Where To Get Your Car Repaired – And NOT Get Scammed

February 29, 2012 By

Where To Get Your Car Repaired – And NOT Get Scammed

One of the most common questions I hear is, “Where should I take my car to get it fixed?” My answer is to take it to a repair facility that (1) has a good reputation (ask friends and neighbors where they take their vehicles), that (2) is affiliated with a group such as AAA and/or has ASE certified technicians, and (3) appears to be clean, friendly and competently managed. The shop should also adhere to the Code of Ethics and repair standards put forth by the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP).

Most repair facilities are honest and are NOT trying to take advantage of you. Sure, there are some bad apples in the the repair business, but there are crooks in every kind of business from home repair scam artists to top business executives. From what I’ve seen, most auto repair problems are due to misunderstandings or miscommunication between the motorist and repair facility (they thought you wanted one thing and you got something else, or they misunderstood your problem), or they misdiagnosed your vehicle and the technician replaced the wrong part(s). In other words, they didn’t try to rip you off or cheat you. They misunderstood you or did not perform the correct repair.

As long as your vehicle is under warranty, you can return to your new car dealer for free repairs (for parts that are covered under warranty). Almost all new cars and trucks today have a 3 year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers ANYTHING that goes wrong. All new vehicles also have a federally mandated emissions warranty that covers the engine computer and catalytic converter for 8 years/80,000 miles (longer in California). The vehicle manufacturers may also offer an extended powertrain warranty that covers major repairs to the engine, transmission and drive axles. Items that may NOT be covered under warranty include common wear items such as filters, brake pads and tires.

Once your vehicle is out of warranty, you can take it anywhere you please for repairs. In fact, you are NOT required to return to the dealer for maintenance or repairs while the vehicle is under warranty (you can take it to ANY repair facility). But the vehicle manufacturer will usually NOT pay for any repairs performed by any unauthorized repair facility — except in rare emergencies where a vehicle has broken down too far away to be towed to the nearest dealer.

As a rule, independent repair shops are generally less expensive than new car dealers. Franchised repair facilities such as muffler shops (Midas, CarX, Merlin, etc.), tire dealers (Goodyear, Firestone & independents) and retailers (PepBoys, Sears, etc.) are also very competitive with their pricing.

As for repair competency, it can vary a great deal from one repair facility to another. New car dealers have access to the latest factory authorized training and tools, and specialize in the brand(s) of vehicles they sell. But big dealerships are also less personal. You rarely deal directly with a technician. Instead, a service writer talks to you, hears your problem and writes up a repair order. Miscommunication sometimes happens and you don’t get the right repairs or service. The service writer is also a salesman who will probably try to talk you into buying additional services you may not need (your 50,000 miles scheduled maintenance, for example, which is nothing more than an oil change, some new filters and a quick inspection of a laundry list of things that should always be checked EVERYTIME your vehicle is serviced or repaired).

Independent repair shops and specialty repair shops (those who only work on imports or specialize in alignments, brakes, transmissions, air conditioning, electrical, etc.) tend to be small family-owned and run businesses. You’re usually on a more personal level with these people, and may even talk face-to-face with the technician who works on your car. Many independent shops are highly skilled and work on ALL makes and models. This requires a much broader range of expertise than a dealership — and more diagnostic equipment and tools. Some shops, though, are behind on the learning curve and may not be up to speed on the latest technology. Or, they may not have an up-to-date scan tool or other special tools that may be required to service your vehicle. Even so, such a shop may be fine for basic maintenance and repairs.

The kind of repair facility to avoid is one that is NOT concerned about their reputation or repeat customers, and are only out to scam as many people as fast as they can. These shops are not in the repair business for the long haul. They’re only in it to make a fast buck. They probably have not been in business very long. They are typically located in “high traffic” areas where they can snag a lot of drive-by customers. They may be located near an expressway where out-of-towners are apt to break down. They usually have high employee turnover and typically hire beginners or less experienced technicians. They often use “scare tactics” to sell parts and services, or try to pressure you into agreeing to major repairs. They are NOT affiliated with any reputable service organizations such as AAA, ASE, their local chamber of commerce or local repair shop organizations. They do not invest any money in training their employees or buying new equipment. The facility itself may or may not be clean and neat (you cannot judge competency and honesty by appearances alone). And they offer no guarantee or a very limited warranty on the work they perform. Avoid these kind of places at all costs!

General Advice for finding an honest and competent repair facility:

Patronize a repair facility that has been recommended to you by friends or family.

If you are satisfied with a repair facility, give them your repeat business. Build a lasting relationship.

Do NOT pick a repair facility at random or based only on advertisements or price specials.

The repair facility should follow the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) Standards of Service.

You can obtain copies of these guidelines from the MAP website at http://www.motorist.org Give the shop a copy if they do not have one.

Always ask for a written repair estimate BEFORE work begins.

(This is required by law in many states.)

The final repair bill should NOT exceed the estimate by more than 10 to 20%.

(this is also dictated by law in many states, though circumstances may justify a higher final bill.)

Make sure the estimate lists all parts and labor charges.

(and ask for an explanation of any items you do not understand or have a question about.)

If you have any doubts about the work performed, ask for your old parts to be returned.

(you may need them as evidence if you’ve been scammed.)

If you have a dispute with a repair facility, take your problem up the chain of command, then contact your Better Business Bureau if you can’t get the matter resolved. Take legal action as a last resort.

Pay your repair bill with a credit card (if allowed)

(You can always dispute the charges later when your credit card bill arrives.)

Where To Get Your Car Repaired – And NOT Get Scammed

Where To Get Your Car Repaired - And NOT Get Scammed

Larry Carley is a well-known automotive technical writer with 27 years of automotive writing experience. He writes for professional automotive trade magazines, and has his own automotive website at http://www.aa1car.com

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Tips to Get the Absolute Best Pool Table – Things That Every Fantastic Billiards Table Needs to Have

February 29, 2012 By

Tips to Get the Absolute Best Pool Table – Things That Every Fantastic Billiards Table Needs to Have

Shopping for a billiards table can sometimes be a somewhat overwhelming experience. There are tons of billiard tables to choose from, so a lot of billiards shoppers are worried that they aren’t getting the best table for themselves. The good news is that you follow a few basic guidelines, it’s fairly easy to get a high performance and good looking table in your game room.

Get A slated Pool Table over a Non Slated

Unless you are buying a pool table for kids or just plain can’t afford a slated pool table, you should opt to get slated pool table every time. The benefits to getting a table that has a real smooth rock slate underneath the billiard cloth are numerous. Firstly, the roll is just smoother and more consistent. You should be aware that most slated tables require you to actually install both the slate and the cloth when you receive the table. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, you can always hire a local pool professional to install it for you.

Get the Largest Size Billiard Table You Can Afford

A lot of people make the mistake of getting a seven foot pool table in order to save a few bucks. If you go this route, chances are you will regret it down the line. When you get better at billiards, it just won’t have the same level of challenge to really make the game interesting. If you are getting your pool table for adults, you should get at least an eight foot table. This is most common size you see at a lot of bars and pool halls. If you can afford and have the room for an eight and a half or nine foot billiards table, you should opt for that instead. This is the size that pro players play on, and will allow you to really grow as a pool player. When getting a pool table, make sure you can accommodate at least eight foot of room all around the pool table within your game room. That will allow you to make room for the pool table, the billiard cue sticks, and enough room to walk around in the game room.

Choose a Pool Table Design that matches Your Game Room

Remember that a billiards table is a lot more than just a fun place to play, it is also a piece of furniture. If you are getting a wooden pool table, check out the stain of the wood, and makes sure it matches the color of the other furniture in your game room. You can also get billiard table that have a more stylish or modern look, like the kind you see at your local pool hall.

Don’t Forget the Accessories for your Billiards Table

Believe it not, it is actually fairly common for people to get a billiards table, but then totally forget to get good stuff you need to play on it. At bare minimum, you are going to need to remember to get a couple of good billiards cues, a billiard triangle and diamond, and some chalk. Ideally, you should also get a table cover to protect your table, a table brush to maintain the smoothness of the billiard cloth, and a rack to store your pool cues. Fortunately, there are billiard accessory kits that have all of this sort of stuff in a single package.

Tips to Get the Absolute Best Pool Table – Things That Every Fantastic Billiards Table Needs to Have

Tips to Get the Absolute Best Pool Table - Things That Every Fantastic Billiards Table Needs to Have

Looking for the perfect billiards table? Visit billiardsbuyingguide.com. It has all the most complete information you need to build the greatest billiard table for your game room.

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How to Choose a Franklin Badminton Set

February 29, 2012 By

How to Choose a Franklin Badminton Set

There are several items to take into consideration, prior to purchasing a Franklin badminton set. Badminton, like most any other sport, can be played for fun and recreation or it can be played competitively. The kind of set you purchase should be based on what you are planning to use your set for. Badminton is actually quite a straightforward game, and requires little in the way of equipment. Therefore, even if your badminton set is for recreational purposes, you can still purchase one of the better quality sets, without having to spend a whole lot of money.

SportCraft, Park & Sun, Halex, and Franklin, are the 4 primary manufacturers to purchase badminton sets from, when you would like to add badminton as an enjoyable pass time. Each brand has it’s own special features and benefits and I personally prefer Franklin for it’s durability and ease of use. You can expect to pay a higher price for the Park & Sun sets, which are made to last, and appeal to the badminton enthusiast.

When choosing a set for your own enjoyment it’s still important to pay attention to quaity and the most important thing you want to look at is the quality of the net poles. The set that you purchase should include aluminum poles that assemble without difficulty. If you want to enjoy your set, you do not want to have to continually reset the poles because the weight of the net is too much for them. And, with the less sturdy PVC poles, this is exactly what typically occurs. Along with pole readjusting, you will likely spend much time and money duct taping and tying up the rickety poles to try to add support. With the Franklin badminton set, you have the benefit of a carrying case, so that you can conveniently carry and store your badminton set when it is not in use.

How to Choose a Franklin Badminton Set

How to Choose a Franklin Badminton Set

For more information, tips and advice on Franklin Badminton Set visit Badminton Racket

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Audio Video Software

February 29, 2012 By

Audio Video Software

Audio video software if just what you need if you are trying to get into making videos and music videos. You cannot really do much with audio or videos in the form of putting it all together for other people to see without some sort of software program that allows you to edit and put together a full video. With one of the newest trends on the internet being video sites like YouTube, there are a lot more people who are searching for some type of software so they can join the craze and create their own Internet.

If you have not used an audio video software before you are in for quite a treat. It will allow you to make all sorts of videos. For example, if you are interested in posting a video of you and your girlfriends trying to remake the latest music video you can do that. With the audio version of the software you can then narrate your video and upload it for all of your friends to see.

A lot of businesses are actually investing in some of this video software because it is a great way to help get some points across on a video conference. There are some parts of these software’s where you can actually train someone overseas by recording an audio and video session and the they can train on it whenever it works in their schedules. This type of software works very well because it is much more interactive than a regular power point presentation with nothing visually stimulating. Another reason that businesses may want to invest in some of this software is for their web presence. Companies are wanting to make professional videos to put on their websites but they don’t want to pay a lot of money to hire a company.

These new audio video software’s are much more simpler and user friendly that companies can just buy a license and train one their people to create videos of a professional quality. These videos can be used to tell people who visit their about the company or to interactively explain various products and services.

When you are looking for an audio video software it’s better to do some research as there are a lot of choices on the market today. Visit some forums and consumer report websites to see how people are reviewing the software’s that you are looking at purchasing.

Audio Video Software

Audio Video Software

Go to Audio Video Software to get free information on this product. This website will give you all of the information you need on Audio Video Software along with a lot of other free information. Don’t miss out on this new website if you are looking for a Audio Video Software.

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“While I’m Away” – When You Travel, and Your Animal Companions Stay Home

February 29, 2012 By

“While I’m Away” – When You Travel, and Your Animal Companions Stay Home

Does your cat ignore you for the first 24 hours after you return from a trip? Does your dog or bird stop eating while you are gone? Do animals that normally get along begin to fight? Do they start to get upset when your suitcase comes out? Do you worry about them when you have to travel?

It does not take telepathy for our animal friends to notice that a suitcase has been pulled from the closet. They know this means something is about to happen that affects their lives, but they don’t know what to expect each time.

Setting expectations helps reduce stress for everyone. Here’s how to make things easier for yourself and your animals.

“Before You Leave” Technique

While you may not believe that you are telepathic, you can still communicate with your animals about your trip. If you think your animals may have questions, ask an Animal Communicator to help you with this conversation.

The animals are all telepathic, so if you choose to do this yourself, use mental pictures and take the time to fill in details.

1) Be physically present with the animal, sitting down if appropriate.

2) Close your eyes for a moment, take 3 deep breaths, and tell yourself to relax as you exhale.

3) Get the animal’s attention by saying the animal’s name.

4) Just as you would tell a spouse or partner about a trip you are taking, tell your animal friends. Include details and use mental pictures or images to help get the message across.

a) Tell them you are going away and the purpose of your trip.

Animals care about us and want us to take care of ourselves. When you explain why you are taking a trip, you can say:

VACATION: “I’m going to go on a vacation where I cannot take you. I need to rest and relax and have no responsibilities for a short time. Unfortunately, there is no way you can come along.” Hold a picture in your mind of the place you are planning to visit.

BUSINESS: “I have to take a trip for my job. While I’m away, I’ll be working.” Hold a picture in your mind of you at work.

b) Tell them when you are leaving and when you are returning.

Animals understand concepts of time. They know what a day/night cycle is. They also understand human concepts of a week. Animals who live outside understand moon cycles. You might say, “Today is Wednesday. I’m leaving in two days, on Friday morning, and I will be back 4 days after that, on Tuesday evening.”

c) Tell them who is going to take care of them. You can say:

KENNEL: “You will be staying at the same kennel you stayed at last time. Remember what a good time you had?” Have a picture in your mind of what the place looked like, followed by an image of a person at that place whom your animal really liked. (Make sure this person is still working there if you tell them to expect so see that person.) Remind them about the activities there that they like.

STAYING WITH A FRIEND: “You’ll be staying at [insert person's name] home. You’ll get to play with [insert person's and/or animal's name(s)." Fill in more details if you have them.

PET or HOUSE SITTER "[person's name] is going to [stay here] or [come ___ (fill in number) of times a day] to take of you.”

d) Fill in more details about their care while you are gone.

Reassure the animals that they will be fed their normal food, supplements, and medicine.

Tell them what the caretaker will do: groom them, take them for a walk, play with them, clean their cage or litter box, whatever. You can say: “I’ll make sure you have your own food, bed, and toys.”

e) Tell them you will miss them and be sending them love from your heart while you are gone.

Use the “While Traveling” technique described below to communicate with your animal while you are away.

“While Traveling” Technique

Each day while traveling, you can communicate with your animal friends, sending love, reassurance, and updates (mental postcards) about your trip. You will probably find this is a relaxing moment for yourself. Your animals will appreciate your daily contact.

* Lie on a bed or sit comfortably in a chair or cross legged.

* Take 3 deep breaths, and on each exhalation, imagine any stress you are feeling is flowing out with your breath.

* Breathe normally, and pay attention to your breath, watch it going in and out for a minute or two.

* See, feel, allow, imagine you are in your heart center (a space in the middle of your chest).

* Just be in your heart center and connect with the Unconditional Love that lives there in unlimited quantities.

* See, feel, allow, imagine your animal friend in your heart center with you.

* Say hello to him/her and imagine yourself holding them as if you were actually physically present.

* Imagine stroking or petting or grooming them for as long as you wish.

* Talk to your animal friend, just as if you were with them. Tell them about your day. Tell them how much you love and miss them. Remind them you will be home in ___ (fill in number) of days. Tell them you will “visit” them again tomorrow.

When clients of mine have used these techniques, they have consistently reported success.

Kathy has many birds and a regular helper to take care of them. While visiting Hawaii, her helper called to say that Pidge, a rescued wild pigeon, had stopped eating. Kathy asked me what to do. When birds stop eating they can sicken and die very quickly. I gave Kathy the “While Traveling” instructions, which Kathy immediately began to use. Kathy’s helper saw an immediately change in Pidge the very first time Kathy used the technique: Pidge became more relaxed and began to eat. Everyone was relieved and Kathy was able to enjoy the rest of her trip while “visiting” Pidge daily.

Whenever Elaine went on a 3-day weekend with a friend, her cat, Marie, would ignore her for 24 hours after she returned. I suggested Elaine follow the instructions for “Before You Leave”, telling Marie where she was going and with whom, when she would leave and return, and about Marie’s care while Elaine was gone. When Elaine tried this, for the first time ever, Marie didn’t “scold” Elaine when she returned. Instead the cat greeted Elaine as if she had been gone only a few hours, rubbed against her legs, sat in her lap during the evening, and slept with her in bed that night, all of which was their normal routine.

Annette had been desensitizing Skip, her rescued German Shepard, to get used to the idea that staying at a kennel can be fun and is not abandonment. Still, Skip was having a difficult time with it, and Annette had a trip to take where the dog couldn’t go. I suggested to Annette that she use both the “Before You Leave” and “While Traveling” techniques, which Annette was willing to do. As a result, she now has a dog whose separation anxiety is dramatically reduced and Annette is able to go away whenever she needs to travel.

If you have to be away on a trip, give these methods a try. You may find that not only are your animals feeling better about your being away, but you, yourself, may feel more comfortable with the idea of traveling and leaving your animal family members at home.

“While I’m Away” – When You Travel, and Your Animal Companions Stay Home

Rev. Nedda Wittels, M.A., M.S., is a telepathic Animal Communicator and Shamballa Master/Teacher offering private sessions in telepathic communication and in healing for humans and animals. She also offers Spiritual Empowerment Sessions for people awakening to new consciousness. Nedda teaches workshops in telepathic communication with all species and in Shamballa Multidimensional Healing. She can be reached at 860.651.5771, neddaw@sbcglobal.net, and www.raysofhealinglight.com

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How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Motorcycle Theft!

February 29, 2012 By

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Motorcycle Theft!

Nothing can mess up a good ride and your well being more than having your motorcycle stolen!

Motorcycle riders hit the highways, racetracks and rallies for good times, but the down side is that all these places are prime targets for motorcycle theft.

Bob Feinen, motorcycle theft and fraud specialist, has a few common sense tips for preventing motorcycle theft for new and veteran riders. Feinen, an expert in motorcycle theft investigation and fraud, has worked in the motorcycle insurance field for more than 20 years. Throughout his career, he has identified more than 300 stolen motorcycles and assisted in the recovery of more than $4 million worth of stolen motorcycle parts and accessories. He is a member of the Sturgis Police Department Motorcycle Theft Unit for the annual Sturgis Bike Rally and a member of the annual Daytona Bike Week Motorcycle Theft Unit. He is an expert in this field and offers these tips to keep your bike safe.

1. Lock your ignition: Most motorcycle theft occurs when the ignition is shut off, but not locked. Lock the forks or disk brakes with large, brightly colored tags. The bright color will remind you to unlock your bike and tell would-be motorcycle thieves that your motorcycle is protected.

If traveling with other riders, lock motorcycles together when not in use. If you are riding alone, lock your motorcycle to a secure, stationary object that can’t be easily dismantled, such as a light pole.

When traveling and spending the night at a motel, locate outdoor security cameras and park your motorcycle in the cameras’ view. If this is not possible, park your motorcycle close to your room. This allows you to hear if a thief messes with and attempts to steal your motorcycle.

2. Keep an eye on your bike: When parking at a public event, check your motorcycle periodically, especially immediately after leaving your bike, to make sure there are no suspicious individuals hanging around. Thieves need less than two minutes to steal your motorcycle. Don’t give them the opportunity.

3. Don’t store the title to your bike in the tank bag or saddlebag. The safest place for your title is at home. Keep your motorcycle registration and insurance identification card on you when you ride. Should a motorcycle theft occur, this quickly establishes you as the motorcycle owner and allows law enforcement to file a report immediately.

4. If you use a trailer to transport your bike, many of the same precautions apply. Park the trailer in a well-lit location near security cameras or in an area easily seen by restaurant, hotel or event staff. Lock the trailer doors and hitch. Secure doors by backing up to a wall, so there’s not enough room for doors to be opened. Know your trailer identification number and license plate registration.

5. Guard against theft when selling your bike: Don’t turn over the title until you can verify the check or money order is valid and clears the bank. Using fake identities has become common in motorcycle thefts. Ask the buyer for his or her name, address, date of birth and driver’s license number. Then ask to see the driver’s license and check that the information given matches the license.

Remember, it isn’t necessary that a buyer receives the title right away. A written document signed by the seller and buyer indicating price and method of payment also indicates proof of purchase. The title can be forwarded to the buyer once the check has cleared the bank. If you decide to sell your bike on consignment, do not provide a signed copy of the title to the dealership until you have received your money in full. Make sure the dealership is a reputable business before you trust them as an agent. Some dealerships with very little history have been selling motorcycles on consignment and keeping the money. When the dealership closes and files for bankruptcy, you are out a motorcycle and your money.

What’s listed here is common sense and will help some but there is constant news about motorcycle owners using all these precautions and still getting their motorcycle stolen! If motorcycle thieves want to steal your bike, they’ll get it and chances are you’ve seen the last of it unless you’re using a high performance motorcycle security system that will give you the opportunity to get it back.

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Motorcycle Theft!

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Motorcycle Theft!

Motorcycle Theft Protection. Discover an alternative to lousy theft protection products. Visit [http://www.CycleSnitch.com] for more info.

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Boats and Boating – A Bit of History!

February 29, 2012 By

Boats and Boating – A Bit of History!

From the first time that people used bamboo rafts and hollowed-out logs to travel across a lake or down a stream, boats have been a major part of life. Handcrafted wooden boats were used on local lakes and rivers for fishing and pleasure. The first boats made of synthetic material such as fibreglass, as well as the luxurious and very fast pleasure boats of today, give people a way to escape the everyday routine. This is one of the major uses for boats in the United Kingdom, and our modern world.But exactly what is a boat? Why is a boat such a popular, and necessary, part of our lives? Perhaps it would be best to look at just where the term “boat” comes from and what makes a boat a boat, instead of a canoe or a ship. Today, the word “boat” means a vessel constructed to transport people and items over water. This vessel must provide buoyancy by excluding water. The boat should be stable and easy to move across the water, propelled by any available method.

By contrast, a ship is a large, ocean-going vessel, usually propelled by sails or an engine. But going back into history, the word comes from the German “bot,” which originally meant the goods or item delivered. Later this came to stand for the craft used to make the delivery. According to statistics, 85% of all powerboats in the UK are less than 26 ft. long. We will be focusing on this general type of boat, the small and mid-size craft that people use for pleasure and transportation. In doing this, information provided on financing, insurance, storage, general maintenance might be useful for all types of boats. Fishing boats and equipment cannot be adequately covered in the same text as pleasure boats, because the subject is so very large and complex. It is probably best to leave the fishing boat category for another time. We will take a brief look at yachts to provide some perspective on just how they differ from pleasure boats, ski boats and party boats such as the pontoon and deck boats that have become so popular. There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as messing about in boats.

There are many, many different watercraft that go by the name “boat.” In fact, the list contains dozens of different names from around the world. But the focus here is on a few types that might fall under the general category of pleasure or recreation boats. This will allow the reader to learn about categories such as shopping for a boat, transporting and storing a boat, insurance and maintenance without being overwhelmed by the thousands of details that separate one type of boat from another. In addition, looking at pleasure/recreation craft such as ski boats, speed/performance boats and pontoon boats, we will be concentrating on a very popular type of craft that falls in the low to mid-range of prices.

First, a list of some of the different types and sizes of watercraft, many of which have very special or limited uses that distinguish them from the ski boats, speed/performance boats, pontoon boats and deck boats.

Dinghy Usually 10 feet long or less, light and portable. For use close to shore, in a small harbor area or on the lake.

Jon Boat or Johnboat A smaller boat used for many purposes, such as fishing, hunting. Most boats of this type are propelled by a small outboard motor.

Small Sailboats or Day Boats This is a recreation boat for use on small lakes or for sailing close to shore on the ocean. Normally, less than 20 feet in length.

Fishing Boats This category can include bass boats, smaller family fishing/pleasure boats, trawler-style boats, sport fishing boats, combination fish/ski boats etc. There are dozens of different designs and special uses for fishing boats.

Larger Sailboats and Catamarans This type of boat can be used for longer distances, for racing and for pleasure.

Houseboats Designed for living on the water. Quite different from even the most elaborate pontoon boat or deck boat.

Flatboats Generally used for sports such as fishing and hunting.

This is not meant to be a complete list of the types of boats other than ski boats and pontoon boats. But it sets the stage for a closer look at some very popular watercraft. Obviously, the luxurious world of yachting comes to mind…

Boats and Boating – A Bit of History!

Boats and Boating - A Bit of History!

Beach activities and boating are one of Nick Burton’s top hobbies. His writing is aimed at popularizing new swimsuits and swimwear, as well as boating in the United Kingdom. Swimwear swimsuits [http://swimwearswimsuits.org]

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Why Not FSBO? Sell Your House With A Realtor And Save Money!

February 29, 2012 By

Why Not FSBO? Sell Your House With A Realtor And Save Money!

FSBO is an acronym for “For Sale By Owner”, which means selling your real estate property WITHOUT the benefit of a Real Estate Agent representing you and negotiating on your behalf.

Annual studies by the National Association of Realtors® show that sellers receive 5% – 8% higher purchase prices when selling through a Realtor®! Why would a seller receive a HIGHER sales price when they pay a commission to a Realtor®?

FSBO sellers find it difficult to get qualified buyers because:

1. Buyers who respond to FSBO ads usually have not been qualified to buy (the qualified buyers retain real estate agents to help them find a house).

2. Real Estate agents don’t show FSBO homes (they show homes listed by other agents).

3. Buyers who view FSBO homes are often bargain hunters – they know you aren’t paying a commission and so they expect you to lower your price.

4. Many buyers who buy FSBO homes are savvy investors who negotiate low prices.

FSBO sellers cannot negotiate the best sales deal because:

1. Sellers are emotionally attached to their house and often think the value is higher than it really is.

2. Sellers are not familiar with the “big picture” of the real estate market and its values.

3. Sellers are not attune to buyers and do not know their wants or needs.

4. FSBO sellers must negotiate personally with the buyers, getting involved on an emotional level, rather than as a business transaction.

5. Sellers are inexperienced in mortgage lending procedures and solving complex requirements.

6. Sellers are not experienced with solving glitches, such as low appraisals.

7. Sellers who personally accept deposits may spend the funds (rather than securing with a neutral party).

8. FSBO sellers are at high risk of lawsuits – they are not familiar with legal forms, real estate laws, and requirements.

What does that mean for a seller? They should hire a Realtor® to sell it Right!

A Realtor® is worth her commission – in marketing, negotiating, and closing on your behalf! Remember that old adage, “You get what you pay for.” In this case, it pays to have a professional represent you. So if you think you can’t afford to pay a commission — you can’t afford NOT to! And in case you’re wondering what a commission will cost you — there is no set price, they are negotiable.

Save time, save money, save effort. Do what you do best and allow your Realtor® to do what she does best — get you the highest price for your house with the best terms available to you!

Why Not FSBO? Sell Your House With A Realtor And Save Money!

Why Not FSBO? Sell Your House With A Realtor And Save Money!

R.P. Brown serves the California Central Coast, helping home buyers and sellers to realize their dreams of homeownership.

Experience Includes:

Real Estate Broker; licensed since 1988
Member of local Board of Realtors, CAR, and NAR
Notary Public; commissioned since 1998
Lifelong resident of San Luis Obispo county (4th Generation local family)
A.A. Degrees in Real Estate and Small Business Management
Technical Writing Certificate
Business Major at Cal Poly State University
Established in our community — connections with many residents & merchants
Past President of 2 local non-profit organizations
Continue to volunteer for local organizations
Previous business owner

Qualifications Include:

Experienced in all phases of Real Estate services, including
First Time Buyers
Buyer’s Broker
Foreclosures & Bankruptcy Cases
Mortgage Lending
Property Management
Motivated — Work hard for you!
Ethical and Trustworthy
MLS access by internet

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What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

February 29, 2012 By

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Nobody knows when floods happen. These are natural disasters that can just strike when we least expect it. We may live in deserts or atop a mountain and still experience flooding.

In fact, 50 states have reports of flooding. The reason behind this is that hurricanes or tropical storms are not the only causes of natural flooding. Flooding inside homes can also be due to the flash flooding and rising river water.

In layman’s terms, flooding is the combination of mud and water in an area. So if the water is not wet on a normal basis but it still combines these two elements, then there is still the possibility of flash flooding taking place.

What does flood insurance cover? This is a question practical people ask. They know that it is a necessity for any homeowner.

It protects their assets and saves them from additional costs just in case flooding is something they have to include in their problems.

The coverage depends on the kind of plan your insurance company offers you. There is a definition that you should know. If you live in a 100-year flood plain, this does not mean that flooding in your area will just occur once in a 100 years.

In fact, a lot of people ask What does flood insurance cover when they are in a 100-year flood plain. They don’t know whether they should get an insurance or not because of this.

The solution to this confusion is to look at the flood maps in order for them to know whether the location of the home puts the homeowner at a risk when it comes to flooding.

The homeowner should know the kind of flood plain that the risk level he is in with the area that he is residing.

So after discovering the cost of flood insurance, the next question for homeowners is What does flood insurance cover. Well, imagine that there are a lot of factors that should be looked upon.

Flood insurance covers a percentage of the damages cost depending on the following factors. They look at the coastal policies of the client. For example, living along a coast gives the insurance holder a high premium.

In this scenario, the question to what does flood insurance cover is lower than people who are residing in an area that rarely gets wet.

As accommodating as insurance companies are to people who are looking for flood insurance, they still have to make a business and the coverage of an insurance policy really depends on the possibility of the area taking place.

The higher the possibility of this happening and the higher the flood insurance means the less coverage in actual cost.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Visit my site to learn more about what does flood insurance cover [http://www.flood-insurance-quotes.net/what-does-flood-insurance-cover]. Discover where to get cheap flood insurance quotes [http://www.flood-insurance-quotes.net] online.

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Luisa Cerano Fashion Styles Incorporates Nautical Themed Clothing and the Slim Illusion Effect

February 29, 2012 By

Luisa Cerano Fashion Styles Incorporates Nautical Themed Clothing and the Slim Illusion Effect

A new trend of nautical themed clothing is bursting out on to the fashion scene. There has been a major resurgence in the proliferation of pinstriped blouses. The advantage of pinstripes gives the optical illusion of a thinner, more complimentary to the body fit as opposed to older designs such as swivels which are now becoming redundant. Catwalk reports from January-March 2010 are also predicting a resurgence of tapered trousers and flanneled tunics. This is clearly a cataclysmic period for the entire fashion system when celebrities are flaunting themselves in public wearing clothing from a forgotten era. Perhaps we are merely experiencing silhouettes of a future that is yet to come. What have we become? We are looking into the eyes of a futuristic society where we will be able to order a product as soon as it comes off the catwalk. With these kind of advancements trends may become increasingly unimportant with consumers preferring to lean to their own spontaneous inclinations. It’s times like these that make us nostalgic of the pre-internet era. Thankfully in this time of extreme confusion and darkness there are still cutting edge designers to lead us to the light of fashion excellence.

The emergence of European lines in the American market is a highly sought after look by women of all ages. Major lines with high credentials that do not fit the bland ‘high brand’ labels are gaining increasing popularity with the ‘rich nice’ of socialites who want to separate themselves from the super edgy and the cliche.

The Luisa Cerano fashion collection provides modern, elegant and unique clothing for those who want to express themselves to the fullest. Cultivating mainly Italian fabrics, flawless craftsmanship is used to deliver a striking collection of distinct clothing. From shirts and knitted tops to an array of leather and fur items, Luisa Cerano provides a sophisticated yet stunning collection of clothes for the contemporary woman. Such fashion is certainly welcomed in a world where liberated women are becoming increasingly comfortable in “hipster sweats”. While it is certainly a comforting feeling as the smooth velvet layer brushes against our sensitive skin; we must be very careful. Are we creating rationalisations for our enjoyment of this somewhat decadent trend or is it genuinely the most fashionable look on the catwalk? As tempting as it is to rejoice in donning pajama bottoms, it is not our duty as fashion worshipers to look elegant?

Luisa Cerano Fashion Styles Incorporates Nautical Themed Clothing and the Slim Illusion Effect

Luisa Cerano Fashion Styles Incorporates Nautical Themed Clothing and the Slim Illusion Effect

And well, if you are interested in browsing, making purchases or just shopping the Luisa Cerano Collection for the best in luisa cerano clothing, the best online boutiques are at your finger tips. Just search Google and check out the Collection that BB1 Classic has to offer.

An article written by Josh Saitowitz. Authorized by Sagacious Fashion Guru – Calli Saitowitz.

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