Perhaps as we age it isn't worth the negotiating hassle and just want to enjoy our remaining years...and the car of our dreams. I read an article this morning from Komando.com titled: Use AI to cut junk fees from your car quote VIN etching can cost $199 to $499, and paint or theft packages can hit $2,500. Tax, title and registration? Normal. Then come dealer prep, VIN etching, nitrogen tires, paint protection and theft packages. Suddenly, Todd is charging you $399 because the tires contain air that came from Swiss mountains. Taxes, title, registration and government fees are generally not negotiable. Beyond those, fees aren’t sacred, they’re almost always negotiable. The dealer is counting on you not knowing that. If a dealer says a fee is mandatory: Fine. Lower the vehicle price by the same amount. The humor at the end of the article:
A salesman asked what I wanted in a car. I said affordable. He said he'd never heard of a Ford Ibble.
Nice story Dan. Our current cat came to us 10 years ago and loves to have his belly rubbed and get brushed all over. When we leave the house, he waits in the front window watching for our return.
I could never ever give up a pet I own. We are down to one pet now and I believe he gets better medical attention than I give myself. The expenses can be high, but I would never let an animal suffer. Ever notice homeless people who have pets? I get it too.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and what to watch out for. A Toyota is high on my list after having owned four in the past 30 years. A concern I have now is that my local Toyota dealership has been sold to AutoNation. Past employees say they wouldn't take their vehicle their for an oil change. An internet search about Auto Nation's reputation, and my local dealer, give me great concern to continue doing business with them. There is another Toyota dealership ~40 miles away with very good reviews.
I'm curious for those who paid cash/check for their new vehicle at a dealership, did the sales person insist on a credit check? Did you find a way to avoid having that done? They did a credit check when my wife bought her vehicle with a check. Our credit is frozen and is a small hassle to unfreeze it for the time needed. I know a credit check will be done anyway if you are going to finance.
Okay, I have a visual of that now. 😩 I have a membership, but it is hard to get out of there for less than $150 and you only have 10 items. Purchasing gas there pays for the membership.
Dan, I believe this quote is suitable to you and many of us HD readers: “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” Attributed to Ronald Osborn or Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Your comment about Mr Cathy "not being fair" to his children is inaccurate and mischaracterizes the nature of the restrictions he placed on his heirs. He did impose strict operational and financial conditions on the future of Chick-fil-A, because he wanted to preserve the company's Christian values and charitable mission, not to unfairly penalize his children.He also did not restrict, or forbid, the sale of the company; he only prohibited taking it public (IPO) to ensure that shareholder pressure would not compromise the company's charitable giving and religious principles. Not being open on Sunday's may be a drawback to some, but Chick-fil-A ranks #1 in customer satisfaction among fast-food chains for the 11th consecutive year according to the 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index. Many of my neighbors are retired executives of the company.The story of Jersey Mike's is interesting. I've been enlightening my knowledge of the criticism Cancro received regarding his sale of a majority stake in Jersey Mike's to private equity firm Blackstone.
Comments
Perhaps as we age it isn't worth the negotiating hassle and just want to enjoy our remaining years...and the car of our dreams. I read an article this morning from Komando.com titled: Use AI to cut junk fees from your car quote
VIN etching can cost $199 to $499, and paint or theft packages can hit $2,500. Tax, title and registration? Normal. Then come dealer prep, VIN etching, nitrogen tires, paint protection and theft packages. Suddenly, Todd is charging you $399 because the tires contain air that came from Swiss mountains. Taxes, title, registration and government fees are generally not negotiable. Beyond those, fees aren’t sacred, they’re almost always negotiable. The dealer is counting on you not knowing that. If a dealer says a fee is mandatory: Fine. Lower the vehicle price by the same amount. The humor at the end of the article: A salesman asked what I wanted in a car. I said affordable. He said he'd never heard of a Ford Ibble.
Post: Buying a car in retirement
Link to comment from July 23, 2026
Nice story Dan. Our current cat came to us 10 years ago and loves to have his belly rubbed and get brushed all over. When we leave the house, he waits in the front window watching for our return.
Post: Too Good to be True
Link to comment from July 23, 2026
I could never ever give up a pet I own. We are down to one pet now and I believe he gets better medical attention than I give myself. The expenses can be high, but I would never let an animal suffer. Ever notice homeless people who have pets? I get it too.
Post: One Person’s Luxury, Another’s Necessity
Link to comment from July 22, 2026
Thanks for sharing your experiences and what to watch out for. A Toyota is high on my list after having owned four in the past 30 years. A concern I have now is that my local Toyota dealership has been sold to AutoNation. Past employees say they wouldn't take their vehicle their for an oil change. An internet search about Auto Nation's reputation, and my local dealer, give me great concern to continue doing business with them. There is another Toyota dealership ~40 miles away with very good reviews.
Post: Buying a car in retirement
Link to comment from July 22, 2026
Thanks Nick and Dan. Beyond this, my hardest part is deciding on what vehicle to purchase.
Post: Buying a car in retirement
Link to comment from July 14, 2026
I'm curious for those who paid cash/check for their new vehicle at a dealership, did the sales person insist on a credit check? Did you find a way to avoid having that done? They did a credit check when my wife bought her vehicle with a check. Our credit is frozen and is a small hassle to unfreeze it for the time needed. I know a credit check will be done anyway if you are going to finance.
Post: Buying a car in retirement
Link to comment from July 14, 2026
Okay, I have a visual of that now. 😩 I have a membership, but it is hard to get out of there for less than $150 and you only have 10 items. Purchasing gas there pays for the membership.
Post: Frittering away Frugality
Link to comment from July 8, 2026
I hope you didn't go there looking for a card. 😊
Post: Frittering away Frugality
Link to comment from July 8, 2026
Dan, I believe this quote is suitable to you and many of us HD readers: “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” Attributed to Ronald Osborn or Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Post: Lessons Learned Along the Way
Link to comment from July 1, 2026
Your comment about Mr Cathy "not being fair" to his children is inaccurate and mischaracterizes the nature of the restrictions he placed on his heirs. He did impose strict operational and financial conditions on the future of Chick-fil-A, because he wanted to preserve the company's Christian values and charitable mission, not to unfairly penalize his children. He also did not restrict, or forbid, the sale of the company; he only prohibited taking it public (IPO) to ensure that shareholder pressure would not compromise the company's charitable giving and religious principles. Not being open on Sunday's may be a drawback to some, but Chick-fil-A ranks #1 in customer satisfaction among fast-food chains for the 11th consecutive year according to the 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index. Many of my neighbors are retired executives of the company. The story of Jersey Mike's is interesting. I've been enlightening my knowledge of the criticism Cancro received regarding his sale of a majority stake in Jersey Mike's to private equity firm Blackstone.
Post: Peter Cancro from age 14 to 69 covered in oil and vinegar
Link to comment from June 4, 2026