Funny, my wife, the CPA, controls the check book(s)
For the first almost 14 years of marriage I took care of the checkbook and finances. Then a few months ago I just got tired of the wife asking the same questions about our finances over and over again. So I turned those responsibilities over to her, I am a lot happier now.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
My wife has always handled those responsibilities because she is much better at it than I am. She pours over all those receipts and bills with a fine tooth comb, and if something unusual catches her eye we discuss it until we can figure it out, etc. Believe me, she catches everything.
Me? I would just pay the bill and hope for the best !
My wife simply loves it, and everyone who has been in it thinks its a really nice car. So now I have been delegated to the Sebring (hey its a ragtop so I will not be complaining in a couple of months). Car is riding good and last night I topped of the tank and reset one of the trip odometers as well as the MPG readout. Today me and the wife ran some errands in suburban Chicago traffic (non rush hour) and according to the trip odometer we went about 54 miles and the MPG readout was 27.8 MPG as I pulled into the garage. When I top it off again I will calculate the MPG and compare to the cars computer.
The salesman also gave a a nice Hyundai key ring, one with two rings that can separate. So I put the key on one and the fob on the other. This way I solved the locking your keys in the car issue talked about earlier. If I leave the car with the keys in it I can just separate the key ring and take the fob with me. To bad that won't work with the Sebring as the fob is the key.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
My wife has always handled those responsibilities because she is much better at it than I am.
That's a gene thing.
Believe me, she catches everything.
Same here and because we use the credit card for everything you otta hear her when she goes line for line through the countless entries and she finds where I didn't put the receipt for getting gas and other things that I forget to put in the shoe box that is set up for those receipts.
Me? I would just pay the bill and hope for the best !
That doesn't work in our house. I've tried that by saying, "I drive a gas hog so if you notice that's what's missing believe the statement and that goes for the auto parts store too and anything else that you think I'm responsible for". No soap, she wants the receipt. :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
We just check out the dining room furniture to assure to to Mrs jmonroe's liking and we send it up to the Burgh. We can put the old furniture in the Florida place.
I tell you this is developing into a plan. A bad plan perhaps but a plan nonetheless....
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I upped a woman out o the lot a couple weeks ago. She had an 05 ODY and wanted to get an '11 of the same trim level she had now. She made it clear that it was her decision to purchase and we had her vehilce appraised. She was disappointed in the figure and stayed in touch over for about a week over email. In her last email, she mentioned that she was bringing her husband out to drive the '11 and work out all the details. I never heard from her again......
Yesterday I get a note from my Toyota manager that he had a deal worked out for this customer....
The husband called a guy that had previously worked here and now had a used car lot in a large town nearby. This gentleman acted as a broker for the couple and worked out a deal for them with my toyota manager......for a honda ody......
I called the customer to cement a delivery time....they had no clue a deal had been reached or what the numbers were. We have already bought the vehicle from a different dealer and have it detailed.
This broker guy is trading their van for 500 under what we quoted her as a trade in value, then buying it from us wholesale to sell for himself!!!!! They had no clue.
so if you here reports of a moth infestation near Philly, that is likely why.
No, not a car (not in the budget) but ordered my PC. Not in the budget either, but I have been pushing my luck for a while with the old one. And heck, can't get much of a car for $900, tax included!
went with the Dell (really prefer the brand). XPS 7100. 6 core (mores cores is mo better, right?), 1 TB HD, bluetooth, MS office, 6 GB ram. To the door, tax included (dang, why is a mail order place charging tax now?) for ~ $900. Ouch.
could have gotten something more basic for a few hunderd less, but why don't like HP in this house (it's personal!), and I always tend to overbuy, "just in case".
in car terms, I am going from a 1988 K Car with 250K on it to a new 5 series BMW.
just have to wait a couple weeks for delivery, then figure out how to get what I need from the old one onto the new one!
Because they have a physical retail space in state. As soon as LL Bean opened their Marlton store they started charging sales tax in NJ. Grrrrrrr... Fortunately more often than not when I'm ordering from Bean it's clothing which is non-taxable here. Somehow that wouldn't work with Dell...
What do you mean you can't get a new car? I can't hold out on your Accord forever you know!
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
you want the accord, make an offer I can't refuse. I have a bike, and can always confiscate my Son's TL. Let him walk. oh wait, he has a bike too!
actually, it gives me a valid excuse to start car hunting. Not that I should be doing it now, so you may have to wait.
and when did Dell open a retail store? I know that is what makes them have to collect taxes, but I thought they didn't have a physical presence, and were just taking the taxes out to be mean to me.
I believe it's not just a store, which they are/were opening. It could also be offices. Since they have been going after the corporate market, they probably have at least a few sales offices.
I like Dell's. I think you made a good decision. The XPS's are usually a general 'step up', their mid-level models. Not the top-level 'gamer' model. It should do everything you want to do for several years.
I think Dell may now collect sales tax in all states with a law that it is collectable. You probably should not have to pay any local, county, etc percentages, but the state wide percent will be collected.
Most states' laws are written that even if an out-of-state seller does not collect sales tax, you as the buyer are supposed to pay to the state their sales tax, or sometimes called excise tax. Oklahoma, for the last few years, has taken a new dodge at this - on your state tax return you indicate if you buy anything out of state. If yes, they add a small percent of your taxable income to cover this tax. Since I usually do buy quite a bit of stuff online out of state, I pay this tax, which is usually only $20 or so. In case of a state audit, this is something they can't get me for.
This broker guy is trading their van for 500 under what we quoted her as a trade in value, then buying it from us wholesale to sell for himself!!!!! They had no clue.
Just curious, but why didn't the broker just buy the van directly from the couple and do a cash deal with you ??
Oklahoma, for the last few years, has taken a new dodge at this - on your state tax return you indicate if you buy anything out of state. If yes, they add a small percent of your taxable income to cover this tax. Since I usually do buy quite a bit of stuff online out of state, I pay this tax, which is usually only $20 or so. In case of a state audit, this is something they can't get me for.
The most important part of this is the part where you sign the return - in MA they do the same thing and there is the standard boilerplate about under perjury of law, yada yada yada. By signing the return and not down your out of state purchases opens you up to tax evasion charges.
As for Dell charging sales tax, it may be because of their relationship with Best Buy. IIRC, you can buy directly from Dell through a kiosk in the store so technically, Dell has a presence in your state. Also, Dell recently bought Perot Systems so again they may have a presence in your state.
This broker is a close friend of the toyota manager that works here.....if he was such a close friend, why did he shop us against 4 dealers to a mini-deal and screw the client on tradein value????
So do I. I took over the checkbook and the bill paying about a year after we were married. I discovered that my wife wasn't balancing the bank statement each month or subtracting in the checkbook. I nearly had a stroke. When I asked her why we hadn't overdrawn the account at some point, she told me that she just called the bank if she was in doubt about not having enough money. For a detail person like myself, this was shocking news. I discovered later that we had overdrawn several times that year. The bank just covered it until she made a new deposit. Why? Her father was on the bank's board of directors. Poor child. My wife lived in a rose colored world until we moved away from her home town a year later. She's wised up over the years, but still doesn't wish to be in charge of the house finances. She hasn't written a check in years.
She does bring me the receipts for all purchases. She uses her ATM and debit card. I go over each bill with a fine tooth comb before I pay it. At tax time, my CPA says that I'm his most organized client. It's just my way of doing things. In a marriage, each person should be in charge of what he/she does best.
(Jip with bullhorn in hand): "Kirstie, I know you're out there! Come out with your hands on the keyboard. I know you've "cheated" on us with the "Real World Trade-In Values" discussion."
I got the Escape... sales story will come on Monday, because I've got a pretty busy weekend. I totally appreciate all of the advice and comments, as they helped affirm my decision that (based on the vehicles available for sale at this time in my area) I picked the right vehicle for me.
But, tell your story first here, at "Stories ect ect", and all will be forgiven.
Years ago, I worked with a guy who towed his VW Bug with the transmission shifted into drive. When he got to his destination, the innards of his transmission had turned into a thick oily metallic porridge.
In a marriage, each person should be in charge of what he/she does best.
That's a great rule. And since I am not too good at most things my wife has to do them. Bank books and electronic banking are all hers, she does a great job of it. As long as I get my allowance each week I don't care.
Aha! I had just dropped in here to tell my story and saw your message.
So, after comparing asking prices of various vehicles on-line (autotrader, local classifieds, craigslist, etc.), I headed out (in spurts) to test drive a few vehicles. Drove a Jeep Liberty - it just didn't fit me right, too gas-thirsty, no room in the rear for cargo (or a dog), and couldn't find one that had much in they way of amenities for a decent price. Scratch. Several other nice vehicles later (Murano, CRV), and I'd pretty much decided that an Escape was going to be my best bet for staying in my price range, staying under 100K miles, and still getting leather, 4wd, and power options.
I had a private-party 2003 with 80K miles priced at $7900 and the dealer 2002 with 93K miles priced at $7995. Private party one was black, but had cloth interior and the seller made a big deal about the $2000 audio system he'd installed. Since I am not 25 years old, that didn't appeal to me. Went up to look at the yellow on the dealer's lot instead.
It was as spotless as pictured - pleased. Took it for a test drive - pleased, though there was a lot of road noise, which after awhile, we figured out was coming from the tires. Had it looked at, nothing glaring wrong with it.
While I was tooling around the lot looking at some of the other vehicles and having a think, a lady & her daughter came to test drive it. I don't really think they were serious about it, at least the mother wasn't - the daughter liked it because of the color.
Anyway... I decided that this vehicle was by far the closest I was going to come to meeting ALL of my criteria, at least within the near future and choice among available vehicles in my area, so I think I got the best vehicle $7K can buy.
I thought it was a BHPH lot, but turns out it's just a guy & his wife who've owned & operated this place for 30 years - no financing there. I chatted with the guy a bit while my paperwork was being prepped (on a typewriter!) by his wife. Seemed like a decent guy, and I didn't feel like beating them down on price. Just not my thing. Turns out he likes to buy vehicles of unusual exterior color - he had a purple Jeep and a green Focus (sold) on the lot. Said that sometimes he got burned (pointed to an orangish Focus as an example), but that often he'd end up selling them to people from other states who were looking for *just* that color.
$50 "incidentals fee" listed on the website was just his "doc" fee, really. No other add-on fees.
Very happy with it at this point. I love that it drives like a FWD car when it's not in 4x4 mode. I love that I have no car payment.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
My 2007 Escape seems to have more rear noise than say my Avalon, but that is expected. Mine (probably yours also) has Independent Rear Suspension. That's a feature I like for traction and stability although it may add to the noise factor. You did see My Cousin Vinny where the Tempest with IRS went over the curb with black marks continuously, right?
I got carried away with the Yellow theme in my replies. Although it was just another color, it became my focal point as that's the only color I've never had and would like to give it a whirl. Good luck with the new to you Ford.
Very happy with it at this point. I love that it drives like a FWD car when it's not in 4x4 mode. I love that I have no car payment.
I was getting to ask about you getting your car but ‘jip’ beat me to it.
Hope you get many trouble free enjoyable miles out of you new machine and you’re right about the no payments thing. Fortunately I’ve been able to pull that off for a while now. So, welcome to the world of “there is such a thing as no car payments”. You won’t want to go back now.
Enjoy,
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Yeah, I'm OK with the overall noise, as I knew it would be somewhere between the quietness of my G35 and the noisiness of the '98 Chevy 1500. There is, however, a lot of noise that's clearly caused by the tires, which several have mentioned (Continentals) aren't that great to start with. I hate to change them out because they've still got a good 50% tread left in them, but I think it'll make a difference.
Already changed out the stock stereo. I'm a music lover, and that one just had to go.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
I was paying $400/month before (paying more to turn my 5-yr loan into a 4-yr loan), and after my car was totaled, I've been stashing away that amount in my "new car" fund, and plan to continue doing so.
I figure that even if I only keep this car for a year and then sell it (NOT the plan, btw), I'll have whatever I get out of it plus $5K toward another vehicle. The longer I keep it, the less the next car costs me & the more "next car" I can get.
The difficult part was using restraint in sticking to under $11K. There's always a better vehicle just slightly above your price range, isn't there? I could've gone to a $35K car and had payments, but this feels like a much better move.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
The longer I keep it, the less the next car costs me & the more "next car" I can get.
That’s the way to look at it and that’s the way we did it. Kept saving as if we had a car payment which got a little easier with each pay increase but we had to fight off the urge to get a new car just because we could easily afford the payments. Trying to look ahead to our goal of no payments and being able to do the normal types of repairs, as the car got older (alternator, brakes, radiator, water pump etc.), myself helped a lot. Once you pull it off the first time you know how to keep doing it.
Now that I don’t have kids to feed, clothe and educate it’s even easier.
All that’s needed is a plan and blinders so that you can stick to it.
In the end it's worthwhile but it won't feed this forum.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
You did the whole process in such great style: 1. The yellow looks great on an Escape. 2. You avoided a car payment---best step toward the future. 3. You supported a trusted "Mom & Pop" local business. 4. Your insurance and operating costs will remain low. 5. You did your research and looked at several nice options. 6. Finally, you also feel good about the purchase.
Turns out he likes to buy vehicles of unusual exterior color - he had a purple Jeep and a green Focus
Sounds like your dealer has found a niche market....gets good clean cars that the dealers don't want because of the odd colors.
Like I said, I like that yellow color and it looks good on Escapes. I also like it on Audis, Mustangs, Corvettes and many more cars. It isn't just dull silver grey like all the other cars. When my wife was considering an Audi she wanted it in that color. They only put it on the $80,000 R model but they would put it on a standard Audi for $4000, so you got a bargain.
I also like Escapes because they are nice and square...not like a Murano or Rogue.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy payment free driving!
"As long as i get my allowance each week I don't care."
LOL! I tried that with my wife, but she kept coming back for an "advance" on next week's allowance. I finally told her to buy what she needed and try not to shock me too badly. She's been pretty good over the years. Before she buys a large item, we do discuss it. I was a little shocked last month. She spent $86 at the hair dresser one afternoon. When I saw her, I realized why. She got a shorter, more trendy haircut with blonde streaks in it. It took ten years off her age. My sister and niece just raved about it. It does look good. I just sucked it up and subtracted the debit.
I feel your pain, we had a similar situation with my mother-in-law...needed full time care in a alzheimer's unit. About $6 k/month...luckily she had the assets to pay her way. Ended up dying there after 1 & 1/2 years...sad. But it feel on me since my wife couldn't face it after awhile, so she wrote the checks but I was the one to constantly stop by to make sure she was o k. Since they treated me better than my own folks did, I went happily & felt that I owed it to my father-in-law to make sure she was taken care of.
It does take a toll on family members though & can't imagine if there was no $ left to pay for it. Sad situation all around.
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Ha ha... you would think that, and that's what I was hoping, but my FB friend Gary Lezak says it's coming on Thursday. I may have to go to the airport to pick up my S.O., who unwittingly drove the Crossfire there on Monday morning.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Thanks, Richard! I'm not a big fan of yellow in general, but I'm fine with this. Also, considering we're a "Mizzou" household, it's the official gameday vehicle now.
I went elsewhere for school, but my dad was a prof there til retirement, and my S.O. did go there. He's pushing for some black & gold accessories.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Sounds like your dealer has found a niche market....gets good clean cars that the dealers don't want because of the odd colors.
I get the feeling that he actually enjoys the people they attract.
While I was there, they got a call from some guy in KY wanting a car that was advertised for $11K... wanted to know if they'd take $7K. Problem was, he'd forgotten that he'd called twice before offering the same amount, and been turned down... or he hadn't caught on to the phenomenon of caller ID.
I mentioned the tire noise, and he said that yeah, he knew the tires were noisy and he could have put $500+ in new tires on it... but no one would pay $500 more for the vehicle because of it. He's probably right - if I had test-driven it with no tire noise, it wouldn't have occurred to me that $500 would be worth the new tires. It's interesting to talk to people like that, because it does give you an understanding of the cost vs. benefit of various aspects of the biz.
I'm sure I didn't get the absolute best, bottom-line deal I could make. But, we both walked away happy with the deal. That's good with me.
I *will* post photos, and was planning to today, but yesterday we drove through a local road construction area with lots of mud on the road, and I deliberately took a hard corner on it, just to see how it'd do - fine, of course, but now there's mud on the side.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
You got a deal, my oldest will be here also so y'all can have our bedroom. Wifey really wants to try a cruise, as we've never done one yet. Friends tell us how great they are. And now that she's in the thick of tax season, she'll need a nice vacation. I know my cane will be a problem, but I'll bite the bullet if needed. Time will tell.
Be prepared though as we live about 10 miles inland, Coral Springs to be exact, a nice bedroom community. Plenty of Floridians take cruises...it's just nice to get away. I'll keep ya posted!
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
While I was there, they got a call from some guy in KY wanting a car that was advertised for $11K... wanted to know if they'd take $7K. Problem was, he'd forgotten that he'd called twice before offering the same amount, and been turned down... or he hadn't caught on to the phenomenon of caller ID.
Sounds like the guy skipped a few chapters in my "Jipst Method..." book.
In all of this, if the customer didn't know what was going on behind the scenes, then they could just walk away from the deal the broker put together, if they didn't like any part of the deal.
I have a feeling that the husband knew all about the details. Whether he shared them with his wife should be in question.
I have many dealership friends. The sales person who has sold me two Acuras is part of a dealership group that has a Hyundai store in addition to the Acura store. Even though they are physically in two different locations, he took care of a deal for me when I bought my son a Hyundai several years ago.
The principal who owns the local BMW/Chevy/Chryco dealership group goes to my church and I see him almost every Sunday. I've had him "broker" deals for me, too.
I like dealing with people I know and trust (vs some sales person I have just met).
I think what you may be witnessing is sales on a "relationship" level. The deal is done between two people who know each other, have built a relationship, and that the customer has trust in.
I don't know all the details of the deal, but the husband probably knows and trusts the people he decided to deal with.
Hoo boy, you scared me there for a minute. You replied to a post from last month and I couldn't remember what kind of deal I had proposed. I thought that maybe the beer had done some talking for me and I had bought some old hooptie from you.
I was relieved to find out it was a proposal to house sit. LOL!
If your son is there you really don't need me hanging around while he has all his friends over for wild parties. That is unless he enjoys some old coot yelling at him to "quiet down" all the time.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
"...my S.O., who unwittingly drove the Crossfire there..."
First, congrats on the purchase of the Escape. After this winter I'm looking at AWD with a new appreciation.
I was wondering how your S.O. feels about his Crossfire after owning it a while. This was one of my "must have" cars when I was looking a few years ago. In the end I couldn't justify $40K for a car so I went with the Eclipse.
Now I see used Crossfires in the $12-15K range which spurs thoughts of cruising down the highway with my three strands of hair blowing in the wind.
Thank heavens for Chrysler's rapid depreciation.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Comments
Sure. HAve your wife write me a check. :surprise:
For the first almost 14 years of marriage I took care of the checkbook and finances. Then a few months ago I just got tired of the wife asking the same questions about our finances over and over again. So I turned those responsibilities over to her, I am a lot happier now.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Me? I would just pay the bill and hope for the best !
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The salesman also gave a a nice Hyundai key ring, one with two rings that can separate. So I put the key on one and the fob on the other. This way I solved the locking your keys in the car issue talked about earlier. If I leave the car with the keys in it I can just separate the key ring and take the fob with me. To bad that won't work with the Sebring as the fob is the key.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Wise guy eh but I deserved that since I set myself up for it. :mad:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
That's a gene thing.
Believe me, she catches everything.
Same here and because we use the credit card for everything you otta hear her when she goes line for line through the countless entries and she finds where I didn't put the receipt for getting gas and other things that I forget to put in the shoe box that is set up for those receipts.
Me? I would just pay the bill and hope for the best !
That doesn't work in our house. I've tried that by saying, "I drive a gas hog so if you notice that's what's missing believe the statement and that goes for the auto parts store too and anything else that you think I'm responsible for". No soap, she wants the receipt. :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Do I have to make another request for the deletion of a post? My dues are going to be out of sight pretty soon. :mad:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
We just check out the dining room furniture to assure to to Mrs jmonroe's liking and we send it up to the Burgh. We can put the old furniture in the Florida place.
I tell you this is developing into a plan. A bad plan perhaps but a plan nonetheless....
I upped a woman out o the lot a couple weeks ago. She had an 05 ODY and wanted to get an '11 of the same trim level she had now. She made it clear that it was her decision to purchase and we had her vehilce appraised. She was disappointed in the figure and stayed in touch over for about a week over email. In her last email, she mentioned that she was bringing her husband out to drive the '11 and work out all the details. I never heard from her again......
Yesterday I get a note from my Toyota manager that he had a deal worked out for this customer....
The husband called a guy that had previously worked here and now had a used car lot in a large town nearby. This gentleman acted as a broker for the couple and worked out a deal for them with my toyota manager......for a honda ody......
I called the customer to cement a delivery time....they had no clue a deal had been reached or what the numbers were. We have already bought the vehicle from a different dealer and have it detailed.
This broker guy is trading their van for 500 under what we quoted her as a trade in value, then buying it from us wholesale to sell for himself!!!!! They had no clue.
Im sorry folks, you bought a van.
No, not a car (not in the budget) but ordered my PC. Not in the budget either, but I have been pushing my luck for a while with the old one. And heck, can't get much of a car for $900, tax included!
went with the Dell (really prefer the brand). XPS 7100. 6 core (mores cores is mo better, right?), 1 TB HD, bluetooth, MS office, 6 GB ram. To the door, tax included (dang, why is a mail order place charging tax now?) for ~ $900. Ouch.
could have gotten something more basic for a few hunderd less, but why don't like HP in this house (it's personal!), and I always tend to overbuy, "just in case".
in car terms, I am going from a 1988 K Car with 250K on it to a new 5 series BMW.
just have to wait a couple weeks for delivery, then figure out how to get what I need from the old one onto the new one!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That's exactly what it is and I'm out.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Because they have a physical retail space in state. As soon as LL Bean opened their Marlton store they started charging sales tax in NJ. Grrrrrrr... Fortunately more often than not when I'm ordering from Bean it's clothing which is non-taxable here. Somehow that wouldn't work with Dell...
What do you mean you can't get a new car? I can't hold out on your Accord forever you know!
Has she ever yelled out "You went to Hooters"? Cause mine did once.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
There are exceptions to every rule. That's where I pay cash.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
That's exactly what it is and I'm out.
I think we have to ask Mrs. Jmonroe about that. :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
actually, it gives me a valid excuse to start car hunting. Not that I should be doing it now, so you may have to wait.
and when did Dell open a retail store? I know that is what makes them have to collect taxes, but I thought they didn't have a physical presence, and were just taking the taxes out to be mean to me.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I believe it's not just a store, which they are/were opening. It could also be offices. Since they have been going after the corporate market, they probably have at least a few sales offices.
I think Dell may now collect sales tax in all states with a law that it is collectable. You probably should not have to pay any local, county, etc percentages, but the state wide percent will be collected.
Most states' laws are written that even if an out-of-state seller does not collect sales tax, you as the buyer are supposed to pay to the state their sales tax, or sometimes called excise tax. Oklahoma, for the last few years, has taken a new dodge at this - on your state tax return you indicate if you buy anything out of state. If yes, they add a small percent of your taxable income to cover this tax. Since I usually do buy quite a bit of stuff online out of state, I pay this tax, which is usually only $20 or so. In case of a state audit, this is something they can't get me for.
Just curious, but why didn't the broker just buy the van directly from the couple and do a cash deal with you ??
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The most important part of this is the part where you sign the return - in MA they do the same thing and there is the standard boilerplate about under perjury of law, yada yada yada. By signing the return and not down your out of state purchases opens you up to tax evasion charges.
As for Dell charging sales tax, it may be because of their relationship with Best Buy. IIRC, you can buy directly from Dell through a kiosk in the store so technically, Dell has a presence in your state. Also, Dell recently bought Perot Systems so again they may have a presence in your state.
One reason is the tradein tax credit.
Let this be a lesson to customers.
So do I. I took over the checkbook and the bill paying about a year after we were married. I discovered that my wife wasn't balancing the bank statement each month or subtracting in the checkbook. I nearly had a stroke. When I asked her why we hadn't overdrawn the account at some point, she told me that she just called the bank if she was in doubt about not having enough money. For a detail person like myself, this was shocking news. I discovered later that we had overdrawn several times that year. The bank just covered it until she made a new deposit. Why? Her father was on the bank's board of directors. Poor child. My wife lived in a rose colored world until we moved away from her home town a year later. She's wised up over the years, but still doesn't wish to be in charge of the house finances. She hasn't written a check in years.
She does bring me the receipts for all purchases. She uses her ATM and debit card. I go over each bill with a fine tooth comb before I pay it. At tax time, my CPA says that I'm his most organized client. It's just my way of doing things. In a marriage, each person should be in charge of what he/she does best.
Richard
I agree and we have that all worked out.
I’ve said this before; "we have a 50/50 marriage...I make it and she spends it".
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I got the Escape... sales story will come on Monday, because I've got a pretty busy weekend. I totally appreciate all of the advice and comments, as they helped affirm my decision that (based on the vehicles available for sale at this time in my area) I picked the right vehicle for me.
But, tell your story first here, at "Stories ect ect", and all will be forgiven.
That's a great rule. And since I am not too good at most things my wife has to do them. Bank books and electronic banking are all hers, she does a great job of it.
As long as I get my allowance each week I don't care.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
So, after comparing asking prices of various vehicles on-line (autotrader, local classifieds, craigslist, etc.), I headed out (in spurts) to test drive a few vehicles. Drove a Jeep Liberty - it just didn't fit me right, too gas-thirsty, no room in the rear for cargo (or a dog), and couldn't find one that had much in they way of amenities for a decent price. Scratch.
Several other nice vehicles later (Murano, CRV), and I'd pretty much decided that an Escape was going to be my best bet for staying in my price range, staying under 100K miles, and still getting leather, 4wd, and power options.
I had a private-party 2003 with 80K miles priced at $7900 and the dealer 2002 with 93K miles priced at $7995. Private party one was black, but had cloth interior and the seller made a big deal about the $2000 audio system he'd installed. Since I am not 25 years old, that didn't appeal to me. Went up to look at the yellow on the dealer's lot instead.
It was as spotless as pictured - pleased. Took it for a test drive - pleased, though there was a lot of road noise, which after awhile, we figured out was coming from the tires. Had it looked at, nothing glaring wrong with it.
While I was tooling around the lot looking at some of the other vehicles and having a think, a lady & her daughter came to test drive it. I don't really think they were serious about it, at least the mother wasn't - the daughter liked it because of the color.
Anyway... I decided that this vehicle was by far the closest I was going to come to meeting ALL of my criteria, at least within the near future and choice among available vehicles in my area, so I think I got the best vehicle $7K can buy.
I thought it was a BHPH lot, but turns out it's just a guy & his wife who've owned & operated this place for 30 years - no financing there. I chatted with the guy a bit while my paperwork was being prepped (on a typewriter!) by his wife. Seemed like a decent guy, and I didn't feel like beating them down on price. Just not my thing. Turns out he likes to buy vehicles of unusual exterior color - he had a purple Jeep and a green Focus (sold) on the lot. Said that sometimes he got burned (pointed to an orangish Focus as an example), but that often he'd end up selling them to people from other states who were looking for *just* that color.
$50 "incidentals fee" listed on the website was just his "doc" fee, really. No other add-on fees.
Very happy with it at this point. I love that it drives like a FWD car when it's not in 4x4 mode. I love that I have no car payment.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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My 2007 Escape seems to have more rear noise than say my Avalon, but that is expected. Mine (probably yours also) has Independent Rear Suspension. That's a feature I like for traction and stability although it may add to the noise factor.
You did see My Cousin Vinny where the Tempest with IRS went over the curb with black marks continuously, right?
I got carried away with the Yellow theme in my replies. Although it was just another color, it became my focal point as that's the only color I've never had and would like to give it a whirl. Good luck with the new to you Ford.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
I was getting to ask about you getting your car but ‘jip’ beat me to it.
Hope you get many trouble free enjoyable miles out of you new machine and you’re right about the no payments thing. Fortunately I’ve been able to pull that off for a while now. So, welcome to the world of “there is such a thing as no car payments”. You won’t want to go back now.
Enjoy,
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Already changed out the stock stereo. I'm a music lover, and that one just had to go.
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I figure that even if I only keep this car for a year and then sell it (NOT the plan, btw), I'll have whatever I get out of it plus $5K toward another vehicle. The longer I keep it, the less the next car costs me & the more "next car" I can get.
The difficult part was using restraint in sticking to under $11K. There's always a better vehicle just slightly above your price range, isn't there? I could've gone to a $35K car and had payments, but this feels like a much better move.
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And thanks for buying a 4X4. You know what that means...no more snow !!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
That’s the way to look at it and that’s the way we did it. Kept saving as if we had a car payment which got a little easier with each pay increase but we had to fight off the urge to get a new car just because we could easily afford the payments. Trying to look ahead to our goal of no payments and being able to do the normal types of repairs, as the car got older (alternator, brakes, radiator, water pump etc.), myself helped a lot. Once you pull it off the first time you know how to keep doing it.
Now that I don’t have kids to feed, clothe and educate it’s even easier.
All that’s needed is a plan and blinders so that you can stick to it.
In the end it's worthwhile but it won't feed this forum.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
1. The yellow looks great on an Escape.
2. You avoided a car payment---best step toward the future.
3. You supported a trusted "Mom & Pop" local business.
4. Your insurance and operating costs will remain low.
5. You did your research and looked at several nice options.
6. Finally, you also feel good about the purchase.
Perfect job. Enjoy the drive and congratulations.
Richard
Sounds like your dealer has found a niche market....gets good clean cars that the dealers don't want because of the odd colors.
Like I said, I like that yellow color and it looks good on Escapes. I also like it on Audis, Mustangs, Corvettes and many more cars. It isn't just dull silver grey like all the other cars. When my wife was considering an Audi she wanted it in that color. They only put it on the $80,000 R model but they would put it on a standard Audi for $4000, so you got a bargain.
I also like Escapes because they are nice and square...not like a Murano or Rogue.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy payment free driving!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
LOL! I tried that with my wife, but she kept coming back for an "advance" on next week's allowance. I finally told her to buy what she needed and try not to shock me too badly. She's been pretty good over the years. Before she buys a large item, we do discuss it. I was a little shocked last month. She spent $86 at the hair dresser one afternoon. When I saw her, I realized why. She got a shorter, more trendy haircut with blonde streaks in it. It took ten years off her age. My sister and niece just raved about it. It does look good. I just sucked it up and subtracted the debit.
Richard
It does take a toll on family members though & can't imagine if there was no $ left to pay for it. Sad situation all around.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
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I went elsewhere for school, but my dad was a prof there til retirement, and my S.O. did go there. He's pushing for some black & gold accessories.
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I get the feeling that he actually enjoys the people they attract.
While I was there, they got a call from some guy in KY wanting a car that was advertised for $11K... wanted to know if they'd take $7K. Problem was, he'd forgotten that he'd called twice before offering the same amount, and been turned down... or he hadn't caught on to the phenomenon of caller ID.
I mentioned the tire noise, and he said that yeah, he knew the tires were noisy and he could have put $500+ in new tires on it... but no one would pay $500 more for the vehicle because of it. He's probably right - if I had test-driven it with no tire noise, it wouldn't have occurred to me that $500 would be worth the new tires. It's interesting to talk to people like that, because it does give you an understanding of the cost vs. benefit of various aspects of the biz.
I'm sure I didn't get the absolute best, bottom-line deal I could make. But, we both walked away happy with the deal. That's good with me.
I *will* post photos, and was planning to today, but yesterday we drove through a local road construction area with lots of mud on the road, and I deliberately took a hard corner on it, just to see how it'd do - fine, of course, but now there's mud on the side.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Be prepared though as we live about 10 miles inland, Coral Springs to be exact, a nice bedroom community. Plenty of Floridians take cruises...it's just nice to get away. I'll keep ya posted!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Sounds like the guy skipped a few chapters in my "Jipst Method..." book.
Congrats on your new ride.
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In all of this, if the customer didn't know what was going on behind the scenes, then they could just walk away from the deal the broker put together, if they didn't like any part of the deal.
I have a feeling that the husband knew all about the details. Whether he shared them with his wife should be in question.
I have many dealership friends. The sales person who has sold me two Acuras is part of a dealership group that has a Hyundai store in addition to the Acura store. Even though they are physically in two different locations, he took care of a deal for me when I bought my son a Hyundai several years ago.
The principal who owns the local BMW/Chevy/Chryco dealership group goes to my church and I see him almost every Sunday. I've had him "broker" deals for me, too.
I like dealing with people I know and trust (vs some sales person I have just met).
I think what you may be witnessing is sales on a "relationship" level. The deal is done between two people who know each other, have built a relationship, and that the customer has trust in.
I don't know all the details of the deal, but the husband probably knows and trusts the people he decided to deal with.
Hoo boy, you scared me there for a minute. You replied to a post from last month and I couldn't remember what kind of deal I had proposed. I thought that maybe the beer had done some talking for me and I had bought some old hooptie from you.
I was relieved to find out it was a proposal to house sit. LOL!
If your son is there you really don't need me hanging around while he has all his friends over for wild parties. That is unless he enjoys some old coot yelling at him to "quiet down" all the time.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Those are Steeler colors but they’re not the “in” colors this year.
It’s Green and Gold this year. :mad:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
First, congrats on the purchase of the Escape. After this winter I'm looking at AWD with a new appreciation.
I was wondering how your S.O. feels about his Crossfire after owning it a while. This was one of my "must have" cars when I was looking a few years ago. In the end I couldn't justify $40K for a car so I went with the Eclipse.
Now I see used Crossfires in the $12-15K range which spurs thoughts of cruising down the highway with my three strands of hair blowing in the wind.
Thank heavens for Chrysler's rapid depreciation.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible