I stopped doing business w/Sun Trust for several different reasons! Apparently, my instincts were correct. Does not sound like there has been
any improvement since then.
Search found 48 matches
- Mon Sep 17, 2018 3:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Suntrust Bank online banking has been down since Sunday.
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1406
- Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Honda reliability slipping?
- Replies: 58
- Views: 9352
Re: Honda reliability slipping?
Consumer Reports is only one of several different organizations and blogs, that review cars & light trucks for consumers. I would suggest getting several different opinions, many of which can be gotten for free on a web site, and see if you can find a consensuses. Another consideration is resale figures. Strong resale suggests good quality and reliability, and less deprecation for the buyer of a new auto. Edmunds, Blue Book and NADA Guide can give you info on resale. What is going on with reliability right now, is auto makers trying to get better mpg. So as to meet future EPA requirements. This has been a factor in reducing reliability. Turbo-charging for instance adds a lot of complexity, cost and likely future repairs to a car. They d...
- Sun Jan 07, 2018 10:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Car recommendations needed for growing family
- Replies: 34
- Views: 4369
Re: Car recommendations needed for growing family
We're a family of 4 with a toddler and baby. Our parents are also likely to visit often. Therefore, we're thinking about getting one bigger car for hauling the whole family around (perhaps a 7-seater?), and another smaller car to use for daily commuting (sedan or coupe). Priorities: 1) fuel efficiency — would love to get a hybrid or electric if possible 2) safety ratings for the family car 3) fun to drive aspect for the smaller commuting car Have you considered renting a minivan when you need a bigger vehicle? Minivans are great for transporting more people, but cost a lot more than a standard sedan. Honda Accord, Nissan Altima & Toyota Camry are considered standard sized cars now. Minivans also don't get real good MPG. The 4-cly Altim...
- Sun Jan 07, 2018 1:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New Honda CRV - first oil change full synthetic?
- Replies: 87
- Views: 41283
Re: New Honda CRV - first oil change full synthetic?
The reality is conventional and synthetic oil are still basically the same thing. there never has been any real evidence that syn oil is better for
an auto engine. Syn is slightly more pure and tends to do slightly better under extreme conditions (like cold weather starting in northern states).
Turbos do produce a lot of heat and syn is perhaps of some value for turbo cars. Since the cost the cost of syn has dropped a lot, there is really
no disadvantage to using it. I can quickly change my oil for about $25.00. I use conventional oil. But, don't tow or do anything hard on a car or
truck.
an auto engine. Syn is slightly more pure and tends to do slightly better under extreme conditions (like cold weather starting in northern states).
Turbos do produce a lot of heat and syn is perhaps of some value for turbo cars. Since the cost the cost of syn has dropped a lot, there is really
no disadvantage to using it. I can quickly change my oil for about $25.00. I use conventional oil. But, don't tow or do anything hard on a car or
truck.
- Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: what pickup truck
- Replies: 65
- Views: 8444
Re: what pickup truck
I would place Nissan Titan or Toyota Tundra 1st. Then put GMC/Chevy and Ford in 2nd place. I have not kept track of Ram trucks, and would be hesitant to buy one since Fiat got involved. The Ford turbo is also something I would avoid. The Eco-Boast engine is more complex, much more difficult to work on, and much more expensive to repair. Turbo replacement is very expensive and in the past has what has gone out on these types of trucks. As a general rule, turbo-charged engines do not last as long as normally exasperated engines. This is because more hp & torque is being squeezed out of a smaller engine. This puts greater stress on the engine block and internal parts (pistons, connecting rods etc). This is the main reason turbo-charged eng...
- Sun Apr 10, 2016 3:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Car hit - Insurance or Small Claims Court
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2983
Re: Car hit - Insurance or Small Claims Court
If you go with your insurance company, will it be considered a claim? I would think it might. I have used small claims court several times to collect money people owed for work done to their heating or cooling system. The problem was collecting once I had gotten a judgement. A judgement against the defendant will really screw up his credit. This would provide a little satisfaction to me anyway. He may also pay up when you file, before the court date. We had people do that. Others did not care about their credit. The other party has to miss work as well. Fees to file are small and many courts have a booklet you can read about how to use small claims court. It will be a learning experience if nothing else. What I did before going the 1st time...
- Thu Feb 25, 2016 2:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Should I buy a new car?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 5756
Re: Should I buy a new car?
Have you considered, fixing your current car & trading it in, while it still runs good? Toyotas have a pretty good resale value. The reality is the small 4-cly engine in a Yaris, generally does not last as long as a bigger engine. It may make more sense to trade it in. Consider how much it will cost to fix your current problems, along with the overall condition of your current car. Has the required maintenance (ie oil & other fluid changes) been done. Do you have an independent mechanic you trust, who can look over your current car (do a compression check), which gives some idea of what condition the engine is in and then give you an idea if the cars has a lot of miles left in it? Have you driven a lot of highway miles (easier on th...
- Wed Dec 02, 2015 1:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Time to purchase Volkswagen vehicle?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 4396
Re: Time to purchase Volkswagen vehicle?
I think you will find that the best values long term, in basic transportation. Are base Toyota & Nissan vehicles, being used as loss leaders. They are in ads for say $12K to $18K, w/as asterisk one at this price. What I did is get to the dealership, the morning the ad came out and bought the one car available at that price. Even if you don't get that deal. They will sell a Nissan Altima or Corolla, for under $18K. The Altima gets 38 mpg hwy. It would take a long time, to make up the additional cost of a diesel car, with fuel cost savings. Particularly when diesel costs more that regular gas. Also, as already mentioned, maintenance is more expensive. I don't believe diesel cars are a better value for the consumer, now or in the past. Bef...
- Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Advice on best way to buy a used car?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1893
Re: Advice on best way to buy a used car?
Toyotas are good cars, but I feel they are over-priced when used. They still have a limited functional life like any auto does. I also think
you will find that expensive high milage used Toyotas, do not sell very well. Most rational people understand that once a car gets over a 100K
miles on it, it may last a couple of months or several of yrs. Really now way to tell. If you do have a major component failure, such as the
engine or transmission, a rebuilt is very expensive and does not last anywhere near as long as the original one did. I have had transmissions go
out on both Toyotas and Hondas. So, it does happen, just like with other cars.
Minivans are expensive, but I don't think you are going to save any money buying used.
you will find that expensive high milage used Toyotas, do not sell very well. Most rational people understand that once a car gets over a 100K
miles on it, it may last a couple of months or several of yrs. Really now way to tell. If you do have a major component failure, such as the
engine or transmission, a rebuilt is very expensive and does not last anywhere near as long as the original one did. I have had transmissions go
out on both Toyotas and Hondas. So, it does happen, just like with other cars.
Minivans are expensive, but I don't think you are going to save any money buying used.
- Mon Sep 15, 2014 9:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: FLICKR
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1358
Re: FLICKR
I have found that Live/Outlook/Hotmail, has photo holding section called One Drive. It works very well and is easier to organize that is Flickr. When I'm sent a photo of the next generation of my family coming along, I can put it one 1 Drive without signing out and signing back in, like you have to do with Flickr. In general, I have found organizing the photos that I have stored easier, with the commands necessary being more intuitive. However, I do use both Flickr and 1 Drive. Just to be sure, I will have those photos long term. I also send photos, I want to keep forever to my Google account. They have a photo section as well. But, I have not used it. I feel holding photos in Google email, is just another way of holding them long term. I h...
- Sat Feb 08, 2014 3:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What will work like Travelers Checks did in the past?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1930
What will work like Travelers Checks did in the past?
TC (Travelers Checks) just don't work like they used to, banks won't cash em and stores don't treat em as cash. Gift Cards are just like cash, in that if you lose one, a person finding it, spend it, before you realize it is gone. GC (Gift Cards) don't allow you to get cash either, or depo leftover vacation money in your account. The solution to me, would be a password protected GC. That would be safe as long as the password is not compromised. And a GC that does not expire, so you can just hold on to it for the next time to travel or go on vacation. You can still get a TC cashed if you [complain --admin LadyGeek] a little. I believe banks have some obligation, as part of the Fed Reserve to cash them, but I could be wrong on that. Anyone kno...
- Sat Sep 14, 2013 2:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Real estate bought nothing down, how have they done?
- Replies: 0
- Views: 436
Real estate bought nothing down, how have they done?
I remember a Money Magazine issue, which had an article called: Nothing Down Hoedowns. It was a concept where you would pay a fee to attend a seminar on how to buy rental property with no money down. The article suggested this could be risky, to say the least. But, people with no experience would form a group and buy. This is from memory and I don't know how these groups were formed or anything else about it really. Other than I knew 1 man who had done this. He had to keep putting money into the property to keep it rentable. And that the location was Dallas Texas. Where the real estate market went very soft before 2007. Lots of vacancies in apts around Dallas. So, I wonder if the properties in this situation appreciated, which would be nece...
- Sat Aug 24, 2013 11:42 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Market cap weighted index mutual funds like VTSMX
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1509
Re: Market cap weighted index mutual funds like VTSMX
Not sure where you are going with the "MBA-types from Harvard" thought.... What I have noticed, in the world I have been living in, is that business management seems to reflect academic theory as opposed to real business experience. Not picking on Harvard, just using it as a metaphor for this phenomenon. In my view, an example are customer service surveys. Some, companies seem lost in this concept. Even before you have any interaction, they are trying to get you to fill out a survey. Then after interaction with an employee, you get a phone call, emails and snail mail too. Seems like a waste of time and money. I also wonder how much real value, those surveys would be to a business. I think the real goal is gathering info to help c...
- Sat Aug 24, 2013 9:29 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Market cap weighted index mutual funds like VTSMX
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1509
Market cap weighted index mutual funds like VTSMX
I have always wondered if there might be a better way to create a mutual fund. Say, a mix of weight by market cap and simply a fixed dollar amount in all stocks. That way you would avoid having so much of investment in the very large cap stocks. Like Apple, Exxon Mobil, Google, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson and GE. I believe indexing forces the prices of the big caps up. Making them a less attractive stock to own. So, if an index just owned a fixed percentage in as many of the Wilshire 5000 as possible, that would eliminate that problem. They may not be a way to do that, with an index fund. Because most indexes a market cap weighted. See, what happens to a individual stock if it is put in the S & P 500, is it automatically goes up. W...
- Wed Aug 21, 2013 12:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best PC storage media, for sharing videos
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1665
Re: Best PC storage media, for sharing videos
You didn't ask, but you may want to transfer your older movies on VCR tape to your PC, to keep them safer from tape degradation and obsolescence. Assuming you still have a working VCR, there are pretty cheap devices that let you transfer the video on tape to your PC for safekeeping. Yes, I would like to do that as well. Put older material, tapes of kids when they were young. Along with family vacations back in the 80s & 90s. Pets a pup or kitten, stuff like that. I like the idea of using Google Cloud. Can I depend on that? When you don't pay for something, I just wonder how dependable it will be. Of course that is true with things you do pay for as well. But, I have no idea how to do that. I can get my big screen TV to play old tapes. ...
- Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:54 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best PC storage media, for sharing videos
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1665
Re: Best PC storage media, for sharing videos
YouTube is a good source of entertainment. But, this stuff is new and not on youtube.
- Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:34 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best PC storage media, for sharing videos
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1665
Best PC storage media, for sharing videos
I have a very large hard drive, but if I load on a few movies, I can no longer do a back-up. What is the best media to store movies on, that I can also
share w/friends & family. An external HD would be a possibility, but that does not work well for sharing. Flash drives would work and so would DVDs.
Is there a DVD type that can be rewritten over and over, like the old VCR tapes could. I still have tapes for the 1990s, along w/VCR. They still work just
fine. I can even send that old stuff to by big screen TV. CDs lose space every time you rewrite them. What are the pros and cons of these ways of storage?
share w/friends & family. An external HD would be a possibility, but that does not work well for sharing. Flash drives would work and so would DVDs.
Is there a DVD type that can be rewritten over and over, like the old VCR tapes could. I still have tapes for the 1990s, along w/VCR. They still work just
fine. I can even send that old stuff to by big screen TV. CDs lose space every time you rewrite them. What are the pros and cons of these ways of storage?
- Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:49 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Wilshire 5000 total market historic ups and downs
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1749
Re: The Wilshire 5000 total market historic ups and downs
This is just a thought. If you had a brokerage account, with mutual funds, like Vanguard GNMA. You could put in limit order to buy some VTI, if it drops say 20%.
Along with an order to buy even more if it drops 30%. If these events don't take place at least ya get some interest. In the past, it was patients and discipline
that would have worked. With the problems the US face down the road, that the average person does not know about, I really feel some more downside activity
is in the future. The questions is how to take advantage.
Along with an order to buy even more if it drops 30%. If these events don't take place at least ya get some interest. In the past, it was patients and discipline
that would have worked. With the problems the US face down the road, that the average person does not know about, I really feel some more downside activity
is in the future. The questions is how to take advantage.
- Sun Aug 18, 2013 2:41 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Wilshire 5000 total market historic ups and downs
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1749
Re: The Wilshire 5000 total market historic ups and downs
So, I'm wrong the Fed has not stepped in to buy bonds in the US market twice now. Known as quantitative easing. People would invest their saving in say
mortgage bonds, at today's rates, without a federal backing? At current rates right now, I would not. My contention is that rates are artificially low.
I hear ads for mortgages as low as 2%. Would a rational person would accept credit risk and all that for 2%?
I agree bonds have done well, if you bought them a while ago. If you buy them now, will an investor do well?
I don't think so. Apparently many disagree, or feel they will do well. How much lower can rates go?
mortgage bonds, at today's rates, without a federal backing? At current rates right now, I would not. My contention is that rates are artificially low.
I hear ads for mortgages as low as 2%. Would a rational person would accept credit risk and all that for 2%?
I agree bonds have done well, if you bought them a while ago. If you buy them now, will an investor do well?
I don't think so. Apparently many disagree, or feel they will do well. How much lower can rates go?
- Sun Aug 18, 2013 12:00 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Wilshire 5000 total market historic ups and downs
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1749
The Wilshire 5000 total market historic ups and downs
If you take a look at this chart of Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilshire_5000 . I believe we could see some very big dips again. Like in 2002 and 2009. It would appear, that the total stock market has had trouble holding on to big gains made in the past. There are clearly two spikes, followed by exponential declines. I'm just wondering what will happen when interest rates come back to reality. By that I mean, a rate of interest that would attract investors willing to buy bonds that have risk in them. Whether you look at interest rates as the risk free rate, plus a premium risk, along with other factors. Like a figure for the length of the bonds time period and reinvestment risk. Or, inflation plus a real rate of return and a risk pre...
- Fri Jul 26, 2013 3:22 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: If I had retirement accounts to asset allocate over again
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1853
Re: If I had retirement accounts to asset allocate over agai
Just looking at your P/E ratio idea: I used Robert Shiller's spreadsheet which he provides on his website for his CAPE data in the book Irrational Exuberance . But I downloaded it a while ago, so it only had complete data up to 2011. Lets say you retired in 2011 (because that is where my data ends) and you invested from age 21 to 66; 1966 to 2011. When you start investing in January 1966, the average P/E ratio form 1871 to 1966 is 13.8. So you would have used 13.8 and not 16.5 as your P/E ratio. The idea is when the monthly P/E ratio is below the average you add money to stocks, this works out to only putting money into stocks for 166 of the 540 months you are saving; if you update the average P/E ratio every month, this only increases the...
- Fri Jul 26, 2013 3:13 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: If I had retirement accounts to asset allocate over again
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1853
Re: If I had retirement accounts to asset allocate over agai
Before the efficient portfolio hypothesis concept, many people would put half in bonds & the other half in stocks. International investing with mutual funds was unknown or little known. So, there were only two choices. I don't know who came up with the efficient portfolio hypothesis, or when the concept became accepted. At one time, there were few no load mutual funds. Funds were 8.5% loaded and bought from a broker, who may or may not have been any good. There were no IRA, 401k or 403b accounts. There really was no good way to save for retirement. I don't read all the literature, from the many people who talk like they understand it all. I have never heard of rebalancing based on historic norm. Just rebalancing to keep the same asset a...
- Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: If I had retirement accounts to asset allocate over again
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1853
If I had retirement accounts to asset allocate over again
I would take a look at historic norms. For instance, the S & P 500 has had an average P/E of about 16.5 during the 20 Century. When stocks went above that, or say 2 percentages points above the norm. I would put my monthly amount into bonds, money markets, REITs and other types of assets. Staying away from stocks, because they were too high. When the US stock market was below the 16.5 norm, I would invest all in US stocks. I would also consider a small part of my portfolio, for more risky investments, like gold stocks and emerging markets. I would use historic norms, for international investing as well. Currently the British Pound is only worth a $1.53. $2 to $2.5 is more like the norm. So, buying British stocks would be a good idea, us...
- Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cost of auto ownership & driving, used car vs new
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1891
Re: Cost of auto ownership & driving, used car vs new
I would have to agree that the real conflict here was Toyota vs Chrysler as opposed to New vs Used. The engine was the most expensive thing that went out was made by Mitsubishi. In later yrs the suspension springs were much heavier and covered by a plastic coating to prevent rust. Chrysler started to have competitors, so they improve their mini vans. There was a lot of opportunity for that. I had problems with just about every system, except the fuel system. And all those things needed to be fixed, nobody took advantage of me. People I have known who had the Dakota or Durango with the V6, also only got about 100K miles out of the powertrain, before major repairs were necessary. It's also not just Chrysler, Ford has had problems with spark ...
- Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cost of auto ownership & driving, used car vs new
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1891
Cost of auto ownership & driving, used car vs new
I stopped buying used cars back in 1993. When I bought a new Toyota base pickup. After a disastrous used mini van purchase in 1991. An 1987 4-cly Chrysler, with about 60K miles on it. I paid $5K w/taxes. In the first yr I drove about 15K miles and had the following repairs: front springs & strut suspension repair $900 A/C compressor $340 Windshield wiper motor & new blades $300 Tune-up plugs, cap, rotor, wires, filters $375 Front brakes $325 Battery (only thing I did myself) $95 Muffler, pipes, Cat Converter $680 Water Pump, hoses & belts $450 new tires $400 Alternator $300 Starter motor $250 Then when I was traveling the engine went out (timing chain broke, destroying the engine). A rebuilt was $2,400 installed. I figured all t...
- Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:41 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Current interest rates, housing & the US economy
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1857
Re: Current interest rates, housing & the US economy
I think it may have the reverse effect on housing, at least initially. When and "if" our financial leaders decide to come back to interest rate reality, people will "rush" in to beat the rate rise. house prices will spike, then come back to a normal 3 - 5% per year increase. I can see a spike as a possibility. However, the idea that house prices only go up is now gone. There is now a trend towards smaller, more affordable housing, in FL anyway. Families have been smaller for many years now. So, that was a change that needed to take place. Housing prices had also gone up, year after year, and decade after decade (70s, 80s, 90s), that was a trend that also needed to change. Wages did not increase, like the cost of housing...
- Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:38 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Current interest rates, housing & the US economy
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1857
Current interest rates, housing & the US economy
In business school, I was taught interest rates had component parts. A real rate of return, a figure for inflation and a part to pay taxes on the interest bondholders rec'd. At the time the 30 yr Treasury was paying about 7.5%. It all made sense, 3% real rate of return, 2-3% for inflation and 2-3% to pay the tax due. It seems that rates today are now so low, there's not enough to cover these components. I watch documentaries, where pundits will say, we just keep kicking the can down the road, and that we will have to face reality at some point in time in the future. In other words, current rates do not reflect real rates of interest, and rates are being held artificially low. I now have started to agree. We're now 5 yrs into this so-called ...
- Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Special Needs Trust
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2287
Re: Special Needs Trust
Some states do have a pooled special needs trusts available, these may simplify the process and reduce the legal fees. A search for "florida pooled special needs trust", may provide some leads. There's an organization that offers pooled trusts. However, they have a money mgr, I have never heard of and I doubt does better than index funds. A local bank offers this type of trust service as well. However, Wells Fargo is known for high fees. I have noticed, none of the money mgrs give any performance figures. Hmm.....I wonder why that maybe. I have noticed in the media, they give out 5 yr info and that's it. At least in the past, when looking at ten yr figures, performance regresses to the mean. It's real easy to spot that way. So, t...
- Sun Jan 06, 2013 4:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Special Needs Trust
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2287
Special Needs Trust
Does Vanguard offer a Special Needs Trust? If so is it available in all states? This would be for a person in the state of FL, who's disabled.
- Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Purchase New Car
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2854
Re: Purchase New Car
What is the best approach to saleman when purchasing a new car???? How can I find out the actual cost to the dealership? This information will allow me to negotiate from that price. Before I buy a new car or light truck, I do my own market analysis of the current market price of the car. Edmund's or True Car can help with that. I then e-mail dealers and ask if they can give me a better deal, than I figure I can really get. If I get the deal on e-mail, that I want. I then go in and buy the car. When you add variables like a trade-in and financing. You have a more complex transaction. This is were dealers make their money. Selling your old car yourself, is one way to eliminate one variable. Go to a bank and get financing as well. Then all yo...
- Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:21 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Notice of adverse action on a loan application
- Replies: 8
- Views: 3128
Re: Notice of adverse action on a loan application
Couldn't they have just dropped the application, instead of this action denying me credit? This can't be good for my credit report. What appears on your credit report is just the inquiry, which already happened; this indicates that the credit union looked at your credit file as part of an auto loan application, but not whether the loan was denied, granted on terms you didn't like, or taken out but not yet reported in the credit file. Since you applied to three lenders in a short time, credit scoring algorithms will treat that as a single inquiry, recognizing that you probably weren't trying to buy three cars at once. If this is the case, why is it called adverse action? Why is this action covered, as part of consumer protection, in the FCR...
- Wed Dec 19, 2012 2:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Notice of adverse action on a loan application
- Replies: 8
- Views: 3128
Notice of adverse action on a loan application
I went to 3 different lending institutions about a auto loan. Two approved the loan and one wanted more info than I was comfortable giving them. I have had other problems with this Credit Union as well. Like them making simple transactions complex, when they should not be. During the application process, I informed them that I had a lower interest rate. I saw no reason to continue with the app. No I have gotten a notice of adverse action letter in the mail. It states the adverse action was due to member request. Couldn't they have just dropped the application, instead of this action denying me credit? This can't be good for my credit report. The rep at the credit union, also wanted to sell me an extended warranty and go through a 3rd party ...
- Thu Nov 15, 2012 6:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Things to consider before buying a used car
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2828
Re: Things to consider before buying a used car
I have never really found a good way to buy a used car. I seen a lot of info on doing it, but it is just not all that easy. There really is now way I have ever found to lower auto ownership costs. Used cars have never done that for me. Used cars just don't last as long and have more repair bills down the road. The downtime means renting a car or bumming rides, neither a real good choice. The lowest cost auto ownership I have ever had, is when I bought a 1994 8100 Toyota small pickup. Drove it for 6 1/2 yrs and got almost as much as I paid for it, after it was in an accident. The worst deal I get into was what I call a Lee Iaccoca Special. In 1991, I bought a piece of junk Minivan. It only lasted 2 1/2 yrs, during that time, I put almost $40...
- Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Extended Warranties & Service Plans. Do they work?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2468
Re: Extended Warranties & Service Plans. Do they work?
It's interesting to read all the experiences people have had. Often the commission paid to the sales person is so high that there is no way it can make sense for the consumer. The other major problem with electronics, is the product maybe covered but's still obsolete when it does go bad. Also, many of the companies who sell these things then go under, leaving buyers holding the bag. They are kind of like successful failures. Before 2008, if buying a big 3 auto, it may have made sense. I think they still honored the ex warr after the bankruptcy, in this one case. But usually if the company goes down who wrote the ex warr, the consumer is stuck. I think if a credit card excludes refurb electronics, that's a big hint not to buy refurb stuff. I...
- Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: GC (Gift Cards) and TC (Travelers Checks)
- Replies: 1
- Views: 346
GC (Gift Cards) and TC (Travelers Checks)
Amex (American Express) TCs seem to be going the way of the Dinosaur. Many places will not take em any more. Many banks don't issue
them either. The new thing seems to be GCs. They come from Walmart, Visa & Amex. I'm sure there are many others as well.
Anybody have the lowdown on these new instruments? TC are good forever and can be replaced, or so the story goes. So, I wondering
if these new gift cards work as well as TC used to.
One major disadvantage of GCs is they can not be turned back into cash, or depoed in your bank account. Anyway, I'm just wondering
about this because the holidays are coming soon.
them either. The new thing seems to be GCs. They come from Walmart, Visa & Amex. I'm sure there are many others as well.
Anybody have the lowdown on these new instruments? TC are good forever and can be replaced, or so the story goes. So, I wondering
if these new gift cards work as well as TC used to.
One major disadvantage of GCs is they can not be turned back into cash, or depoed in your bank account. Anyway, I'm just wondering
about this because the holidays are coming soon.
- Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Extended Warranties & Service Plans. Do they work?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2468
Extended Warranties & Service Plans. Do they work?
I'm wondering if any member has an idea if these work for people or not really. It depends I'm sure of the type of product you're buying. That is for sure one major factor. Electronics have such rapidly changing technology, that a plan longer than about 2 yrs is very questionable. In automotive, the technology doesn't change as fast and they make more sense. I'm considering a refurbished electronic product from Walmart. It's a lot less expensive, due to being a refurb. I could by the extended warranty for say two years. The regular 1 yr warranty is only 90 days on refurb electronic products. Usually if it lasts a yr, it will then go 5 or more. It will then be obsolete anyway. Some of the language in those plans has always perplexed me, it o...
- Fri Oct 26, 2012 11:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Picking a new HD TV
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2413
Picking a new HD TV
I don't have cable or an outside antenna. I never bought one of those converter boxes. So, I'm just going to get whatever I can with the built-in tuner. People in my building say I can get the local stations pretty well. I watch a lot of documentary videos on YouTube. Sports is the reason I would like a bigger screen. I can get them on ESPN3. I plan to send the signal from my PC, to the HDTV with a HDMI cable. Target & Wally World have a Westinghouse 40" 1080p 60hz LCD for about $320. Best Buy has a RCA 42" Plasma 720p 600Hz for $300. Brands like Coby & Dynex also have 40 inch LCD TVs for about $320. I have never heard of those two brands. I have had good luck with Sharp products in the past. But, Sharp HDTVs are about a $...
- Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Used pickup truck advice
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2001
Re: Used pickup truck advice
In my view, the problem when buying a used truck. Is that often they were worked very hard, and this is the reason they are for sale. I also
never saved money buying used. They just don't last as long and have more repair costs. 4 wheel drive is of some help in the snow, but adds
complexity and higher repair costs to a truck. Some 4WD trucks were also used off road, which is very hard on a truck. Some weight in the bed
in the winter, along with good snow tires will help.
I have seen the Titan go on sale for under $20K. In my view, that will probably be the best option in the long term.
never saved money buying used. They just don't last as long and have more repair costs. 4 wheel drive is of some help in the snow, but adds
complexity and higher repair costs to a truck. Some 4WD trucks were also used off road, which is very hard on a truck. Some weight in the bed
in the winter, along with good snow tires will help.
I have seen the Titan go on sale for under $20K. In my view, that will probably be the best option in the long term.
- Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: A High Security Personal Check?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2375
A High Security Personal Check?
I rec'd an offer for the "New High Security Personal Check". It came in the mail, along with my monthly statement. I was not aware there was such an animal.
I have never had a problem with checks. Well, with personal checks, I had some business checks stolen and then cashed, many years ago. I don't write that
many anymore. I pay a different way for most things.
Are some personal checks more secure than others? I would think it would have more to do with your bank, than the check itself. Am I missing something?
I have never had a problem with checks. Well, with personal checks, I had some business checks stolen and then cashed, many years ago. I don't write that
many anymore. I pay a different way for most things.
Are some personal checks more secure than others? I would think it would have more to do with your bank, than the check itself. Am I missing something?
- Fri Sep 07, 2012 5:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a single family home a good investment?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 3751
Buying a single family home a good investment?
Is buying a home to live in still a good investment? The prices in some areas went up so much, from 2000 to 2007, that I would question if they have corrected enough, to make buying a single family home a good investment. I also feel interest rates are so low, that prices are being artificially propped up. Long term mortgage money for less than 4%, that's very low. Sooner or later reality will have to set in, and interest rates will go up a housing prices will head down. People have to be able to afford it after all. Another problem is that families tend to be smaller now, but houses have gotten bigger. I don't think all this has been worked out yet, by any means. Prices went up during the 1970s inflation and again when the economy boomed i...
- Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Renting a car, which credit card to use?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 2294
Renting a car, which credit card to use?
I often rent weekend specials, because the cost is low and I can rent a car, that gets better MPG, than the truck I own. I have Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Amex. They all offer protection, in case of an accident, and/or some other types of problems. I just wonder, if anyone has any idea, which is the best of all the different cards consumers own. If something goes wrong, like getting into an accident. Many yrs ago, I rented a car in FL, it was stolen from the motel I was staying at. The rental company tried to charge the whole amount for the car- $12,000, to my credit card. My bank would not let them do that. My auto insurance settled with the car rental co. Anyway, that bank is now owed by a different bank and Value Rent Car is went def...
- Tue Jun 05, 2012 11:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Advice Needed: Career Change from Engineering to Finance
- Replies: 40
- Views: 8377
Career Change from Engineering to Finance
Like one of the post said, there is extreme competition for jobs in finance. The CFA is a very hard test, but even with that credential you are not necessarily in demand. I can
see getting an MBA, if you could get one from a top school. Then with both a technical background and an understanding of business, you would be a good candidate for an
executive job. In the world I been living in, companies are looking for people who will work very hard for wages that are more reasonable. Lots of people with a finance
background, looking for work.
see getting an MBA, if you could get one from a top school. Then with both a technical background and an understanding of business, you would be a good candidate for an
executive job. In the world I been living in, companies are looking for people who will work very hard for wages that are more reasonable. Lots of people with a finance
background, looking for work.
- Tue May 29, 2012 7:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Advice Needed: Career Change from Engineering to Finance
- Replies: 40
- Views: 8377
Re: Advice Needed: Career Change from Engineering to Finance
I would not give up a career in engineering for one in finance. Anyone can work in finance, with or without a college degree. Plus a college degree in business
is much easier to get. You will have a lot more competition in finance for jobs than you would in engineering. Also, concepts like costs, present value, IRR and ROI.
Are simply not as difficult to figure out as is engineering work. Don't let your skills lag in a high paying job cat like engineering. It generally pays better than finance.
is much easier to get. You will have a lot more competition in finance for jobs than you would in engineering. Also, concepts like costs, present value, IRR and ROI.
Are simply not as difficult to figure out as is engineering work. Don't let your skills lag in a high paying job cat like engineering. It generally pays better than finance.
- Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Honda dealers
- Replies: 29
- Views: 5051
Honda dealers and other auto dealers
Honda, Toyota & Nissan have done a good job, making cars & light trucks for the America consumer. However, their dealers are still auto dealers and no better than any other auto dealer. I call them dealer-chiselers, no matter what brand they sell. They look to get all the money from you they can. I have found it better to take my vehicle to an independent place and just do what's needed according to the owner's manual. Some of the other problems with auto dealers are: They seem very disorganized, but that's to cover for mistakes. Mistakes that are always to the dealers favor. Very high turnover of salespeople & other employees. Their sales people will say anything, to get you in the door. In other words they have no credablity a...
- Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:34 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Is low P/E of 12, on SP 500 suggestive of slower growth
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2032
Is low P/E of 12, on SP 500 suggestive of slower growth
Are lower p/e ratios (right now about 12) of VTI & SPY, suggesting slower growth, for the stock market. This is what I learned in business school.
Are high debt loads (no chart to blame, or very commonly economic indicator to attack), one reason for this? I think that's the current situation. Single family homes & other real estate just kept getting more &
more expensive, so people went into more debt, to keep buying them.
Many thought after the dot com bubble, real estate was the place to be,
it was for a while.
It's my contention, mortgages, auto & student loans, are burding our
economic growth. Our economy will begain to recover once these loans
get paid down, and houses & auto are affordable again.
Are high debt loads (no chart to blame, or very commonly economic indicator to attack), one reason for this? I think that's the current situation. Single family homes & other real estate just kept getting more &
more expensive, so people went into more debt, to keep buying them.
Many thought after the dot com bubble, real estate was the place to be,
it was for a while.
It's my contention, mortgages, auto & student loans, are burding our
economic growth. Our economy will begain to recover once these loans
get paid down, and houses & auto are affordable again.
- Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: New vs. Used Cars
- Replies: 50
- Views: 7807
I purchased a Toyota pick-up in 93 & it held its value
I only paid $7,000 for it and that included the shell. I took out two deer with it in 1998, which totaled the truck. I rec'd $6,000 in an insurance settlement. I owned it over 5 yrs and put about 80,000 miles on it. I purchased a used car, after that, but it needed repairs and it ended up costing more than the new truck I purchased, in 93. In 2002 I purchased a new Toyota Tacoma, for about $15K, out the door including shell. Again it held its value, it was stolen and crashed by the thief, while running from the law. Rec'd $12K for an insurance settlement, after 7yrs and 85,000 miles. Neither new Toyota needed anything but regular service. So, I'm going to stick with new Toyotas. The only option I need is a/c, and if you watch the ads. You c...
- Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Is there a way to look at newsletter from the last 10 yrs?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 848
Is there a way to look at newsletter from the last 10 yrs?
If memory serves me, Vanguard warned of the high level of US stocks,
back in 1999. This was based on GDP vs the total market value of US stocks.
back in 1999. This was based on GDP vs the total market value of US stocks.
- Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Ameritrade v. Schwab
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2465
Check out their web sites and see which one you like better
You also have other alternatives, like Vanguard, Scott Trade & Fidelity. What type of investing or trading, are you planning?