As long as a secondhand car is sold with a written and specific warranty, it qualifies under the California Lemon Law. The car should not have been purchased for commercial purposes. As with all other applications for vehicles, the California Used Car Lemon Law only covers a secondhand car that was purchased for personal, family or household use.

Care should be taken to have the defects and inherent problems of the car established by a certified mechanic at the time of purchase. If the vehicle was bought without a warranty that covers these defects, the buyer will have a very difficult time making a case under the California Used Car Lemon Law. Unscrupulous sellers will not shy away from trying to sell a buyer a ‘lemon’ previously returned for these very defects.

California Used Car Lemon Law also applies to leased vehicles, as long as they have been leased under warranty. With all vehicles, such a warranty is not invalid once 18,000 miles of road use or 18 months since purchase have expired, if the warranty specifies a higher mileage or period.

As long as the first repair attempt took place within the specified warranty period, a leased or purchased vehicle can qualify under the California Used Car Lemon Law even after that period.

Basically, one can get a refund or complete, satisfactory repair for a secondhand purchased or leased vehicle as easily as one can for a brand-new car, as long as the used car was purchased for private, non-commercial use. Secondhand cars are not the only vehicles covered by the California Used Car Lemon Law. It applies equally to recreational vehicles (RVs), motor homes of all kinds, motorcycles, boats and other vehicles.

So you’ve decided to get an estimate from a local body shop. These days, most body shops will use a computerized estimating software to write your estimate. If the shop you have chosen does not use a computer to write your estimate that should be cause for concern. This is not meant as a jab at those long time owners and technicians and I am not implying they are “backward” or “luddites” or ignorant. Its more for accountability. Computerized software is now standard in our industry and insures a more uniform, unbiased and accurate appraisal for how long things take to repair. For instance, I was talking to a shop owner just a couple days ago who was remembering with fondness the good old days when he would routinely get 15+ labor hours to repair frames on cars that nowadays he only gets 4-5 hours on. The truth is however that 4-5 is the more accurate and fair rate (depending on the job of course it could be more or less). And since consumers and insurance companies are billed by the hours on an estimate the old days of falsely inflating hours are gone.

When it comes to auto body repair the vast majority of line items on an estimate will be one of 5 things:

1. R & I. This is shorthand for “remove and install” and means to take something off your car and then to re-install it later. Parts that are not damaged may need to be temporarily removed to access another part that was damaged or more often so the panel it is taken off of can painted properly. For instance, say your electric motor for your window stops working. The interior trim panel will need to be temporarily removed for to gain access to the motor to see if it can be repaired (not likely!) or replaced. Or perhaps a molding needs to be removed from your door before it is painted only to be put back on later when the paint dries. One caution here is that if panels are being painted and you’re not being charged for R & I the shop may be taping them up which can actually cause peeling or flaking months or years later. So don’t be surprised if for instance a headlight needs to be removed to properly paint a fender. You should actually be more concerned if its not. FYI: R & I times are typically set to industry standards by estimating software and are not discretionary.

2. Repair. Repair (aka ‘Rpr’) is the most discretionary item on an estimate and typically the amount of time it takes to repair something will be underlined or asterisk-ed (*) to indicate this. This is where an insurance adjuster might say a dent will take 3 hours to fix and a technician might say it will take 4. There’s no hard and fast rule here and this needs to be negotiated between insurance adjusters, shop estimators and possibly even the technicians doing the job. My dad who has been in the industry almost 40 years taught me a long time ago that a dent which is about the size of a man’s fist should take about 3 hours to repair. From there you can adjust up or done for various things like a body line that runs through the dent (add an hour) or the dent has no creases and is accessible from the inside and therefore can be mostly popped out (subtract time). The reason these times are so important is that insurance companies are paying shops based on the number of hours on the estimate.

3. Replace. Replacing parts, sometimes shorthanded to ‘repl,’ is not a discretionary item on an estimate and is governed by industry standards or what shop folks call “book time.” If the book/software says it takes 3.5 hours to replace that bumper then that is what the insurance company will pay. No more and no less. It is pretty well standardized with only slight variations depending on which software is used and then it only differs by very little.

4. Sublet. Sometimes there are things that an auto body shop will send to someone else (typically a mechanic who takes care of more under the hood items) to perform and this is categorized as sublet. Popular things for shops to sublet out are air conditioner recharging and 4 wheel alignments when the suspension is damaged. The reason this is sent out typically is that the equipment and space required for these operations are not cost effective for a body shop. And when it comes to deeper engine repair, oil and paint don’t mix! Oil and grease can quickly ruin a paint job. So, shops that say they can do “everything” typically can’t do everything well.

5. Miscellaneous. Under this category will go small charges like “hazardous waste removal” (about once a month we pay someone to pick up and dispose of our hazardous waste in the safest way possible) and “car cover for overspray” which pays for paper, tape and plastic to cover the vehicle during the painting process so paint over spray doesn’t go all over the windows or adjacent panels.

Trying to find a good auto parts dropshipper is not easy but it is essential if you want to sell auto parts online or on eBay. The process of finding the right dropshipper or dropshipping company may take hours, months or years unless you follow these few simple tips.

When I started selling on eBay I realized that I couldn’t keep selling my own property for long. I needed a new product to sell and I started searching the internet for wholesalers. I found many wholesalers of various products and I bought a few cases of product and then tried to sell these items on eBay. Unfortunately the products didn’t sell that well and I got stuck with a lot of product. I then learned it was better to use dropshippers to supply my online business. When I use a dropshipping company I don’t have to inventory the product nor ship the product. The other major advantage is that I can try to sell various products on eBay without having to buy the product first.

When looking for a good dropshipping company make sure that they have a live customer support system. You don’t want to have to email back and forth in order to solve your problems. This can take forever. After you sell a product to someone you want to be able to contact the supplier and track the shipment. Make sure you have a live person to talk to.

Always make sure your dropshipping company has many products to select from. If you only have a few items to select from it makes it difficult to branch out with your business. Make sure your company has many different products available for dropshipping. Always make sure you understand the return policy. If your customer doesn’t like the product they should be able to return it. Most dropshippers will not allow you to return the product. This leads to many negative feedback comments on eBay.

So before selling auto parts on eBay look for a reputable company, one with live support, a large variety of parts and a good return policy. Happy eBay selling.

An auto repair sale is a popular topic with most shop owners. One million dollars seems like a magic number for a lot of shop owners. They’re either struggling to hit it, or they’ve made it and now they want two million or three million. Whatever the goal, fantastic auto repair sales performance is really quite simple (not always easy, but simple). To achieve outstanding auto repair sales performance you have to consistently do four things.

1. Listen carefully to the customer and quickly build rapport and relationship.
2. Ask for the largest possible sale while offering the greatest perceived value.
3. Get the work done. Quickly and correctly.
4. Lock the customer into a long-term relationship with your shop; repeating steps one, two and three at least three times per year.

In step one the key is quickly. To sell one million dollars (or more) in a year, everything is going to have to happen FAST! The rapport building process doesn’t have to take a long time. You can build a strong connection with a new client very quickly just by getting them talking about themselves.

Question: So, how long have you lived here?-What kind of work do you do?-How long have you owned the car?-Where’s your favorite place to go on vacation?-Tell me about your kids/pets… All these questions get the customer talking about themselves and give you plenty of opportunity to identify and comment on common points of interest or experience. None of this takes more than a few minutes, but during this process the vital process of trust building is occurring.

In step two, the key is asking for the LARGEST possible sale. Fear stops most salespeople from asking for the large sale. Instead they convince themselves that the customer will only accept a much lower figure; a figure that they (the salesperson) are comfortable with. This is why I spend so much time in the Advanced Service Writer Sales Training Class working on the closing question. The closing question is the key to overcoming the fear. With it memorized and practiced the fear subsides and the service writer is able to ask for much bigger sales than ever before. I’ve seen this tool add more than $300 per RO to a shops RO average. It is that POWERFUL!

The first two steps are pure auto repair sales step. Step three is a management step. The first two steps are all about the service writer controlling their actions. Step three requires them to motivate and lead someone else to action. The best way to do this is MBA “Management By walking Around”. It simply means you can’t forget about a ticket once it’s in the hands of the tech. You have to get out in the shop regularly (usually every 5-10 minutes on a busy day) and make sure that the work is moving forward. You have to quickly remove any obstacles to success such as parts problems, bad attitudes, or unexpected difficulties with the repair. This is a vital and often overlooked part of auto repair sales.

In step four we’re back to sales. The biggest missed opportunity in most shops is the opportunity to commit the customer to their next visit while they are checking out from this visit. All you have to do is tell them when their next visit is and most people will say ok. Notice I didn’t say ask them when they could make their next visit; I said tell them when their next appointment is. The key is assuming that they are going to return and doing them the favor of scheduling this. I teach several simple techniques in the Advanced Service Writer Sales Training Class that make getting this commitment very easy, simple and natural.

So, there you have it, the four simple (not necessarily easy) steps to selling one million dollars (or more) in service. If you consistently follow these steps the million bucks is yours! An auto repair sale isn’t difficult if you know the steps and have the tools.

The collective term Auto Parts describes the components of a car. These parts can be provided by the original manufacturer of a vehicle or by a totally independent engineering company that specializes in manufacturing mechanical parts for diverse makes and auto models. Motor vehicles are so cheap these days that most owners exchange their vehicles within a few years. Auto parts are required to keep abreast of the newer technologies. Auto parts are pretty costly, especially the ones that have been manufactured by the company. Besides you should also consider costs pertinent to the workshop and alternative transport costs. The greatest advantage of having a mechanic replacing the auto parts is that the work gets completed by a professional and hence is fully guaranteed. The only drawback is the cost of auto-parts; especially when the mechanic uses original OEM parts. This will cost you huge.

Basically every enthusiast should have a certain degree of mechanical knowhow and a small workshop equipped with all the necessary tools to conduct a repair work. This setup can save quite a lot of money auto parts can be purchased from various discount outlets. Years back the availability of auto-parts was a huge constraint. Car owners had to look for alternative parts or simply part from their vehicles. But today, the total cost of repairs and parts, hardly exceeds our affordability limits. When there’s a breakdown, we keep our cool. Many workshops and wrecking yards hoard a wide range of used auto parts that are reasonably priced. Some of these are almost new and are compatible for finer models. If you have a DIY knack for cars, wrecking yards are best places to look for a substitute auto part.

People who do not have much of a mechanical knowledge or those whose passions lie in other arenas will obviously tend to replace an auto regularly so as to have a reliable and a more advanced means of conveyance. Besides keeping track with the modern trends is also a factor. These people will considerably bring down the menace of a combination of issues like time consuming breakdowns, financial limitations and the additional expense for costly repairs. On the other hand, those people who have the facilities and the proficiency to carry out the mechanical work at home, can well-maintain there current auto model for a long period of time which and also enjoy the consistency of the latest auto model.

Finding an autoparts dropshipper if you are trying to sell autoparts on the internet is absolutely vital to your internet success! There are currently people on the internet today who were complete beginners before who have seen a great deal of success by targeting the niche of sell auto parts, etc.

Auto parts are a great way of profiting because there are so many different parts, so many different cars, and so many different people who are looking for cheap and affordable autoparts that can not be found elsewhere! This is where you come into play. People are looking for an incredible deal, right?

This is how you can find a great auto parts dropshipper. You want to go to a database, usually a website, that has a list of tons of wholesalers, liquidators, and most importantly, dropshippers. You want to check user and customer reviews of of the individual listed auto parts dropshippers and wholesalers in the database.

There are tons of databases out there, Salehoo is actually one of them, and will give you access to deals and products that most normal people simply do not know about. You can simply use their database to find the best deals, read up on customer reviews on specific dropshippers and find out which one will ship quality directly to the customer!

The important thing is that you start today and you start fast because there are many people who are trying to learn the ins and outs of selling on eBay. Also, here’s a key to trying to profit big; try to make sure that you are targeting a specific niche. If you want to target autoparts as a whole, that’s fine, but it will take a little more time to see the level that you are trying to achieve. If you do something more specific like “Honda auto parts” or “mercedes autoparts” you could have a good customer base once you set up your eBay store!

A lot of people today dreams of owning their very own car. But, because of the high cost of new cars, a lot of people will usually purchase a used one instead from one of the many used car dealerships existing in the United States today. However, the problem with used cars is that you don’t exactly know what it has been through with its previous owner. You have to consider that there are some people who take good care of their cars, while there are other people who constantly abuse their car to the point that it will become easy for it to break down.

You have to consider the fact that there is no way for you to find out about the current situation of the car. So, if you are buying a used car, what you will want is some kind of a guarantee that will ensure you that the car will not break down the day after you purchased it from the used car lot. To get this kind of benefit, you might want to get a used car extended warranty. Ask the owner of the car dealership about this kind of benefit in order for you to make sure that you will be purchasing a car that is in good condition and one that will ensure you replacement or repair if you ever experience it breaking down.

Now, you are probably asking whether you should get a used car warranty or not. Most people will say that it is a waste of money, while there are others who will say that it is a good investment. There is basically no easy answer of knowing if the used car warranty is worth your time and money or not. In order for you to know if it is worth your money, you may want to ask for a free quote for the used car you plan on buying from a company that sells warranties. After giving you the quote, you will be able to know if the warranty makes financial sense or not.

The great thing about used car warranties is that it will be able to provide you with a fixed budget repair. So, in case it breaks down, you will never have to pay a lot of money for the repairs. In order to file a claim in case your car breaks down, all you need to do is call the company that provided you with warranty. The company will then send a tow truck to tow your car to the nearest repair shop. After that, you need to present the warranty. The repair shop will then call the company which provided you the warranty and tell them about the nature of the repair and the total estimated cost of the repair. The company will then authorize the repair and all you need to do is wait.

As you can see, having a used car warranty will definitely give you peace of mind. So, the next time you are planning to purchase a used car, you might want to try considering buying a used car warranty along with it. With this kind of benefit, you can be sure that you will be protected as a consumer and never experience getting ripped of from what seemingly looked like a great deal.

Earlier Nissan car owners and enthusiasts looking Nissan auto parts had primarily two options. One, they could buy the required parts through certified Nissan dealerships at the high rates; second, they could look the desired parts with local dealerships, which is a pure luck based option.

Nowadays, with the popularity and the increasing demand for original Nissan parts, a third way has been evolved to provide some relief to the Nissan car owners. It is mainly due to the fact that an exclusive group of automotive experts have brought their specialized knowledge to the Internet, facilitating knowledge and other information in few clicks and relatively short span of time. Now, you can get the desired information very easily and conveniently. Offering direct access to manufacturers and removing unnecessary middlemen, these innovative websites make it possible to find precisely the parts you need in mere minutes.

Nissan Auto Parts and Customer Service

Online shopping allows you to choose your original Nissan auto parts in the convenience and comfortability of your own home. You can further get the most affordable and customer friendly parts that will enhance the performance of your car.

Choosing online Nissan car parts is very important in today’s developing world. In fact, car enthusiasts and car owners seeking Nissan JDM parts or any other accessories may well find both price and service dramatically improved. It is because of the fact that an online environment allows only best companies to provide their services that too around the clock.

Therefore, it is advised to stay ahead of the competition and choose the possibilities of the online auto parts market today. Once you avail the services of the online auto market, you’ll be astonished with the quality service and affordable rates in a short span of time. If you’re serious about saving time and money, you owe it to yourself to consider these robust new options.

Aftermarket, OEM, replacement parts–you see these words in almost all auto parts stores online. What do these terms mean?

For a passive buyer, these things are but ordinary terms used in the automotive market but for someone meticulous and who wants the best for his auto, these things matter considerably. Deciding which among these to purchase is just like deciding what car to buy.

O.E.M. stands for Original Equipment Manufactured. This means that OEM Ford parts are manufactured by Ford itself, Chevrolet parts are manufactured by Chevrolet, Toyota parts by Toyota, BMW parts by BMW and so on. The terms O.E.S. and OE are also used; these mean Original Equipment Supplied and Original Equipment, respectively. While in many cases, OEM and OES mean the same, OE is more general referring to any part that came as original equipment on the car. Some of OE car parts and components are not actually made by the car manufacturer but are purchased and assembled by the automakers to create a vehicle.

Those referred to as “aftermarket auto parts” are not made by the original car manufacturer; furthermore, they are bought and added to the vehicle only at the dealership or after the vehicle left the dealership. In terms of design and function, aftermarket products are almost the same as the stock auto parts since they are primarily used to replace a damaged original part so that the vehicle can continue to run. If you need replacement parts for your car, however, you can either buy O.E.M. or aftermarket auto parts. There are numerous sources of aftermarket auto parts. Stores like Auto Parts Discount give you a great variety of parts for almost all makes and models.

Some cars, especially the base models are not completely equipped so users just add aftermarket parts later on. For example if you have purchased an old Toyota Corolla, you can add aftermarket Toyota fog lights, Toyota spoiler, Toyota turn signal light or Toyota mirrors. Aftermarket products can also help you give your car a fresh new look. Even if your original parts are not yet damaged or worn out, you can replace them with or add specially designed aftermarket auto parts like Honda taillights, Ford center cap, Chevrolet chrome bumper, and Mercedes Benz Front Cover Towing Eye found at Auto Parts Discount.

Enthusiasts, on the other hand would opt for custom parts and specialty equipments. Compared to a universal fit auto part, which can be installed to any vehicle make, year and model, custom aftermarket products are designed to fit only a particular application. Examples of custom parts are your Ford hood, Ford fender and Ford doors. Specialty equipments on the other hand, are intended to make the vehicle more stylish, comfortable, convenient and more up-to-date.

Most auto users prefer aftermarket products because they are less expensive than OEM replacements. While it is true that there may be some aftermarket auto parts that do not meet high standards of original equipments, it is not right to say that aftermarket products are generally inferior in terms of quality and style. Replacement parts sold at Auto Parts Discount, for example are made by car parts manufacturers that are mandated by high international standards.

Which is better, OEM or aftermarket replacement part? It depends on the product. Some OEM parts are not durable enough while the aftermarket parts you use to replace them could last for many years. If you want to give your car a different look and also, if you want to save, aftermarket products are worth a try. However, make sure to get these replacement parts from trusted sources.

Buying a used car from either an individual or a professional car dealer can be a bit of a scary experience. Used car buyers have the protection of auto lemon laws in all fifty states. If the car turns out to be habitually defective, buyers have recourse and can receive either a refund or a replacement vehicle. Used car buyers have no such assurances. Unless the dealer offers a written warranty, the buyer is stuck if anything goes wrong, even if it happens five minutes after the car leaves the dealer’s lot.

That situation will improve in California as the state has put into effect a car buyer’s Bill of Rights. This new law offers a number of protections for buyers of used cars. The bill isn’t perfect; like all such legislation, compromise was required. It is a step in the right direction, though, and one that would be nice to see in all fifty states.

There are numerous provisions to the bill, but perhaps the most significant is the option offered to buyers to return the car to the dealer within two days if they are not satisfied with it. There need not be anything wrong with the car; buyers may return it for any reason or no reason at all. This will protect buyers against any problems that “magically” show up right after the car leaves the dealer’s lot. The dealers are permitted to charge a fee for the return privilege; buyers may elect to skip it or may negotiate the price for it. The price will range up to $250 for cars priced at up to $30,000. Cars priced at higher values are exempt from the law. There is also an additional charge for returning the car, which dealers say is necessary to prepare the car for resale. While the option to return the car is not free, it is available, and many buyers will be grateful for that.

Other provisions of the law require dealers to show prospective buyers price lists for the vehicle both with and without any additional options the buyer may wish to purchase. The law also restricts the amount of money that the dealer may make from financing a vehicle through a third party.

California’s passage of a lemon law in the early 1980′s helped spur the creation of similar laws in other states. Car buyers everywhere would benefit greatly if the other states paid attention to California’s used car protections. While the law isn’t perfect, it does represent a step in the right direction for which all used car buyers should be grateful.