The Internet has provided the public with a useful and convenient tool that makes it easier to do all manner of things than it used to be. One of these things, oddly enough, is the sale of motor vehicles. It seems strange that cars would sell well on the Web, as one would think that buyers would want to “kick the tires” before making a purchase. The success of eBay Motors, AutoTrader and other online sites devoted to the sale of motor vehicles would suggest otherwise, as business at those sites is thriving.

Consumers who wish to purchase a vehicle online should be aware of a popular scam perpetrated by crooks who wish to steal your money the wire transfer scam. The seller offers a vehicle for sale that he or she doesn’t really have; they often just post a stock photo or one they found somewhere. The sellers often indicate that they are located in Europe, and they insist on a wire transfer, such as Western Union, for payment. Once the buyer sends the money, the seller vanishes, never to be heard from again.

This scam has been going on for some time, and most of the online auto auction sites encourage their customers never to pay for a vehicle using a wire transfer, even if the seller promises to use escrow to ensure the safety of the transaction.

Here are a few tips for those people who are shopping for a vehicle online:

# Ask the seller if you can stop by and see the vehicle in person. Someone who doesn’t actually have the vehicle in his or her possession will almost certainly refuse. Even if you have no intention of paying a visit, just asking to see it could be useful.

# Watch out for auctions that feature stock photos or photos from brochures. Anyone with a real car to sell should be able to take a picture of it.

# Beware of any seller who will only accept a wire transfer for payment.

# Beware of a seller who says the vehicle is in another country but offers to pay the shipping to the United States. This is a common ruse used by scammers in other countries.

# Watch out for a vehicle that is offered for sale at a price that seems too inexpensive for the model. A $25,000 car offered for $10,000 should set off bells in your head.

# If on eBay, check the seller’s transaction history to see if they have a record of actually selling vehicles. Scammers sometimes hack into eBay user accounts and sell using the name of another, established user. If the seller is selling a Harley but has a history of only buying compact discs, watch out.

While buying a vehicle through online auction sites is a good way to purchase one, buyers should exercise the same cautions as when they buy anything else on the Internet. If you are buying an expensive item and you are not familiar with the seller, be careful.

Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing. Retro Marketing, established in 1978, is a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.LemonLawHelp.net, a site devoted to automobile lemon laws.

Copyright Charles Essmeier - http://www.end-your-debt.com

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

Do you have many claims? If so, you should do all you can to reduce them or even endeavor to file no claims at all. Why do I bring this issue up in an article about lowering your auto insurance quote? Because the number of claims is the single factor that to the highest degree influences the cost of your insurance premium. Let me give you an example: Let’s say you have 5 years of no claim. Most companies will then give you an unbelievable discount of your premium, some of them even 75%! It goes without saying that this is the most powerful way to get cheap insurance.

How can an insurance company do this? Look at an insurance company as a big box of money dropped in by people who gets security in return. What the company does is simply to reallocate the money that is left when the payments for damages are deducted.

People that have many damages and file many claims, must pay a higher premium and thus get a higher car insurance quote.But a safe driver that avoid claims, is rewarded with a lower one. Fair enough?

If you are new to insurance - or even if you have had insurrances for some years, but feel you lack knowledge about it. - I’ll advice you to learn the basic auto insurance terminology, before you start to shop around. It can help you, not only to get a low cost insurance but also to make the correct coverage decisions for you. Let’s do a little test: Do you need PIP coverage? What does PD coverage mean? What is BI coverage?

Do not accept the first quote you get

If you ask an insurance company for a quote, you can be almost hundred percent sure you’ll get a better one from at least one other company. Comprehensive marketing research the recent years has shown that prices for a new six-month policy with comparable coverage can vary greatly between different companies. And we are talking about spreads in rates of at least $500

So, equipped with this knowledge both you and I know that it pays to do a little legwork and shop around for car insurance.

Most insurance companies have a form of questions you must provide answers to in order to get an understanding of your security situation. It is really astonshing, how much the criterias for determining the price can vary between companies. What one company may consider a high risk factor another company may view as a minor risk. So why not take a little time to compare rates for a number of different companies?

The first thing you should do before you start this comparison is to go through your insurance coverages and keep your auto insurance policy on hand. Then go online and start to shop around. The internet is probably the most comprehensive, fastest and easiest way to find a decent vehicle insurance quote.

And what’s even more incredible, many insurance companies now offer some great discounts for buying the policy over the web - a discount that come in addition to the no-claim discount described above.

How is this possible? To handle an insurance sale in general cost money for the companies. However, a sale on the internet will cost less money than selling it over the counter. They do not have to involve human resources if you purchase it online. Thus the companies save money on your internet purchase, and a part of this saving is passed on to you as a discount, a significant discount if you buy from the right company.

About the Author: Terje Brooks Ellingsen is an internet publisher, and runs http://www.cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com/ He helps people with automotive issues like how to get cheap car insurance, see http://www.cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com/cheap_car_insurance.htm and vehicle insurance in general, see http://www.cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com/cheap_car_insurance.htm

Source: www.isnare.com

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

Nothing else enhances the look of your car or truck more than custom wheels, the bottom line is that rims make the look of the car. Within 15 minutes you can install chrome mags and the look of your car is totally different, from boring to show stopper. Everyone likes the look of aftermarket wheels, but how do you choose the right rims for your sports car?

Custom mag wheels are available from so many aftermarket wheel manufacturers it is truly amazing and the list grows every year. Some of the most popular names include Eagle wheels, Chip Foose rims and Weld wheels, to name a few. When choosing aftermarket wheels you can get cheap prices which sometimes means cheap quality or you can spend a little bit more and be 100% completely satisfied with your purchase. You get what you pay for, so you have to make sure you know what type of quality you are getting. But quality can be very expensive, so can the style of the wheel.

Wheel styles range from regular 5 spoke alloy wheels, to wire wheels, to the latest and greatest, chrome spinning wheels that run up to $3,000 per rim. Chrome spinning rims are the newest invention to hit the custom car crowd, “chrome spinners” as they are called actually spin, even while you car is standing still!

Now back to how to choose your rims, if you are looking stricly from an appearance perspective, then it’s easy, just choose custom wheels that you feel fits with the style of your vehicle and your personal preferences. If you want perfornance for racing, then light alloy wheels are the best way yo go. Steel rims are no good, they will only slow your automobile down. Heavy wheels add unnecessary weight to your car, which in return lower the driving performance.

If you do lots of city commuting in traffic, then alloy wheels are a great choice. Alloy rims actually offer cool air flow over your car’s brake system which will prevent overheating. Alloy aluminum wheels are lighter than chrome or steel wheels you can also improve your gas mileage slightly.

Another tip to help the performance of your auto is to install rims that are one or two inches larger than the stock factory wheels. Larger wheels also give your SUV truck or sports car a more sporty look and feel. Also make sure the custom wheels you purchase have a maximum-load rating compatible with your vehicle, and you have to find wheels that match the bolt pattern of your automobile.

The offset is also very important If you install the wrong offset size, there will be problems with the steering and handling of your car, so make sure to find the right offset. A sales person at the wheel shop will be able to help you choose the right offset for your vehicle, so don’t worry if it sounds complicated.

Where can you buy wheels from? You have a few choices here, you can shop at the local car accessory store or you can shop online for your wheels. Each has their own benefit. If you shop at a brick and mortar store you can touch and feel the rims before you and if you have questions a sales person can answer your questions. If you shop online you have less help, but the benefit is in the savings, you can save hundreds of dollars compared to retail stores. It’s a give and take situation, if you have the knowledge I suggest you shop online, why pay more if you don’t have to.

About the author:

Richard Gazzo is a successful writer offering advice on where to buy American racing custom wheels including chrome wheels, spinning rims,

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair