Drivers Want to Downsize Gas-guzzling SUVs to Cars with Better Mileage

Everybody is Getting Pinched: From the pizza delivery Guy, Home Builders, Construction Workers, Farm Workers to Real Estate Agents

I read with great delight that some company stocks are going up. Apple is doing well. So are Wal-Mart and countless others. Luxury home builder Toll Brothers reported a 3 % increase in net income for the second quarter. Just like any other company, oil-derived materials such as PVC pipes and other building products costs went up. Even the trucks that used to deliver the products start charging more. It has been noted that investors have become pessimistic about the housing market. In some California towns, they pull out completely. As the market slows down, builders will have to start devising gimmicks and incentives to get this rich niche of buyers. Everyone knows that luxury homes are a discretionary product. Those who are on the market specifically for such homes can afford to wait for better deals. Investing their money in those homes will have to see that home builders want to sweeten the deals.

Companies as well as individuals are looking for ways to cut costs: Honda, Toyota, Kia, Nissan & Chevrolet Offer Econoboxes

Find out more about these money-saving cars at Fixwhatsbroken Creative: Car and other product Reviews

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:23 PM

Updated: Wednesday, 21 June 2006 3:55 PM

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GM is launching new gas-saving programs for the owners of 2006 and 2007 model year vehicles. How about the previous models? Find out what is going on and how you can take advantage of this Onstar-loaded package. Is this a marketing gimmick or a way for GM to help drivers and owners of their vehicles?

GM Launches Program to cut Gasoline Prices

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:28 AM

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For all its 27 years, the Honda Accord line has not ceased to wow car enthusiasts and competitors. The American Honda Motor Co is not ready to cede their position of status to any other manufacturers either. Even when the Toyota and Passat engineers have been bringing on the market vehicles that become sudden eye-catchers, Honda Accord keeps its loyal band of enthusiasts. These two previously mentioned car manufacturers have become leaders and standards in the Sedan market, that did not prevent Honda Accord from being the best-selling car in America in 2001. And the Accord line is not ready to rest on its laurels either. This is why we have the all-new 2003 redesign. Just a few looks at the Sedan and the Coupe will let you realize that the Honda engineers are dead serious about clutching to their traditions of pleasing the American car buyers. With all the bells and whistles added to this year's models, the Accord is poised to lead once more in this competitive category.

Back up this stuff: Test-driving the EX Sedan

This great sedan of the American household comes in the following trim lines: DX, LX and EX. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to test-drive the EX on a junction of our increasingly busy freeway. The following review will be purely based on my impressions and observations. To tell you the truth, I remained breathless once my time was over. Having been in the Honda family for a long time, I have secretly made up my mind to upgrade to this year's model. All that is needed is the go-ahead from my spouse and kids. Aren't we all in this situation, guys! Truly, buying a car has become a family affair.

Any way, on a typical overcast Fall afternoon in the great Central Valley of California, I set out to explore the 2003 Honda Accord. I was ready for the driving after going to lunch with a colleague of mine. It was unfortunate that the Vietnamese restaurant was not too far away from our office. So I promised myself to find out more about this new sedan.

How does this Accord drive?

All the additions to this year's model have made the sedan very responsive on the road. I am referring to the EX Sedan's 2.4-liter four cylinder engine, 5-speed automatic transmission. It is my finding that the shifting is smooth and responsive. In the end, the sedan provides a superb performance. Some of the equipments you may find on this year's model are anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, tilt and telescopic steering wheel.

How about the interior of the new Accord?

There is no doubt that the interior of the Honda Accord features a blend of driver-focused features and information-oriented technologies. All of this starts with a new seat design that will provide maximum comfort and support. After all, you will be on the seat for the longest time possible. Even after stopping the car at the end of my test-drive, I did not want to get off the seat. I had ample time to check a few other things inside the cabin. There is enough front shoulder, front leg, rear shoulder room. Ample visibility has become a staple of the Honda. It's a feature you can find in practically all of the company's vehicles. Here is a list of other features you can find in this year's model, the EX Sedan:

Safety, dependability, quality, durability and reliability

For the first time on any Honda, the Accord offers a side curtain airbag system that is available on the EX V6 models. This year's model is true to its past record of safety and reliability. There are sensors in the front passenger seat that automatically disable the side bag in case a person leans into its deployment path. That's the Occupant Position Detection system for passenger seat side airbag.

The EX already has the next generation of Satellite-linked Honda DVD Navigation Systems which offer enhanced features and the "Touch by Voice" voice recognition system. This is a first on the Accord. Other features include a larger touch screen display, an expanded database covering virtually all U.S. roads and with seven million points of interest. Compare this with the one million points of interest that are currently available on the market. That's a huge head start! The new split screen design enhances the on-screen information with "3-D" route visualization for easier use.

Final thoughts on the EX

Short and tall people will enjoy this sedan. It has a great driving position. The display, instruments and controls a very accessible. Yes, the trunk of this sedan can hold lots of luggage. It will hold more than your grocery bags. If you are going on a trip, it will hold all your suitcases and other equipment. Keep in mind that the trunk has a glow-in-the-dark emergency release handle. If you are inclined or have to carry long items, there is a pass-through behind the armrest that lets you do just that.

This year's model is a great investment in the family's safety and reliability on the road.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:26 PM

Updated: Wednesday, 25 January 2006 8:36 PM

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Go ahead, GM! Give them something to talk about for many months and years to come. Something huge, similar to a quiet revolution in the SUV industry is happening. Those who are riding the waves of these changes just continue to love every single minute of it. Go to Beach Boulevard, Bel-Air in Los Angeles and you'll see something strange happening. For that matter, go to any major cities of this country where their residents care about their public images and are in a high economic bracket. You will see that most of them are driving in high class. They are driving gas-guzzling SUVs. If this is only one of the reasons most people rebuke them, a large group of truck drivers who are your neighbors, parents, and colleagues love SUVs for their practicality and the sense of power and control they exude. Right now, there is one truck that offers more than those qualities. 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT is the ultimate luxurious SUV that anybody who is anybody covets out there. Who would resist taking a few rides in such a luxurious truck? I seized the opportunity to test-drive it a few days ago. I have come out of this experience with lots of goodies to share with you.

Stars, rap moguls, various sports athletes and ordinary consumers with a pretty nice pocketbook are driving large in the Escalade

What is clear is that GM wants to lead in the richly profitable SUV market. Who would not like to align him/herself with a winner?

It's the new sign of the times. It's everywhere you go. Most of the local dealers I have talked to can't seem to hold them for too long. The Cadillac folks know a few things about bringing these robust, rugged but slick vehicles to the market. Now, life has not been all rosy for that brand all along. For what seemed to be an eternity, the Cadillac brand was being bombarded by the various products from Japan and Korea. These engineers and all the ensemble had to generate something that would capture the fancy of not only the most coveted up and mobile young people but also their core consumers, the mature Cadillac die-hards. They hit the jackpot with the arrival of the SUVs. GM engineers decide to base the Escalade on the well-known chassis of the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL. Besides the Chevrolet Avalanche which the Escalade is adapted from, Escalade is the only full-size truck on the market which can go from a full-size SUV to a full-size pickup with a protected eight-foot cargo box. There is no doubt that GM has built a great momentum in the truck market since the inception of this superluxurious truck. It is fitting that they want to take advantage of every opportunity to put the results of their creative juice on the market. I remain a firm believer in the body-on-frame ruggedness, utility and versatility of the truck.

Tell me more about the 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
The Escalade is seen as the company's flagship SUV

Introduced to the Cadillac brand as a 2002 model, Escalade has quickly grabbed the hearts of the die-hard SUV fans. Young as well as mature drivers seem to give a thumbs up. With its edgy style found mostly on the Escalade SUV and CTS sedan, the 2003 Escalade EXT is a sure attention grabber on the roads of this country. That's what happened to me and my salesperson when I took it out for a spin around town. The sheer beauty and size of the truck command respect. I had no problem negotiating the ramps to the freeways. A 6.0L V-8 engine powers the beautiful beast. It sports a smooth shifting four-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive transmission with tow/haul modes.

What are some of the Escalade's features?
Convert-a-cab allows owners to do whatever they need to.

Let's say you have a large and long load to haul. The Escalade can meet your needs in a heart beat. This is where the convert-a-cab feature comes handy. It allows you to convert the truck to meet your needs as they arise. In this case, all you need to do is to make sure the split rear passenger seat is folded (the midgate can be folded down to allow longer and larger cargo). The 2003 Escalade is a very versatile truck. Bear in mind that the EXT's rear window can be removed and stored on the midgate. If you want, you can keep the midgate upright with the window removed to create an open air feel without the wind noise which is common in convertible vehicles.

The bed and tailgate of the EXT are made of a combination of steel. This is where GM can be proud of its PRO-TEC composite and other materials. It's new but it's efficient and effective. The composite will resist dings and scratches. So you don't have to worry about hauling your materials.

How does the EXT drive?

It's as smooth as any car despite its size. Handling and performance are its hallmarks. I had more space sitting behind its wheel than I have on a Cessna. The EXT has great display and control graphics. For this year's model, they have been upgraded. You can find these upgrades in the following areas: analog speedometer, tach, odometer, fuel, water temp, oil pressure and a digital message center. Visibility is a big plus. It's so amazing to be able to see everything in the environs. There is no mention of the head, leg and hip room that exists on this truck. It has comfortable type of living room chair front bucket seats with armrests and deep center console capable of swallowing almost anything.

If you want to decide on this vehicle, I would recommend that you test-drive it on a few occasions to better appreciate it. Then, make up your mind. Anybody who receives this truck as a gift will be blown off his/her feet. It's such a gorgeous and big SUV! GM makes them big and better!

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:26 PM

Updated: Monday, 30 May 2005 7:14 PM

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Mood:  celebratory

Ford Mustang is one of the most recognizable Ford vehicles on the roads these days. From the inception of this brand to the current 2003 Mustang, many designs, improvements and features have been added to Mustang. No wonder that the 2003 model comes equipped with all the goodies that any serious car enthusiast has come to expect on this venerable brand. I had the opportunity to test-drive this year's model and came out very impressed by its smoothness, performance and simplicity. The 2003 model's improvements can be observed in the stiffer accessory drive brackets and bearings that tend to reduce variability. In addition, the Mustang sports a retuned suspension which includes new shock absorbers. I did not suffer from the poor conditions of the road where I was test-driving the 4.6-liter V-8 Mustang.

If you have driven any of the previous years' models of Mustang, you were perhaps annoyed by all the wind noise coming from the door handles and other areas. What this year's model has done is that it has the wind noise. With new shock absorbers and less noise on the road, you are set to focus your mind on the driving. The distraction is never needed when driving such an American classic brand.

The GT model and the Standard Mustang

While the standard Mustang engine is a 3.8-liter OHV V-6 which produces 190 horsepower at about 5,250 rpm and 220 foot-pounds or torque at 2,750 rpm, the GT models release way much more power. They have a standard 4-6-liter SOHC V-8 that produces 260 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 302 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. Now if you want more power as is the case for many of my friends, you can choose the Mach 1 model which has a standard 4-valve, DOHC 4.6-liter V-8 producing more than 300 horsepower.

Safety and other significant features in the Mustang

Test-driving the Mustang was a breeze. It was very responsive to my demands for more power as I got on the freeway and decided to go with the flow of traffic. I did not have to keep my fingers crossed before any positive reaction took place. Sporting 16-inch, polished-aluminium wheels, unique striping with "Mustang Stampede" graphics, the 2003 model leads to the "joie de vivre or conduire." The handling was great. One of the few things that caught my attention was the head-impact safety feature. It encompasses a new A-pillar, headliners, sun visors and a revised D-ring seat belt attachment. Four passengers can seat comfortably in the Mustang.

What are my impressions after all?

I had no problem getting in and out of the car. Once inside, I had enough head, hip and shoulder room. The subcompact coupe had nice leather seats an leather-wrapped steering wheel. While on the freeway, I had time to check the stereo system. The AM/FM stereo is, of course, standard. However, the CD player is optional. The Remote Keyless Entry is standard.

It's my opinion that the Mustang can only get better. It's a great car for anybody who wants to be perceived as being fit, sport-oriented and hip. This model will also appeal those who like driving irregular and uncommon vehicles. If you are looking for something that will distinguish you on the road, a Mustang is a must. It makes sense that this model is very popular among both sexes, young as well as more mature car enthusiasts.

The 2003 Mustang is a great ride you won't regret at all.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 4:25 PM

Updated: Saturday, 23 October 2004 6:25 AM

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Mood:  cool

With the all-new 2003 sports coupe, many observers and picky car enthusiasts and industry insiders have quietly admitted that Hyundai has arrived. The 2003 Hyundai Tiburon is a trendsetter when it comes to what types of features and value competitive automakers should bundle their cars. If any group benefits from the largesse and somewhat legendary story of the Korean automaker, it's you and me, the consumers. Also, Hyundai engineers and designers have seem to have learned from their mistakes. We spoke to them with our feet and our pockets. The first cars they rolled out in the American marketplace were not even worth the metal sheets, screws and bolts that went into their construction. So, we did not buy its earlier offerings. It's a whole new ball game now. Any serious, value-oriented car consumer can't stay away from the new, innovative designs this company has been featuring in auto showrooms and dealerships all over North America.

2003 Tiburon Coupe is sure to catch the attention of serious car owners who want performance, great looks, value, and style

Just include the names of the young men and women who can rely on its power to get a head start!

Introduced in 1997, the Tiburon brand has seen great days. What's clear is that the automaker has not been tired of improving and enhancing the brand image. It appears that each new model seems to accentuate some major areas of strength and performance in the vehicle. This year's model seems to build on the past experience of all its models. In fact, it borrows the strong, smooth, all-aluminum, dohc, 2.7-liter V6 from the Huyndai Sonata and the well-known style of the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. It makes great sense that some observers and analysts dub it, "a pocket rocket." I remain impressed by its sheer vitality, performance on the road and aggressiveness. I could not pass the chance to test-drive the GT V6. I had a great ride. It handled superbly and relied on its features of both front and rear independent suspension. The MacPherson struts are used with offset coil springs, gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar mounted right to the strut to negotiate the curves better. The owners of the 2003 Tiburon who are mostly performance enthusiasts can rely on the other set of rear suspension to have a great drivability. The Tiburon also featured a strut-type multilink rear suspension, gas-filled hyrdaulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. All of this can be summarized as the following: Once you get behind the wheels of this car, you will have a very great driving experience. I enjoyed the fact that I heard to vibration. Hyundai engineers and designers have managed to block that cumbersome noise from under the hood.

Bold design, style, performance and affordable price are all the reasons car buyers are snapping the 2003 Tiburon

Built in Korea, the Hyundai Tiburon two-door is offered in base or the Tiburon and the Tiburon GT V6 models. That's why the prices range from $15,999 to under 20K. If anything, the Tiburon coupe is turning up the heat on other automakers in the below $20,000 coupe segment. Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford and others will have to take lessons whether they want it or not. We consumers want all the great features that a vehicle can come equipped with for much less. While the earlier version of the Tiburon was based on the Elantra, the 2003 Tiburon has a new, stiffer and refined chassis. It was made not only to look good, but also to offer security to the occupants of the car. The new chassis is dubbed the GK.

How is the interior of the car?

In terms of legroom, headroom and hiproom, the Tiburon offers lots of space. I had great visibility which allows me to enjoy the ride very well. The spacious, ergonomic cockpit made provided me with lots of comfort. I did not have to worry about side impacts because the Tiburon offers front and passenger front and high-strength steel side impact airbags. To a large extent, the interior of the Tiburon resembles that of the Honda Accord. This is a giant step for Hyundai to be able to put out a vehicle that, taken costs into account, surpasses any Honda coupe. For under 20K, the Tiburon offers leather seats and leather-clad steering wheel. Leather seating is standard on the GT V6.

What are some of the features that exist on the GT V6?

Many of features that are standard on the Tiburon are not on other sport coupes. They don't even have some of them as options. For example, you will find the basic standard such as air conditioning, keyless remote entry system, cruise control, fog lamps, power windows and door locks, four-wheel disc brakes, P205/55-16 Michelin tires mounted on 16 by 6.5-inch alloy wheels. It also offers all the equipments found on the Tiburon plus others such as a better Infinity stereo for great entertainment, shift knob, rear spoiler etc.

Warranty: Who can turn down the Hyundai Advantage? It's, by far, the best warranty anybody can get out there. It gives you 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection and five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage. If you are really interested in buying the Tiburon, you will benefit from the 24-hour roadside assistance at no extra charge for five full years. There is no mileage limit. There are also some freebies.

The Tiburon is a great coupe that any car lovers will appreciate. In addition, it's affordable and bundled with great features that many other car makers would make you pay steep prices for.

Go with Huyndai, go with the 2003 Tiburon coupe!

Updated on 6-27-2003

Long gone are the days when car buyers were worried about buying a Huyndai vehicle. So long gone are also the times when some consumers would rather purchase a good used car from one of the higher-end vehicles instead of purchasing a Huyndai. Others had two choices: purchase a brand new Hyundai vehicle or a used Huyndai. Huyndai Motor America has been on a long campaign to change the face of the company. Poised to be the leader in the entry-level market, consumers, encouraged by gains of quality and less flaws in the Huyndai brand, start showing interest. [Please read about Santa Fe SUV]. All this turnaround has been made possible under the aegis and discipline of Finbarr O'Neill. He can start seeing the signs of the company's success by taking a look at the group of consumers who are most likely to buy the six-speed sports transmission, V-6 engine 2003 Tiburon. Loaded with enough power to hit 180 horses, this is a car that will gain consumers' confidence in the company.

At a recent high school graduation, when most of us were driving vehicles of the Japanese car industry, I could clearly see a lot of young people arriving in their Tiburon, equipped with 17-inch wheels. Some of my closest friends commented, "For sure, this company is now turning heads on the road." They are the same young kids whose pals drive a tricked, retrofit Acura RSX or Honda Civic. When we saw some females driving down the freeway in their Tiburon, we quickly realized that the car was a 'hot.' Hyundai is now reeking the benefits of their quality-based programs launched since the 1990s. They have long gone from the phase of just giving a car, a reliable car to the consumer, Huyndai wants its potential car buyers to feel inspired by the wide range of products it has put on the market. From the entry-level Accent, Elantra to the [Santa Fe], Hyundai wants to give the consumer a great driving experience.

What needed to be done: Dispel the fear; Get consumers to trust the vehicles

Under O'Neill, Hyundai Motor America decides to provide satisfaction to the customers. If they are happy with the products they offer, then they are in business. The way they have done this is to offer a very strategic marketing campaign that automatically removes any fear that a Huyndai buyer might have. The launching of a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty on all Hyundais became the catalyst and launching pad of the success and recognition that Hyundai vehicles are now enjoying in the regular consumers' mind. With the advent of the Santa Fe and Tiburon, it has now become hip to be seen driving a Huyndai. The fear of having to deal with a broken-down vehicle every mile on the freeway is long gone. At the same time, Huyndai Motor America had to convince the South Korean executives that improving the overall quality of the vehicles was necessary. In a sense, they had gotten the messages that became overt and well-known. From disgruntled users and comedians, the jokes about the unreliability of the Hyundai got to the ears of the North American branch. They wanted to do something about it. They wanted to change the car. They wanted to bring the consumers back to the auto-rooms. This time, they did with "America's Best Warranty", 6 years of bumper to bumper coverage and 10 years of coverage on the cr's engine and transmission. According to the J.D. Power quality study in 1999, Hyundai averaged 229 flaws per 100 vehicles. The company has improved to 143 flaws pwer 100 vehicles as compared with an industry average of 133. Once the brand's problems and image issues were corrected, it was time to focus on something else: fashion. The brand was ready to go from mere function to outstanding fashion. In fact, the 2003 Tiburon shows what the Huyndai company can do in terms of competing on the market.

Facing the competition without any fear:

The Japenese have long been reigning as the kings of the entry-level, mid-sedan s. Toyota and Honda, whichever order they come, are fierce competitors that are very territorial of their gains in the North American market. We should say that they have worked to be where they are at for many years. It's a long time coming for them.

The South Korea's largest automaker is ready to enjoy a place in the hearts and minds of most Noth American consumers. Style, refinement, quality, value packages and customer satisfaction are all the areas of interest for Hyundai. They want to accentuate things. This way, we, consumers, won't find it hard to choose between a Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Subaru Forrestier, Chevrolet Impala, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry and a Sonata. Let it be known that thanks to the comparatively cheap labor (cars are manufactured in South Korea), the consumers will come out on top. That's something that anybody who is out there on the car market needs to keep in mind. In terms of value, Hyundai is not worried about putting a lot of features in its cars. Its current success stories are the Santa Fe and Tiburon. These vehicles sport a trendier design, leather seats and side air bags. It all depends on the options you want and what you are willing to pay.

Safety and consumer satisfaction are two of the great points of the Hyundai Motor America.

Would you like to save and be worry-free when it comes to maintenance?

Try a Hyundai vehicle. After test-driving the Santa Fe, Tiburon and Sonata, I can attest to the improvements that this company has brought on.

The bottom line is that you will end up saving money.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 5:16 PM

Updated: Wednesday, 25 January 2006 8:48 PM

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Mood:  irritated

I had been shopping around for a new car. I thought it would be a good idea to check the Costco Auto program. My wife concurred. After all, her sister and in-laws, their friends and she have been members of this organization for a very long time. Why not trust a firm that makes shopping so easy for one's family? We do receive the Costco Auto magazine every month. We keep looking for the best deals we can find. After various contacts with the local dealerships, we decided to compare their offerings with the price offered by the Costco program. In the meantime, we continued to do our homework. That's a recommendation that nobody should take lightly. We found out that the Costco price is summarized as the dealer invoice plus $500. Now, if you are dealing with a crooked dealer, you may expect some other fees. We were interested in a 2004 Nissan Maxima SE. After using the Nissan Quest without any problems, we became stuck on the brand. Why not buy another Nissan after all? However, even with the Costco's reputation of valuing its customers, a shopper should always be on his/her guard. The following is my experience with the Costco Auto shop and tire and service department.

After deciding to postpone the purchase of the car, we decided to change all four tires on the Honda. The store was running a deal on the Michelin, BF Goodrich and Bridgestone tires. We bought the 4 new tires for close to $400.00, signed the papers, turned in our keys and waited about 3 hours before returning to the store to pick up the car. As we were leaving the car, there were no mentions of dings, scratches and dents on the car. In fact, we left the car with any of the dents and scratches we later found. Beware of the following: Whether you agree there are dents on your car or not, you'd have to agree with their observation to start with. When and if they do it in your absence, that's like a shot in the back. Costco is more interested in covering their back than providing you with satisfaction and customer care. That I'll find out later.

Before going back to the Costco Tire section, we called them to make sure that the installation was complete. We were thinking that a two-hour timeframe was enough time for them to mount the tire. We were wrong. It was a Saturday after a major holiday. Every Costco member showed up to get their work done. We had to wait 1 more hour. When it was time to retrieve the car, my wife dropped me off. I waited a few minutes before the employee could print the paperwork and hand me my keys. While I was talking to him, my wife waited for me by my Honda. That's when she discovered the fresh dents, scratches and dings on the rear of the car. I informed the employee of my wife's findings. He accompanied me to the parking lot where the car was parked. My wife, the employee and I noticed that the car was not properly parked (meaning between the lot). The employee who completed the installation of the tires did not park the car properly. That opened the door to anybody who wanted to park close to my car to put the dents, dings and scratches there. Bear in my mind up to this point, Costco was supposed to be responsible for my car. For up to 4 hours, they were in complete possession of the vehicle!

Costco is not willing to take responsibility for the damage

What can a small guy do to a giant we can't live without?

The Costco clerk asked me whether I wanted to file a claim. I followed him to the Tire section. He asked me for a copy of my receipt which did not have any mentions of dents, scratches and dings. He disappeared for what seemed to be a good 15 minutes to make copies of my receipt. When he came back, I noticed the presence of dents, dings and scratches on the form. The words must have been typewritten because some of the letters were on top of the remark words in the pre-existing empty box. When the clerk finally said that these dings were observed by the tire-mounting employee, I said I did not believe him. I expressed to him my dissatisfaction. I bid him farewell knowing that he did his best to protect his company. After all, the damage was caused during his shift. By the time I made it back to my car, my wife had already gone home to get our camera. She took some shots of the car in the position it was parked by the Costco employee.

The clerk gave me a claim form to fill out. When I was close to completing it, he realized it was the wrong form. He apologized and gave me the right one. Here I was filling out a new form. Unwilling to give me the name of the "Costco Wholesale Liability Insurance," he told me somebody would call me. An employee from the insurance company did give me a call and left me this 1-800-409-1099 ext. 15 . After a few days later, I called Josh Judge back at the same number. He was all defensive. He was covering the back of his company. He wanted to have proof. I could either e-mail him some pictures or send him the film pics via snail mail. Once the pictures were developed, we mailed them to him. In the meantime, we were communicating via e-mail. For a few weeks, I did not hear anything from Josh Judge. So I sent an e-mail to JJudge@costco.com to find out what was up. In case I was not available, I gave him my wife's number. For a number of days, neither my wife nor I heard from him. I told my wife to call him. All I wanted was for them to accept responsibility for the damage their employee caused to my car. They could pay to have it painted!

Costco only cares about its own profits, sends customers to hell! It offers customer service to get into our pockets

The company's reps will chase you around to get you to sign up with them. They'll give you incentives until they get you. Once that happens, they forget about you. If you think I didn't like the company all along, please read my other review. The company's practices tend to wake us up, consumers. How many of us are in the same situation? Yes, you can return any merchandise with no hassle. You can shop as much as you can pay. But the way its reps are treating the small guys likes us, consumers is not right.

Josh Judge examined the pictures and called my wife. "I will not pay you anything," he said to her.

The car you buy from them may be damaged during service! You're on your own! Shop At your own RISK!

David went against Goliath. This small fish that I am can't go against Costco! I need help from you, readers and consumers!

Let's band together, Costco consumers, so that arrogance does not triumph. Let's get together to make Costco do the right thing! Paying for my car to get a fresh layer of paint would not put a dent into their coffers.

Please e-mail or call Josh Judge to help a small guy like me! I only have the morale of my story and my words to correct a wrong.

Just ask me for help the next time you get wronged! I'll be there for you!

Please help, help, help! A Big Fish Wants To Swallow Me! That's a rip-off!

Are customers always right? In this case, I know I am right. Please what you can to get their attention on this unresolved matter.