BayAreaCarGuy.com

Future Ford’s Truck Expert Is A Girl!

Sherri Wicksten - Ford Truck Expert!

The world of trucks has been dominated by men and guy-talk since Henry Ford created the Model T over 100 years ago.

UNTIL NOW!

Sherri Wicksten is Future Ford’s truck expert with 12-years experience – and she is definitely a girl!

You’ll find her at Future Ford Hyundai of Concord off I-680.

WALK THE TALK

Sherri won’t let you make a costly mistake.

She’ll start your visit with a “Needs Assessment,” and apply her experience, knowledge, and training to match you with exactly the right truck after determining model, HP, wheelbase, accessories, payload, and personal factors like your body’s comfort.

Sherri is certified by Ford as a Light and Heavy Duty Truck expert. She graduated from Ford’s Truck School and has 12-years experience with Ford trucks.

FROM THE FRONT LINES OF TRUCK SALES

I have watched hardened truck buyers sink back in their chairs, slack-jawed, and amazed that the person sitting across from them (Sherri Wicksten, the girl) knew more than them about gear ratios,  axle types, and standard versus HD payload capacities.

Sherri told me: If someone owns a contractor or landscape business and they need to carry additional payload I’ll work with them to make sure that their new truck is up to the task and won’t let them down. I need to know what the new truck will be carrying, how heavy the load will be, if they will be pulling a trailer, and if so, how much weight they plan to to tow.

She went on to explain: What payload package will they need? Which axle ratio is required? Gas or diesel? Do they really need to pay more for a larger engine, or can they stay will a smaller displacement, saving money upfront and over the long haul with increased fuel economy?

Need help calculating GVR? GVWR? CW? Ask Sherri. She uses the C.O.P. method to calculate. Still confused? Just call her.

TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES

Buying a truck these days is far more complicated than ever before.

Sherri agrees: Specifications – and especially the technology on our trucks - are constantly changing. It’s difficult for buyers to keep up. That’s why Ford spends so much time and effort TRAINING it’s top Truck sales staff – so we can identify and head off problems BEFORE they ruin your day!

Sherri Wicksten is tops in her field with a wide range of experience in the automotive industry. At Michael Stead’s Ford dealership in Walnut Creek she developed skills as Sales Manager, Fleet Manager, and Internet Director, guiding the company to expanded sales using that growing technology.

Her financial background also comes in handy:

I spent a few years as a loan officer for a major Bay area Credit Union and helped them develop their emerging Car Store business. I was as much a vehicle broker as a loans officer, working directly with a wide variety of auto dealers in the Bay area.

Sherri is now Internet Director at Future Ford Hyundai of Concord.

NEED A TRUCK?

For a Ford truck – light or heavy duty, talk to the East Bay’s Ford Truck Expert – Sherri Wicksten. She is not just a Truck Expert, she can help you with financing issues (something that is particularly important these days). And don’t forget: Sherri has a track record for some of the best customer service in the industry.

Sherri can be reached at swicksten@futurefordofconcord.com or 925-686-5000, extension- #150.

Why I Love Honda Certified Used Cars! Part III

In the last two posts I’ve been gushing about the many reasons that I love selling certified Honda vehicles – at least I did while I was an Internet Sales Manager at a local Honda dealership. Now that I am the Internet Sales Manager at Michael Stead’s Hilltop Ford I still sell pre-owned Hondas, and we have program where we offer more protection for our customers than the Honda program. Today – part III of this article. I begin with a pricing example of our program:

2008 Honda Accord EX-L sedan

• Stock #16646
• VIN: JHMCP26868C015791
• Color: Black exterior, tan leather interior
• Miles: 18,646 

PRICING OPTION #1: $22,995 + tax and license fees – only includes remaining manufacturer’s warranty (see chart above). 

PRICING OPTION #2: $23,995 + tax and license fees - includes PremiumCare Extended Service package – extends protection to 7-years/100,000 miles.

COMPARE: Check our prices against other Honda Accords that have made it onto your short list. Compare these two prices to other vehicles you’ve found in your area – both Honda Certified and not.

HOW TO DECIDE: Consider differences in:

• Features (does it have leather? Navigation?)
• Condition
• Mileage
• Certified or not
• Warranty coverage
• Price 

If you find the equivalent of our PremiumCareExtended Service package at other dealerships you’ll see that it usually costs significantly more – to the tune of thousands of dollars. In designing this package – including the cost of the car + the PremiumCare 7-year/100,000 miles protection – I hope to save you money while providing more value in ongoing protection compared to anyone else in the marketplace. 

And in writing this and future articles, I am attempting to hand you tools so you can make the best decision for you and your family. OTHER TOOLS: Check out my FREE report, The 8 Biggest Mistakes That Used CarBuyers Make and How To Avoid Them! This FREE download is available on the right side of my home page at www.BayAreaCarGuy.com. 

And for goodness sakes, try to make your car buying experience f-u-n!

L. James Johnson  

james@BayAreaCarGuy.com      –      Personal website:  http://www.bayareacarguy.com

Check out my article The 8 Biggest Mistakes That Used Car Buyers Make and How To Avoid Them! It’s a free download at  www.BayAreaCarGuy.com 

See my video on the top-right of my home page: How Can I Sell Used Cars To My Friends and They Won’t Hate Me Afterwards?

To see the entire article clickhere.

Why I Love Honda Certified Used Cars! Part II

Yesterday I gushed about the many reasons I love selling certified Honda vehicles – at least I did while I was an Internet Sales Manager at a local Honda dealership. Now that I am the Internet Sales Manager at Michael Stead’s Hilltop Ford I still sell pre-owned Hondas, and we have program where we offer more protection for our customers than the Honda program. Today – part II of this article:

What is the POWERTRAIN? The powertrain is the engine and transmission – considered to the two of the most expensive parts of the vehicle to fix if serious problems arise.

What is the NON-POWERTRAIN? Everything on your vehicle other than the engine and transmission. The non-powertrain warranty is often called the “bumper-to-bumper” warranty.

Why is the NON-POWERTRAIN WARRANTY so important? Each year more vehicles depend on computerized components. This can include maintenance monitoring programs, navigation systems, and electronic stability assist programs. These provide great convenience, safety, and access to technology. When problems arise, it can be expensive to diagnose the problem, or to even swap out computerized components. That’s why having the non-powertrain warranty extended to 7-years/100,000 miles is so important: to make sure that, for example, computer or electrical problems will most likely be covered.

PRICING: Have you noticed that virtually all manufacturer’s certified vehicles cost more than non-certified ones? This is because the dealer pays the manufacturer a fee when a vehicle is certified. The vehicle also must meet certain requirements, and go through an extensive inspection process with any deficiencies repaired. This added cost is going to be passed along to you, which is why certified vehicles are generally more expensive. It makes sense: A certified vehicle has added costs, but also has added value. These are passed along to the consumer with a higher selling price.

PURCHASING OPTIONS: At Hilltop Ford we offer two purchase options with most pre-owned Hondas. You can buy a Honda with only the remaining manufacturer’s warranty, if any. Or, buy your Honda with our PremiumCare Extended Service package. Let’s see how these two options compare when applied to a specific Honda Accord that we currently have in stock. (Details and pictures of the vehicle at http://hilltop-ford-lincoln-mercury.ebizautos.com/detail-2008-honda-accord_ex_sedan_4d-3786487.html.)

TOMMORROW – I get into exact costs using the example above.

To see the entire article click here. 

Why I love Honda Certified Used Cars! Part I

I love selling certified Honda used cars!

Until recently I was the Internet Sales Manager for a major Honda dealership in the San Francisco/Bay area. I sold many, many certified Hondas to customers, friends, and friends of friends. These folks relied on my recommendations to find the right used vehicle for their needs, comfort, and budget. They trusted my judgment. And were so pleased with their experience that they sent their friends to me.

Selling a Certified Honda was a no brainer: there’s virtually no risk for my customers. Our mechanics not only put the vehicles through an extensive inspection – fixing any deficiencies they found – but Honda extended the warranty significantly.

NOW – I’m the Internet Sales Manager at Michael Stead’s Hilltop Ford. I continue to sell pre-owned Hondas and I continue to love the Honda Certified program. However, only an official Honda dealer can certified a Honda. “Too bad for me and my customers,” I thought.

BUT, to provide our customers with that “virtually no risk” experience when purchasing a Honda - Hilltop Ford has instituted a program that duplicates most of the Honda program AND provides better protection. We call this added level of protection our PremiumCare Extended Service package. 

What does this mean to you? It means that we DOUBLE the warranty!

 
Tommorrow - What is the powertrain warranty? And more about the added value you recieve with the PremiumCare package!

You can see the entire article here.

The 8 Biggest Mistakes – #8

Buying a used car can be one of the most stressful things that you’ll do this year. Yet, here are specific steps to:

• make the buying process easier
• ensure you get more than a good deal
• find a vehicle that will last you for years to come

I have compiled a list of the most common mistakes my customers have made when buying used cars. Making any one of these mistakes can cost you hundreds – even thousands of dollars more than necessary. Finally, you can get ahead of the learning curve and buy your next car with confidence.

Mistake #1 – Not test driving early in the buying process.

Mistake #2 – Not checking the CARFAX report.

Mistake #3 – Not looking at the vehicle inspection report.

Mistake #4 – Ignoring fuel consumption.

Mistake #5 – Ignoring Certified cars (CPOs) or extended warranties.

Mistake #6 – Don’t comparison shop.

Mistake #7 – Not buying from a reputable dealer.

Mistake #8 – Not following your intuition.

I find it amazing how my customers blurt out their previous car buying experiences – including all the mistakes they have made. Here are a few examples:

STORY #1 – Denzel C. told me that he knew as he was driving the car away  from the seller’s house that he had made a mistake. His intuition was confirmed a short time later when he discovered that the car he just bought had been in a serious accident which damaged the frame. He wished he had not over-ruled his gut feeling. He also told me that from now on he would have his mechanic check out all private sales vehicles that made his short list.

STORY #2 – Ahmed S. told me that didn’t trust his last sales person, but bought the car anyway. It turned out that the sales person wasn’t telling him the whole truth about the car’s history. Ahmed told me that he now listens to his intuition in those situations. He also learned to read the vehicle history report before signing on the dotted line.

Life’s Lessons:

• research all the factors that concern you
• test drive early in the process
• read the vehicle history and vehicle inspection reports
• ask yourself, “Is this the car for me?”
• listen to the answer – your intuition
• if you are really sure – take action
• always contact me if you have questions

Good luck, and for goodness sake, try to have fun in your car buying experience.

The 8 Biggest Mistakes – #6

Buying a used car can be one of the most stressful things that you’ll do this year. Yet, here are specific steps to:

• make the buying process easier
• ensure you get more than a good deal
• find a vehicle that will last you for years to come

I have compiled a list of the most common mistakes my customers have made when buying used cars. Making any one of these mistakes can cost you hundreds – even thousands of dollars more than necessary. Finally, you can get ahead of the learning curve and buy your next car with confidence.

Mistake #1 – Not test driving early in the buying process.

Mistake #2 – Not checking the CARFAX report.

Mistake #3 – Not looking at the vehicle inspection report.

Mistake #4 – Ignoring fuel consumption.

Mistake #5 – Ignoring Certified cars (CPOs) or extended warranties.

Mistake #6 – Don’t comparison shop.

It’s easy to find the best price on the vehicle you want by using the Internet. I use AutoTrader.com and Cars.com to discover which vehicles are available, and their price. I can narrow my search to any ZIP code in the country. LemonFree.com is also useful.

INSIDER INFORMATION – Decide which features and benefits have the most value for you, and then comparison shop. Price is just one factor to take into account.

For Example:

• If you have a long commute, a car with lower miles has greater value than one with higher miles.
• If you drive your children to and fro, a roomier minivan or SUV is important to you – but getting one with side curtain air bags may be life-saving and therefore worth more.

Here are other features and benefits that can affect you paying more – or less – for a vehicle:

• condition of the vehicle (and therefore lower or higher service costs in the future).
• added factory options or after-market accessories (but only if YOU value them).
• remaining original factory warranty, or the cost of an extended warranty.
• whether it is a Certified Pre-owned (CPO) vehicle (having its own extended warranty saves you the cost of buying one.

Price is important but it is not the only factor to take into account. Remember that each pre-owned vehicle is “one-of-a-kind.” It is your job to decide which combination of features – benefits – and price hold the most value for you.

See the next article in this series:

Mistake #7 – No buying from a reputable dealer.

The 8 Biggest Mistakes – #5

Buying a used car can be one of the most stressful things that you’ll do this year. Yet, here are specific steps to:

• make the buying process easier
• ensure you get more than a good deal
• find a vehicle that will last you for years to come

I have compiled a list of the most common mistakes my customers have made when buying used cars. Making any one of these mistakes can cost you hundreds – even thousands of dollars more than necessary. Finally, you can get ahead of the learning curve and buy your next car with confidence.

Mistake #1 – Not test driving early in the buying process.

Mistake #2 – Not checking the CARFAX report.

Mistake #3 – Not looking at the vehicle inspection report.

Mistake #4 – Ignoring fuel consumption.

Mistake #5 – Ignoring Certified cars (CPOs) or extended warranties.

View my YouTube video, “How Can I Sell Used Cars to my Friends and They Won’t Hate Me Afterwards?” to see how my friends and I have remained friends after they purchased pre-owned vehicles from me. It’s a pretty simple formula – I first make sure that our cars are checked out mechanically, and then I try to make some form of warranty available so my friends are protected when problems occur. Here are some different scenarios:

• My mechanics have fully checked out every pre-owned vehicle before it is offered for sale, and every major component of every car has past muster. Then:

My friends buy a vehicle with remaining original factory warranty.

My friends buy a Ford Certified Pre-owned vehicle (CPO). These cars not only meet a higher standard, but Ford significantly extends the warranty at no extra charge.

My friends buy a Stead Certified Pre-owned Vehicle Package w/Warranty Wrap. This pre-owned vehicle meets a higher standard AND comes with an extended warranty. 

My friends buy an extended service contract to cover any future mechanical problems.

By following these steps I know that my friends won’t be mad after they purchase a pre-owned vehicle from me.

INSIDER INFORMATION - Cars, trucks, and SUVs have thousands of moving parts. It is unreasonable to believe that they won’t break down. No matter how well a vehicle is checked out by a mechanic, or looked after by it’s owner, problems will eventually arise. One of the reasons that I work where I do is the Ford Certified Used Car program – it is one of the best in the industry. I also work for the Stead Automotive Group, which demands that every pre-owned vehicle meets a higher standard, and we have the vehicle inspection and history reports to prove it.

Did you know that part of the requirements of the Ford Certified Used Car program and the Stead Automotive Group is to replace tires or brakes if 50-percent of their life isn’t remaining? Vehicles must also pass a minimum 150-point inspection by our mechanics.

Certified programs and extended warranties can get complicated – even confusing – especially when comparing one manufacturer’s program to another. Need help? I have a special CERTIFIED section on my website that will answer most of your questions. it also compares the many manufacturer’s CPO programs with the Stead Certified Pre-owned Vehicle Package w/Warranty Wrap. The Stead CPO package can often save you money while providing a more comprehensive warranty when compared to most manufacturer CPO programs. It’s a win-win situation for my customers. I’m also happy to answer any questions that you may have. Email them to james@BayAreaCarGuy.com

See the next article in the series:

Mistake #6 – Don’t comparison shop.