arrive.

Which leads me to the purpose of the appointment stage.

Purpose: The purpose of the appointment step is to pre-sell the customer on the car and yourself

Secondary Purpose: To make a time for him to see the car.

What do I mean by pre-sell? I mean giving the buyer his chance to pick you out of the bunch as someone he wants to deal with.

You only need to be slightly more friendly, on the ball and helpful to win him over. You can bet that the average person selling a car is completely unprepared.

I know because I have bought cars from them. If they are not rude they are certainly off-putting. You have to drag the information out of them even if they have a perfectly good vehicle for sale.

The little bit of thought you put into your presentation is time well spent.

Here is an example of one of my calls

My purpose is only to get the person to come and see my car.

I want him to be qualified - which means that my car is something he may want - not necessarily that he has enough money. If someone wants something - they usually find the money.

I don’t want to say anything on the phone that will reduce or minimize my final selling price.

I want to know his needs and wants and communicate to him that my car will satisfy them. If you can manage to do this you have virtually secured an offer (when he comes to see it.)

Here it is:

Ring Ring!

Me: Hi, Graeme speaking.

Inquirer (Bob): Hi, I’m calling about the Ford. Do you still have it?

Me: Hi Bob. Yes, I do. I’ve only just advertised it. I’ve been getting a lot of calls.
It’s a 98 Ford Falcon Auto. It’s done 40000 miles. The body is perfect. It’s got no rust and 12 months registration. Does that sound like what you are looking for?

Bob: It could be.

Me: Ok. Is there a particular reason you are looking for a Ford Falcon?

Bob: Well, yes. It’s big enough for my family. Plus I’ve heard parts are cheap.

Me: Ok. Yes, I’ve heard that parts are cheap, though I haven’t needed any, luckily enough. And there is plenty of room for my kids.

Bob: Sounds all right. When can I take a look at it?

Me: Gee, well - it will have to be 5pm or 7pm because I need to go out for a bit. Which one suits you best?

Bob: 7pm

Me: Ok, Bob see you then. I’m at (my address). Do you know how to get there?

Bob: Yes, I know it.

Me: Ok Bob, see you then.

You have acted politely, identified yourself and also found out why he wants your particular car. You have also made a time and by choosing the time to suit you, you demonstrate that you are NOT desperate to sell it but that it is just a routine thing you are doing while getting on with your life. I have not discussed price at all. I definitely did not bring it up myself. I closed the conversation in a friendly manner but with an expectation that I would see him at a certain time. That is a complete job and the purpose has been achieved.

It is important to sound completely natural - so if you have to make a choice between sounding natural and including one of these techniques, choose being natural every time.

The buyers mind set when he telephones

I will tell you what is going through the buyer’s mind when he calls you. And this should give you an insight into how to act. You should never reveal that you know what is going on in his head because it ruins the whole game and the buyer doesn’t like it. Just act like a real person but keep in mind what is going on at this stage.

The buyer has found your car and has some slight hope that this might be the car that he is looking for. The hope is only very slight. What you are going to do is increase that hope until he asks to come and see your car.

Let him ask; and he will if you do this properly.

He is going to telephone you and ask you some questions. He is mainly not listening to the answers to these questions.

He is listening to you and your tone of voice. He is feeling your voice and getting an impression of the car through the way you communicate to him. He is looking for chinks or glitches that show whether you are:

- Honest / Dishonest

- Open / Cagey

- Responsible / Irresponsible

- Look after your possessions / Treat them badly

- Are desperate to sell / Merely doing a transaction because you have something better.

He will also be listening to the information you give him but this is of secondary importance. If he likes the way you conduct yourself AND he likes your answers then you have almost certainly found a buyer.

Buyers have a sixth sense

Buyers have a sixth sense - a BS meter - a funny feeling - what ever you want to call it. I have no trouble at all selling cars. I don’t really even consider that I sell them. I just people to buy it by doing everything right. Their sixth sense can work for you if you are giving them good value. They won’t get into a lot of detail and will just buy your car. This is beautiful when it happens. If you are trying to rip them off it can definitely work against you.

Create a positive impression from the first phone call

Now if you do this well - you will create such an impression in the mind of the buyer - that he will come and buy your car even though there is a newer one at a lower price. He won’t trust that lower priced car - he will trust your car and he may be right - you will never know.

Be interested in the buyer not his money
-
When you get a telephone call be interested and open. It is not the time to start acting cagily or even think about negotiating. Your purpose is just to get the person to come and see the car.

Say your name - this makes you more real.

Volunteer information

Don’t wait for the person to drag the information out of you. Volunteer all the basic information about the vehicle. If you can’t remember it, have it on a piece of paper. Don’t talk about price. This shows him that you are open and not cagey. If he has to pump you for the basic info on your car it looks like you are hiding something.

If he has any more questions I answer them. The buyer usually appreciates it. The information may already be in your advertisement buy by going over it again you are confirming in his mind that it is real. He may have been looking at other cars and it will also remind him of your car.

He will appreciate your helpfulness.

Don’t sound desperate for him to see your car - ham it up the other way.

He will usually ask to make a time to see it. Do not act too keenly for him to come. I often tell the buyer something like after 7:30 pm, which is my dinnertime. Or it will have to be after 5pm because someone is coming to look at it at 4pm. This makes it seem more desirable and will increase the persons perception of the value. People rightly or wrongly follow the pack to some degree.

Never Discuss Price

Avoid discussing price over the phone. Buyers will sometimes ask you what is your lowest price. Never answer this question. Don’t be afraid to waste the buyer rather than state a price before he has seen the car. Instead turn it around and start asking him about himself and his needs. Is he looking for this type of car?

How has he been going in his search? You will find that he starts communicating to you information so you can understand what problems he is trying to solve by purchasing your car. By asking him open questions his interest may come up and he will want to see your car.

What if his main focus is money and he never talks about anything else?

Once you understand his problem then let him know that your car has this feature that is the answer to his problem - don’t over sell it - just let him know. He will usually want to come and see your car. If his problem is money then he is not someone you want to see your car - he will only be focused on money.

Graeme Sprigge is the webmaster of SellMyCarForCash.Com, a website dedicated to enlightening you on how to get the most for your car in a private sale. The site is is constantly expanding and includes more great articles, some of which are available for reprinting in your ezine. There is a lack of unbiased information on the net in this are so this site aims to fill the gap.

For more cool articles, cool car selling tips, car finance tips visit http://www.sellmycarforcash.com

Copyright 2005 Graeme Sprigge. Please feel free to pass this
article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or
newsletter. It’s a shareware article.

One of the most tragic things that we too often hear about in almost every city in the world is car accidents. It seems like hardly a week goes by when I do not see on the news or read about a fatal or near fatal car accident that happened somewhere. I have been plagued with thinking about the tragedy of car accidents all week long. Last week a fatal car accident happened in my hometown that took the lives of three teenagers.

Most drivers know ways to avoid a car accident, but how many drivers consciously practice safe driving methods each time they are behind the wheel? I’d say very few. Very rarely are our minds actually focused on driving. We are busily running from errand to errand just trying to keep on top of the plans of our day. We are talking on cell phones and trying to do way too many things at once. It is no wonder that car accidents are happening with increasing frequency when we look at the increasing busyness and need for multi-tasking in our society today.

One of the key ways to avoid a car accident is for you, as a driver, to really pay attention to the task at hand. Commit to not multi-tasking as you drive, especially on busy roads or through crowded intersections. Keep your cell phone turned off or get one of those new headphones that allows your hands to remain on the wheel as you talk. And don’t even attempt to read a book or to glance through the newspaper as you drive to work as I see too many drivers doing. Women are often driving and applying last touches to their makeup all the time. Avoid these and other distractions as you drive. The more you are focused on driving alone, the less likely it is that you will get into a car accident.

Another obvious but important way to avoid a car accident is to obey all of the road rules and traffic signals. It is far less likely that you will wind up in a car accident if you are obeying the speed limit. Yes, the speed limit. How many of us drive under or at the speed limit in every situation? Hardly any I would say. If you can slow down a few miles per hour and avoid a car accident then I’d say it is well worth it.

The bottom line is that all driving carries a risk of a car accident. While you cannot totally prevent an accident from happening, you can take steps of caution and wisdom to lessen your chances of a car accident happening to you.

Rachael Cleipher has been committing to avoiding a car accident ever since she has been driving her children around. She writes to inform other parents of the dangers of poor driving for their families. Learn more at www.caraccidentgroup.info