Monday, November 23, 2009
Weekly Car Rentals - Weekly Car Rentals Are More Economical
Many feel that it simply means to completely cut of certain spending habits that one would go about such as using car rental service. What we all have to realise is that until and unless we go about our every day lives using resources and business services like we use to, the economy cash flow will remain the same which as a result means we would still find ourselves in a recession in the years to come.
One should still spend but with limitations and look at areas where they can cut back on their expenses. This is the case with weekly car rentals. When one goes to rent a car, it is a common trend to hire out the car for an odd period, whether it is 3 days or 9 days. The only problem is that car rental services look at their hiring our service on a weekly basis, for which reason anything that does not fit the title of weekly car rentals, is usually charged more.
Have you ever noticed why rental offers online are starting with the title of weekly car rentals services? When opting to go for weekly car rentals services, you automatically save yourself a good couple of hundred dollars as you are using the car in accordance to company's schedule.
When you use the car for an odd day period, even though the company may not say anything about it, they will still end up charging you more. If you are one that needs a car for a limited period of time for example for three days, we recommend opting for weekly car rentals instead. If you are flying out somewhere then simply book two extra days in advance with weekly car rentals.
You can take a look for yourself online by simply comparing the price of hiring out a car for an odd number of days and then for hiring one that falls under the weekly car rentals category. If you go online, there are many websites that are offering great bonuses and discounts on weekly car rentals. The discounts aren't there because they are occasional offers but because they make it easy and more profitable for the way in which the rental company operates. If you are planning to rent out a car any time soon, it would be a good idea to consider weekly car rentals as this will and can save you a lot of money.
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Rental Car - Rental Car Can Save You a Lot of Money
You would not expect one to make use of a rental car service for their every day means of transport as that would be very costly and not practical. The most common time when a rental car service is used is when one goes on holiday
. Even though these are times to cut back on our expenses, completely avoiding a life style pattern that has been followed for the past four generations is not the answer.
Unless we the public start spending, with limits, in the market and go about our every day lives as we use to, the country will remain in a constant financial epic. Everything needs to be done in moderation and the same goes for choosing a rental car service. When looking for a rental car service there are various things that you have to keep in mind. Does it include your insurance premium? Are you entitled to free break down cover? What happens in the case of an accident? Etc.
Asking such questions are vital before opting for just any rental car service as if you are not careful, this can end up being quite costly on your pocket. One of the best ways to find the perfect rental car service deal is by looking online. There are many rental car comparison websites that will simply allow you to compare a number of rental companies with a few simple clicks.
All they would require is the type of car you are after, the duration of the rent lease and the purpose of initial use. There will be many rental car offers that will catch your eyes more than others and obviously those would be the ones that are cheaper. Even though we should be looking for something cheap you want to make sure that cost saving does not end there.
The problem with such companies that offer really low premiums in comparison to other leasing companies is that they usually don't offer other necessary necessities that are vital to the over all idea of cost saving. In such cases you would most likely have to arrange for your own insurance and break down cover.
This usually turns out to be much more expensive than finding a package that has everything inclusive from the beginning. Another key point to remember is to only go for rental car services that are well known and popularly used by the public.
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
Avoiding Fake Car Parts in Auto Repair
You are even more at risk when you are buying a second hand vehicle. You never know if the vehicle has been stuffed with fake car parts. In such a situation, you will need an automotive mechanic you can absolutely trust in Tampa to do a thorough auto inspection for you. It would be much better if that mechanic works for a reputable automotive shop that does full service auto repair and truck repair in Tampa. That way, if you purchase the vehicle you can take it there for any work that needs to be done, even only for an auto oil change, and you can be sure you will not be faked. Since a second hand vehicle is more liable to need frequent auto repair, you will have to be extra careful.
BBC news has reported about the dangerous trend of the escalating distribution of fake car parts. According to the British Institute of Trading Standards (ITS), the fake car parts industry has grown so much in the UK, to the tune of three billion pounds. The profitable fake car parts industry has even reportedly spread its business to other countries around the world, including the US. As the car industry grows worldwide, this counterfeit car parts industry is likely to grow with it. India, for example, is a burgeoning automotive industry market where only eight out of every one thousand people own cars. By 2010, some two million cars are expected to be sold there. Imagine how many fake car parts could be sold as well.
The most common fake car parts are brake shoes, brake pads, steering linkages, air filters, spark plugs, wipers and car interior accessories. Safety is definitely compromised with the low quality of such fakes. When substandard metals are used, for example, the parts are most likely to succumb to shearing. Accidents have been reportedly caused by a fake wheel and even a fake brake shoe made out of compressed grass.
Fake car parts have been traced to originate from manufacturers located in eastern bloc countries such as Poland and the former USSR, and in the Far East. These are, however, shipped and distributed throughout the world. Original parts manufacturers have asked the assistance of the British ITS in farming out industrial spies to break these syndicates.
A lot of consumers are tempted into falling for fake car parts because of their ridiculously low prices. They are offered for as low as forty to seventy percent less than the market prices of original car parts. The usual sources are small garages. Sometimes, though, these fakes are packaged as originals and are sold to unwitting automotive shops who resell them without knowing any better.
As a precaution, it is best to ask your car manufacturer for proper guidelines in checking the authentication of genuine car parts and accessories. Also look closely at the packaging of any car parts offered to you. The packages of fake car parts often have very low quality printing with the text usually showing wrong grammar and misspelled words.
Be very vigilant whenever you take your vehicle in for any kind of auto repair. Make sure no fake car parts are slipped in. Buy only genuine dealer car parts or original equipment manufactured car parts.
Cut Costs on All General Automotive Repairs
One of the first things you should do is to check your vehicle warranty. You need to make the most of all the benefits and discounts in your warranty. You could save a lot on auto repair, for both labor costs and car parts. Read through the fine print and do not allow anything to escape you. You will be throwing good money away if you insist on taking your vehicle to a different mechanic or auto service shop instead of availing of the free service and free replacement parts indicated in your warranty. Remember that the warranty usually specifies that you bring your vehicle to its dealership, such as Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth, Chrysler, Daewoo, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Volkswagen,Volvo, Acura, Honda, Lexus, Scion, Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Mazda, or Suzuki. Your dealership is best equipped to make a correct diagnostic inspection to find what is wrong with your vehicle and perform all major or minor repairs required, even computer diagnostics and computer reprogramming.
On the other hand if your vehicle warranty is no longer valid, you do not have to go to your dealership where everything is more expensive. You should, instead, go to a reputable and experienced professional auto service shop that also employs reputable and experienced professional mechanics. You will be in excellent hands if they have certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This means they can do what the dealerships do, but at lower prices.
With the ASE certification you can be sure that the mechanics are experts about engines and can do engine rebuild and engine replacement. They can fix your vehicle’s brakes and tractions control systems such as the antilock brake systems (ABS). They are experts on transmission service and maintenance procedures including transmission flush, repairing oil leaks and giving oil change service. They are specialists in radiators, cooling systems and auto air conditioner (A/C) repair.
ASE certified mechanics have the necessary know how in repairing electronic steering, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power convertible tops, power sunroofs and power locks, and can do electrical troubleshooting in all types of electrical shorts. They are also wizards with alternators, hoses and belts, including timing belts, and can ably handle body systems as well as suspensions such as front suspension, rear suspension and air suspension. They can fix air bag systems and can install and repair anti theft systems like remote starters. They also do key reprogramming.
Even as you save on costs, however, do not compromise on the automotive parts that will be used to replace your vehicle’s defective automotive parts. Make sure the auto service shop supplies you only with reputable brands of automotive parts like AC Delco, Bosch, Remy, Motorcraft, Mopar, Goodyear, Dayco, Echlin, Standard, Cardone, Autolite, NGK, Akebono, Nipedenso, and Denso.
You can save even more if you do all your automotive maintenance procedures and repairs by yourself, of course. To be able to do this, however, you should either be a professional mechanic or you should be willing to take formal classes in automotive technology, including all general automotive repairs, from minor repairs and major repairs. Without the proper education and training, do not even attempt to tamper with your vehicle or you might end up with much more expensive damage.
What To Do If In A Car Accident
1. Stop - Failure to stop after an accident is a felony if someone is injured, if nobody is injured, it is still a misdemeanor. Of course if somebody is hurt, immediately call 911 and report the accident and leave your vehicles where they are — even if they're blocking traffic. Practice caution though, be cognizant of approaching vehicles, as well as your own vehicle. Why leave your vehicle in its place? Law enforcement may need to inspect evidence about the crash for their investigation. By leaving your vehicle where it is — even if it snags traffic — law enforcement officers can try to gauge what happened, as well as determine who might be at fault for the accident. Circumstances, speed and point of impact can all be determined from the evidence at the scene of the accident.
2. Practice Safety - If you're involved in a minor fender bender, such as another car rear-ending you or a car that changes lanes and runs into you, it's probably best to move your cars out of traffic after verifying no one is hurt. Many states have signs along major highways that advise you to move your car off the road after a minor accident. Once you move your car off the road, continue practicing safety. For instance, if possible, park your car in an area that is easily visible to oncoming cars so you they won't hit you. If you stay in your car, keep your seat belt on at all times. If you get out of your car, try to exit it on the opposite side of passing traffic, even if that means crawling to the passenger side of the car. When standing outside to exchange information or look at the damage, do not stand in front of your car and do not stand with your back to the traffic.
Remember to try to stay as visible as possible. If you have flares, set them and stand as far from your vehicle and passing vehicles as you can. Remember to keep your distance, even after law enforcement or other help arrives. Other drivers may not be paying attention, which still makes the situation dangerous for you.
If your vehicle can't be moved, keep your seat belt on if you remain in the car, or exit the car when no other vehicles are coming up behind you. At all times, be aware of your surroundings, and remember that help will arrive, so stay calm and don't panic.
3. Cooperate With The Police - Insist that a police accident report is made when the police arrive; cooperate with the police but do not make admissions or give opinions. If there are any witnesses on your behalf, get their name, address, telephone number and ask them to give a statement to the police officer. If another vehicle is involved, get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, license number, vehicle registration number and insurance company, and give him or her your corresponding information. Also get the name and address of all other drivers and registered owners of all other vehicles involved in the accident along with license plate numbers, and the state of registration for all other vehicles involved in the accident. Examine the driver’s license to see if there are any restrictions, which weren’t being followed (such as wearing eyeglasses, for example). If the vehicle is registered to someone else, get that person’s name and address as well. Also, be sure to get the names and badge numbers of the police offices who arrive at the scene. Get a police accident report number when the police officer finishes writing the report.
If you suspect that the other driver has been drinking, insist that you both take a sobriety or breath test. Write down your recollection of how the accident transpired, including your own traveling speed. Include the time of day, weather conditions, and any hazardous circumstances (such as blind spots). Describe the area, noting exactly where the accident took place. Do this while you’re still at the scene and your impressions are fresh.
Don’t sign anything unless required to do so by the police. Don’t admit guilt or even shared guilt. Don’t say that your insurance will cover everything, or mention how much coverage that you have. Ask the police whether you should report the accident yourself, and if so, how and where. You may need to do so if the accident occurred on private property.
4. Call your insurance agent - Let your agent know exactly what happened, along with any evidence that you have. Do not rely on the other person’s promise to pay. Report even small accidents if someone was hurt; the injury could turn out to be more serious than it first appeared. You could risk losing your coverage if you don’t.
5. Keep Track of Expenses - Be sure to keep good records of all expenses associated with the accident, such as lost paychecks or the cost of renting a car while yours is being repaired. In a no-fault state, your insurance company may pick up that tab. In a fault state, the other driver’s insurance company should reimburse you if the accident was his or her fault.
Following these simple steps may save you a lot of time and expense down the road.
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Friday, November 6, 2009
Cheapest car rentals – The way forward
Cheapest car rentals – The way forward
Even though it may seem hard to believe, it is easily possible for one to get hold of cheaper car rentals in the current economical downturn. Instead of owning a car, opting for cheaper car rentals is actually preferable.
To ensure that you have every chance of finding cheapest car rentals, it is important that you take the following things into considerations.
Car rental companies are known to base their premium based on certain factors, which if you are aware of will ensure that you have every chance of finding cheapest car rentals.
- Don’t go for rental cars from the airport
Now you may be asking your self why as this is one of the most convenient options when it comes to booking a rental car. The reason being is that booking a rental car from the airport usually includes an excess airport fee that is included in your premium. Depending on how far the airport is from the city centre, which in nearly all cases is at least an hour’s drive, is also known to increase the initial period that you would have to pay. You would be better of going for cheapest car rentals from somewhere in the area that you are staying.
-Make sure you do not go for unknown car rental groups
It is very important that you only rent out cars from well known and used car rental agencies. If you end up booking with a company that is not so well known, there is always a risk factor of having to pay hidden costs. The cars that they may provide could also be unreliable as such unknown companies would not have a set standard to maintain in comparison to one that is widely known and used.
- Booking in advance is the key
To make sure you have every chance of getting cheapest car rentals with well known rental companies, it is important that you try and book well in advance. Not only will this ensure that you get the car of your choice, but what this also means is that you are in for a good chance to get the cheapest car rentals possible.
- Make use of the discount code
It is quite common for nearly all companies to give discount codes online or through newspapers and magazines. Make sure you do a bit of research on them to ensure you have every chance of finding cheapest car rentals. This does not apply to the peak seasons unfortunately.
- Be punctual
Try making sure that you pick and drop the car back on time. The moment you sign the release papers is usually when the car is under your name for a certain period of time. Make sure you have everything pre planned so that when it comes to returning the car on time, you do it well in advance. You would want to give your self at least an hours lee way when it comes to returning the car as giving it in late would result in hefty fines.
- Try avoiding booking when cars are in short supply
Make sure that you book with the company when they have a lot of cars in supply. If they have a short supply of cars and you really need one, they can easily charge you more as they are in a more demanding position then yourself.
- Asking for more never hurt anyone>/p>
There is no harm in asking for more discounts or a free upgrade.
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