Sales Logistics

09/20/2017

08/07/2017

Love that she loves cars!!

07/28/2014

Jeannie's new C300!! Congrats Jeannie!

07/28/2014

Frank's new C300!!

07/03/2014

Tom's new Mercedes S550 4Matic!

11/21/2013

Alyssa's new Prius 4!

09/29/2013

Vettes to Vets today. More than 400 Corvettes caravan to the Veterans Hospital in Bedford.

01/07/2013

Speed up the New Car Delivery Process

The new-car delivery process at a dealership can be agonizingly slow, since it includes arranging financing, registering the car and signing sales contracts. New-car buyers on average spent half a day — 4.3 hours — in dealerships in 2011, according to the most recent J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index.

Some of that time can be chalked up to salespeople as they explain complicated audio, entertainment and navigation systems in your new vehicle. But delays also can arise when a buyer loses, forgets or has let expire the required transfer documents. So having your ducks in a row before you go to the dealership will save you aggravation and hours of waiting.

The Process
It might seem a little strange, but even though you are at the dealership, the car still needs to be "delivered" to you. Delivery, in car lingo, means everything that happens after you've agreed to buy the car but before you drive it away.

How long should the car delivery process take? If you are prepared and the dealership is reasonably efficient, a realistic amount of time is an hour to an hour and a half. On weekends, it can take longer. The number of weekend buyers creates a bottleneck at the door to the finance and insurance office, which is where you sign the sales contract. While each deal is different, preparation, foresight and communication will improve every experience.

There is a great way to avoid the waiting around at a dealership for delivery, and we wish more people took advantage of it. It's simply this: Once you've agreed to buy a car, ask the dealer to bring the car to you at your home or office. This way, you eliminate the waiting and also the inevitable hard sell for additional products and services that takes place in the finance and insurance office. When the salesman brings the car and contracts to you, you have the advantage of concluding the deal on your home court.

The Check List
If you decide to do a traditional delivery, here's what to bring with you to speed you on your way:

Payment: This can be a bank or credit union check for a pre-approved loan, or it can be a cashier's check, a personal check or even a credit card payment for a down payment when the financing is done at the dealership. To find out what forms of payment the dealership will accept, call ahead of time and ask to speak with a finance manager.

Your driver license: You have to drive the car off the lot, so the dealer needs to know that you are a legally registered driver. The driver license also serves as identification for your check or other form of payment.

Title for your trade-in vehicle: The title shows that you are the owner of the trade-in vehicle. Locate that document and see how the car is "titled" (meaning, who legally owns it). If there is a co-signer or a lien against the title, get the required signature ahead of time. Be careful at this stage. Any mistakes in how the title is signed might make it unacceptable to the dealer or lead to it being rejected by the state's motor vehicle registry. Again, if you are unclear on what to do, call the dealership's finance manager ahead of time and get some help. You also can check your state's motor vehicle registry Web site to see where to sign the title.

Current vehicle registration for trade-in: You will need a copy of your current registration for your trade-in vehicle. Locate this important document, verify that the registration is current and also check that the sticker is on the license plate.

Proof of insurance: To drive a new car off the lot you need to prove that you have insurance on that car. You can call ahead and set up the new insurance policy if you know which car you are buying. Or you can call from the dealership and give your insurance company the new car's vehicle identification number (VIN). Your insurer will fax or email an insurance card to the dealership. In some cases, however, all the dealer requires is for you to show that you have a current auto insurance policy. To protect yourself, it's best to plan ahead and set up the insurance for the new car.

Account number for trade-in loan: If you are trading in a car for which there is an unpaid loan, you will need to bring the loan's account number, which is on one of your payment stubs. Better yet, call the lender yourself, explain that you are trading in the car and ask how to facilitate the transaction. If you are car shopping on the weekend, ask if a representative is available to handle the transfer.

Here are two more tips that don't involve paperwork, but which will make your time at the dealership less of a chore:

Wash your trade-in vehicle and remove all your personal things: A car that's neat and clean will likely get a higher trade-in value, and it will save you time at the dealership if you empty it out at home.

Bring snacks and water or soft drinks: If the delivery process takes longer than expected, you might need refreshment. You definitely don't want to be hungry and spacey while reading and signing important documents.

09/30/2012

October is Car Care Month

October is the ideal month to prepare your car for winter, following several months of hot conditions and in advance of the colder temperatures that will soon take hold. Your car needs to be prepared now to avoid winter breakdowns, with you and/or your mechanic handling several important tasks during October Car Care Month.

1. Change your oil and oil filter. Few car owners need to have their oil changed every 3,000 miles or 3-months. Instead, follow your owner's manual to determine when the next oil change is due. Change your oil filter too and use this time to top off your fluids, including your windshield washer reservoir.

2. Inspect your battery. Check the connections to your batteries and remove debris build up. If your battery is nearing the end of its useful life, replace it before cold weather sets in. Extreme temperatures can test your battery, leaving you stranded at the worst possible time.

3. Examine hoses and belts. A sure recipe for a breakdown are hoses and belts that are fraying, splitting, worn or loose. Signs of wear mean signs of pending trouble. Replace as needed. Check your heating system too -- if the output of heat isn't strong, there could be a loose hose or belt.

4. Flush or top off your radiator. Follow your owner's manual to determine when your radiator should be flushed. Check for leaks and resolve problems before cold weather settles in.

5. Rotate or replace your tires. Tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles. Inspect your tires for signs of wear and replace them if they are worn. Even if your tires still have many miles left on the tread, tire age is a factor to consider when deciding whether to replace your tires now or wait. Tires that are at least six years old should be replaced.

6. Top off your fluids. If you are not due for an oil change, you will need to inspect your fluids just the same. These include your windshield washer reservoir, transmission fluid and brake fluid.

7. Perform a tune up. Today's cars can travel tens of thousands of miles before needing a tune up. Follow your owner's manual to determine when the next tune up is due. Minimally, your car's air filter may need to be replaced. Inspect the spark plug wires and spark plugs, replace as needed.

8. Try your flashlight. It is so easy to forget about the flashlight in your glove box. You do have a flashlight in your car, right? The batteries may be old, so replace these now. Keep an extra set of batteries in your car, just in case.

9. Replenish your emergency supplies. If you have an emergency kit, you will want to make sure that your supplies are in place and fresh. Old flares, water and food should be replaced. If you don't have an emergency kit and you live where ice and snow are common, you'll want a kit that can keep you safe and warm until help arrives.

09/13/2012

Best New Car Leftovers For 2012

Most savvy car shoppers know that September — the traditional end of the model year — means great bargains on car lots. But the truly advanced shopper knows that even better deals are available for those who are willing to buy a model that is about to be discontinued or redesigned.

Why are these vehicles so cheap? Well, if you buy a model that will be redesigned or dropped for the next model year, you will be driving a car that's visibly outdated. It's like buying a dress or suit that was hot last year, but has been eclipsed by newer styles. But even if you're the pragmatic type whose decisions aren't driven by fashion, this is your chance to score a new set of wheels at a low price.

Besides good, old-fashioned discounts, the cars featured in the list below are likely to carry hefty incentives and rebates to sweeten the deal. Check to see what is available in your area — many such offers are regional. To correctly apply incentives, remember to negotiate your lowest price first and then deduct any rebate. And if there is a choice between low-interest financing and cash back, run the numbers to see which will save you the most.

One note of caution for bargain hunters, though. When carmakers introduce a model redesign, the prior model depreciates more quickly and reselling it might be more difficult. However, if you're going to keep the car for a long time, depreciation will have little effect on you.

Below are our top 10 picks and a bonus three-pack. These are vehicles that are just about to be replaced by new-generation models, yet represent excellent value and performance:

2012 Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is spacious and reliable but it's been six years since it had a significant update, and a complete redesign will arrive with the 2014 model year, set to debut early in 2013. The discounts and rebates on the Impala will certainly reflect its somewhat outdated platform.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu
With an all-new 2013 version arriving in the fall, the still-popular 2012 Chevy Malibu will see significant discounts and incentives. This makes it a good choice for budget-minded shoppers who stress low purchase price and high reliability.

2012 Ford Fusion
An all-new, fully redesigned and slightly bigger Ford Fusion will arrive for the 2013 model year. This will put pressure on dealers to sell the popular 2012 Fusions and bring healthy incentives and discounts.

2012 Ford Mustang
The always popular Mustang gets refreshed with minor styling and equipment changes for 2013, making the 2012 model a great candidate for pony car lovers on a budget. Check for incentives and push for discounts.

2012 GMC Acadia
A refresh is coming for the 2013 Acadia, so the 2012 will quickly be considered outdated. However, it is still a solid choice in the SUV category. Incentives will likely increase as the new models hit the lot in the fall.

2012 Honda Accord
The venerable Accord has been redesigned for the 2013 model year, but because the car has so many loyalists, the incentives are likely to be modest for the 2012s. Still, discounts will be available for those willing to negotiate.

2012 Lexus ES 350
The Lexus ES 350 is getting a full redesign for 2013 that will give it a more dramatic exterior look and some additional interior room. This positions the 2012 ES 350 for deep discounts and incentives and rebates.

2012 Nissan Altima
Nissan is rolling out the first redesign of its Altima sedan in six years for 2013, making the still-attractive 2012 a sweet deal. Check incentives, particularly leasing specials.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder has long been a hit for Nissan, but the 2013 model year brings the introduction of an all-new generation with better mileage. Anyone willing to buy the 2012 can leverage incentives such as rebates, low-interest financing and lease specials on all trim levels.

2012 Toyota Avalon
Although it received a minor refresh for 2011, a full redesign of the Toyota Avalon is arriving for the 2013 model year. This will bring discounts and incentives on 2012 models of this under-the-radar Toyota.

Bonus Pick

2012 Chevrolet Traverse
With a refresh coming in 2013, Chevrolet will put some serious incentives on the hood of this popular SUV.

09/11/2012

Sales Logistics's cover photo

08/31/2012

Alyssa and Bob's new Toureg !

08/27/2012

Frank's new BMW 528xi

08/18/2012

Lisa's new Equinox!

06/01/2012

Kelly's new CR_V!

05/16/2012

Barbara's new Jeep Grand Cherokee

07/25/2011

Ray's new Audi Q5

07/19/2011

Darlene's new Mercedes

06/14/2011

Cars

05/28/2011

Joan's new Honda Odyssey

05/23/2011

Mike's new Harley

03/28/2011

I do Harley's too!

03/26/2011

Dan's new xTerra

02/25/2011

Leslie's new SRX