SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles

Buying a New Vehicle

We all cringe when that day finally arrives -- that dreadful day we realize we absolutely have to buy a new vehicle. And it’s not only the expense that makes us cringe. It’s the whole process of wondering how we’re going to be taken advantage of if we go to a dealership.We realize the smooth-talking salesman makes his money on the commission he'll earn by selling us a car at the highest price he can get out of us.

The best way to guard yourself against getting totally taken is to do your homework (a lot of it) FIRST, to gain as much knowledge as you can before you step foot on the lot.

Contact your financial institution about pre-approval for a loan and their interest rates. Know how much vehicle you can afford before you end up at a dealership -- and stick with it.

Check Kelley Blue Book online and try to determine what value your current vehicle might have. Since more and more people are choosing to keep their old car rather than paying the skyrocketing price of a new one, It might be worth more than you think. Trade-ins are hot items nowadays.

Try to find something you like that’s already on the lot at an established dealership that you can test drive so you’re not waiting months for delivery.

Still, if you’re certain about a particular vehicle, you might see on a dealer website that the vehicle is “in transit” and will arrive “soon.” A deposit at the dealership can hold that vehicle for you. Warning No. 1: Inquire first whether that deposit is refundable. Warning No. 2: Get it in writing, including the sales price and VIN. In other words, do any haggling before you put down a deposit.

When at the dealership, do not express happy feelings for any certain vehicle or color. Remain noncommittal. Expect them to push you to accept their financing. Don’t disclose your credit score when they ask; they’re getting ready to start pushing the financing.

Don’t disclose that you’re already preapproved for a loan elsewhere until the very end when you’ve selected a vehicle.

Don’t tell them how much you want for your trade-in; they might be ready to offer even more.

And mostly, be willing to walk away if you’re pressured too much. If you get tired, go home. There are other dealerships everywhere.

(c) KingFeaturesSyndicate

“BEFORE

When You Need a Helping Hand

insight into his personality.

--The Sound Response Test is designed to determine whether your dog is noise shy, and it’s done in two parts. First, shake a can containing about 10 coins, obscuring the can behind your back. Second, toss the can about 10 feet away from the dog. The dog’s response to noise, both when the source is known and unknown, will tell you what kind of behavior problems you might be faced with and how to effectively deal with them.

--The Reaction to Discipline Test is used to determine whether your dog has been hit or punished by hand or with a newspaper on various parts of his body. This is an important test, as the dog may have negative associations with the human hand that could lead to aggression. It is a test that is given in two parts -- one using the hand, the other using a loud voice. Both parts require caution, and neither should be given to a dog that has previously displayed aggressive behavior like snarling, growling or biting.

--The Dominant or Subordinate Test will determine whether your dog has a dominant or subordinate personality. The test involves lying your dog on his back and gauging his reaction to your dominant position. Neither dominant nor submissive is bad. It will simply tell you what to expect and how to effectively relate to your dog.

--The Physical Sensitivity Test is not so much about personality as it is about your dog’s tolerance for pain and discomfort. Understanding how sensitive your dog is to pain will help you prevent dog bites.

I recently administered all five personality tests to six golden retriever puppies from the same litter. The dogs had the same genes and were the same breed, yet all six dogs had their own unique reactions to the tests and, therefore, their own unique personalities.

Please be sure to thoroughly educate yourself before putting your dog to these tests. Vital procedures must be followed in order to prevent harm to you or your dog, and in order to gain the valuable insight you seek. Getting safely acquainted with your dog’s personality is the smartest first

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Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and the host of the PBS series “WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com. COPYRIGHT 2012

Your Social Security

by Tom Margenau