So our hunt for a second car ended as quickly as it started on Saturday. Some of you may know how next to impossible it is to buckle 3 kids into car seats in a sedan. Some of you may not. Here is a description: Tabby climbs into her booster seat which is wedged in between Rex and Ella's car seats. It has to be in the middle, it's the only way all 3 seats will fit. She tries to slip under the seat belt which we keep buckled because the idea is that if we keep it buckled she can just climb in and out of it herself. The stupid thing has locked and she can't pull it (I thought they were only supposed to do that when the car is moving.) So I have to unbuckle it. Here is where the nightmare begins. The car seats are jammed in there so tight that there is barely any space for me to fit my hand down between her booster and Rex's seat to unbuckle and buckle it again. It hurts my hand. It takes forever to get the buckle in there. It's hot. Rex is ticked because I'm squishing him in his seat. So I can't get it in that way and now I have to loosen Rex's seat - this is equally un-fun. The whole time I'm yelling, "I want a bigger car!" "I deserve a bigger car!" So last Friday, I dropped Dale off for work so I could have the car to go to my sisters. I was trying to buckle the kids in and I decided I had it! I called Dale and said "We are getting a stupid van tomorrow!" Or at least that was the plan. I researched vans on the internet and I also researched how to deal with used car salesmen. Believe me, they have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves and now I know how to deflect every one of them! So we go and look at vans and as it turns out, every van that we looked at we couldn't afford. There were some that we might have been able to get, but they were total jalopies. Not that I'm too good for a jalopy, I just don't want my jalopy breaking down on Ironwood in the middle of summer. We did find an '04 van that was in great shape and it had extra low miles. So I tell Dale that we should make an offer. The thing is, we are poor! We know it, but they don't! We gave them one and only one offer. They didn't like it so we got up and left! They wanted us to stay and negotiate. I'm so glad we didn't get all wrapped up in it and let them talk us in to a higher price. We knew what we could afford, and we refused to pay their ridiculous mark ups. So needless to say, I am still on "House Arrest." That's my very affectionate way of saying I don't have a car. But we did learn some valuable lessons and I'm glad we didn't let anyone sucker us into a loan we couldn't afford. One day I will have my own van or suv and that will be one fine day!
Monday, April 14, 2008
So our hunt for a second car ended as quickly as it started on Saturday. Some of you may know how next to impossible it is to buckle 3 kids into car seats in a sedan. Some of you may not. Here is a description: Tabby climbs into her booster seat which is wedged in between Rex and Ella's car seats. It has to be in the middle, it's the only way all 3 seats will fit. She tries to slip under the seat belt which we keep buckled because the idea is that if we keep it buckled she can just climb in and out of it herself. The stupid thing has locked and she can't pull it (I thought they were only supposed to do that when the car is moving.) So I have to unbuckle it. Here is where the nightmare begins. The car seats are jammed in there so tight that there is barely any space for me to fit my hand down between her booster and Rex's seat to unbuckle and buckle it again. It hurts my hand. It takes forever to get the buckle in there. It's hot. Rex is ticked because I'm squishing him in his seat. So I can't get it in that way and now I have to loosen Rex's seat - this is equally un-fun. The whole time I'm yelling, "I want a bigger car!" "I deserve a bigger car!" So last Friday, I dropped Dale off for work so I could have the car to go to my sisters. I was trying to buckle the kids in and I decided I had it! I called Dale and said "We are getting a stupid van tomorrow!" Or at least that was the plan. I researched vans on the internet and I also researched how to deal with used car salesmen. Believe me, they have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves and now I know how to deflect every one of them! So we go and look at vans and as it turns out, every van that we looked at we couldn't afford. There were some that we might have been able to get, but they were total jalopies. Not that I'm too good for a jalopy, I just don't want my jalopy breaking down on Ironwood in the middle of summer. We did find an '04 van that was in great shape and it had extra low miles. So I tell Dale that we should make an offer. The thing is, we are poor! We know it, but they don't! We gave them one and only one offer. They didn't like it so we got up and left! They wanted us to stay and negotiate. I'm so glad we didn't get all wrapped up in it and let them talk us in to a higher price. We knew what we could afford, and we refused to pay their ridiculous mark ups. So needless to say, I am still on "House Arrest." That's my very affectionate way of saying I don't have a car. But we did learn some valuable lessons and I'm glad we didn't let anyone sucker us into a loan we couldn't afford. One day I will have my own van or suv and that will be one fine day!
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5 comments:
I despise car salesmen!! They're horrible!! Well I'm on "house arrest" with a new baby, and I have a van, so anytime you want to borrow it you're more than welcome to!!! Seriously!
I toughed it out for a while with 3 car seats squashed in the back, so I totally know what you're talking about. I think I have scars on my hands from getting those buckled...hang in there! :)
I am grateful that I somehow made it through the one-car thing and the crammed 3 kids in the backseat thing unscathed....I'm sorry you are having to deal with it still. Call me anytime you need a car! Good for you for not giving in to buy something you can't afford. You will someday be able to get something even better, I'm sure. Oh, and I don't think I ever want to go car shopping again, EVER! Pretty sure Jeff will be doing all of our negotiating from now on.
Chad has a dealer's license, but it's just a wholesale license, so he can't sell cars to the public...but he has a friend who goes to the auctions and picks up stuff. I have no idea what kind of a deal he can get you, but it might be worth a try. Our family has used him several times. His name is Brock, and his number is 252-2237. If you decide to call, tell him you're Chad's friend.
I was going to suggest the auction too. We got our Yukon (for a smoke'n deal) through Brock. You go and look at the vehicles and tell him how much you are willing to spend. Then you have a car. He's a really honest, nice guy.
PS I'll be looking for you on the marathon route. Do you need me to stash anything for you?
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