Some cool rebates images:
Confucius say……344/365
Image by AndYaDontStop
…for every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
~
Today, our dealership will most likely begin contracting deals that will include cars brought in to be destroyed under the new C.A.R.S. program, aka Cash For Clunkers. This program has got to be one of the biggest headaches I’ve seen yet in the auto industry. The stipulations that have to be met are frustrating because they require documents that many customers do not have readily available. And even though they are about to get up to ,500 towards a car that is worth nowhere near that much, the customer is getting frustrated with how to produce these documents and having to put in the leg work to do so.
Coupled with the fact that, as usual, the government isn’t entirely clear on what documents "exactly" are acceptable, and you not only have grey area that is difficult to define, but you have upset customers and crappy survey scores that will be a result of the entire mess.
The other bitch in this whole thing is that the government has put billion into this program, which when divided mathematically into the average rebate and the number of dealers participating nationwide, gives each dealer about 12 vouchers to use. We had, at one time, 80-100 people on our list of interested customers. Can you say clusterfuck?
Anyway, I strongly advise you to stay away from dealerships over the coming week, unless you want to see a bunch of pissed off people lunging at each other’s throats 
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For TOTW – Faceless Fotos (and DoF too!)
A Week of Funny Proverbs
Listen
Save 4 ¢ per gallon
Image by richardmasoner
If the price of gas is from .599 to .799, you save 4 cents per gallong with your 3% rebate! Seen at the gas pump in San Jose, California in August 2006, where prices are way above .80/gallon.
why buy legal software?
Image by brandon shigeta
when they f you on the upgrade? seriously, don’t software companies realize how easy it is to get these programs in school? maybe you can blame the rebate center…
Resubmissions, Dept 03-68678
P.O. Box 028516
Miami, FL 33102-8516
866-206-9132
Anyone else get screwed by this rebate office? i got screwed twice…
www.flickr.com/photos/brandonshigeta/449912978
first?
Oh! Ok awesome – my firs abe first!!
I feel for you on the CARS thing, Abe – in the UK we’re looking at pretty much the same thing which (as a Civil Servant) I’m getting public enquiries and for someone that doesn’t drive, has no interest in cars, and doesn’t live anywhere near a dealership results in me going a bit spare.
But you know, what the Government give, they always take…just sorry it’s giving you a headache in the meantime. Fingers crossed it’s not too pissy over the next week.
And also, do you get manicures, because your nails are neater than mine. Lvoely dof too
lost the ability to type, think and spell. Never mind
Gotta Love The Government
Great clarity and tones.
My sister and I were talking about taking our cars in…but when we sat and watched TV it kinda click $4,500 is really not a lot of money, and we really have no problems with our cars, so we decided to keep our babes, rather than have them destroyed..
i really would just like to see a car get destroyed.
Perry, since it’s not a lot of money, i’ll fmail you my address…make the check out to Abe Novy. =P
I’m right there with you man. I’m not one of those people that is all "I hate the Government. Stay out of our business!" However the way the government is dealing with the auto industry as a whole is so ass backwards.
I’m just going to say it.
*stands on soap box*
AMERICA.FAIL.
*steps off*
end of story.
but anyways. My dad is going to get a new car today I think. He’d going to do the "clunker" thing. His truck is way old anyways, and the suv is about to die. *shrug* all i’m asking for is a new camera. $700. my mom and dad are getting new cars.
…parents.
My car is old and I wouldn’t trade it for anything right now. a 93 Geo Prism. It does everything I ask of it.
Yeah, "clusterfuck" is definitely the word I would use. Cool shot though.
(Am I detecting an upcoming TOTW?)
Hmm….I need to go find me some old cars to trade in. I’ll be back in a few days….
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Seen in my contacts’ photos. (?)
so DON’T get another car? ok. check.
Love this! Although I hardly recognized it without your face.
It’s really expressive, especially with the story.
Best thing I ever did with an old car: Donated it to Make a Wish. Gawd that felt good to be able to do that! Good luck with the cluster this week — I feel for you as a former government employee myself.
Interesting. I have a clunker (94 Mitsubishi) that I was considering bringing in to use for this rebate. Any words of advice? What do I need?
Brandon, you need a clear title in YOUR name, proof of insurance going back one full year, and proof of registration going back one full year. the last part is tricky, as it can’t be your renewal notices or stickers, it must be receipts with your name and the VIN of the car…you might have to go to the DMV for that.
I can say clusterfuck!!! What do I win?
one of my fave words "clusterfuck" It just says it all!
i guess i am glad i am sticking to my bike for a while
Wow I’ve been giving this whole Cash for Clunkers thing some thought, but you just answered all my questions about the topic, thank you all knowing Abe. Also, you have nicely manicured nails
clusterfuck! i might go into a car dealership just to take pics this week. hope you don’t get too much abuse my friend.
I could get the BEST bike for $4500…like PeeWee Herman or something…
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Seen in my contacts’ photos. (?)
I HATE cars. Seriously. I hate shopping for them, I hate driving them. I want to live in Bruges and ride a bike everywhere I go.
On the other hand? I love this picture.
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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
glad I’m living in Europe right now….
oh, and the dof in this is amazing! how I have missed you abe!
Awesome shot and well spoen word. NOW…..why dont you tell us ho you really feel…HAHAHA! Awesome lighting, love the low key!
clusterfucks sould be a candy bar…
Sounds like a big fat pain in the ass.
I have a true clunker.
I suppose I should just not even try and get a new car.
:/
You’re famous! Was excited to see (and read!) you on consumerist this morning:
consumerist.com/5326819/why-cash-for-clunkers-was-doomed
$1.599?! I thought the US gas prices were above the $3 mark in many places? We pay average $0.99/L (Cdn) for plain unleaded which when compared to $1.59/gal (US) means we’re getting screwed up here… (3.785 L in a gallon)
We are paying around $3 per gallon here in Arizona.
The silly $1.59/gallon is why I took this photo. this advertisement is recent so I have no clue why these marketing geniuses went with those numbers. Other numbers on the wheel went up to about $3.50/gallon. We’re running about $3/gallon in the San Francisco Bay Area right now.
LOL! I had this ALL WRONG. I thought that you could spin the wheel to DETERMINE the gas price … you know, some sort of gimmick to get people to sign up for the card. I’m a fool for dreaming. Maybe I’m just a fool. -Gary
That’s how I understood it at first also, Gary. I fiddled with it while pumping gas and finally figured out that it’s a rebate calculator.
What can I say!
Great capture. $1.59/gal is history in the USA.
Pain At the Pump group
I paid $2.49 a gal. here in the Midwest on Friday.
They are all crooks in advertising…… Think we are idiots!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/39661246@N00/pool/