Archive through December 05, 2002
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: 2003 April: Advice/Suggestions Needed (ARCHIVES): Archive through December 05, 2002

Suitsmefine

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 09:54 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Phatcat, I am in no way an expert but my advice would be to contact the regional Manager for VW, Call the Better Business Bureau, And your State Attorney General.....Maybe these people can advice on just what this Young man needs to do. I just hate it when people try to take advantage of others, they should have their hineys kicked!!

Halfunit

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 10:05 am EditMoveDeleteIP
You know, the 'serves them right' side of me thinks this:

The boy legally owns the car, and has no car payments, lol. I say let the dealership try to figure out how they are going to get their money!

Phatcat

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 10:20 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks so much Weinermr and Suits.

"It sounds like the young man got absolutely no credit for the value of the car he traded in. "

That's exactly what I was thinking. Now, if they have already sold his Honda and their own credit union will not finance the deal, they may very well have screwed themselves.

One other thing I thought about doing is a title search on his Honda...to see if I can find out what the dealer sold it for. I agree that it would be worth the time and money to speak with an attorney on this one.

My friend is going to be AMAZED and ASTOUNDED at the great advice you precious people are giving. I JUST LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!! Talk about WARM and FUZZY. I can't tell you how much I LOVE YOU FOLKS!!!

Kstme

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 10:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Phat...a similar thing "almost" happened to my best friend's daughter-in-law. The poor girl got home and did some re-thinking regarding the figures and almost blew a gasket. Her husband is a cop here and he was ready for bear! My friend, calmly went to the dealership...told them to break the deal and find someway to get the "kids" car back, dissolve the deal or her lawyer would be calling them WHILE she stood there with her cell phone in hand. It took less than 30 minutes and everything was straightened out. BUT...this all happened within 24 hours of the supposed transaction. Two weeks is a little more tricky!

Car dealers don't like words like...lawyer, BBB and Attorney General!! Tell your friend to hit them with all three!

Phatcat

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 11:26 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I LOVE IT HALF. That would work!!!

And thanks, Kstme.

Whoami

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 11:27 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Phatcat,

We have a troubleshooter here in Colorado named Tom Martino. I swear I've heard this scenario before with car dealerships. Unfortunatly, Martino often yells at the consumer, because his number one rule is DO NOT drive the car off the lot until the loan is approved, no matter what the dealer tells you. Even if he get the car returned now, you will likely be charged a "rental" fee for the time he used the car.

You're right, there are some very knowledgable and helpful people here. But, it never hurts to look in more than one place. Try this site while you wait for Draheid. Trouble Shooter.com They even have an automotive section on their discussion board.

The Troubleshooter board is sort of an extention of Tom Martino's show. Martino himself sometimes visits the boards, but not often. Be advised though. Martino is a bear for calling people out on making "dumb" mistakes. And some of the people on the board follow suit (actually, most of the time I visit a board other than this one, I am always surprised at the hostility of some posters, I guess we are unique here).

Jmm

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 01:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Crossfire - I work in a high school that was built for a lot less kids than we serve. So to answer a few of your questions.

We are able to handle the volume during passing periods, yes it's a little crowded but we make sure the teachers are standing in their doorways to "move the kids along. Somehow it works.

Sometimes the washrooms are busy and like it or not we do have to let kids out of class to go sometimes. The teachers learn very quickly who to let out and who are just up to no good when they ask.

To avoid having a problem with bullies (and anywhere you have more than a few students you have bullies), we have a policy of "high profile" staff. During passing periods all administrators who aren't with parents are in the hallways or walking the campus and monitoring the restrooms. Also during our two lunches, before, and after school our teachers are assigned duties. This means that maybe twice a week they monitor the deck, cafeteria, hallways, bus circle, parking lots, etc. We also have 3 monitors on campus whose main job is to see that if a kid is out of class he has a pass.

As far as the last point, all I can advise is that if this truly is a medical problem for a student they need to get a note from their doctor stating the problem and the school must let them out of class for the restroom (unless they abuse it). However, if they just don't like it then unfortunately they may just have to "suck it up and learn to deal". This isn't meant to sound harsh, but at some point they will have to learn this lesson.

Kat

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 01:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I am astonished that the children are allowed to eat and drink in class. We don't permit that at all. I would take that up with administration. No wonder they have to tinkle if they are drinking soda during class.

Kaili

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 03:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Well, I'm at my second placement now (8th grade) and as if yet, the bathroom seems to not be an issue for these kids.

Honestly, I know that a lot of the kids at the HS did it to annoy me. It often happened during 4th hour (early lunch started toward the end of the hour)- right around the time the 5th hr lunch kids were in the hallway, suddenly there was an increased need by certain students to use the bathroom. I'd say they more than likely wanted to see their buddies in the halls.

The slightly shifted schedules can help ease the problem of too many kids at passing time, at least during some parts of the day.

Phatcat

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 03:39 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Ok, friends. I just got back home after meeting with my friend and her son. What REALLY happened is this. The $13,383 is the total amount for the Jetta and the payoff for the Honda. The $4,228 that was added on is NOT the payoff on the Honda, but the total finance charges for 5 years. This, at least, clears up part of the problem.

The son said that he was unable to make the payments on the Honda and didn't want to ruin his Mom's credit, since she had co-signed on that for him...SO he goes and buys a JETTA that is 3x's more expensive than the Honda. Go figure.

The Mom was so grateful to all you folks who have offered advice. Now she is hoping that, since they will not finance the Jetta, they will take the car back and give him the Honda back. In my opinion, they still took advantage of him. I don't think they could have sold the Honda yet, since the loan didn't go through which means the bank handling the Honda hasn't been paid yet. Right? I'm also wondering how it works with his Mom being a co-signer on the original loan. Wouldn't she have had to agree to all this?? What a day!! Thanks again to all of you.

And Whoami, thanks for the link to troubleshooter...just one more site to check out. I am crazzeeee about my puter.

Wargod

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 04:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Here they're only allowed to drink water in class and the reason they can is that they're on year round school...meaning class in the middle of summer in the desert, lol. My son is in first grade, so running to the bathroom during class isn't a big problem.

Halfunit

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 04:21 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Phat,

I still think he should keep the VW and not make payments, lol...

As for his mom needing to be notified, the answer is no. If a vehicle with a co-signer is paid off, the co-signer never needs to know. It's only when payments AREN'T being made that the lender will contact the co-signer.

Draheid

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 04:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Phatcat: As long as the Mom wasn't involved in trying to secure the note for the Jetta, she wouldn't need to be involved in paying off of the Honda. Some states allow an 'Or' title giving either party the right to sign away that title. Most states, however, have an 'And' title which would require both parties on the title to sign for it's transfer. Also, the title should have been in the name of the lienholder as well. The one who probably hasn't been paid for the balance due and therefore would NOT release the title. So, it would seem to me highly unlikely that the Honda could have been sold yet. And, even if it was, the title wasn't 'clear' on it so the sale could be void, leaving the dealership in a real big mess for that too.

Anyway, I kept reading your original post and thought something didn't sound exactly right. Glad you cleared up that the additional $4228 was actually finance charges. That's what it sounded like to me anyway.

Bottom line, the dealer will likely have to void the transaction, accept the Jetta, and return the Honda to the boy for him to face his Mom on why he can't pay the note. Since Mom cosigned, as far as I know, she will be held liable for the note if the son defaults on it.

Let me know if you still need me to contact my friend about this transaction. It sounds like you've already cleared it up and the dealer just needs to do what they need to do.

JMO - FWIW

Phatcat

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 04:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks again, Draheid and Halfunit.

I was thinking the same thing, Draheid, about the dealer voiding the transaction. It just amazes me that they allowed the kid to drive that car off the lot before the financing was approved. I don't know a car dealer who would allow ME to do that.

I think the boy wants out of the deal now that he has talked his Mom...and I KNOW his mom wants him out of it. I read the contract but couldn't find anything, either way, about what happens if they are unable to obtain financing. I guess we'll have to wait and see on that one. In the meantime, I like Halfunit's idea...just drive the darn car till they come get it. What a mess the kids can get into. He didn't even know what the original asking price was on the JETTA.

And, GET THIS. For the last two months, the son has been a USED CAR SALESMAN!!! DUH!!! He sat there and told me that they didn't put a price sticker on used cars so the salesmen can jack up the price and make more commission. He also said that was the reason he wasn't making much money...he can't do that to people...it wouldn't be honest. And then he told me...THE DEALER HE WORKS FOR WOULDN'T HIRE HIM UNTIL HE PAID $500 FOR A CLASS TO TRAIN HIM IN SELLING CARS. ARGHHHHHH!

I will let you know, Draheid, about calling your friend. I wouldn't even know what to ask him now. The boy made a bad deal, the dealer tried to take advantage of the boy's naivete, the salesman has probably already gotten an advance on his commission and spent it, the Jetta has a few more miles on it...and the loan didn't go through!!! Such a deal!!!!

Whoami

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 05:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
.

Whit4you

Monday, November 18, 2002 - 07:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
side note - anyone starting to feel like we have a thread for EVERYTHING here now? I know I do...:)


Ok anyhow - here's the deal

I bought some very nice carpet for the downstairs 5 years ago when I remodeled the downstairs of my duplex. It's a very large living room, and even with a great sale and so on I spent over 600 bucks for that carpet. It was very durable and scotch guarded and so on. The only thing that I didn't expect or predict when I bought it was 2 pitbull dogs, since I did not allow dogs. While I lived in Ohio however my son got two pitbull dogs. They urinated and etc endless times on that carpet - and also the carpet has burn spots.. and one 2 inch by 8 inch hole ... and other stains.

Here's what I've learned - I can use White Vinegar to get the smell out?

I can use Oxyclean to get the stains out.

Aparrently if I can figure out how I can patch that hole with another peice of the same carpet.

Now - what other suggestions might you have and - with the above suggestions how do I go about it?

Should I use the white vinegar first? If so - what in a commercial cleaner?

Then the Oxy clean? Or visa versa?

Would 20 hours be enough wait in between using the two?

I don't want to get the padding underneith TOO wet this time a year or it could mildew.

What ideas if any do you guys have for this.

I really don't want to replace this carpet - especially since I won't even be getting rent for 3 months and I've guaranteed them dirt cheap rent for 18 months... so I'd just like to make the current carpet - which in most areas still looks brand new (they were covered with couches etc)

Conejo

Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 11:44 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I've been thinking of purchasing a DVD player as a christmas present to myself. Is there anything I should look for in one or are they all pretty much the same? I've never used one or watched one but have heard they are very nice to have.

Draheid

Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 04:45 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Conejo: There are several differences in the multitude of DVD players on the market. I purchased my first Toshiba brand DVD several years ago when they were very limited and very expensive. That unit is now happily residing in my DD's apartment and still working fine. I wanted a unit that would play VCDs & MP3s as well as DVDs so I bought a nice RCA model 5240P based on ratings I had red. When my kids wanted a player for their TV, I bought a very 'cheap' Apex AD1100 unit at Wal-Mart. The Apex plays pretty much everything my RCA does, however, just the other day, after almost a year, it decided to stop reading discs completely. I popped the cover and used a can of compressed air to dust it out and it's been working fine ever since.

You can read all sorts of information and compatibility information about DVDs at VCDHelp.com where you can search for brands, models, compatibilities, etc.

Another good site is EPinions.com's DVD pages where you can see popular brands and owner's oppinions of them.

Another option to consider is the new 'all-in-one' home theater systems that include a DVD player with amplifier & speakers for a home theater sound system. I bought my DD one of these last Christmas and she's been enjoying movies, CDs & even MP3 CDs she burns on the computer.

I hope this helps. If you have other questions, please ask away and I'll try to answer them or point you to the answers online.

Kaili

Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 07:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
It's nice that you can get a pretty basic good one for pretty cheap now. I bought mine last year for $150 (Magnavox).

One thing I learned from Family Video...I rented a DVD and it wouldn't play on mine...this happens kind of frequently with people mistreating rentals and them getting scratched...anyway, I took it in and it ran fine on the store ones. They told me that their players are a lot less sensitive to scratches than some models (like mine). Don't know if that eill help but just so you iknow you might want to ask about that when you go to purchase.

Conejo

Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 05:33 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Draheid & Kaili, Thanks guys for your input!

I'm thinking that for now I might just get one of the less expensive models as I don't tend to rent very many movies. However, a model that plays everything sounds nice - will price them also.

Draheid, is there a model that plays DVD & VHS? Will check out the web sites you suggested when I have time. Thanks for your help!

Draheid

Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 07:54 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Conejo: Yes, there are several on the market that include both a DVD player and a VHS recorder. There's even combo systems built into TVs as well. The only reservation I would have to something like this is that if one 'side' has a problem, you lose both to repair since they are inseperable. Similar to anything that is an 'All-in-one' type of system.

I was just reading a Radioshack flyer I received in the mail recently and they have several units now starting at under $60.00 for DVD alone. They even have one that's 'designed' for rental type DVDs as it claims to be more tolerant of flaws in the discs that it will play. This might be worth a look.

If you have any more questions, or if you would like information on a particular model, check the links above with the brand/model information to see other oppinions of it before you buy.

Good luck.

Vixeninvegas

Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 09:05 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I don't know if you have a "Blockbuster" Movie rental place in your area or not but here in Vegas they are selling a DVD / VCR for $179.00 & you also get with it a free $20 movie rental card & 2 "used" DVD's to start your collection.

I'm going to get one this weekend :)

Conejo

Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 09:15 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks guys!
I have a Radio Shack and a Blockbuster right down the street - think i'll check them both out this weekend!

Draheid

Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 09:18 am EditMoveDeleteIP
FWIW: Radio Shack has a 'Go Video' brand DVD/VCR combo for 149.99 (After $30 mail-in rebate) advertised. And Walmart has an Emerson brand DVD/VCR for $148.76 advertised. :)

Conejo

Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 09:30 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Well, it looks I be going to Walmart also. Might as well just plan on shoping all day Saturday.
Thanks Dra