Auto Estrogen

I don’t know about you, but the more choices I have, the harder it is for me to make a decision. Restaurants with extensive menus, while appealing, are often problematic, especially if I don’t have a taste for anything in particular. As much as I enjoy eating out, having a meal at home gives me far less to think about. And then there’s car shopping. When I was looking for my car, my first obstacle, outside of my lack of knowledge was figuring out what type of car I wanted – so many choices, so many styles, and so many brands. If it wasn’t for the extended time I spent driving my brother’s car during his time overseas, I might still be pondering. But the experience made me all the wiser and I’ve started an informational and educational business and website that educates women on what I learned to boot. I’ve become a Car-Buy-Her, informed and empowered and am championing other women to do so as well, so there have been some benefits.

But now here I am, smack in the middle of my mother’s car search. While tackling robust restaurant menus are no feat for her, the sampling of dealer menus has had her vacillating and it’s time to make a decision. It’s been almost five years ago since I was looking for a car. I was challenged, frustrated, and overwhelmed, mostly of my own doing, but I have some knowledge now and have happily passed it on to mom, but things haven’t been as simple as they might seem.

Your first thought was probably, surely things are easier, you guys know what you’re doing, the internet is packed with information, and there’s plenty to choose from, not to mention the current state of dealerships and their need to move cars off the lot. I know. I know.

But in some instances, therein lies the problem. And then there’s the ever so slight issue of the age difference and the car shopping approach, and well, let’s just say we’re still looking.

So since it’s May and Mother’s Day is coming up as well as my mom’s birthday, I thought I’d chronicle our journey of mother-daughter car shopping. Mom has given herself a deadline to have a car by her birthday. It’s coming up in just a few weeks, so we’ll see how it goes.

Stay Tuned . . . . .

If you’re a woman looking for a new car, you’ll probably pay more than a man according to a news report on Negotiating, which can be seen here:
http://www.wsbtv.com/video/16140692/index.html

The report shows both a man and woman going into the dealership to purchase a car. After being in the dealership, the man comes out with a great deal while the woman leaves without even getting a quote. Are you surprised? We’re not. But why is this? Why do women tend to pay more.

Apparently it’s because Women Don’t Ask. In her book of the same title, author Linda Babcock shares studies that reveal:
· Men initiate negotiations about 4 times more often than women;
· Women will spend up to $1,300 dollars more to avoid haggling at the dealership;
· And 20% of women say they never negotiate.

The reasons why goes beyond the extent of this particular blog post, but here’s the deal ladies, we have to wise up and begin to ask!

There are a number of interesting and useful websites sprouting up to assist women and consumers with car buying. Women are busy, and we understand that, so our goal is to introduce you to some of these resources, give you an overview and review of the services offered.

One interesting site is called Car Tango, a site for women with the slogan “Girl Meets Car”. It’s cute if nothing else. Their goal according to the website is to help women find their perfect automotive match, at the best possible price and without the hassle.

We at Car-Buy-Her particularly like this concept because we understand how time-consuming and frustrating car buying can be for women so we decided to mosey over with our actively looking, ready-to-purchase Car-Buy-Her, to see if we could learn how to Tango and meet the car of our dreams. We started out by getting a membership, free and relatively simple to set up, options included the “Quick Profile”, which was indeed quick and void of a long series of intrusive questions, requiring only an email and a password. Excellent, we thought, moving right along.

We found the site relatively easy to navigate, starting initially at the research section, which allowed us to plug in various cars of interest. This section was particularly useful as it gave us the option to do side-by-side comparisons along with providing pros and cons of one car over the other. We were extremely impressed and received a good overview of what one car offered over the other all together on the same page. Since our Car-Buy-Her was still deciding on what she wanted we decided the Car Soulmate Survey might shed some light and add a bit of fun to our research. We sifted through a series of female-friendly, sometimes silly and sometimes unrelated car questions like, What kind of vacuum cleaner do you own and if we could who would we hang out with for a day with choices ranging from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Ellen Degeneres, and Condoleezza Rice as options. We certainly didn’t know how they all worked together but when the questions were all answered and the results came back, the car options were unbelievably close to what we liked and thought we might be interested in and included pictures, prices, and links for more information.

That was fun we thought, but now it was time to get to work or to dancing, the Car Tango way. We were ready to buy, to Tango with the dealers and see what they had to offer, but then the trouble began. For starters after reading the directions on how to Tango, we couldn’t figure how to get started. We fumbled around on the site a bit then tried doing a search and save with our cars of interest. The problem was once we put our cars in, we didn’t get any information back.

We sat, confused.

Then we decided to call Car Tango and things got better.

We were extremely happy to get a live voice on the phone, someone who could actually talk us through the website and explain how we should go about Tangoing. It turned out we were talking to the owner Dan, who was very nice and helpful. Not only was he willing to talk us through this, but he actually stayed on the phone as we went through the process. He explained that they (Car Tango) were a new company and still bringing in dealers and it was possible we might need to expand our search beyond the 50-mile radius we had initially put in. We were willing to give that a try. Dan put some different variables into the system and was able to get a list back. Unfortunately we were not. We tried again. No luck. We all decided it must be a software glitch, in which case we emailed the Car Tango tech department with the URL of the error, thanked Dan for his time and agreed to give it a try later.

Later that afternoon we received an email back from the tech department stating the bug had been fixed. Cool, we thought, we’ll give this a try later.

We haven’t gotten back just yet, but are anxious to do so and see just how well we do with the Tango.

We’ll keep you posted.

Buying a new car, like a new relationship is filled with excitement and thrills. The beginning of a new relationship often brings ideologies and fantasies of the perfect situation. Everything’s new, everything’s good, and everything’s perfect. Likewise, when buying a car there are many romantic notions, especially on the dealership lot. You see that new car, purchase it, and plan to live happily ever after, until the day-to-day reality sets in. New cars, like new relationships are great, but here are a few things you want to be weary of:

1. New Cars Last Forever. Unlike, diamonds, this is not the case with your new car. As a matter of fact, it’s the exact opposite meaning the minute you drive it off the lot it depreciates, losing its initial value. That’s why it’s important to know and buy the car you want because if you find yourself unhappy and wanting or needing to sell, it might not be so easy to get rid of.

2. It Smells So Good. You remember in the beginning of your relationship when your guy always smelled and looked fresh and then one day you looked at him and thought, “You stink”. Sadly but true, the new car smell does wear off and then you’re left with dangling scents of uneaten food, dirty shoes, musty laundry and who knows what else. Not to fear though. There are plenty of products that help eliminate this problem.

3. It’s Pretty and New so it has No Flaws. Outside of just wanting and needing a new car, many buy new because they don’t want to deal with the hassles of maintenance. They assume cars straight from the manufacturer with warranties equates to no-fuss driving. Not necessarily so. New cars have their share of maintenance issues as well, thus the warranties. Sometimes there are manufacturer’s issues; recalls for example, are certainly possible. So keep in mind that buying new is not an absolute or your guarantee that you won’t spend some time in the service department.

4. The body will maintain itself. A nice body is usually an easy sell. I mean who doesn’t like a shiny, buffed body, right? Just remember, the shine and body will not maintain itself. It has to be taken care of. Unless you plan to sit your car in the garage somewhere and not drive it, there is the distinct possibility that over time you will see some wear and tear on it’s body. Unexpected and unexplainable dings and scratches to the paint and a general wearing down of the original color are to be expected over a course of time.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Have you ever been taken advantage of or scammed at the car dealership? It’s every woman’s nightmare, but you can prevent this from happening to you. Noted columnist Laura Coffey will join Sheronde Glover of Car-Buy-Her on Auto Estrogen Live! on Thursday, January 17th at 12:00 noon Eastern.

Ms. Coffey will share automotive money saving tips and why she started her crusade to help consumers make smart financial decisions after falling victim to a car buying scam.

Ms. Coffey is a veteran journalist with 20 years of newspaper experience, she has written and edited for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Prague Post in the Czech Republic, the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, Alaska, and the St. Petersburg Times in Florida. Her column “10 Tips for Keeping Your Money in Your Wallet” is featured weekly at msnbc.com

To hear the show live, visit www.blogtalkradio.com/auto-estrogen

It’s 2008, a new year filled with new and wonderful possibilities. You’ve resolved to get into shape, take that class you’ve been wanting to take, and be a better person. You’re taking on the challenge of improving both your professional and personal life so why not take it a step further and improve your car life. In 2008, we have to get into 5th Gear and to do that I want to extend 8 automotive challenges to you:

1. Become an official Car-Buy-Her – This year Car-Buy-Her is launching it’s 5th Gear Challenge for women. You can join the challenge and become an official Car-Buy-Her in 2008.

2. Become more empowered as a consumer – Knowledge is power! Everything you read pertaining to car buying and maintenance will inevitably point you towards the importance of doing your research, getting as much information as you can and educating yourself. I believe an educated consumer is a better consumer, all the way around.

3. Get to know your car –Whether it’s driving to work, kids activities, social gathering or for travel, we spend a considerable amount time in our car. Don’t you think we should take the time to get to know it a little better? I know ladies that name their cars, but don’t know what an alternator looks like. Not that this would be on your top ten list of “need to know information”, but considering it’s a major part of the workings of your vehicle, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to at least have an idea of what it looks like. You don’t have to put on overalls and get up under the car, but the next time you have a little time, why not pop the hood and learn a little something about the floods that go in your car?

4. Put together your emergency kit – Learn what ten things you need to have in your car. You really don’t want to be driving around with these.

5. Review your Owner’s Manual. Stop ignoring the most important thing in your car. Open up the glove compartment and take a look at what’s inside.

6. Get more involved in automotive areas – Most women don’t get really excited about car stuff but it’s important that we get more involved. There are small things you can do to get more involved, for example learn to purposely ask more questions. When getting quotes for auto repair, ask them to show you what they will be doing to your car, what their hourly labor rate is, and if you can purchase your own auto parts (if feasible).

7. Pay more attention to maintenance needs. Don’t wait to take your car in when you know you’re having a problem. Think of your car as your child. If one of your children were ill, would you wait two months to take them to the doctor? Of course not! Well, why do you do that with your car? Don’t make a minor situation major or turn a little problem into a large one.

8. Attempt one maintenance task on your own. If you’ve never popped the hood on your car, checked the oil, or tire pressure, this is your year. You’d be amazed at the things you can do and you’ll feel better knowing how to do them.

It’s 2008 and the challenge is on! Car-Buy-Her is challenging 2008 ladies to join our 5th Gear Challenge to become engaged, educated, enlightened, evolved, and empowered in car buying and maintenance.

It’s time to take control of your car life and you can do that by joining the challenge. Car-Buy-Her is offering monthly teleconferences, webinars, workshops and clinics to provide information and resources for women.

It wasn’t that long ago that I was left on the side of the road, literally, and overwhelmed and frustrated by the car buying experience. There were so many things I could have been doing to prepare myself — but I didn’t know that at the time. So, I’m on a crusade to develop Car-Buy-Hers, not automotive experts because here’s what I discovered: You don’t have to be an automotive expert to get a good deal, you just need to be a Car-Buy-Her.

Here’s a definition of an expert: Having, involving, or demonstrating great skill, dexterity, or knowledge as the result of experience or training

Here’s a definition of a Car-Buy-Her: informed, in control and ready to buy

In my honest opinion, women don’t want to be automotive experts, but they do want to be informed and in control.

And if we really want to make a case towards the experts, let’s first determine who’s the real expert — is it the dealership or auto repair mechanic or would it be you?

Who knows best about your lifestyle, your needs, wants, and current situation? Who drives the car, takes care of it (or not) on a regular basis? That’s right, you do?!

So why then are we (women that is) relying on everyone else to make the deal and tell us what’s best for us?

It’s time to get into 5th Gear ladies! Join us, why don’t you . . .

Learn more about the 5th Gear Challenge

In an interview with Ed Brown, the founder of Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute, an educational company that helps individuals develop charisma, Brown states that there is a connection between the car we drive and the perception people have of us. “Your car goes where you go and is an outward expression of who you are. The world revolves around style and substance, but it’s not enough just to have substance you must also have style,” states Brown.

With that being said, what does your car say about you? Consider the color, the style, the make and the model all as an outward expression of who you are. People buy cars because they need them, but when they’re in them they usually want to make a statement, “I’m fun, outgoing, successful, thoughtful, considerate, powerful, etc.

What we drive offers, if nothing but a superficial glimpse of who we are, what we like, and how we expressive ourselves outwardly.

When we go out we want to look our best, from the clothes that we wear to the bag that we carry. We understand the importance of our accessories, the image we’re portraying and what we want to say to the world around us. The car we drive, our largest, mobile accessory, portrays a significant image.

Research shows that when it comes to car buying, women in general, consider affordability, security, and safety in their purchases, while men think power and luxury.

Cute, practical cars such as the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Saturn L300, and Toyota RAV4 where among some of the top sellers for women while high powered cars like the Acura NSX, Dodge Viper SRT-10, and Mercedes Benz S55 AMG are among some of the top sellers for men according to the Forbes.com article, What Your Car Says About You.

See my full article Cars, Image & Style: Are You What You Drive and listen to the interview with Ed Brown on Auto Estrogen Live!

At the dealership that is. A conversation with a young lady prompted this question. She had recently purchased a car and had a really good experience, but only after visiting a total of 10 different dealerships. How many dealerships does a woman have to visit before she’s satisfied enough to buy? That’s the specific question to the general one: Are women satisfied with their dealer experiences?

I don’t know the full answer to that, but I can tell you that I’ve talked to a lot of women. Just yesterday I was having a conversation with a woman who is interested in hosting a Car-Buy-Her Auto Clinic for Women. After we finished our talk regarding the clinic, she shared her experience with the dealership she purchased her car from. Do you have training for them too, she asked, because I walked our of their dealership. She went on to share that the services department was really good but there was certainly some needed training when it came to the sales staff. I understand. I’ve heard it before. And yes, we do offer training for dealerships.

A recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center found that overall car buyers are largely satisfied with their dealership experiences when buying a new or used car. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they were very satisfied with their experience, with another 31 percent saying they were somewhat satisfied. The survey noted that satisfaction rates increased with age and household income, which are probably influenced by the consumer’s accumulated experience with the car-buying process and possibly by the purchase of higher-end models. The same survey found that ten percent said they were somewhat or very dissatisfied. This was a random, nationwide telephone survey of 2,000 households conducted during October of this year.

However in a poll of 12,000 women conducted by Car Max, car buying was found to still be a hassle for women. When it came to Ms. Alexander, the enthusiastically determined car buyer that visited 10 dealerships, the majority of her dissatisfaction was from her interactions with the sales staff. At one dealership the salesman yelled at her and at another dealership, the salesman kept showing her models she wasn’t interested in then walked away.

Why is that I’m hearing the same complaints from women? Why aren’t women getting the satisfaction at the dealership they should when clearly they are a huge buying force within the industry? I’m still asking this question. I’m yet to find the answer.

Statistics say that more than 65% of customers that take their vehicles to repair shops are women and women spend approximately $300 billion dollars on used car sales, maintenance, repairs and service, but for many women maintaining a car can be troublesome and problematic. So I wanted to talk about that. Here are some of the questions women have when it comes to auto repair:

1. What do I need to know about auto repair?
2. How do I find a good mechanic?
3. What are some general principles/rules for maintaining my car?
4. How can I become more knowledgeable?
5. How can I squeeze car maintenance into my busy routine?

To help answer some of these questions, I spoke with Towanda Cooper, owner of
Cooper Automotive Repair, Inc. Towanda has over 20 years of experience in the vehicle maintenance and repair industry, which has provided her with a very broad knowledge base. Towanda’s many strengths include her unique ability to accurately diagnose and repair mechanical problems on American and foreign-made vehicles. Here’s my interview with Towanda:

Car-Buy-Her: One of the things that you have said in the past that has really helped me a lot and many of the women in our auto clinics is that you (meaning the mechanic) is not the expert, but that the woman (the driver) is actually the expert. Can you talk a little about that because I think many women would find that somewhat comforting?

Towanda: What I mean by that is that women (the driver) are the ones that know their car best. Not their spouses or the mechanics. Women are the ones that drive their cars every day and have a better feel for the car.

Car-Buy-Her: What can a woman then do once she knows somethings wrong with her car and she had to take it into the repair shop? How can she feel more comfortable going into the auto repair shop?

Towanda: I recommend that when you start hearing a noise or something like that, look at your speedometor and notice the speed. If you notice a smell, be able to tell them how it smells. Don’t use terms like I don’t know. Be as specific as possible. Also, ask to ride along with the mechanic so the two of you are hearing the same things.

Car-Buy-Her: Are there some key things that women need to know, som general principles or rules for keeping your car up?

Towanda: Get to know your car and do maintenance check-ups on time.

Car-Buy-Her: Speaking of time. Women tend to be very busy and are often challenged by that and maintaining their cars. What strategies or tips can you share to help women begin to incorporate maintenance more naturally into their daily routine?

Towanda: Keep a log of maintenance. Add repairs and schedules to your daily planner or palm pilot. Pay attention to your owners manual. Schedule maintenance just like you schedule anything else.

Car-Buy-Her: Can you share tips for preparing for the winter months?

Towanda: Two particular things come to mind for winterizing. 1. Check the state of your battery and make sure that your battery can make it through the winter months. You can go to an auto parts store and have your battery checked. 2. Check antifreeze to make sure that it can make it through the winter months. You can purchase an antifreeze tester.

Car-Buy-Her: A big concern women have at our clinics is safety and what happens if they are on the road and their car stops. Can you talk about the idea of the emergency kit?

Towanda: What I consider an emergency kit is having in your car: A quart of oil, transmission fluid, a toolkit, a gallon of water, and a flashlight.

Car-Buy-Her: From your standpoint working on cars on a regular basis, are there some additional thoughts and points you can share for maintaining our cars and being on the road?

Towanda: I want to point out the importance of keeping your tires maintained. Tires must be properly inflated and could cause drive-ability problems if the tires are low. Keeping your tires aired up helps your brakes out as well. When tires are low you put more pressure on your braking system. Make sure you have antifreeze in your car because that helps your heating system.

Car-Buy-Her: Let’s say I’m a woman and I want to become more familiar with my car and more knowledgeable, what are some things I can do today to jumpstart that process.

Towanda: A good start is to attend one of the Car-Buy-Her auto clinics for women. I also recommend reading your owners manual. Also don’t be afraid to talk to the mechanic and ask questions.

Car-Buy-Her: As a mechanic, what should a woman look for when looking for a good mechanic or some questions we should ask to find a good mechanic?

Towanda: The first thing I would recommend is checking with the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no complaints. Also the auto industry has a certification program for mechanics called ASE so if you go into a shop make sure that they have ASE certified mechanics on duty. In addition you can ask your friends for referrals.

To hear the live interview, visit www.blogtalkradio.com/auto-estrogen