Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

graphicguy

roadburner said:

Well, today I filed for Commonwealth's Attorney; I just announced on Facebook and I've received a positive response. It will be interesting, to say the least.

'Ya got my vote RB! Good luck!

Mr_Shiftright

explorerx4 said:

They are still trying to sell this place, about 2 miles from me.
I think it's just cursed. Was originally built for a nefarious individual.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/see-inside-50-cents-massive-mansion-he-forgot-he-owned/ar-AAvdfuq?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=DELLDHP

Who wants to live in a house built to imitate a Disney cruise ship?

Hmmm...I wonder how many cars you could jam in there?

houdini1

driver100 said:

Got my windshield bullet hole repaired at Safelite.....almost invisible repair. Took 30 minutes, treated like a king. Cost $115 total....if I ever decide on a new windshield can use payment towards a new one.

driver, no matter how much your deductible is, most ins. companies will pay first dollar for repairs like this since they save money for not having to replace windshield. $115. is not much, but you could buy 23 of those huge chickens with it.

houdini1

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

Our Costco is 25 minutes away, we get there early......get a $5 huge chicken and other necessities and be out in 30 minutes. They have the best parking spaces, an extra margin on each side. Store is much cleaner than Sams and is more organized. TVs come with a great warranty.....Costco will look after your problems.

Sam's is 15 minutes away, since it is closer we go there more often. Food items are actually better at Sam's, clothing is awful. Fixtures, cash registers, whole store looks grubby compared to Costco. Also have $5 huge chickens........both must be given steroids!

It's
interesting that you mention the food being better at Sam's but not being
pleased with the clothing.

When we
first started going to Sam's it was only
for the paper products, canned goods, dishwasher cleaning suds and stuff like
that. Never even considered buying meat there until one time while walking past
the meat cases I saw some steaks that were cut and trimmed the way I like them
so I got a package of 4 steaks. Mrs. j was kinda leery about that but I figured
how bad could they be. Turns out there was nothing wrong with them and now I
try to buy all my steaks there and Mrs. gets her chicken there too. And yes,
those roasted chickens are pretty good and are less at Sam's and not only do
they taste better than at the grocery store they are also bigger. So now when
we want a cooked bird that is the only place we get it.

 Now about
their clothes, I don't buy much of that at Sam's but about 5 years ago, while I
was still working, I passed by a nice gray shirt that had a pattern and the
material had a nice sheen to it, very different looking from the plain shirt
material that we all have. Even Mrs. j was surprised that Sam's had a shirt
like that. I think it was less that 20 bucks.

 Fast
forward to the first time I wore that shirt to work. Our group secretary,
excuse me they were called administrative assistants then, who was pretty
fashion conscious walked into the kitchen as I was getting my first cup of
coffee of the day and said, "hey jmonroe, did you wife dress you this
morning, that's a really nice looking shirt". I told her I dress myself
and I pick out my own clothes. Again she complimented me about the shirt and asked
where I got it. When I told her Sam's she thought I was kidding. Just then
several other admins walked into the kitchen and she said, "don't you
think that's a nice shirt jmonroe has on? Too bad his pants aren't as
nice". For the record there was nothing wrong with my black pants. She
then grabs me around the waste and starts turning me around saying, "look
how nice it fits him". Then she asks the other admins to come over and
feel how nice the material was. I put a stop to that right quick saying, "HEY, KNOCK IT OFF. I AIN'T NO MANIKIN, YOU KNOW".

 If something
like that happened today I could have turned them in for sexual harassment.

jmonroe 

Well, it is not too late. Some sexual harassment cases are being won on things that happened 30/40 years ago. This could be your retirement and you won't have to look for part time work like oldfarmer.

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

They are still trying to sell this place, about 2 miles from me. I think it's just cursed. Was originally built for a nefarious individual. http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/see-inside-50-cents-massive-mansion-he-forgot-he-owned/ar-AAvdfuq?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=DELLDHP

Who wants to live in a house built to imitate a Disney cruise ship? Hmmm...I wonder how many cars you could jam in there?

The indoor basketball court could be put to good use as a garage.

driver100

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

Got my windshield bullet hole repaired at Safelite.....almost invisible repair. Took 30 minutes, treated like a king. Cost $115 total....if I ever decide on a new windshield can use payment towards a new one.

driver, no matter how much your deductible is, most ins. companies will pay first dollar for repairs like this since they save money for not having to replace windshield. $115. is not much, but you could buy 23 of those huge chickens with it.

Good point Houdini....not sure I could eat 23 of those chickens. My thinking is, my insurance may pay the $115, but, I am sure they will raise my rates enough to cover the cost plus a lot more. I want to be the kind of client that causes as few problems as possible, maybe they will keep the rates lower so I don't switch insurance companies.

jmonroe

houdini1 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

Our Costco is 25 minutes away, we get there early......get a $5 huge chicken and other necessities and be out in 30 minutes. They have the best parking spaces, an extra margin on each side. Store is much cleaner than Sams and is more organized. TVs come with a great warranty.....Costco will look after your problems.

Sam's is 15 minutes away, since it is closer we go there more often. Food items are actually better at Sam's, clothing is awful. Fixtures, cash registers, whole store looks grubby compared to Costco. Also have $5 huge chickens........both must be given steroids!

It's
interesting that you mention the food being better at Sam's but not being
pleased with the clothing.

When we
first started going to Sam's it was only
for the paper products, canned goods, dishwasher cleaning suds and stuff like
that. Never even considered buying meat there until one time while walking past
the meat cases I saw some steaks that were cut and trimmed the way I like them
so I got a package of 4 steaks. Mrs. j was kinda leery about that but I figured
how bad could they be. Turns out there was nothing wrong with them and now I
try to buy all my steaks there and Mrs. gets her chicken there too. And yes,
those roasted chickens are pretty good and are less at Sam's and not only do
they taste better than at the grocery store they are also bigger. So now when
we want a cooked bird that is the only place we get it.

 Now about
their clothes, I don't buy much of that at Sam's but about 5 years ago, while I
was still working, I passed by a nice gray shirt that had a pattern and the
material had a nice sheen to it, very different looking from the plain shirt
material that we all have. Even Mrs. j was surprised that Sam's had a shirt
like that. I think it was less that 20 bucks.

 Fast
forward to the first time I wore that shirt to work. Our group secretary,
excuse me they were called administrative assistants then, who was pretty
fashion conscious walked into the kitchen as I was getting my first cup of
coffee of the day and said, "hey jmonroe, did you wife dress you this
morning, that's a really nice looking shirt". I told her I dress myself
and I pick out my own clothes. Again she complimented me about the shirt and asked
where I got it. When I told her Sam's she thought I was kidding. Just then
several other admins walked into the kitchen and she said, "don't you
think that's a nice shirt jmonroe has on? Too bad his pants aren't as
nice". For the record there was nothing wrong with my black pants. She
then grabs me around the waste and starts turning me around saying, "look
how nice it fits him". Then she asks the other admins to come over and
feel how nice the material was. I put a stop to that right quick saying, "HEY, KNOCK IT OFF. I AIN'T NO MANIKIN, YOU KNOW".

 If something
like that happened today I could have turned them in for sexual harassment.

jmonroe 

Well, it is not too late. Some sexual harassment cases are being won on things that happened 30/40 years ago. This could be your retirement and you won't have to look for part time work like oldfarmer.

That's not a bad idea. I might play that ace if I ever decide to work for Enterprise or Hertz and they relegate me to driving only Chevy's, Fords, throw-a-ways and wamnnabe's.

Thanks.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

houdini1 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

Our Costco is 25 minutes away, we get there early......get a $5 huge chicken and other necessities and be out in 30 minutes. They have the best parking spaces, an extra margin on each side. Store is much cleaner than Sams and is more organized. TVs come with a great warranty.....Costco will look after your problems.

Sam's is 15 minutes away, since it is closer we go there more often. Food items are actually better at Sam's, clothing is awful. Fixtures, cash registers, whole store looks grubby compared to Costco. Also have $5 huge chickens........both must be given steroids!

It's
interesting that you mention the food being better at Sam's but not being
pleased with the clothing.

When we
first started going to Sam's it was only
for the paper products, canned goods, dishwasher cleaning suds and stuff like
that. Never even considered buying meat there until one time while walking past
the meat cases I saw some steaks that were cut and trimmed the way I like them
so I got a package of 4 steaks. Mrs. j was kinda leery about that but I figured
how bad could they be. Turns out there was nothing wrong with them and now I
try to buy all my steaks there and Mrs. gets her chicken there too. And yes,
those roasted chickens are pretty good and are less at Sam's and not only do
they taste better than at the grocery store they are also bigger. So now when
we want a cooked bird that is the only place we get it.

 Now about
their clothes, I don't buy much of that at Sam's but about 5 years ago, while I
was still working, I passed by a nice gray shirt that had a pattern and the
material had a nice sheen to it, very different looking from the plain shirt
material that we all have. Even Mrs. j was surprised that Sam's had a shirt
like that. I think it was less that 20 bucks.

 Fast
forward to the first time I wore that shirt to work. Our group secretary,
excuse me they were called administrative assistants then, who was pretty
fashion conscious walked into the kitchen as I was getting my first cup of
coffee of the day and said, "hey jmonroe, did you wife dress you this
morning, that's a really nice looking shirt". I told her I dress myself
and I pick out my own clothes. Again she complimented me about the shirt and asked
where I got it. When I told her Sam's she thought I was kidding. Just then
several other admins walked into the kitchen and she said, "don't you
think that's a nice shirt jmonroe has on? Too bad his pants aren't as
nice". For the record there was nothing wrong with my black pants. She
then grabs me around the waste and starts turning me around saying, "look
how nice it fits him". Then she asks the other admins to come over and
feel how nice the material was. I put a stop to that right quick saying, "HEY, KNOCK IT OFF. I AIN'T NO MANIKIN, YOU KNOW".

 If something
like that happened today I could have turned them in for sexual harassment.

jmonroe 

Well, it is not too late. Some sexual harassment cases are being won on things that happened 30/40 years ago. This could be your retirement and you won't have to look for part time work like oldfarmer.

Yeah but one look at his Sam's Club hoochie pants and they'll claim he was asking for it.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 said:

houdini1 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

Our Costco is 25 minutes away, we get there early......get a $5 huge chicken and other necessities and be out in 30 minutes. They have the best parking spaces, an extra margin on each side. Store is much cleaner than Sams and is more organized. TVs come with a great warranty.....Costco will look after your problems.

Sam's is 15 minutes away, since it is closer we go there more often. Food items are actually better at Sam's, clothing is awful. Fixtures, cash registers, whole store looks grubby compared to Costco. Also have $5 huge chickens........both must be given steroids!

It's
interesting that you mention the food being better at Sam's but not being
pleased with the clothing.

When we
first started going to Sam's it was only
for the paper products, canned goods, dishwasher cleaning suds and stuff like
that. Never even considered buying meat there until one time while walking past
the meat cases I saw some steaks that were cut and trimmed the way I like them
so I got a package of 4 steaks. Mrs. j was kinda leery about that but I figured
how bad could they be. Turns out there was nothing wrong with them and now I
try to buy all my steaks there and Mrs. gets her chicken there too. And yes,
those roasted chickens are pretty good and are less at Sam's and not only do
they taste better than at the grocery store they are also bigger. So now when
we want a cooked bird that is the only place we get it.

 Now about
their clothes, I don't buy much of that at Sam's but about 5 years ago, while I
was still working, I passed by a nice gray shirt that had a pattern and the
material had a nice sheen to it, very different looking from the plain shirt
material that we all have. Even Mrs. j was surprised that Sam's had a shirt
like that. I think it was less that 20 bucks.

 Fast
forward to the first time I wore that shirt to work. Our group secretary,
excuse me they were called administrative assistants then, who was pretty
fashion conscious walked into the kitchen as I was getting my first cup of
coffee of the day and said, "hey jmonroe, did you wife dress you this
morning, that's a really nice looking shirt". I told her I dress myself
and I pick out my own clothes. Again she complimented me about the shirt and asked
where I got it. When I told her Sam's she thought I was kidding. Just then
several other admins walked into the kitchen and she said, "don't you
think that's a nice shirt jmonroe has on? Too bad his pants aren't as
nice". For the record there was nothing wrong with my black pants. She
then grabs me around the waste and starts turning me around saying, "look
how nice it fits him". Then she asks the other admins to come over and
feel how nice the material was. I put a stop to that right quick saying, "HEY, KNOCK IT OFF. I AIN'T NO MANIKIN, YOU KNOW".

 If something
like that happened today I could have turned them in for sexual harassment.

jmonroe 

Well, it is not too late. Some sexual harassment cases are being won on things that happened 30/40 years ago. This could be your retirement and you won't have to look for part time work like oldfarmer.

Yeah but one look at his Sam's Club hoochie pants and they'll claim he was asking for it.


Hey, it was my shirt not my pants. If they were touching my pants I'd have filed harassment charges right way, with a smile on my face.

jmonroe

jmonroe

qbrozen said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

explorerx4 said:

They are still trying to sell this place, about 2 miles from me.
I think it's just cursed. Was originally built for a nefarious individual.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/see-inside-50-cents-massive-mansion-he-forgot-he-owned/ar-AAvdfuq?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=DELLDHP

Who wants to live in a house built to imitate a Disney cruise ship?

Hmmm...I wonder how many cars you could jam in there?

The indoor basketball court could be put to good use as a garage.

Spoken like a true multi-multi car owner. However, you can't get very much meaningful exercise driving and parking cars.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

fintail

Must be a 1985 Delorean BTTF conversion, no Mr Fusion or vacuum tubes and wide whites.

Keeping a ~95 Crown Vic on the road in the NE in what looks like solid condition impresses me more than the Lambo.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

I give up on the first one, Crown Vic or Grand Marquis? Unless you're talking about that little green one.

On the second, do people still think it's cool to do the flux capacitor thing to DeLorens? Guy at work had one unmolested and I thought it looked better.

tjc78

It’s a Vic.  95-97 impossible to tell from the picture exact year.  

Last years of the Vic and Marquis having different roof lines. In 98 they became the same straight on through until 2011.  

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

Must be a 1985 Delorean BTTF conversion, no Mr Fusion or vacuum tubes and wide whites.

Keeping a ~95 Crown Vic on the road in the NE in what looks like solid condition impresses me more than the Lambo.

I see many Grand Marquis of that late 90s vintage in upstate NY. Not so many Crown Vics. They seem to rust slower than other cars. Maybe it just seems so because the owners don't drive in bad weather.

oldfarmer50

I just watched a segment on PBS Motor Week which was talking about a device that police would plug into your cell phone after an accident to determine if the device was being used at the time. It would only reveal use not content thus muting concern over privacy.

While it seems like a great idea I wonder about the 4th amendment implications and wouldn't police still need a warrant?

I'd like to hear opinions on this.

qbrozen

Did they say if this device could somehow determine if you were using it hands-free at the time? I have wondered about this before. I use siri to compose texts for me while driving all the time. So do they just claim I was using my phone and therefore at fault?

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Did they say if this device could somehow determine if you were using it hands-free at the time? I have wondered about this before. I use siri to compose texts for me while driving all the time. So do they just claim I was using my phone and therefore at fault?

That's an excellent point. I never thought of that. I suppose if you could demonstrate legal hands free use you couldn't be held criminally liable but what about civil suits?

Q, how is the job hunt coming? If you apply to Enterprise mention that I sent you and I'll get a $500 bird dog since you'd probably go in as an executive.

I have to talk to Sandy about that too but at his and my level it's only worth $100.

imidazol97

What a way to go when it's time! I'd switch out the Lincoln at the head of the parade for
a Cadillac.

Pontiac procession to cemetery for Pontiac Car Club member.
It's a facebook video and an obnoxious facebook sign in will pop up with a "Not now" choice at the
bottom to bypass it. I hate facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pontiac462/videos/10155287120733603/

I couldn't figure a way to get the video into a form like a youtube where it shows the beginning
on the post as a video and is a link ready to be played... Maybe someone knows how. I got it into
an mp4 but that couldn't be uploaded to Edmunds.

https://www.facebook.com/pontiac462/videos/10155287120733603/

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

Did they say if this device could somehow determine if you were using it hands-free at the time? I have wondered about this before. I use siri to compose texts for me while driving all the time. So do they just claim I was using my phone and therefore at fault?

That's an excellent point. I never thought of that. I suppose if you could demonstrate legal hands free use you couldn't be held criminally liable but what about civil suits? Q, how is the job hunt coming? If you apply to Enterprise mention that I sent you and I'll get a $500 bird dog since you'd probably go in as an executive. I have to talk to Sandy about that too but at his and my level it's only worth $100.

I'll keep that in mind. Haha.

It feels like slow going. People take forever to respond. I have one who wants me to come in but we can't seem to successfully schedule it. It is 4 hours away and there are several people they want me to meet, so I guess it is a challenge to make sure all are there the same day. The job would entail working from home, so that is obviously a HUGE perk. At the same time, I can't help but feel I could be missing an opportunity to change careers. Anyway, thanks for asking.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

I just watched a segment on PBS Motor Week which was talking about a device that police would plug into your cell phone after an accident to determine if the device was being used at the time. It would only reveal use not content thus muting concern over privacy.

While it seems like a great idea I wonder about the 4th amendment implications and wouldn't police still need a warrant?.

I saw that. The purveyor of the device just pictures the policeman plugging it into the power connection on your phone while you are "allowed" to still hold your phone, therefore they claim there's no violation of rights? LOL

The push for the device came from a father whose son was killed by a driver who, after months of trying to get phone logs, was allegedly on his phone on or about the time of the incident.

tjc78

@qbrozen
Our HR dept moves at a slow pace for new hires as well.  I was very, very frustrated with them on my last candidate.   They eventually sealed the deal but it was the equivalent of a day long car purchase. 

(That lasted 2 weeks)

venture

Has anyone (fintail, isell, or 28firefighter) been to, or heard anything about, the AmazonGo store in Seattle?

isellhondas

I think I may have skimmed an article about that awhile back but that's it. Why not Google AmazonGo and see if anything shows up? Amazon is out to take over the world I'm afraid and I have to admit to being part of the problem!

bwia

Here is Bloomberg's first impressions on AmazonGo. Only 85 to 100 people are admitted at a time and they also sell beer and wine which requires staff intervention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsVBxHrkhww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlXZxRwK-S8

Mr_Shiftright

It's kinda funny. The front end is all high tech, but in the back they are making sandwiches about the same way they've been doing it for hundreds of years.

28firefighter

venture said:

Has anyone (fintail, isell, or 28firefighter) been to, or heard anything about, the AmazonGo store in Seattle?

Tried to go the other day. The no-line convenient store had a line around the block. Went to Whole Foods instead. 

fintail

I live in Bellevue - it takes something very special to get me to drive to the city. Interesting concept, but I think the traditional model still has a long time remaining.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

It's kinda funny. The front end is all high tech, but in the back they are making sandwiches about the same way they've been doing it for hundreds of years.

A sandwich just doesn't taste the same....when it is made by a robot............
https://youtu.be/DTaeWITW1kI

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

venture said:

Has anyone (fintail, isell, or 28firefighter) been to, or heard anything about, the AmazonGo store in Seattle?

Tried to go the other day. The no-line convenient store had a line around the block. Went to Whole Foods instead. 

I get a kick at how people mob these trendy places. Almost as if standing in a long line makes the food taste better. When Krispy Kream donuts built a local store they had to call in the police to direct traffic. Same when Sonic opened up a store. Chick-Fil-A is opening after the TSA barrier at the airport so you'll have to buy a ticket to eat there. Wonder how many hip people will be flying the world to get a sandwich and fries?

I don't like crowds or sheep so I only go to places like that months later.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

It's kinda funny. The front end is all high tech, but in the back they are making sandwiches about the same way they've been doing it for hundreds of years.

A sandwich just doesn't taste the same....when it is made by a robot............
https://youtu.be/DTaeWITW1kI

You may have something there. A semi-famous local hot dog shop use to let you order a "hairy arm" load of dogs. People swore it added something to the taste.



I bet there's a dozen regulations against that today but I don't ever remember anyone getting sick.

fintail

The Chik-Fil-A in my town often still has lines nearly 2 years after it opened. A big issue is that the city allowed it to be built at one of the most busy intersections in town, with little parking and not much room for drive-thru backups. Poor planning to the point where one has to wonder if there were greased palms.

tjc78

oldfarmer50 said:

It's kinda funny. The front end is all high tech, but in the back they are making sandwiches about the same way they've been doing it for hundreds of years.

A sandwich just doesn't taste the same....when it is made by a robot............ https://youtu.be/DTaeWITW1kI

You may have something there. A semi-famous local hot dog shop use to let you order a "hairy arm" load of dogs. People swore it added something to the taste. I bet there's a dozen regulations against that today but I don't ever remember anyone getting sick.

That place is still in business and they still do the dogs up the arm thing.  It’s been on Food network and Travel channel.  

explorerx4

Just got back from test driving an MKZ. It was nicely equipped, AWD, Moonroof, NAV, heated steering wheel and seats(front and rear), plus 1 wheels.
Just owe too much on my Fusion to make it work. I'm in the upside down group of people with car loans. It's purely psychological.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

It's kinda funny. The front end is all high tech, but in the back they are making sandwiches about the same way they've been doing it for hundreds of years.

A sandwich just doesn't taste the same....when it is made by a robot............
https://youtu.be/DTaeWITW1kI

You may have something there. A semi-famous local hot dog shop use to let you order a "hairy arm" load of dogs. People swore it added something to the taste.



I bet there's a dozen regulations against that today but I don't ever remember anyone getting sick.

I don't want to see how he flattens the hamburger patties!

venture

isellhondas said:

I think I may have skimmed an article about that awhile back but that's it. Why not Google AmazonGo and see if anything shows up? Amazon is out to take over the world I'm afraid and I have to admit to being part of the problem!

I read an article about it, but was wondering if anyone here has tried it yet.

explorerx4

The grocery store I go to and the local Home Depot have self checkout stations.

venture

fintail said:

I live in Bellevue - it takes something very special to get me to drive to the city. Interesting concept, but I think the traditional model still has a long time remaining.

I agree.

I told my wife, about a year ago, that eventually you will just go to a store and walk out with your purchases. You would have everything taken out of an account or billed; whichever way you have it set up. She said I was nuts. That is probably true, but it's coming.

It's interesting that they use cameras to watch everything. My fantasy was that a scanner would scan you as you left the store and be able to pick up a chip on everything you have. It would be able to cancel that chip so if you went back into the store with those items it wouldn't be able to scan them again thereby not charging you twice.

isellhondas

fintail said:

I live in Bellevue - it takes something very special to get me to drive to the city. Interesting concept, but I think the traditional model still has a long time remaining.

I HATE driving into Seattle and trips are few and far between for that reason. I will say Seattle has a great in inexpensive bus system that works fine for us! Bellevue is bad enough now!

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Just got back from test driving an MKZ. It was nicely equipped, AWD, Moonroof, NAV, heated steering wheel and seats(front and rear), plus 1 wheels.
Just owe too much on my Fusion to make it work. I'm in the upside down group of people with car loans. It's purely psychological.

How'd you get upside down? Unexpected breakdown, unexpected accident or unexpected hot pants.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer50,
Unexpected mid size sedan market value collapse.

fintail

I think it's been at least a year since went into Seattle and didn't venure off I5. Just not much there that I can't get here.

Seattle transit looks OK until you get out of the city proper or compare it to Vancouver (or sometimes even Portland), then it looks a generation behind - which it is.

isellhondas said:

I HATE driving into Seattle and trips are few and far between for that reason. I will say Seattle has a great in inexpensive bus system that works fine for us! Bellevue is bad enough now!

fintail

I'd imagine RFID tech could do a lot of that already, not sure about the cancel part though. Something will have to evolve past self-service scanners, as many people don't want to use them and probably just as many others simply can't figure them out.

I heard a joke, something along the lines of "WalMart has just reported it is closing 1800 stores. 28 cashiers will be out of a job"

At least the Amazon model is placing those people in other roles, at least for now. There's a huge issue on the horizon regarding employment.

venture said:

I agree.

I told my wife, about a year ago, that eventually you will just go to a store and walk out with your purchases. You would have everything taken out of an account or billed; whichever way you have it set up. She said I was nuts. That is probably true, but it's coming.

It's interesting that they use cameras to watch everything. My fantasy was that a scanner would scan you as you left the store and be able to pick up a chip on everything you have. It would be able to cancel that chip so if you went back into the store with those items it wouldn't be able to scan them again thereby not charging you twice.

jmonroe

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
Unexpected mid size sedan market value collapse.

Man, am I sorry I read your post. I'll bet my full size wannabe ain't doing too good either. I guess if you don't have a crossover today you're stuck.

FWIW, even though it's Winter and I try to leave the Genny in the garage, since it wasn't a bad day today here in the Burgh, I decided to take it to watch Grandson #3 play hockey. As I'm driving down the PA Pike a few exits, I just happened to glance at the odometer as it turned 6666 miles. It will be 3 years old come June and has never seen a snowflake or a grain of salt. I hope those pluses save me a little.

jmonroe

driver100

venture said:

fintail said:

I live in Bellevue - it takes something very special to get me to drive to the city. Interesting concept, but I think the traditional model still has a long time remaining.

My fantasy was that a scanner would scan you as you left the store and be able to pick up a chip on everything you have. It would be able to cancel that chip so if you went back into the store with those items it wouldn't be able to scan them again thereby not charging you twice.

That kind of technology is ready to roll too...you will see it soon. Amazon likes to be first and a little different. I think the chip and a scanner will actually work better. Put everything in your cart, on your way out go through a scanner....get your bill.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

Just got back from test driving an MKZ. It was nicely equipped, AWD, Moonroof, NAV, heated steering wheel and seats(front and rear), plus 1 wheels.
Just owe too much on my Fusion to make it work. I'm in the upside down group of people with car loans. It's purely psychological.

How'd you get upside down? Unexpected breakdown, unexpected accident or unexpected hot pants.

I just saw an ad for a new car dealership...may have been Ford....they said see us if you can't get credit or if you are upside down on car payments....we can fix you up.

stickguy

JM, at that pace, and with the Hyundai warranty, just keep it for the 10 years and see if you even care at that point!

jmonroe

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

Just got back from test driving an MKZ. It was nicely equipped, AWD, Moonroof, NAV, heated steering wheel and seats(front and rear), plus 1 wheels.
Just owe too much on my Fusion to make it work. I'm in the upside down group of people with car loans. It's purely psychological.

How'd you get upside down? Unexpected breakdown, unexpected accident or unexpected hot pants.

I just saw an ad for a new car dealership...may have been Ford....they said see us if you can't get credit or if you are upside down on car payments....we can fix you up.

For an interest rate of 27% or more, I can fix them up too.

jmonroe

driver100

I know sedans are out of favor but I don't want to drive an SUV or crossover....a vehicle without a trunk. I like the dynamics of a car.....the feel of a car, the lower center of gravity of a car, no windshield washer fluid sloshing around sounds. Generally, I like the look of a car more too.

stickguy

no clue what my new car did in value. But when you pay less than 19K to start with, you just don't have as much room to fall! But I am either keeping it for the duration, so depreciation won't matter, or I pass it along to the kid for a "family plan" price (and she will keep it a long time).

If I do flip it, whatever replaces it should also be a long term buy and hold option (or lease to buy, same thing, different way to go about it).