Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Buying a Car on eBay

Most everybody has either bid on or bought something from eBay at one time or another. But it's one thing to purchase a $25 lamp and another to purchase a car. It's hard to buy a car without being able to kick the tires or go for a test drive. On eBay, you only see a picture of the vehicle and must buy practically sight unseen, so it is definitely a calculated risk. However, some of the best deals even on cars can be found on eBay.

Here are some tips on how to buy a car on eBay the smart way.

Decide on what type of vehicle you are wanting. Choose a make and model, then hit eBay. It's easier to make frequent checks on the auction market by using an exact model in the eBay search field.

Don't get an itchy finger: Watch the auctions for a while before bidding. Hit the "Watch This Item" feature to track sales, and search completed items to track final sale prices.

Be sure to check the feedback from other buyers regarding the seller. Make sure the individual is rated as a seller, not a buyer. Read the auction description carefully and request more photos by e-mail if necessary.

Call the seller. It can be reassuring to develop a rapport with the seller, and sale terms may be more flexible than you think.

Look for no-reserve auctions. Find the seller who doesn't set a minimum winning bid amount, which often is as high as the car's retail value.

Make sure you have an out. Bid only on auctions where sellers allow you to cancel after you inspect the car.

Have cash in hand to pay for the car. While the banking industry is getting more creative about financing online purchases, most interstate transactions are cash sales.

Have the car inspected by a mechanic. Contact a mechanic in the city where the car is being sold and arrange for an inspection when you arrive. The eBay site offers inspection services in 50 major metro markets, as well as a free limited warranty for the drive home for many cars.

Research the vehicle's history. Carfax offers this service for $19.99. It can tell you where the car has been, its accurate mileage, and whether it has been damaged in a crash or flood.

Find the true market value of the car to make sure that you aren't overpaying.

Bid and walk away. Decide on a fair price for a car, then bid and walk away. Don't get caught up in a bidding war and end up paying too much.

Factor in travel or delivery costs. Remember you have to pick up the vehicle or have it shipped when you win the auction. Include gas, hotels, food, lost work time, and plane tickets in the cost.
Buy round-trip plane tickets. A discount round-trip fare is often cheaper than a one-way ticket, and it gives you flexibility if you decide you don't want the car when you see it.

Enjoy your car travel and find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips, convenient online car insurance quotes and helpful car insurance advice at http://www.AutoInsuranceRatesDirect.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Levi_Quinn

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Know About How to Get Cheap Car Insurance

In today's environment, people are always trying to save a few dollars when it comes to finding good yet affordable car insurance. Advertising on the television, radio, and on the internet uses all sorts of gimmicks, from talking lizards to animated figures, to using the biggest gimmick of all - the testimonial of the "satisfied customer." Insurers are even using the ploy that they are going to tell you who can sell you cheaper insurance if they don't give you the best price, which rarely ever happens. Because of all of this, certain ventures have been created with the intent of finding the truly cheap auto insurance.

Because of the work of these groups, people are now able to go onto the internet, in the privacy of their own homes, and get cheap quotes for inexpensive car insurance or free quotes from a myriad of insurers - some well known, some not - at pretty much any insurers' website that you visit. Of course, this takes a pretty good investment of time and effort on the part of the consumer, and if you're truly lucky, you may indeed find tips on getting Cheap Auto Insurance available to you as a driver.

Another option that is available that has become more popular in recent years is the use of web sites which compile quotes on your behalf. These sites work to take your preset information and submit them on your behalf to many insurers - that they choose, of course - and allow you to see at a glance what certain insurers offer you for your dollars. Regardless of these gimmicks and processes, though, there are some tips on getting Cheap Auto Insurance if you want to ensure that you get the coverage that you need for your vehicle - and nothing you don't - at the best price possible:

- Make sure that you know the specifics of your vehicle. In one instance, a website asked about AWD, which can be an uncommonly known acronym. It took a few moments to discover the meaning of the acronym, All Wheel Drive. If your vehicle has any safety features (such as driver and passenger air bags or anti-lock brakes) the rate for your insurance can be lowered, but these have to be noted beforehand, not after a quote is made. Also, note that four-wheel drive vehicles are more expensive to insure than two wheel drive.

- Try to keep your commute distance down. Keeping it to a distance of less than ten miles per day is optimal. If this isn't doable, try to keep it to less than 40 miles per day. Each mile that you travel away from home not only increases your chance of an accident but also increases your insurance rate. In California car insurance rates are also determined through your distance from your home to a freeway, so keep that distance in mind.

- Have an anti-theft or global tracking system put on your vehicle. Anti-theft devices act as deterrents to thieves and can reduce the likelihood of your vehicle being stolen. Global tracking systems increase the likelihood that, should your vehicle be stolen, that it can be returned to you and can possibly help to recover it in god shape.

- Have a deductible on your insurance. Even if you choose a smaller amount, you can receive a small drop in your monthly premium. Higher deductibles will help drop the premium further, but note that the deductible is the amount that you will have to pay up front before the insurer will help you to pay for repairs to your vehicle.

- If possible, avoid extras on the coverage. New cars typically still have roadside assistance coverage, so that extra tidbit isn't necessary. But, that may be a better option for cars with higher mileage. It's up to the discretion of the driver to determine the needs of the insurance policy, but more extras will drive up the final monthly rate.

- Maintain a safe and clean driving record. A large portion of the premium for car insurance is determined by your past driving record. Follow safe driving practices, such as abiding by the speed limit and giving yourself ample time to arrive at your destination. Be a defensive driver and take care to avoid collisions and accidents, and take a defensive driving class if necessary. In the long run, you will save a lot of money versus what your premiums could have become, and some companies now offer incentives for good drivers, so take care to drive carefully.

- Have a good credit history. Some insurers now take credit into account when assigning policies and rates, to the point that you can be denied for bad credit. Make payments on other accounts, as well as your insurance, on time to help your rate.

Some of these tips on getting Cheap Auto Insurance may be difficult to put into practice for whatever reason, but if you take care to follow these tips as best you can, the resulting savings will be well worth it. You can head down the road with a little more money for gas and a lower monthly payment to insure your vehicle in the end.


Get more tips on getting the Cheapest Car Insurance at Auto Insurance Los Angeles
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stevie_Navarro

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

How to Choose the Right Car

What does one look for when buying the right car? When buying your future car, you'd definitely expect to get the most out of your money's worth. That's a fact. Let's face it, most car dealers and car sales people only think of the commission they are going to receive when you purchase the car that they offered you. So it's only right that you as a buyer take a considerable amount of time in choosing the right car that fits your lifestyle and your needs. Preparations are definitely important when it comes to selecting, and knowing the pros and cons in car buying is a must. Don't hesitate to ask your friends if you are making the right decision, their advices and suggestions might help you in your car buying preparations.

Choosing cars can be a daunting task since there are a lot of things to consider. One is your budget, two is your style and taste, and three is your need to buy one. You may be interested in buying one of the coolest sports cars available in the market today, a Ferrari perhaps? Or rather purchase one of the hottest cars that will suit your taste for trendy types of vehicles; if you are the luxurious type of person that doesn't drive a used car. Hence, car buying is easy if you only stick to the budget and you know the type of car you really want. It just needs a lot of preparations and careful planning, which means looking at every possible detail and choosing carefully before you acquire your future dream car.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Rivera