Search found 389 matches

by SmallCityDave
Wed Jan 26, 2022 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Counterintuitively, is now the *best* time to buy a new car?
Replies: 84
Views: 10530

Re: Counterintuitively, is now the *best* time to buy a new car?

There's a good chance that used car prices will plummet when inventory comes online BUT what about inflation?

In 2020 we bought a new car but shortly thereafter I questioned if we need 2 vehicles (especially new) so we sold it to Carmax, in the last 18 months we've gone through a number of cars making money along the way. Last month we bought the least expensive of the bunch it's 10+ years old and has just under 100k miles it's perfect for our needs and in the end it will cost us "nothing" out of pocket.

Counterintuitively now was a good time for us to buy.
by SmallCityDave
Mon Jan 10, 2022 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me buy a car
Replies: 18
Views: 2253

Re: Help me buy a car

Update: I ended up going with the Tesla that I ordered. I've had it for about a month now and I absolutely hate it. I love adaptive cruise control and have driven may different car brands with it. This car by far has the worst adaptive cruise control I have ever used. The phantom breaking is atrocious and happens all the time. The Auto Pilot is unusable. It is constantly shutting off and having errors. Something as simple as the sun being out will cause it to stop working. I'm very disappointed in the car. My 2016 Subaru had far better adaptive cruise control. There are also several other issues. There's random rattles in the dash. The wind shield wipers have an automatic feature, they rarely turn on when I would want them to and will turn...
by SmallCityDave
Fri Jan 07, 2022 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My estimated SS benefits have gone down.
Replies: 21
Views: 2838

Re: My estimated SS benefits have gone down.

The benefit estimates are always based on the assumption that your earnings will continue at the present level. So the earlier level assumed higher earnings for the rest of your life. It would help if SSA had their calculators default to only using earnings-to-date, since any future earnings are purely speculative. To be fair the statements do clearly state the assumption that you'll continue to earn at your current level. There should be an easier way to see what you would qualify for today if you stopped working, nothing wrong with making assumptions but there's something to be said for where you are now. Login to mySSA Scroll down to "Plan for Retirement" Hit drop down arrow next to "Average Future Annual Salary" Cha...
by SmallCityDave
Fri Jan 07, 2022 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My estimated SS benefits have gone down.
Replies: 21
Views: 2838

Re: My estimated SS benefits have gone down.

Yes it has gone down but I thought it would displace some of my income when I was 16 and only making a few thousand a year. The benefit estimates are always based on the assumption that your earnings will continue at the present level. So the earlier level assumed higher earnings for the rest of your life. It would help if SSA had their calculators default to only using earnings-to-date, since any future earnings are purely speculative. To be fair the statements do clearly state the assumption that you'll continue to earn at your current level. There should be an easier way to see what you would qualify for today if you stopped working, nothing wrong with making assumptions but there's something to be said for where you are now.
by SmallCityDave
Fri Jan 07, 2022 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My estimated SS benefits have gone down.
Replies: 21
Views: 2838

Re: My estimated SS benefits have gone down.

RubyTuesday wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 10:29 am
02nz wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 10:18 am
SmallCityDave wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 10:14 am Yes it has gone down but I thought it would displace some of my income when I was 16 and only making a few thousand a year.
The benefit estimates are always based on the assumption that your earnings will continue at the present level. So the earlier level assumed higher earnings for the rest of your life.
Which is also important to keep in mind if you intend to retire early. The basic estimate for those with earnings in the previous year projects those earnings into the future. If you actually will have a number of zero years, you should use other tools (IIRC they are available at SSA) that allow you to specify future earnings.
Okay thanks, I'm not having any luck finding that calculator.
by SmallCityDave
Fri Jan 07, 2022 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My estimated SS benefits have gone down.
Replies: 21
Views: 2838

Re: My estimated SS benefits have gone down.

Yes it has gone down but I thought it would displace some of my income when I was 16 and only making a few thousand a year.
by SmallCityDave
Fri Jan 07, 2022 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My estimated SS benefits have gone down.
Replies: 21
Views: 2838

My estimated SS benefits have gone down.

I have a printout from March 2019 my FRA benefit is estimated at $2479 and in December of 2021 it's $2009 per month. I don't understand why it would go down, I'm in my early 50's and I've worked since I was 16.

Anyone have any ideas?
by SmallCityDave
Wed Dec 29, 2021 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car
Replies: 108
Views: 9830

Re: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car

2011-2015 Nissan Leaf can be had for 5-10k and generally has few issues because of the lack of a gas motor. +1 on getting a Leaf. The older Leafs have 70 miles of range so won’t work for a lot of people but will work for you and as such are very cheap. There’s virtually no maintenance on them, no oil changes, tune ups, etc. Don’t have to worry about gas prices going up. You can charge with a 110 outlet and don’t need to install a level 2 charger for your needs. One of the under appreciated things about electric cars Is that they’ll probably last forever with little to no major repairs. Most of the expensive repairs on a gas car are for the engine. An electric car is only battery and power train. We recently purchased a 2018 Leaf and really...
by SmallCityDave
Tue Dec 28, 2021 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car
Replies: 108
Views: 9830

Re: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car

I guess thats why some shops are busier than others...LOL...fair points.. I have never knowingly charged someone for something that didnt fix their problem... I have paid some stupid tax along the way but over all I guess its worked...the only exception is working on really old British cars...I tell people that not even God knows whats wrong with this POS but if you want me to throw some parts at it I will..LOL...usually scares them off.. Is that the standard? I recently had my car in a shop and the guy tried, he may have been more frustrated than me but after a little over a week he couldn't chase down the problem. He installed a bunch of parts and he gave me a more than fair price but he didn't fix the problem. I don't think it's normal ...
by SmallCityDave
Tue Dec 28, 2021 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car
Replies: 108
Views: 9830

Re: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car

I guess thats why some shops are busier than others...LOL...fair points.. I have never knowingly charged someone for something that didnt fix their problem... I have paid some stupid tax along the way but over all I guess its worked...the only exception is working on really old British cars...I tell people that not even God knows whats wrong with this POS but if you want me to throw some parts at it I will..LOL...usually scares them off.. Is that the standard? I recently had my car in a shop and the guy tried, he may have been more frustrated than me but after a little over a week he couldn't chase down the problem. He installed a bunch of parts and he gave me a more than fair price but he didn't fix the problem. I don't think it's normal ...
by SmallCityDave
Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car
Replies: 108
Views: 9830

Re: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car

Johny Fever wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:08 am
I guess thats why some shops are busier than others...LOL...fair points..I have never knowingly charged someone for something that didnt fix their problem...I have paid some stupid tax along the way but over all I guess its worked...the only exception is working on really old British cars...I tell people that not even God knows whats wrong with this POS but if you want me to throw some parts at it I will..LOL...usually scares them off..
Is that the standard? I recently had my car in a shop and the guy tried, he may have been more frustrated than me but after a little over a week he couldn't chase down the problem. He installed a bunch of parts and he gave me a more than fair price but he didn't fix the problem.
by SmallCityDave
Sun Dec 26, 2021 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car
Replies: 108
Views: 9830

Re: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car

squirm wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 8:53 am Crazy market but in turn you'll get more for your car too. Just sell it to CarMax and get a honda. Everyone thinks they can wait this market out.
Funny thing about this "financial forum" is all too often the advice given is financially counter intuitive.
by SmallCityDave
Sun Dec 26, 2021 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car
Replies: 108
Views: 9830

Re: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car

Hi, I'm looking for suggestions for my car purchase. I currently have a 2009 Hyundai Elantra with a ~58000 milage. I only drive about 1000 miles per year. This summer the car started to have electrical problems - something drains the battery really quick and the local dealer hasn't figured out what's happened. They replaced the battery, the alternator, and some parts they considered as the problem, but still did not solve it. I have to jump-start my car when I did not use it for just two or three days. I spent so much time on car repairment in the past months, which is super annoying and caused me so many troubles in this covid era. My parents urged me to get a reliable car. I no longer trust Hyundai and consider cars like Toyota (famous f...
by SmallCityDave
Sat Dec 11, 2021 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When driving a car to the ground no longer makes sense
Replies: 55
Views: 7950

Re: When driving a car to the ground no longer makes sense

The reason it continues to be desirable to drive my 21 year old small pickup as it gets closer to the ground is because it is irreplaceable. If I could buy a new one I would. I cringe when I think about having to buy a replacement vehicle. Not because of cost, but because of features, styling, repair costs and so on. There's certainly something to be said for having an old dependable truck or car that you know like the back of your hand, I know that I miss my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. When comparing new vs old it's not all black and white. I just received the registration renewal it was $400+ for a year vs $100 for 5 years for my older truck, great news no more timing belt the bad new is a spark plug change now costs as much as a TB replacem...
by SmallCityDave
Sat Dec 11, 2021 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When driving a car to the ground no longer makes sense
Replies: 55
Views: 7950

Re: When driving a car to the ground no longer makes sense

If you care about complex safety and infotainment systems continuing to work I'd consider proactively replacing around 8-10 years old rather than "driving into the ground". Get rid of the car before expensive repairs kick in. As an example if the infotainment head unit fails you probably lose the backup camera and even climate control functions on some cars. I think the sweet spot is selling the car before these items start to fail. Can get more years out of it than the warranty but these aren't the cars of earlier years that were easily repairable at low cost. For me "driving it into the ground" is a dated concept. If you think you can get a good deal on a new car I'd complete that transaction first to make sure you ca...
by SmallCityDave
Thu Dec 09, 2021 8:05 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: A question to those that are receiving social security.
Replies: 21
Views: 2789

Re: A question to those that are receiving social security.

You should look at the historical picture of Social Security. Back in the 1980’s, the age that one could begin collecting benefits was altered from 65-67, but it was enacted over a period of time. Those who were born in 1960 or later fell into the age 67 bucket. Those who were born in 1939 to 1959 fell into the 65+1 month to age 66+11 month buckets. Those born in 1938 or earlier were able to collect at age 62 with a permanent reduction in benefits or at age 65 for no reduction in benefits. Today, you have to reach age 63 to collect benefits with a 30 percent permanent reduction in benefits or age 67 for no reduction or age 70 for obtaining 124 percent of your age 67 benefits. No one back then who was close to retirement age for obtaining s...
by SmallCityDave
Thu Dec 09, 2021 8:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: A question to those that are receiving social security.
Replies: 21
Views: 2789

Re: A question to those that are receiving social security.

delamer wrote: Wed Dec 08, 2021 10:27 am The only way Social Security will stop paying benefits altogether is if our constitutional republic collapses as a result of war, foreign takeover, or domestic terrorism.

As long as we have a functioning democracy, those checks won’t stop.
I would agree with that.
by SmallCityDave
Wed Dec 08, 2021 8:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: A question to those that are receiving social security.
Replies: 21
Views: 2789

A question to those that are receiving social security.

In preparation for retirement I'm trying to figure out how dependent on SS I can be, we've all heard of the financial insolvency of the social security system but if our government stops writing those checks won't all other pensions/retirement programs fail? I understand this is a question without a clear answer but I wanted to hear your thoughts....

In our current retirement plan our SS will account for for less than 50% of our income we will be able to make it without but we won't have much margin. If you don't get your social security check will that drastically alter your lifestyle?
by SmallCityDave
Thu Nov 25, 2021 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: In need of a generator
Replies: 107
Views: 8416

Re: In need of a generator

Blue456 wrote: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:41 pm My wife wants us to get a generator just in case there is a power outage. We would like to be able to power entire house, including HVAC. What do you guys recommend?
The real questions are do you "need" it, how often do you have power failures and how long do they last? What is your budget and do you really "need" a whole home generator?

Here are a few thoughts: realistically the most popular whole home turn key option is Generac and you will likely spend $5000 but more likely $10,000. The other option is having a less convenient option a portable generator that will power some lights, portable heater and a refrigerator this can cost as little as $300.
by SmallCityDave
Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Deemed a Total Loss
Replies: 24
Views: 2039

Re: Car Deemed a Total Loss

TVKNSC wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 2:52 pm Yes..I am fine..thanks for asking. This couldn't have happened at a worst time with inflated car prices for both new and used. With used prices, almost better off buying new. Seems to me anyway.
Unless you are buying new car prices are the same to you because they are/will give you more for your car. Last month my son totaled his car the insurance company paid him $4300 for it he bought a newer car for $3700. Yes it was a big inconvenience but that's life.

If I were in your shoes I'd buy a well used but reliable $5000 car.
by SmallCityDave
Thu Nov 18, 2021 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Philo (streaming tv)
Replies: 3
Views: 488

Re: Philo (streaming tv)

I had Philo for a few months. I suspended it last spring/early summer because I bought into a different streamer handling some sports I wanted to watch. Last July, I got back on Philo and all my "favorite" shows were there. Note: Philo calls these "Saved Shows." Because I was on the 3 month DVR plan, all the DVR'd shows were converted to VOD. Note the latest Philo plan went up $5 and the DVR is a year long. I recently dropped Philo because I found I was mostly watching Discovery shows. Discovery+ is a lot cheaper, although there's no real DVR. Good information, thanks. I did an online chat they said that my "saved shows" and other preferences would be restored, just like you said. I called Dish and asked them ...
by SmallCityDave
Wed Nov 17, 2021 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Philo (streaming tv)
Replies: 3
Views: 488

Philo (streaming tv)

I had Philo a year ago and I'm thinking about restarting their service if I do so will it have my favorites/dvr shows saved? It would be great if I didn't have to start from scratch.
by SmallCityDave
Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy a new PC vs upgrade
Replies: 57
Views: 4828

Re: Should I buy a new PC vs upgrade

sschoe2 wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 1:15 pm
SmallCityDave wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:38 pm
sschoe2 wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:36 pm I have a dual boot with Windows 10 that I use almost exclusively for work from home stuff mostly MS teams meeting.
Do you have a good link on how to set that up? I'd like to try that.
https://itsfoss.com/guide-install-linux ... t-windows/

Pretty much you really need to install Windows first. Then create a bootable USB with Linux on it. From there you install it. Making a separate home partition takes an extra few confusing steps but is worth it. Otherwise the USB install will walk you right through it.
Thanks!
by SmallCityDave
Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cord cutting 2020 - Youtube TV
Replies: 151
Views: 17446

Re: Cord cutting 2020 - Youtube TV

lthenderson wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:15 pm
SmallCityDave wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:45 am I tried Toutube tv and it was fine for $10 more I have Dish Top 120 plus a few extra channels
Dish, like most cable companies, start jacking up their bill after the trial period is finished and then it is back to threats of cutting or switching to a new provider to reduce it. At least with YouTube, their rates are the same across the board for all customers and thus far, have been slow to rise.
YouTube Tv started 4 years ago at $35 per month so it's nearly doubled in 4 years I'm not sure that's slow.

Dish will likely raise or try to raise my price after the trial period but that's 2 years that I'm locked in, I get your point and I hate calling the TV provider but I can deal with it every 2 years.
by SmallCityDave
Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy a new PC vs upgrade
Replies: 57
Views: 4828

Re: Should I buy a new PC vs upgrade

sschoe2 wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:36 pm I have a dual boot with Windows 10 that I use almost exclusively for work from home stuff mostly MS teams meeting.
Do you have a good link on how to set that up? I'd like to try that.
by SmallCityDave
Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy a new PC vs upgrade
Replies: 57
Views: 4828

Re: Should I buy a new PC vs upgrade

sschoe2 wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:33 pm Linux Mint would allow the OP to do what he needs to do on an aging PC and have a modern secure operating system at the same time. I still have a first or second generation Core I-5 that is probably 8 years old and am perfectly satisfied with Linux Mint to do web browsing, watch or stream video, do office software stuff etc. I prefer Linux over windows no antivirus bogging me down or updates hijacking my computer, it is free, I put my data on a separate hard drive partition so I can upgrade without messing with it etc. It is a very boglehead operating system cheap simple and effective.
Is your pc dual boot or just Linux?
by SmallCityDave
Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy a new PC vs upgrade
Replies: 57
Views: 4828

Re: Should I buy a new PC vs upgrade

Hello All, I've an old Lenovo IdeaCentre (https://www.cnet.com/products/lenovo-ideacentre-k320-tower-core-i3-550-3-2-ghz-6-gb-1-tb/) with Win 7. With no more Win 7 support and everything running slow on the desktop, I'd like to upgrade either the existing desktop tower or buy something new. I use the computer for very basic work - web surfing, photo/data storage etc. Questions: (1) Is it worth it to upgrade the existing tower with more memory and a SSD while keeping the old hardware. Would also add a card for WiFi and Bluetooth. (2) Or buy a new budget desktop (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088X29HF6/ref=twister_B09B4JLX5S?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) (3) go for a either iMac or mac mini - new model We have several personal chromebooks and offic...
by SmallCityDave
Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cord cutting 2020 - Youtube TV
Replies: 151
Views: 17446

Re: Cord cutting 2020 - Youtube TV

Willmunny wrote: Sat Aug 22, 2020 8:50 am I am moving soon and I would like this to be the last cable box I own. The problem is I am a live sports fan and I want to keep ESPN and other sports networks. It looks like Youtube TV has what I want in terms of channels. I could use that along with an Amazon Fire Stick. The $65 per month is less than I am paying now for Cable. If you have tried it, I would be interested in your thoughts on the service. Thanks
I tried YouTube Tv and it was fine for $10 more I have Dish Top 120 plus a few extra channels a huge real dvr setup for 2 tvs and if you have a firestick a few more. It's less buggy and picture quality is better.
by SmallCityDave
Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: lowest cost approach to get CPAP
Replies: 16
Views: 1985

Re: lowest cost approach to get CPAP

I have a United Healthcare High deductible plan (80/20 after deductible) through work and don't see low cost way to get a CPAP even after the deductible was met. I hear a few family members say they get their CPAP and accessories for free through their insurance. When I ask details of how my family members did it or which insurance they use I get a blank stare. "uh don't know, they just gave me the equipment and I walked out" :oops: Right now I have a 7 year old CPAP and it just quit on me. I called my previous DME vendor and they said my sleep study was too old and I need a new prescription. Now starting to look at seeing a sleep study doctor that will send me to a sleep study so he/she can write a new prescription for the repla...
by SmallCityDave
Wed May 12, 2021 7:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Inflation, banking and real estate
Replies: 25
Views: 3154

Re: Inflation, banking and real estate

Inflation is starting to seem more real now.
by SmallCityDave
Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My 2017 CRV is a victim of the dreaded oil gas-dilution issue
Replies: 1223
Views: 231491

Re: My 2017 CRV is a victim of the dreaded oil gas-dilution issue

I have a 2018 CRV and believe my car suffers from this because I smell gas in the cabin when the a/c is pulling in air from outside. As a result of this, i always use recirculate, which works well. Check engine light (and all the others) came on just past 40,000 miles. Took it in to the dealer and they put in a software update and the lights went off. The next day, they lights came on again and they diagnosed it with a bad fuel injector kit based on the cylinder misfire code. Hondacare (which I bought) paid for it. I asked them if they thought this was related to the oil dilution and they said no because I mostly drove it on non-short trips in California. Haven’t had any other issues with the car before or since then, although haven’t driv...
by SmallCityDave
Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which car supports easy upgrades of driver assist features year over year without buying a new car every year ?
Replies: 34
Views: 3499

Re: Which car supports easy upgrades of driver assist features year over year without buying a new car every year ?

bogledogle wrote: Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:06 pm None. Car manufacturers want you to buy a new car as frequently as possible. Any manufacturer that promises future upgrades is going to figure out how to monetize it. Ie: you pay for it in some way - extended warranty ..etc

Tesla is turning off features the first buyer paid for when they sell their car to a different person. Self driving, supercharging etc
Safety sells!!

You only have one life you should be upgrading every year ;)
by SmallCityDave
Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dealing with an extremely weird seller
Replies: 34
Views: 4449

Re: Dealing with an extremely weird seller

Why not put an expiration date on the offer? "I'd like to buy this book and I'm willing to pay up to XXX as long as I can get the book by the end of the week." If he accepts or counters right away great but if he comes back to you after that date offer him a lower price (he's likely alienating others with his antics) it may not work initially but it should give him an incentive to act sooner next time. Two years ago I was looking to buy a truck I found one on CL it was priced right @ $7000 I was fully prepared to buy at his price but the guy didn't respond to my call/email or text I was a bit disappointed but I was over it, about a month later I see the truck listed again. My thought process was if I had a hard time reaching him s...
by SmallCityDave
Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying new car, need some advice
Replies: 38
Views: 4177

Re: Buying new car, need some advice

First and foremost Chrysler Pacifica..... secondly who cares what they pay and their holdbacks people that worry about that type of stuff just drive me crazy. If they paid $45k and you get it for 44 will that make you feel better than them paying 40 and you paying 43? Worry about you and finding a realistic number that works for buyer and seller, find forums and see what other buyers have paid with the options that you are looking for. Call the dealer and speak to a person remember their name get the OTD price DO NOT just email them, I'm in sales (not cars) and most people that email that's all they do they don't buy they just keep emailing and ask dumb questions and take up a bunch of time. I assume you've already test driven the van and d...
by SmallCityDave
Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help! Dealer may have sold the car we are buying
Replies: 97
Views: 9336

Re: Help! Dealer may have sold the car we are buying

SmallCityDave, I apologize for vagueness; I was in panic mode when I wrote the initial post; you all have helped me gain perspective. The manager asked for our side of the story so we provided email correspondence and the documents to her. She was on the fence regarding the appropriateness of the sales team's response, apologized for the lack of communication from her sales team, placed some blame on us (which is likely appropriate as we consider some of the BH responses) and offered to assign a different sales person to assist us in obtaining a different vehicle. No concessions were offered and we did not request any, as there is no chance that we will give this organization any of our business. We prefer to consider this dealership dead ...
by SmallCityDave
Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help! Dealer may have sold the car we are buying
Replies: 97
Views: 9336

Re: Help! Dealer may have sold the car we are buying

Update from OP: Thanks to all who have provided feedback. Differing perspectives really are helpful. This is a mega/multi-dealership organization. The manager in charge of all of the sales managers contacted us to discuss our concerns. We want nothing more to do with the dealership and are exploring other options for our purchase. There's nothing to gain from additional interactions with the dealer. Thanks again! OP, Feel free to expand what he said and his perspective. Your original post was very vague and non specific, everyone took away something different this can be a great learning experience for all of us. I've never given it much thought but buying a car online there are many moving parts it's not like buying a t-shirt on Amazon.
by SmallCityDave
Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: You get what you pay for!
Replies: 48
Views: 5005

Re: You get what you pay for!

OP could have gotten a cubic zirconium and it would have made no difference. In reality diamonds have very little value beyond what anyone gives them. They do not even have a value in practical terms. Unless you are cutting glass with them. Diamonds have been proffered to us in society by a clever ruse to keep market price where it is best for producers. It has done this by tugging at heartstrings and values by people in phases of their lives that require more than common sense. The OP did a good thing here because the wife is delighted at the result and even though there was difference of $300, it does not matter to her. Nor should it. The surprise tilted th balance for him. That had the most value, the surprise. It is like the value of T...
by SmallCityDave
Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: You get what you pay for!
Replies: 48
Views: 5005

Re: You get what you pay for!

adamthesmythe wrote: Thu Mar 04, 2021 12:59 pm A diamond is a bad example of how to shop, because it has little intrinsic value relative to what it costs. I say that because it can never be sold for close to its purchase price.

It is a symbol that the purchaser has enough money to fork over to the seller.

Since it's just a symbol, the idea is to satisfy the person or persons being symbolled. If OP can do this at a modest cost, more power to him.
Agreed! I know nothing about diamonds and I don't want to know anything about diamonds, I may have been able to spend more for a bigger/better quality diamond but nobody would have ever cared. I would have been happy with the 1st shop if they sold me something for $300ish I wasn't trying to spend $100.
by SmallCityDave
Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 1987 Carrier HVAC. Replace or fix?
Replies: 57
Views: 5106

Re: 1987 Carrier HVAC. Replace or fix?

Thanks for the responses! >> I'm not understanding that the 80% will pay for itself. 80% is not a high efficiency system. 80% system apparently is the baseline system. I was told that my system is a 60% efficiency system (true or false, I dont know). but in comparison to my system, the tech said that the 80% will pay for itself . Of course, the mid-90% system would be more efficient but it would cost an additional $2-3K. >> more importantly, I would not want to rely on it. The furnace will go out on the coldest day and the AC on the hottest. Good point, main concern for us as well. We don't get too cold in the Bay area but summers can see many 100 degree weather days. >> Give yourself a high five for keeping an AC unit for 37 years. That's...
by SmallCityDave
Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help! Dealer may have sold the car we are buying
Replies: 97
Views: 9336

Re: Help! Dealer may have sold the car we are buying

Thank you for the Carvana suggestion. Everyone's feedback helps me learn how this game is played. I'm uncertain if our declaration that we would pay cash was actually a hindrance? It was sold to a buyer who was filling out a finance application several hours after we were supposed to take possession of the vehicle. Next time we'll reconsider showing our cards, altbough we were required to select cash or credit when we completed the paperwork. We'll likely also discuss this with a relative who is an attorney. Or we may just get on with our lives... You should take away what you could have and should have done different that's not to say the dealership is perfect but you can't control them work on what you can do better next time. The car wa...
by SmallCityDave
Wed Mar 03, 2021 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: You get what you pay for!
Replies: 48
Views: 5005

You get what you pay for!

A while back my wife lost the diamond from her engagement ring and neither one of us thought too much about it until recently she mentioned that she'd like to get it replaced. My wife is not a ring or diamond snob I doubt she would know if it was real or fake so I set out on a mission to get it replaced, I wasn't sure the size of stone stone but I knew it was modest (1/4-1/3 carat). I had no real idea how much this would cost I thought I'd try to get this done for around $300. The 1st shop I went to looked at it showed me a few stones (that all looked the same to me) and said $450, I thought about it for a few seconds and asked if there were any other less expensive options and he looked at me like I had three eyes and said he could probabl...
by SmallCityDave
Wed Mar 03, 2021 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ebay - items you've sold
Replies: 42
Views: 3563

Re: Ebay - items you've sold

I've been selling my own personal items on Ebay for about 7 years. I had a lot of things that I knew had some value and that opened up a nice market for me like an online garage sale. It's not as great anymore as it once was. Anyhow, the weirdest thing I have ever sold on Ebay happened last year. My sons are around 30 right now. My mother purchased some flat diapers at a garage sale for 15 cents each before they were born. I used them as burp rags. As I was cleaning out, I checked Ebay and determined there was a market for blue stamped Curity diapers. I ended up selling the dozen and netting about $80. I inquired of a buyer about what they were using them for. I assumed it was for crafts or something. Turns out that there are adults that u...
by SmallCityDave
Wed Mar 03, 2021 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ebay - items you've sold
Replies: 42
Views: 3563

Re: Ebay - items you've sold

weirdsong1 wrote: Sun Feb 28, 2021 1:46 pm When my kids first started getting into Legos I became aware of the massive market for these toys amongst adults. So, in order to pay for my kid's Lego habit, I started flipping sets on eBay. Been doing that for several years now and make a couple thousand in profit on top of what we buy for the kids just selling duplicate sets we hold onto for an extra year or two and then mostly sell at Christmas. There's a massive community there, and the resellers are fond of pointing out that Lego apparently outperforms gold.
Wow that's awesome, are you still doing that?
by SmallCityDave
Sun Feb 28, 2021 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ebay - items you've sold
Replies: 42
Views: 3563

Ebay - items you've sold

I rarely sell anything on ebay (it's been years) but I've done it from time to time, what's the last item that you sold on ebay that you made money on?

A number or years back I was at Sears they had camcorders on clearance something like $50 I bought all they had and sold them on ebay for over $200 each. More recently I helped my son buy a refurbished computer for just over $400 later that week I saw that they were selling the video card out of that same model for over $300 on ebay. I thought of buying that computer for myself and selling the graphics card but in the end it was more work than it was worth for me.

What's your ebay story?
by SmallCityDave
Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which car to sell?
Replies: 16
Views: 1589

Re: Which car to sell?

cdaddio23 wrote: Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:30 am
SmallCityDave wrote: Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:17 am How many miles per year do you plan to put on the crossover?
I would say a high estimate would be 15k miles/year
It doesn't sound like either of these vehicles is ideal and you won't be keeping them for more than a few years, if it was me I'd keep the Murano because I'd rather have $10k (more) to pay off the new car. I think the best plan might be to get top dollar by listing both of them for sale and see which one goes first keep the other a few years until you find the replacement vehicle.
by SmallCityDave
Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Accepting payment on used car sale during covid
Replies: 55
Views: 5709

Re: Accepting payment on used car sale during covid

The bank that issued the auto loan said they can't deposit the check to their own checking account without collateral (i.e. title) Yet he can give you the check without collateral, that's crazy.... I bought a motorcycle like that a few years ago, I had the cash but there was a lien I called WF to see if they had some type of protections in place to make sure I (or they) wouldn't be left holding the bag they said they do and they do this all the time. I confirm that this is not a signature loan and it's secured by the motorcycle they confirm, give me a check made out to the seller and it takes over a week for me to get the title. I call WF to see how they are protecting our interests and once again verify that it's a secure loan they tell m...
by SmallCityDave
Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which car to sell?
Replies: 16
Views: 1589

Re: Which car to sell?

How many miles per year do you plan to put on the crossover?
by SmallCityDave
Sun Feb 21, 2021 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Landlord Question??
Replies: 25
Views: 2474

Re: Landlord Question??

We have a long term tenant who rents 2nd story of two family house. We've been giving him a break in rent ($900 mo) because he's battling illness and money is tight (rent could be $1100). Tenant recently suffered car accident and broke pelvis, ribs. In rehab now. Not sure what his future mobility will be or what prognosis is. He likes renting from us. Our dilemma is, we were already considering raising rent before the accident because we're considering selling the property. Will it look retaliatory if we do? And, as a landlord, are we responsible for making modifications to the house in order for him to return? To what extent? Are there any discrimination issues to be concerned with? Thanks for any advice Edit: State Wisconsin You should r...
by SmallCityDave
Sun Feb 21, 2021 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: House buying negotiations
Replies: 122
Views: 12012

Re: House buying negotiations

Your numbers are all over the map $1.3, 1.25, 1.23, 1.15... First thing is you offered $135k under asking price because of a roof, windows, appliances and a garage door that sounds more like $20k than $135k, did you bring estimates or did you pull that number out of the air? Obviously I have no idea how much these thing will cost since you didn't mention the size or type of home. Secondly buyers sometimes want to have the seller pay for their upgrades (such as appliances or roof) when those are still functioning as intended. I don't know where you live but in a lot of places you need to price the home above market value because prices are going up and 6 month old sales/Zillow don't indicate current value. Try finding current similar comps i...
by SmallCityDave
Sun Feb 21, 2021 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New teen driver.
Replies: 20
Views: 1842

Re: New teen driver.

miamivice wrote: Sat Feb 20, 2021 12:14 pm
SmallCityDave wrote: Sat Feb 20, 2021 10:37 am The question is when he turns 18 we will put the car in his name and have him get his own policy will our current policy holder require us to have him on our policy if he's still living at home?
No, in general. Your insurance covers all licensed drivers that reside at your home, and your insurance will require that all licensed drivers be listed on your policy. This is a generalization, of course, your agent or insurance company can explain for sure based on your state and their policies, but is usually true in my experience.
I'm hoping you are wrong but I think you may be right, I'll check with our agent next time I speak with her.