#2000 car for sale by owner

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Very wealthy art collector's very expensive artsy home is for sale. The 2000 modern home in Beverly Hills, CA has 7bds, 11ba, plus a 30 car garage, and is on the market for $39M. So, far, it's been on the market for 104 days, b/c who has $39M? Even if you do, you have to like a very modern, very artsy home. I like it, but I don't have $39M.

Look at that statue in the glass case. And, dotting the color coded bookshelves are the owner's Bearbrick collection. A gold one is in a case on the floor.

With such an art collection, I wonder if all the glass windows are safety glass or something, and how secure the doors are.

There's a mezzanine above, and pay special attention to the lighting on the ceilings. There's a lot of neon.

A very large statue complements the wall along the stairs.

Very sculptural "railing."

What a huge living room. Nice fireplace. Looks like the shelves are specially made for the statues.

At these prices the floors and walls must be marble.

In the half bath, have you ever seen a sink like this?

The dining room opens to a patio. I don't know what that wall is- an art installation, wine wall, I don't know. The chandelier is nice, but I'm not crazy about it.

The kitchen is very open. Did you ever notice that the very wealthy people don't like their kitchens to look like kitchens? Like, they hide the appliances.

The primary bedroom is ridiculously large.

There's a fabulous fireplace and display shelving.

Then, there's a separate area with a chaise. Look at the ceiling.

This looks like a home office on one side and a bath on the other.

Here's a dressing room/closet. (Who changes the neon lights? There are so many.)

In this bathroom a very wonky wall must be a form of art.

The secondary bedroom suite is as beautiful as many primary bedrooms I've seen. It's huge. The bath has a ribbed marble sink, which is unusual. And, in the shower, look at the neon along the seat.

There is an entire dining room set out in the garden.

And, this is the behemoth 30 car garage.

Gated entrance to the property.

The stunning grounds and pool.

There's the garage all lit up. 1.84 acre lot.

https://www.bexrealty.com/California/Beverly-Hills/2650-Benedict-Canyon-Dr/single-family-home/

[beardedmrbean]

Five women say they were raped by former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed when they worked at the luxury London department store.

The BBC has heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-employees who say the billionaire, who died last year aged 94, sexually assaulted or raped them.

The documentary and podcast - Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods - gathered evidence that, during Fayed’s ownership, Harrods not only failed to intervene, but helped cover up abuse allegations.

Harrods’ current owners said they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations and that his victims had been failed - for which the store sincerely apologised.

“The spider’s web of corruption and abuse in this company was unbelievable and very dark,” says barrister Bruce Drummond, from a legal team representing a number of the women.

Since this article was first published, more former Harrods employees have contacted the BBC saying Mohammed Al Fayed assaulted them.

Warning: this story contains details some may find distressing.

The incidents took place in London, Paris, St Tropez and Abu Dhabi.

“I made it obvious that I didn't want that to happen. I did not give consent. I just wanted it to be over,” says one of the women, who says Fayed raped her at his Park Lane apartment.

Another woman says she was a teenager when he raped her at the Mayfair address.

“Mohamed Al Fayed was a monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass whatsoever,” she says, adding that all the staff at Harrods were his “playthings”.

“We were all so scared. He actively cultivated fear. If he said ‘jump’ employees would ask ‘how high’.”

Fayed faced sexual assault claims while he was alive, but these allegations are of unprecedented scale and seriousness. The BBC believes many more women may have been assaulted.

'Fayed was vile'

Fayed's entrepreneurial career began on the streets of Alexandria, Egypt, where he hawked fizzy drinks to passers-by. But it was his marriage to the sister of a millionaire Saudi arms dealer that helped him forge new connections and build a business empire.

He moved to the UK in 1974 and was already a well-known public figure when he took over Harrods in 1985. In the 1990s and 2000s, he would regularly appear as a guest on prime-time TV chat and entertainment shows.

Meanwhile, Fayed - whose son Dodi was killed in a car crash alongside Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997 - has become known to a new generation through the two most recent Netflix series of The Crown.

But the women we have spoken to say his portrayal as pleasant and gregarious was far from the truth.

“He was vile,” says one of the women, Sophia, who worked as his personal assistant from 1988 to 1991. She says he tried to rape her more than once.

“That makes me angry, people shouldn't remember him like that. It's not how he was.”

Some of the women waived, or partially waived, their right to anonymity to be filmed - and the BBC agreed not to use surnames. Others chose to remain anonymous. Put together, their testimonies reveal a pattern of predatory behaviour and sexual abuse by Fayed.

The Harrods owner would regularly tour the department store's vast sales floors and identify young female assistants he found attractive, who would then be promoted to work in his offices upstairs - former staff, male and female, told us.

The assaults would be carried out in Harrods’ offices, in Fayed's London apartment, or on foreign trips - often in Paris at the Ritz hotel, which he also owned, or his nearby Villa Windsor property.

At Harrods, other former staff members told us it was clear what was happening.

“We all watched each other walk through that door thinking, ‘you poor girl, it's you today’ and feeling utterly powerless to stop it,” Alice, not her real name, says.

'He raped me'

Rachel, not her real name, worked as a personal assistant in Harrods in the 1990s.

One night after work, she says she was called to his luxury apartment, in a large block on Park Lane overlooking London's Hyde Park. The building was protected by security staff and had an on-site office staffed by Harrods employees.

Rachel says Fayed asked her to sit on his bed and then put his hand on her leg, making it clear what he wanted.

“I remember feeling his body on me, the weight of him. Just hearing him make these noises. And… just going somewhere else in my head.

“He raped me.”

The BBC has spoken to 13 women who say Fayed sexually assaulted them at 60 Park Lane. Four of them, including Rachel, say they were raped.

Sophia, who says she was sexually assaulted, described the whole situation as an inescapable nightmare.

“I couldn't leave. I didn’t have a [family] home to go back to, I had to pay rent,” she says. “I knew I had to go through this and I didn’t want to. It was horrible and my head was scrambled.”

Gemma, who worked as one of Fayed’s personal assistants between 2007-09, says his behaviour became more frightening during work trips abroad.

She says it culminated in her being raped at Villa Windsor in Paris's Bois de Boulogne - a former home, post-abdication, of King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson.

Gemma says she woke up startled in her bedroom. Fayed was next to her bed wearing just a silk dressing gown. He then tried to get into bed with her.

“I told him, ‘no, I don't want you to’. And he proceeded to just keep trying to get in the bed, at which point he was kind of on top of me and [I] really couldn't move anywhere.

“I was kind of face down on the bed and he just pressed himself on me.”

She says after Fayed raped her she cried, while he got up and told her aggressively to wash herself with Dettol.

“Obviously he wanted me to erase any trace of him being anywhere near me,” she explains.

Eight other women have also told us they were sexually assaulted by Fayed at his properties in Paris. Five women described the assaults as an attempted rape.

'Open secret'

“The abuse of women, I was aware of it when I was on the shop floor," says Tony Leeming, a Harrods department manager from 1994 to 2004. It “wasn't even a secret”, recalls Mr Leeming, who says he did not know about more serious allegations of assault or rape.

"And I think if I knew, everybody knew. Anyone who says they didn't are lying, I'm sorry".

Mr Leeming's testimony is backed up by former members of Fayed's security team.

“We were aware that he had this very strong interest in young girls,” says Eamon Coyle, who joined Harrods in 1979 as a store detective, then became deputy director of security from 1989-95.

Meanwhile Steve, who does not want us to use his surname, worked for the billionaire between 1994-95. He told us that security staff “did know that certain things were happening to certain female employees at Harrods and Park Lane”.

Many of the women told us that when they began working directly for Fayed they underwent medicals - including invasive sexual health tests carried out by doctors.

This was presented as a perk, the women told us, but many did not see their own results - even though they were sent to Fayed.

“There is no benefit to anybody knowing what my sexual health is, unless you're planning to sleep with somebody, which I find quite chilling now,” says Katherine, who was an executive assistant in 2005.

'Culture of fear'

All the women we spoke to described having felt intimidated at work - which had made it difficult for them to speak out.

Sarah, not her real name, explained: “There was most definitely a culture of fear across the whole store - from the lowliest of the low, to the most senior person.”

Others told us they believed the phones in Harrods had been tapped - and that women had been scared of talking to each other about Fayed’s abuse, fearing they were being filmed by hidden cameras.

The ex-deputy director of security, Eamon Coyle, confirmed this - explaining how part of his job was to listen to tapes of recorded calls. Cameras that could record had also been installed throughout the store, he said, including in the executive suites.

“He [Fayed] bugged everybody that he wanted to bug.”

Harrods told the BBC in a statement these had been the actions of an individual “intent on abusing his power” which it condemned in the strongest terms.

It said: “The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010, it is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.”

There were a number of attempts to expose Fayed before his death - notably by Vanity Fair in 1995 - with an article alleging racism, staff surveillance and sexual misconduct. This sparked a libel lawsuit.

Mohamed Al Fayed later agreed to drop the case as long as all the further evidence the magazine had gathered of his sexual misconduct in preparation for a trial was locked away. Fayed’s settlement was negotiated by a senior Harrods executive.

In 1997, ITV’s The Big Story reported further serious allegations including sexual harassment and groping - which is classed as sexual assault.

One of the women in the BBC investigation, Ellie, not her real name, was 15 in 2008 when she reported an assault to the police - an allegation that made headlines - but did not result in any charge.

In 2017, Channel 4’s Dispatches broadcast allegations of groping, assault and harassment, with one woman waiving her right to anonymity for the first time. It gave some women the courage to come forward - and was followed by a 2018 investigation on Channel 4 News.

But it is only now, with Mohamed Al Fayed having died last year, that many of the women have felt able to speak publicly about rape and attempted rape.

Cash and NDAs

The BBC documentary reveals that, as part of Gemma's settlement in 2009, she had to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), a legally-binding contract which ensures information remains confidential.

She says after she was raped, she contacted a lawyer who told Harrods she was leaving her job on the grounds of sexual harassment. Gemma says she did not feel able, at that time, to disclose the full extent and seriousness of Fayed's assaults.

Harrods agreed she could leave and it would pay a sum of money in exchange for her shredding all evidence and signing an NDA. Gemma says a member of Harrods’ HR team was present as the shredding took place.

The BBC has heard that women were threatened and intimidated by Harrods' then-director of security, John Macnamara, to stop them speaking out.

Fourteen of the women we spoke to recently brought civil claims against Harrods for damages. The shop's current owners, who are not asking women to sign NDAs, started settling these in July 2023.

It took Sophia and Harrods five years to reach an agreement. In her case, the store expressed regret but did not admit liability. Many more women are now considering legal action against Harrods.

[redundant2]

Mystery Solved! Pippa Middleton and James Matthews have purchased Sir Terence Conran's previous estate in Berkshire: Barton Court.

Reports about the Princess of Wales' sister Pippa's new estate in Berkshire have been quite vague, but today I finally found the planning permits.

The Matthews paid £15 million for Barton Court, located in Kintbury, Hungerford, Berkshire.

"Barton Court was built in 1772 for Admiral Lord Dundas: a typical, red-brick, early Georgian house of five bays with a projecting central open-pedimented entrance front, enhanced by round-headed windows in the upper storeys."

The top yellow star in the right part of the above map is the estate where Michael and Carol Middleton live in Bucklebury, and the solid red dot on the left is the location of James and Pippa Matthews' new estate. Close enough for a short car drive to visit, but far enough apart to allow each family some private time.

The planning permit request is for "Relocation of an outdoor swimming pool and construction of a tennis court within the walled garden, and conversion of a potting shed to associated changing room and plant room."

Below is the celebrated walled garden that will be replaced with tennis courts and possibly a very large swimming pool:

Sir Terence Conran was a famous British designer who passed away in September 2020. He founded the Habitat and Conran shops. He was also renowned for designing restaurants, office buildings and stores. Conran ran several restaurants and wrote more than 50 books about design.

House and Garden UK did a nice feature on the property with many color photos taken by Princess Margaret's ex-husband, if you're curious about the interior of Pippa's new home.

From the article: "In earlier days a stone-flagged hallway ran from the door to the stairway between the enclosing walls of adjacent rooms. These rooms have now been gutted to provide a combined hall and living room of vast area: over a hundred feet in length." Looks like the original tile is still in place.

Apparently, some of the family of Sir Terence Conran was very upset that his estate was sold, as it was said to have been his dream for the estate to remain in the family.

"Both the house and the estate, according to one visitor, were to be 'overseen by the Conran family'. But no longer: I can reveal that the house has been sold for £15 million, despite Conran's vision, which included selling fruit and vegetables from greenhouses and a massive walled garden.

Members of the family appear to be in the dark about quite why the sale has gone ahead. One tells me that it is the executors of Conran's will who are selling the property, not his widow, Lady Conran.

The interior designer Vicki Davis married Sir Terence in 2000 at Chelsea Town Hall. His children — Sebastian and Jasper by his second wife, Superwoman author Shirley Conran, and Tom, Sophie and Ned by his third, cookery writer Caroline Herbert — only learned of it later.

That was no accident: Conran's children, it was playfully said, needed an appointment to see him.

The executors of his will decline to comment. But I can disclose that Vicki has already left the house and a new family has moved in."

Little did we know in June 2022 that it was Pippa Middleton and her family who bought the estate!

But here is another article interviewing Conran's widow, Vicki. She felt the house was too much for one person to maintain, and that none of his many children would want the upkeep. Conran apparently did not die of Covid either. It's a good article, detailing his vast collections and giving you a better idea of what he was like. After living there 50 years, Conran's widow was given 8 weeks to pack up everything and move out by the new owners...

Here is the planning application map showing the property outline:

Interestingly, the large buildings to the left of Barton Court are actually a very large custom furniture workshop and retail store. The owner, Sean Sutcliffe, "met Terence Conran and a firm friendship was made over a shared interest in making, wood, design and sustainability. They founded Benchmark together and our workshop and showroom are situated in the grounds of Terence’s country home."

That should prove very interesting for Pippa and family - perhaps those who are royal watchers might plan to do some furniture shopping in the near future! I'm sure, however, that the Matthews family will have plans in place to secure the perimeter of their new estate - or perhaps Mr. Matthews will just buy Benchmark Furniture outright and have its premises moved. Pretty sure he can afford it, since they recently sold their Chelsea mansion for £22.5 million, £5.5 million more than he paid for it.

[partisan-by-default]

In 1992 there were 42 homicides out of a population of just 24,000 people. The majority-black city suffered as black neighborhoods did all across the country from the crack cocaine epidemic, but after initial action to increase the police presence, an all-hands-on-deck approach from local nonprofits, faith-based groups, neighborhood watch organizations, and what few business leaders there were eventually saw the number plummet down to single digits even while drug sales continued to flourish.

One innovative tactic was from a neighborhood watch-type organization called “Just Us” that would frequent street corners and copy the license plates of any car that came to buy drugs. The police would then find the owner of the car, and simply write them a strongly worded letter letting them know that their car was recorded in a high-crime, high-drug use area.

Once of these letters, the LA Times reports, arrived at the desk of a city judge, whose son as it turns out was using the judge’s car to buy crack.

“East Palo Alto has always been a resilient community. People there are really concerned and care about the community where they live,” Sharifa Wilson, the city mayor during these troubled years, told the Times.

“The fact that we were labeled the homicide capital gave us an attention that we needed, and then we took that attention and turned it into something positive,” she added. “If you give us lemons, we’re gonna make lemonade.”

Following 1992, the city closed out the decade with only one year where homicides climbed back into the teens, while between 2000 and 2023, the city averaged about 7 excluding 2005 which was noticeably higher. But every life is precious, and the city kept on trying to improve conditions for kids in low-income households and improve economic opportunities for their parents.

[jacquesthepigeon]

Not sure if you ever got a response about this and you don’t have to publicly respond but I have my own general guide for what to look for in a used car:

Maintenance—if you’re physically able to change tires, oil, and brakes yourself, that’s ideal. Alternatively, if you know anyone with car maintenance skills, it will be a much more affordable option than bringing it to a shop. If you can’t do it yourself or don’t know a mechanic, figure out how much you’re willing to spend on taking your car in to be fixed professionally. DO NOT just trust the seller’s claims about recent maintenance. Check it yourself or have someone you trust check it.

Electronics—newer cars (2010s and newer) have more electronic components, and thus will need special types of updates to their programming. Older cars (2000s and older) are more analog and have fewer electronic features, but will cost less to repair. NEVER buy a car that has electronic issues.

Fluids—check all fluids before agreeing to purchase the vehicle. Oil, transmission, brakes, coolant, radiator, etc. Check the smell of the fluids, how clear or dirty they are, whether they are full, most recent fluid change/flush. DO NOT just trust the seller’s claims about recent maintenance. Check it yourself or have someone you trust check it.

Sounds—listen to engine sounds before AND after it has been warmed up. If there is a distinct knocking, tapping, or other suspicious sound in the engine, do NOT buy that vehicle.

Research—look up any issues specific to the vehicle you intend to buy. Look the car up specifically by make, model, year, and if possible, VIN. This includes any issues with electronics, transmission/power train, steering, brakes, tires, chassis strength, etc. This is especially important when considering survivability of an accident and the future cost of maintenance. (Most car insurance providers offer a free quoting system and, if you have the VIN, will also provide information about any previous accidents the vehicle has been in.)

Manufacturer’s Warranties—this is an extension of research, but it’s vital if you ever have a serious mechanical failure. Most manufacturers will provide a distance-based guaranteed warranty for replacement of parts. (For example, a car’s first owner may be covered for engine replacement up to 100k total miles of use. Meanwhile, any future owners will only be covered up to the original 60k miles driven on the car.) Engine, transmission/power train, and electronic warranties are the most important ones, but some manufacturers will also provide brake and tire warranties.

I have a lot more info stored in my head, but I hope this helps with the basics and what to look out for before you buy a used car!

Paperwork—before purchasing a vehicle, make sure the seller has all the necessary paperwork for you to legally own and register the car. At the very least, this means a title with the correct VIN number and make/model info. Depending on the state you live in, you’ll also need to be sure the former owner submits a bill of sale or buyer/seller form to the DMV. If the VIN number has been taken off the vehicle or the former owner does not have a title, it is likely stolen. Do NOT buy it.

—————————————————————

I love you 🫶

[classicvirus]

Ti-red: 1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider by Touring

This 2000 Spider has definitely seen better days, but it’s still better than many “projects” seen lately. In fact, we have seen models like this, or 2600s, so rotten that we don’t understand how they are still all in one piece, for sale at prices which, although apparently low, would have led the owner to spend crazy sums for the restoration. And yet, completely rotten cars have also been sold:…

[envihellbender]

John and Martin going to buy puppy Tim

Characters: Jonathon Sims, Martin Blackwood, Tim Stoker (The Magnus Archives)

Content: Human pet AU, parental abuse and neglect

—

PUPPYWHORE FOR SALE

INTACT DOGBOY

25 YEARS OLD

PERFECT AS A PLEASURE TOY, ALREADY BROKEN IN BUT VERY SKILLED

ANSWERS TO TIM

£2000 OR BEST OFFER

There is a photograph of a terrifyingly skinny pale human canine, his dirty blond hair was tangled almost making his ears unnoticeable. He was curled up asleep on an unkempt lawn, a rope around his neck was tied to a thick wooden stake that had been hammered into the ground. He was naked except for some white, greying from age briefs. He was bruised and scarred. His long thick tail that was varying shades of blond and brown curled up with his legs.

Martin was rereading the advert as they drove to the address in the East End of London that Wes Stoker (owner and possible father of Tim) had given them. When they offered £2000 upfront, Wes hadn’t even questioned what they wanted him for. He didn’t ask for any further information, when Martin had said he and his boyfriend wished to purchase him (the phrasing of which made Martin feel sick to his stomach) all Wes had send in return is “so long as you’ve got the cash I don’t care what you fags do with him.”

“Martin! I need Directions,” John all but shouted, throwing Martin out of his racing, spiralling thoughts.

“Oh. Sorry. Right,” Martin mumbled opening Google Maps.

“It’s fine. But I asked five times.” John was attempting to be sympathetic, ever since they’d seen the terrifying advert they’d both been on edge.

“Right I’m just… nervous. We take a right on Baldwin Avenue.” Martin said quickly, he hated giving directions. He tried to focus on the app and the instructions it was giving, but it was all blurry and uncertain.

“Yeah I know, but rereading that…” John sighed as he turned, repressing the urge to blow up over the callous and disgusting advert. “It won’t help. It’s a blessing and a curse that it was so little. It wasn’t even half of my savings, we’ll be fine. And we have plenty of room. So. He’ll be safe with us. Luckily we picked him up and not- not someone who…” John’s voice trailed off, grateful when Martin spoke.

“Yeah I just… do you think he’ll be-“ He began, before John suddenly had a reason to interrupt him and change the subject.

“Martin. Which way do I go. T junction.”

“Right! Right on Granger Lane and then it’s your second left and it’s… on your right. Can’t miss it apparently.”

“Do I think he’ll be what, my love?” John repeated absently.

“Angry? When he sees we’re there as more of a, erm, rescue mission?”

“Honestly from how he sounded on the phone I don’t think he cares.”

“Oh.”

“Right we’re here.” John opened the glove compartment and took out a large wad of cash held together by an elastic band. Martin finally looked away from his phone and when he saw the image his heart sank. Tim was in the same position as he was on the photo, curled up on a lawn, shivering and half starved, but with a small carrier bag next to him. John was still locking the car when Martin slipped out and all but ran to Tim. Who jolted up in fright and backed away eyeing him suspiciously, doing a nervous yelp. Martin froze and knelt down trying to look as passive as possible.

“Hey hey hey, sorry. I’m sorry. I’m a friend, see?” Martin held out his hand, palm faced outward and Tim slowly inched closer. He sniffed Martin’s hand and nudged it with his nose. When Martin went to scratch his ears Tim leant away, he wasn’t ready for that yet. It was John who knocked on the door, and when a balding man in a stained white vest and black trousers answered the door Martin used up all his restraint and energy ensuring he didn’t scream at him.

“Hello, yes, I’m Jonathon Sims. We spoke on the phone.”

“So you’re the fags who are going to take this runt whore away,” Wes grunted before lighting a cigarette. Martin scowled but John kept some decorum.

“Here’s your payment. You can count it if you like,” John said politely, handing a thick wad of cash. Wes snatched it and flicked through before nodding.

“You gave your name and address, I’ll be sure to come round if there’s anything amiss.” John flashed Martin a warning glare as he could feel him getting more and more frustrated next to him.

“So this is all of his things?” Martin said pointedly looking at the carrier bag, John took a deep breath. Martin deliberately didn’t look at him.

“What things?” Wes snorted. “Few pairs of underpants and that’s about it. What else does a mutt need?”

“A bed, toys, blankets, jumpers, coats, food bowls-”

“Sleeps in the yard, and eats scraps off the floor like a mutt’s s’posed to.”

“We can take it from here, Mister Stoker,” John said quickly before Martin could continue the battle. Wes threw a glare at Martin which was returned rather intensely before Wes untied the rope and tugged it roughly forcing Tim forward.

“Come on, runt. You’re someone else’s problem now,” Wes growled, Tim struggled and whined, pale and shaking. Before Martin could react John took a step forward and pulled the rope from Wes’s unsuspecting hands, standing between him and Tim.

“I would thank you not to mistreat my dog, Mister Stoker.” John said curtly. He kept a relaxed hold on Tim’s lead and stared directly into Wes’s face until he backed down and mumbled something about ‘faggots’ and ‘no refunds’. John turned back round to see a curious Tim looking at him with a tilted head. He shuffled over and nudged the hand that held his “lead” and gave it a lick. Instinctively, John took the rope from around his neck and discarded it next to the pathetic carrier bag. They didn’t need any of the humiliating scraps Wes had given them.

“Are you sure it’s safe without a leash?” Martin asked anxiously as John rested one hand on Tim’s back as he nervously approached the car.

“He doesn’t like it,” John answered. “He was really not going to go anywhere with it.”

“Yeah. From what I’ve seen of puppy body language videos he was not pleased I just-”

“Martin can you-”

“Oh! Sorry.” Martin opened the back passenger side door to show Tim the nest they made him in the car. Tim look uncertainly between them.

“Come on, Tim, jump in,” Martin said, patting the seats. Tim sniffed at the door and the chair, before awkwardly climbing in. The backseats had been pushed down to create a flat, generous space. They’d covered it in blankets and cushions to make a comfortable space. Tim immediately began burying his face into the blankets rolling around on his back. When the doors were shut and he was left alone he froze and sat up, he was whining when John and Martin got into the car.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Martin soothed, he turned round and put his hand out, letting Tim lean over and give it another sniff and this time a lick. Martin gave Tim some scratches behind the ear which made his tail wag a little. “I don’t think he wants us to leave him.”

“We won’t leave him. Not ever,” John said decisively, as he was about to leave he noticed someone running towards the car. They had long blonde hair, they looked similar to Tim but taller and much healthier looking, their bones weren’t sticking out of their face. They were waving trying to get their attention. Martins rolled the window down and looked at them suspiciously.

“Can I help you?”

“I- Can I say goodbye to my brother, please? I know he’s yours now. Just a quick goodbye. Through the window,” they rambled. Before Martin could reply, Tim began to yelp like he was struggling to say a word.

“Kwa-kw- kwinn,” he barked. Martin and John exchanged a look but John used the main window controls to lower the window. Not enough for Quinn to reach through but enough for Tim to hear them.

“Hey bro. I love you. I know you’ll be happier with these guys,” they reassured with a charming smile. “I’ll come visit, okay?” Quinn backed away from the car, nodded to Martin them ran back to the house. Tim curled up in the blankets, whining a little as he did so.

“I know you’ll miss them,” Martin began after a few moments of silence as John began driving them home. Now that the anxiety of picking up Tim had gone, it was the panic of keeping him healthy and happy that was sinking in. “But we’ll take good care of you, promise.” Tim seemed to understand. He began chewing on a cushion and curled up quite happily, it was the warmest and comfiest he’d ever been… and it was nothing compared to his new home itself.

[wytfut]

Wedding Car

Another little adventure came up last night, that I participated in...

thru the years, our 1936 Ford, has been involved with a few weddings. 

Buddy Mark Hutchins texted and wanted to know if our car was available for a wedding.  A friend of his knew Mark was a car guy, and would probably know of someone, who’d have an old cool looking vehicle....

And he did... us. 

I like doing weddings. 

Many folks have old treasured cars. For good memories, investments, activities, a hobby to keep busy. 

Unless you are very rich, the investment sort of reasoning, is usually a loss, or if you are very lucky with your purchases. The vehicles that are in my range will not create any high profits. And most total restorations and/or modified have sunk so much money into the vehicle they will never get their money back. Extremely hi dollar vehicles on the other hand will create profits, but the market has to demand it with each individual vehicle. 

For example currently, the early 2000′s Ford GTs are commanding huge profits. And because of that, those very same Ford GT’s are coming out “for sale” by the truck load....   this could eventually flood the market value down. 

People who usually do car hobby this way, do not have emotional attachments to their vehicle. 

Car show guys are hard to figure, but make sense on the surface. I don’t really want to get into any depth here,  Other than an observation....  These owners are to an extent, slaves to their cars, only to show them and particapate in Car Club events (usually more shows). 

I’ve done car shows. Usually just because someone asked. I don’t do them regular by any means, and if I do one, I prefer something like a show and shine like “Culvers” every friday night. No hoopla, not huge amounts of folks, or cars. Just show up, look at everyone elses, maybe talk to a few folks about their cars,  and leave. 

What I like about wedding parties.... it gives another purpose to your collectible. At car shows, my Pop loved folks looking at his car, and talking about the “36″. He’d even go so far and let them sit in it if asked. 

Now when I do show, I’ll let them even sit in the rumble seat. Yes, it does indeed create wear and tear, but how many folks can actually say they sat in a rumble seat. I know Pop would just love this attitude I’ve taken. As do all of his grandsons.

Our “36″ is not a museum piece. Or better than new. Sometimes I don’t feel its good enough to show. I call it “crispy”. It has a great look from 10′. Up close you are going to see missing upholstery, deep chips in paint, spider webbing, and daily scratches and rubs. Believe me, I have no idea where they all come from, but between Pops age at the end, myself, and my Pop’s grandsons all drivers.... stuff is going to happen. Maybe someday down the road, we’ll paint the old girl again and fix the issues. 

Its been restored twice in the time we’ve had it. Its on its 3rd engine in the same amount of time. 

Wedding parties, love this car. It has a “class” look to it. Vintage. Not very common (1936 are orphan a little bit, and I don’t know why... marketing?)  And it cleans up nicely. 

Ellenore and her new Husband Jax, just adored our ride last nite. We even had a side trip to under the front doors of the State Capital, for some extra photos. I don’t know photography, but the lighting there was beautiful. All and any colors just popped.

Elle actually wanted to ride in the rumble seat, but didn’t .... “my vanity, wont allow my hair to get messed up in the back seat” .....   made me laugh.

We all hopped in the cab. Its a small cab, but it can be done, and has been done many times before.  

I had cleaned the cab before the wedding, and was very sure it was good to go. Unfortunately Elle’s dress caught some grease (I didn’t even think about it) off the top of the transmission (bottom of the stick). And somehow got some on her finger.  She took it all in stride, and grease on her dress apparently was on a hidden side, as I kept looking for it, although I saw in when she was in the car. 

The “36″ can be notorious for giving me fits at the wrong time, but performed flawlessly. The past few years not so much though. 

I noted to myself for future reference.... got to get brake lites fixed again (switch issue), clutch is due for adjustment, and so are the mechanical brakes. 

The “36″ was far from “wedding ready” when Mark called/texted. I had taken the starter button out of it AGAIN, last August. Since I had converted the “36″ to 12 volt (I had honestly not noticed this) it started eating the starter buttons on the floor. I finally figured it out last summer that the huge amps of 12 volt were basically blasting the starter buttons. 

With my back in such poor shape during this time... I never got back to reassembly. Because of that, it was filthy... just nasty (building is far from air tight. Laying on the floor of a 1936 Ford coupe is not pain free.

I put a call out to all of my Pop’s  grandsons.... and 2 responded immediately. Brennan said he’d get it back together, and Devin said he’d get her all cleaned up. 

As I had envisioned using a solenoid between battery and starter button worked perfectly. Brennen did a wonderful job of installing. Then I sat and watch Devin polish the old girl all up.... 

This was a couple weeks ago....    I do have a good crew to lean on. These guys got it done.... 

I’ve been thinking, (I know, I need to quit doing that), about organizing (like I have nothing else to do) a wedding car group. Other folks with same thoughts about being involved with weddings. Elle told me that none of the wedding shops had any sources for wedding cars, and even called a few automotive shops. 

I don’t understand why this is so....  

well if I get time... maybe I’ll pursue this....

[sun-like-dem-bones]

Does anyone else feel like they're scraping by on basically handouts?

I know many in the US can relate that we rely on staying on our parents insurance till the cutoff at 26. I even got away with using both mine (when I had any) and my parents insurance to save money at the eye doc. Being half blind is a hugely taken-for-granted cost in life. It's still expensive no matter who's your insurer. Someone tell me an insurance plan for free exams and glasses/contacts even EXISTS.

I am so. So willing to do things in other people's names. I started making appointments for massages in my mother's name as she has a bunch of credits rolling over that she can't use. I wouldn't be getting massages at all otherwise.

I use my sister's phone number at various department stores when I had to spend the whole day looking for an adult luxury type look for a first impression luncheon at my job. Since she is a credit card member to big store chains, they occasionally have good deals only for those customers. And I just give them a "hmm let's try this number". And like, they KNOW. They just ask "insert sister's name" and I say "yes that's it!"

Having nice clothes is something I can't afford after having been laid off for two months. Let alone putting together a "look" all in one shopping trip. Usually I can only afford to thrift my clothes, which is where any sort of quality clothes from the 1990s and 2000s has ended up anyway. Being able to dress myself and slowly build my closet for less than $50 a month? A doable expense. Furniture from homegoods or Walmart? Or target when there's a sale? It'll have to do. Even if it is lightweight crap that will barely survive one apartment move. At least it won't require strong-person(s) labor cost.

I'm sure people have been sharing phone numbers for retail points for much longer than the birth of streaming subscriptions. No one is a goody two shoe about sharing services and now for most things you can't. I wonder how those van lifers even do their own.

Having room on your credit card(s) just to pay rent while you're laid off is a huge save or I would lose everything and move to another state with my mom. Probably couldn't rent again for 7 years and I could let mom watch me struggle to even get out of her hair. Look mom the system you thrive(d) in makes it impossible for me to even be independent from you! So much for empty nesting! 😜

It is an eventuality I have to accept. I don't know how often layoffs happen in the past but both times had nothing to do with my quality of work in the short span of basically about 3-4 years of corporate work? If I get laid off again this year, the state government won't help me again. I will probably sink $10k more into debt in a matter of months. And not much less than that if I got laid off in any year after this one.

I look for remote/hybrid jobs because I subtract the cost of the salary/hourly pay with the gas it takes for rush hour in a major metropolitan area. My internship was a huge help to even get me where I am today... Two hour commute, twice a day. Laid off the minute my university decided they won't require internships due to the pandemic.

Oh my god and do you know how long I can put off car maintenance!? Thankfully it's nothing serious like a check engine light or constantly having to pour more oil into a car that just eats a quart like its maple syrup every week. But I do have an axle throwing grease from like 6 months ago. It's basically no bigger an issue than a toddler burping up their spit. My tires are 6 years old now from the previous owner and the guy said the sidewall cracking is basically very slow dry rot while I have plenty of tread left. I feel like a grandma who's going to eventually hand her car down to some very appreciative grandkids. Old but low mileage and well kept up with.

Having folks that did decent for their time can be a huge privilege. Some well-doing parents are assholes and don't help at all for sure. I got a used reliable car after graduating so I could drive downtown to college and work. And it's literally a luxury nowadays to have a car as reliable as that thing for that long and for what? No car payment and therefore minimal insurance cost. Throwing 115,000 miles on it in, I dunno, 3 years? (I don't know what was more mileage, delivering pizza or commuting 80mi to and from work and college for a couple semesters) Gotta blow $600 on a new radiator or alternator here or there? Eh. Couple hood smushes from fender benders? Pff. Nuthin'

Well. Except gas.

Your boomer parents could even call it a handout to let you stay with them at a discounted rate of rent these days. Even more so if it's free as long as you're working/in school.

I wouldn't have a degree without my family's help, because, hear me out.

The government wouldn't even loan me enough to cover the cost that I couldn't afford.

Between the maximum that they would loan me, and what I could come up with working full-time summers and part time during school, LiViNg at HoMe, would only cover 2/3rds of the price of my tuition.

Frankly having to do both school and work hurt my ability to do well in actually retaining the information, and having better grades. For difficult degrees like art, architecture and really any of the sciences, I barely passed when I didn't have to work that one year. And then we decided well, you scraped by with a D in one class so you will be behind a year to take things in order. It was already unaffordable at this 5 year trajectory plan. Come home and figure something else out.

It's insane to me that so much had to happen to even get me where I am and-

I just. I feel like, you're either struggling at rock bottom, or even if you have a 401k started, some level of ability to see a doctor, like, if you're really sick bad, free coping mechanisms like massages and occasional therapy sessions, you're still barely scraping and often your needs can't be met, and rarely any wants.

I still can only afford the cheapest gym, veterinarian, sometimes even diy mechanic. The things I do have built up such as clothes, jewelry, purses, pots for some plants- they only exist from birthday gifts, dead relatives, or the time of my youth before I knew I was supposed to save my good-grade money just to have extra I dunno $3000 laying around for a month without a job??

I may have decent funds now to afford the housing cost that basically eats people, wallets, and sanity, as if it were the blue pacman eating dollars around the board and rather turning our souls INTO ghosts, but I certainly don't have enough TIME.

Like. How does anyone move up in life without free or cheap handouts?

And to think that I make the amount that my folks made individually. Which together raised 2.5 kids on, lived in a house (which was bought on 1 income), and had 2 cars and 2 dogs?

I just have me and two cats and we can't even afford van-life. Let alone an apartment by ourselves. We'd have a hurricane, a fender bender or major maintenance, a feline dental cleaning before his teeth fall out, every couple months something happens.

I don't think the middle class used to rely on handouts.

Aw crap when was the last time I saw the dentist.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Today's WTF house doesn't really involve the 2000 home in Midway Park, North Carolina. This 3bd, 2ba home asks $220K, but it's the owner's commentary that puts the C in crazy. Check it out. (Oh, and he also took the pictures, himself.)

$220,000 NOT negotiable AS IS FSBO SALE !!! It AMAZES ME that people are buying 1/4 acre UGLY lots with one car garaged houses in my neighborhood for more than I'm selling my house for.

Don't let your agents talk you into staying away from my house because it is a little more work for them or because THEY THINK I'm unreasonable!!!!

The house will need interior paint, carpet or flooring (carpet now mostly) and the roof is original, patched up and 23 years old but ALL are also still useable as is.

IMO, This house is worth 250k PLUS. I WILL ALSO NEED UP TO 30 DAYS AFTER CLOSING AND PAYMENT TO MOVE OUT but that IS negotiable.

This is a FOR SALE BY OWNER HOME BUT YOU WILL NEED AN AGENT TO VIEW THIS PROPERTY. Sorry but I'm NOT INTERESTED IN LETTING UNQUALIFIED STRANGERS IN MY HOUSE OR ON MY PROPERTY ESPECIALY WITHOUT AN AGENT.

NO OWNER FINANCING!!!NO LEASING!!! NO CONTINGENCIES!! IMO, this is the most desirable home and lot in my neighborhood AND WAAAY under zestImated.

One bedroom has NEVER been slept in EVER..LOCATION< LOCATION< LOCATION!!!! APPOINTMENT ONLY!!!!!!! DO NOT KNOCK ON THIS DOOR WITHOUT ONE !!!!!!

SORRY, Im playing the long game MAYBE and not interested in strangers roaming through my world unannounced.

Contact ME with proof of qualification to buy and then tell me your agents name and # and that they will contact me or I them. I am still living here and don't want a lock box, strangers or starving and fishing for a listing agents in my house whenever it's convenient for them or an agent to tell me what to do (staging/cleaning, etc.) and after telling me what low price I need to list it at, so they can do even less work... I need it to be convenient for me.

I WILL ONLY BE SHOWING THIS HOUSE IN THE AFTERNOONS between 2 and 4 . (Maybe later also?) Shopping, Food Lion and a healthy strip mall is about a mile away.

I have not seen a homes lot I like anywhere near as much as I like this one ANYWHERE in this neighborhood and it's less than 2 miles from the main gate of Camp Lejeune!

Sorry, i have a lot of spam and sneaky agents lurking around daily trying to get this listing and so far only a few people since I have had this house listed on Zillow have been smart enough to figure this out but still didn't follow my other REQUIREMENTS so no response. :(

You better hurry and buy SOMETHING before the interest rates get higher. If interested you will need to say you have read both descriptions to get a response from me. If you REALLY want my house and can afford it, you'll get it and should be very happy you did. :)

[josnashak69]

 Value-added service fee

System implementation: When the cargo owner enters the warehouse for the first time, he needs to integrate the merchant HE Tuber sales/ERP system and other systems with the warehouse WMS system to facilitate subsequent business operations (warehousing, outgoing, and in-warehouse).

New product archiving: Enter the product information (product name, barcode, volume, length, width and height, weight, packaging coefficient, palletizing coefficient, validity period, category) into the system after the owner has newly entered the warehouse.

Emergency warehousing: The cargo owner has not made an appointment for warehousing and does not receive the goods during working hours. 

The charging method is the same as normal receipt, but the price will be higher.

Picking up the goods: The cargo owner requires the warehouse to arrange its own vehicles or external vehicles to pick up the goods.

Pricing method: quantity (weight/volume/car)

Formula: data (mileage) * unit price

Business documents: Value-added service order (Bill of Lading)

Billing factors: carrier (self-operated, online freight (Didi Freight, Lalamove, Manbang, etc.), logistics (Tongda Department, SF Express, Debon, etc.)).

Logistics type: intra-city freight, LTL, vehicle.

for example:

Quotation: 0-10 kilometers 3 yuan/t/km, 0-50 kilometers 5 yuan/t/km; 2 tons of goods to be picked up, mileage 35 kilometers, unit price 5 yuan/t/km, then charge: 2*35*5= 350 yuan.

Loading: Load the goods that the cargo owner prepares for warehousing onto the vehicle manually or with the help of forklifts and other mechanical equipment.

Pricing method: quantity (weight/volume)

Formula: data * unit price

Business documents: value-added service order (loading and unloading order)

for example:

Quotation: For ordinary goods, the loading and unloading fee is 0.3 yuan per kilogram based on weight. For bulk goods, the loading and unloading fee is 20 yuan per 0.1 cubic meter based on volume. For 2 tons of goods to be loaded, the unit price is 0.1 yuan/kg, then the charge is: 2000*0.1=200 yuan.

Unloading: The owner transports the goods to the warehouse and unloads the goods from the pallet from the vehicle manually or with the help of forklifts and other mechanical equipment.

Pricing method: quantity (weight/volume)

Formula: data * unit price

Business documents: value-added service order (loading and unloading order)

Tallying: Organize and record arriving goods in bulk.

Pricing method: quantity

Formula: data * unit price

Business documents: value-added service order (tallying)

Quality inspection: Inspect the goods arriving at the warehouse from the owner (sampling inspection or full inspection), check the appearance, packaging, and quality of the contents, feedback the quality inspection results to the owner, and handle abnormal goods (return/consign to defective warehouse/destroy, etc.).

Pricing method: quantity

Formula: data * unit price

Business documents: value-added service order (quality inspection order)

for example:

Quotation: Inbound quality inspection is 0.1 yuan/piece; if 1,000 inbound orders arrive and 100 pieces are inspected, the quality inspection fee is 100*0.1=10 yuan.

Coding and labeling: Print barcodes and paste labels on the goods arriving at the warehouse.

Pricing method: quantity

Formula: data * unit price

Business documents: value-added service orders (coding and labeling)

for example:

Quotation: Labeling is 0.1 yuan/piece; for 1,000 pieces of warehousing orders, the labeling fee is 1,000*0.1=100 yuan.

5. Detailed explanation of in-treasury management expenses

Inventory: The warehouse counts the existing goods in the warehouse according to the requirements of the cargo owner, and reports back the difference between the inventory book quantity and the actual inventory in the warehouse. When the account quantity is less than the actual stock, it is a profit, and vice versa.

Pricing method: quantity

Formula: data * unit price

Business document: Inventory order

Compensation for inventory loss: After inventory of goods in the warehouse, it is found that the account quantity is greater than the actual inventory. For the difference in quantity, the warehouse will make compensation to the owner of the goods according to the value of the goods.

Pricing method: quantity

Formula: data * product unit price

Business document: Inventory order

for example:

Quotation: The accuracy of the number of goods in stock is within 99.8%, and no compensation is required. If the actual value of the goods exceeds the claim, the unit price of SKU A is 100 yuan, and the unit price of SKU B is 500 yuan.

Inventory sheet: SKU A has 10,000 pieces on the books and 9,999 pieces in actual inventory, so it is within 99.8% of the profit and loss range and is exempt from compensation; SKU B has 10,000 pieces on the books and 9,978 pieces in actual inventory, so a claim of 22*500=11,000 yuan is required.

Overstock reward: After inventory of warehouse goods, it is found that the account quantity is less than the actual stock. For the difference in quantity, the owner will give the warehouse reward according to the value of the goods.

Pricing method: quantity

Formula: data * product unit price

Business document: Inventory order

Inventory hours: How long it takes the warehouse to process the owner's order.

Pricing method: quantity

Formula: data*unit price of working hours

Business document: Inventory order

Cargo storage: The storage fees that cargo owners need to pay to store goods in the warehouse.

Pricing method: quantity

Formula: quantity * unit price

Business document: inventory document

Billing factors: rent-free days, inventory days, inventory quantity, product category, product batch.

for example:

Quote: Consignor A stores 20 cubic meters of goods for 100 days, 15 cubic meters of goods for 80 days, and 10 cubic meters of goods for 50 days. The storage fee needs to be paid:                                                                                                                                                                

[tenacioususedcars]

Should Parents Buy Their Teens Their First Car?

As far as requests from teenagers go, it was pretty tame I suppose, but it’s one that’s sparked a lot of debate in our household over the past couple of months: “Mum, will you buy me a car as soon as I get my driver’s licence?”.

I could see why my daughter might have thought a response in the affirmative was even a remote possibility. She had, after all, witnessed plenty of family friends purchasing their own (older) teens' brand-new cars from which to slap P-plates. Why would I think any differently, right?

Call me crazy, but I’ve actually always felt sorry for kids whose first car is a luxury vehicle purchased entirely from the bank of mum and dad. What about the thrill of attaining something you’ve saved really hard for?

What about all the useful skills you learn from having to drive around a used hatchback? Studies show humans are happiest when we’re striving for something, so what could our kids possibly have to work towards when their first car is given to them with a big red bow?

My parents purchased my first car – a 1982 Toyota Corolla that looked as though it had been dumped, as opposed to parked, outside our home – for $2000 when I was 17. I had it for two days before they realised they couldn’t actually afford it and the Corolla went back to wherever it came from.

Traumatic? Absolutely, but I made do by driving mum’s decade-old Nissan Vanette; a vehicle so battered that I soon learnt all about car maintenance. So much so that by the time I had my full licence, I knew how to change tyres, perfect the art of the push start, and get to know all the roadside-assist guys at the NRMA so often did this thing break down.

More than that, I was filled with a burning desire to earn enough money to buy my own car. The kind that started the minute you turned the key in the ignition (and preferably had air-conditioning), and one that couldn’t be taken away the minute I closed my eyes.

Finance experts love the topic of whether parents should ever buy their teens a car, with most of them resolute that kids should make their own way to on-the-road freedom for their own good.

Some – including some of our most prominent talking heads – insist buying teens a brand-new car will not only leave them ill-adjusted for the real world but that we as parents would also be taking away a fantastic opportunity to learn essential life-long money management skills.

At face value, I agree, but when I think about all the long hours I spent in the middle of the night waiting for roadside assistance, I feel a little green around the gills. I want my girls to have money management skills and appreciation for everything they have, but I also want them to be safe.

So after a few weeks of rolling dialogue, we’ve agreed on a system where we will match our teen dollar-for-dollar to put towards a (roadworthy) second-hand car, be it a hatchback for sale or a sedan. This means she still has a goal to save towards, but she won’t walk away from her endeavours with a car that falls apart on the M4.

What’s the best way of choosing a second-hand car for your teen?

At an absolute minimum, be sure to:

Check out safety ratings for the car in question by visiting How Safe is Your Car.

Check online to see if that particular model has been recalled.

Have the car checked over for safety and reliability by a mechanic.

Select a popular used hatchback for sale that has six airbags (preferably).

Read reviews from other owners to determine how well the car performs.

And above all, resist the temptation to buy a car only to take it back a couple of days later. Believe me, that kind of thing sticks with you for a lifetime.

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Article source: https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/

[joiedevivrevehicles]

Throwback: Renault Sold Over 2,000 Cars In A Month In South Africa

November 2021, Renault South Africa had a rather good sales month, selling an impressive 2 081 new vehicles. The French automaker's sales figure is the eighth-best in South Africa at the time, putting it ahead of Kia, Haval, and Mahindra brands.

Renault's local portfolio has recently been expanded with the introduction of the Kiger, a small crossover that replaced the Sandero. The vehicle has all the makings to be a success in South Africa, offering buyers the chance to get into the crossover/SUV game without breaking the bank, especially when utilising Renault vehicle finance. For years now, Renault's approach has been to fill the market with affordable vehicles and simple, affordable vehicle financing. Think first-generation Duster, Kwid, and Triber.

Sales split

As expected, the Kwid remained Renault's top-selling model in South Africa. The previous month, 876 units of the small city car were sold, putting it ahead of the seven-seater Triber. These two vehicles make use of the same engine and transmissions and are among the most affordable in their respective segments.

The Duster has been around for almost a decade and continues to impress with each passing year. The robust SUV has been updated recently and offers the same value it first entered the market with. By the end of November, 2021, a total of 150 units were sold.

According to the sales data released by Naamsas, South Africa's Automotive Business Council, the Kiger and Kiger Turbo are listed as two separate vehicles. Together, the Kiger has an accumulative sales figure of 257 units. The last few units of the Sandero II are slowly moving off showroom floors, with Naamsa listing 58 units having been sold last month.The Koleos, Renault's large SUV, found 21 new owners during this single month.

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Article shared from https://devotedtorenaultautomobiles.weebly.com/blog/throwback-renault-sold-over-2000-cars-in-a-month-in-south-africa

[andrewthomson8779]

Rev Up Your Savings: Exploring the 'Cash for Clunkers' Program

Introduction

The 'Cash for Clunkers' program, officially known as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), was a government initiative that gained widespread attention and debate when it was implemented in various countries around the world, with notable examples in the United States in 2009 and Germany in 2009 and 2010. This program aimed to achieve multiple objectives, primarily focusing on boosting the automotive industry, reducing environmental impact, and stimulating economic growth. Under this program, eligible car owners could trade in their old, less fuel-efficient vehicles for a financial incentive toward the purchase of a newer, more fuel-efficient vehicle. The program's impact on the economy, environment, and the automotive industry is a subject of interest and debate.

Background and Purpose

The 'Cash for Clunkers' program emerged during the global economic downturn of the late 2000s, aiming to address multiple issues at once. At its core, the program was designed to boost the struggling automotive industry. By incentivizing car owners to trade in their older vehicles for newer models, it was expected that car sales would increase. This, in turn, would lead to higher production, more employment opportunities, and an overall economic stimulus.

Simultaneously, the program sought to reduce the environmental footprint of the automotive sector. Older vehicles tend to be less fuel-efficient and emit more pollutants than newer ones. By encouraging the replacement of these 'clunkers' with more environmentally friendly options, the program aimed to decrease carbon emissions, improve air quality, and align with broader environmental goals.

Program Mechanics

The operation of the 'Cash for Clunkers' program was relatively straightforward. Car owners who possessed a vehicle that met the criteria of a "clunker" could bring their vehicle to participating dealerships. To qualify as a "clunker," a vehicle usually had to be over a certain age and have poor fuel efficiency. If the car met these criteria, the dealership would provide a financial incentive, often a voucher or rebate, that could be applied to the purchase of a new, fuel-efficient vehicle. The exact amount of the incentive would depend on various factors, including the old vehicle's fuel efficiency and the new vehicle's improved efficiency.

The traded-in vehicles were then typically scrapped or recycled, ensuring that they would not return to the road and continue to pollute the environment.

Economic Implications

The 'Cash for Clunkers' program had a significant impact on the economy, albeit with some mixed results. On one hand, it did succeed in boosting automobile sales, providing a much-needed injection of cash into the struggling industry. This, in turn, led to increased production, dealership revenues, and employment opportunities within the automotive sector.

However, the program's economic benefits were not without controversy. Some critics argued that while it stimulated sales in the short term, it merely pulled future sales forward, meaning that consumers who might have purchased a new car later did so during the program's duration. After the program ended, there was a noticeable dip in car sales, which led some to question its long-term economic efficacy.

Moreover, there were concerns about the cost of the program. The government had to allocate substantial funds to finance the incentives provided to car owners, which raised questions about whether these resources could have been better used elsewhere.

Environmental Impact

From an environmental perspective, the 'Cash for Clunkers' program aimed to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. By incentivizing the replacement of older, less fuel-efficient vehicles, the program had the potential to make a positive impact on the environment. Newer cars are generally more fuel-efficient and produce fewer emissions, which aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.

However, the environmental benefits of the program were not entirely clear-cut. The emissions associated with manufacturing and disposing of new vehicles needed to be taken into account. Additionally, critics argued that the program did not do enough to address the core issue of reducing the overall number of vehicles on the road or promote alternative modes of transportation.

Lessons Learned

The 'Cash for Clunkers' program offers several valuable lessons:

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Impact: The program's success in stimulating the automotive industry in the short term was clear. However, its long-term impact on car sales was less certain. Policymakers should carefully consider the sustainability of such initiatives and their potential to create future economic imbalances.

Environmental Considerations: While the program aimed to reduce emissions, it was not without environmental costs, such as the energy and materials required for manufacturing new vehicles. Future programs should balance these factors and consider broader sustainability goals.

Resource Allocation: Governments must weigh the costs of such programs against other pressing needs. The 'Cash for Clunkers' program required significant financial resources that could have been invested in alternative initiatives.

Innovation and Integration: As technology evolves, future programs could better integrate electric vehicles and other eco-friendly options. By encouraging innovation, governments can maximize environmental benefits while supporting industry growth.

Conclusion

The 'Cash for Clunkers' program, while a well-intentioned effort to stimulate the automotive industry and reduce environmental impact, had both positive and negative consequences. It succeeded in its immediate goal of boosting car sales, providing a short-term economic stimulus, and encouraging the replacement of older, less fuel-efficient vehicles. However, it faced criticism for its long-term economic impact and the environmental costs associated with manufacturing new vehicles.

The program's legacy underscores the complexity of implementing government initiatives to address multiple objectives. Policymakers must carefully consider the short-term and long-term effects of such programs, balancing economic and environmental goals. Additionally, lessons from 'Cash for Clunkers' should inform future policies, encouraging greater innovation and integration of eco-friendly technologies in the automotive industry.

In the end, 'Cash for Clunkers' remains a case study in the nuanced challenges of designing and implementing policies that seek to navigate the intricate intersection of economic growth and environmental sustainability. The program's mixed results highlight the importance of thoughtful, well-balanced policies that take into account the full spectrum of economic, environmental, and societal factors.

[memynissanandi]

Nissan Micra Hatchback - The Facts

The last generation Nissan Micra for sale was a radical departure from the Nissan March-based offerings that we're accustomed to. This attractive B-segment hatchback is aimed squarely at the young, image-conscious buyer and has the tech to match.

Is the Nissan Micra a good car? 

The Nissan Micra has been a fresh alternative to the compact city car since the early 2000s in South Africa but it has a history that dates back much further than that. Well regarded for its reliability,  the Micra is now in its 5th generation and offers modern tech and functionality at an agreeable price.

Who is the Nissan Micra a good car for?

The Micra is a stylish alternative for those who are looking for a compact hatchback that is a little different from the run-of-the-mill offerings that frequent our roads. Packed with modern tech and a stylish exterior, the Micra makes a statement wherever it goes.

Is the Nissan Micra a good first car?

Low running costs and good fuel economy make the Micra appealing to first-time car owners. The Micra is also backed by a 6-year/150 000 km warranty and a 3-year/90 000 km service plan for additional peace of mind.

Is the Nissan Micra a good family car?

The Micra is a compact offering but can still serve as a family car for younger families. It has a 300-litre boot for luggage and the 5-door arrangement makes ingress and egress simple and effective.

Is there a Hybrid Nissan Micra?

The Nissan Micra is only offered with a choice of either a 0.9-litre to 1.0-litre turbocharged engine and no hybrid option is currently available.

What’s it like to drive? 

A zesty turbocharged 3-cylinder engine (that is shared with the likes of the Renault Clio) and advanced chassis dynamics and control systems make the Micra drive like a larger, more opulent vehicle. You would be hard-pressed to find a similar drive in one of its contemporaries.

An expert opinion: 

“Ride quality in this model is excellent. Cornering is also effortless, the Acenta Plus Tech handles beautifully through corners and doesn’t feel unsettled at all. This is due to Nissan’s Intelligent Trace Control system which adjusts the brake pressure on individual wheels to help keep you on an optimal line through turns. This has been combined with the Intelligent Ride Control system, which applies subtle braking to prevent unpleasant upper body motion over bumps and enhance the overall comfort of your ride.”

-Farzana Chaumoo, AutoTrader

What is the Nissan Micra like inside? 

The stylish exterior is complemented by the modern and attractive interior. Considered creases and lines separate the upper and lower sections of the dashboard and the two-tone theme injects energy into the cabin. Tasteful upholstery and upmarket trims help elevate the cabin to one of a higher price range as well.

Style

Where previous Micras have had soft, rounded corners, the 5th-generation (K14) incorporates sharp, angular lines and aggressive slopes to create a sporty silhouette that looks fast even when parked. Large 3D-style lights at both the front and rear are complemented by an array of large alloy wheels that are finished in black with polished faces. The deep front grille makes it unmistakably Nissan.

 Tech features

BOSE® Personal® audio system

Speakers 4 + 2 BOSE® in drivers Headrest

Sport suspension with chrome exhaust tailpipe finish

Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection

Blind Spot Warning

Smart (keyless) entry with Push Start

*not available on all derivatives

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Info sourced from https://www.autotrader.co.za/cars/

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By • Olalekan Fagbade Despite economic headwinds that affected Nigeria’s economy, three Nigerians have appeared in the list of richest black people on earth. They are Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu and Mike Adenuga. Aliko Dangote, President of the pan-African Conglomerate, the Dangote Group, tops the list. Here is a list of 17 richest black people on earth 1. Aliko Dangote ($10.8 billion) Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, founded and chairs Dangote Cement, the continent’s largest cement producer. He owns 85% of publicly-traded Dangote Cement through a holding company. Dangote Cement has the capacity to produce 48.6 million metric tons annually and has operations in 10 countries across Africa. After many years in development, Dangote’s fertilizer plant in Nigeria began operations in March 2022. Dangote Refinery has been under construction since 2016 and is expected to be one of the world’s largest oil refineries once complete. 2. Robert F. Smith  ($8 billion) Robert F. Smith founded private equity firm Vista Equity Partners in 2000. It focuses exclusively on investing in software companies. With $96 billion in assets, Vista is one of the best-performing private equity firms, posting annualized returns of 31% since inception. In October 2020, Smith entered into an agreement with the DOJ and IRS, agreeing to pay $139 million for his role in a tax evasion scheme. As a college student, Smith secured an internship at Bell Labs after calling the company every week for five months. An engineer by training, he worked at Kraft Foods and Goodyear Tire before getting his MBA at Columbia University. During a commencement speech, Smith vowed to wipe out the student debt of the entire 2019 graduating class of Morehouse College. 3. David Steward ($7.6 billion) David Steward is the founder and chairman of IT provider World Wide Technology. In the early days, Steward sometimes went without a paycheck and once watched his car get repossessed from the office parking lot. Today he is majority owner of the $14.5 billion (sales) company, whose customers include Citi, Verizon and the federal government. He grew up in the segregated South with seven siblings; his father worked as a mechanic, janitor and trash collector. Steward donated $1.3 million to the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2018 to create the David and Thelma Steward Institute for Jazz Studies. 4. Abdulsamad Rabiu ($5.6 billion) Abdulsamad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate active in cement production, sugar refining and real estate. In early January 2020, Rabiu merged his privately-owned Obu Cement company with listed firm Cement Co. of Northern Nigeria, which he controlled. The combined firm, called BUA Cement Plc, trades on the Nigerian stock exchange; Rabiu owns 98.2% of it. Rabiu, the son of a businessman, inherited land from his father. He set up his own business in 1988 importing iron, steel and chemicals. 5. Mike Adenuga  ($3.6 billion) Adenuga, Nigeria’s second richest man, built his fortune in telecom and oil production. His mobile phone network, Globacom, is the third largest operator in Nigeria, with 55 million subscribers. His oil exploration outfit, Conoil Producing, operates 6 oil blocks in the Niger Delta. Adenuga got an MBA at Pace University in New York, supporting himself as a student by working as a taxi driver. He made his first million at age 26 selling lace and distributing soft drinks. 6. Jay-Z ($2.5 billion) Since becoming hip-hop’s first billionaire in 2019, Jay-Z has more than doubled his fortune thanks to his lucrative liquor businesses. In 2021, giant LVMH purchased a 50% stake in his champagne empire Armand de Brignac, otherwise known as Ace of Spades.

Jay-Z sold a majority of his stake in his cognac brand D’Usse to Bacardi in February 2023. His other assets range from a fine art collection including works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, his music catalog and shares in companies like Block and Uber. In 2021 he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame; He won an Emmy in 2022 for Outstanding Variety Special for his production of the Super Bowl Halftime Show. 7. Oprah Winfrey ($2.5 billion) Oprah Winfrey has transitioned her hit talk show, which ran for 25 years, into a media and business empire. Reinvested, the profits from her show, plus profits from films like The Color Purple, Beloved and Selma (which her Harpo Productions coproduced) add up to an estimated more than $2 billion. In 2011, Winfrey launched cable channel OWN. She sold most of her stake in the network to owner Warner Bros. Discovery in 2020 in exchange for shares in the company. Winfrey bought a 10% stake in Weight Watchers in 2015, though she owns less now. Her sprawling real estate portfolio includes homes in California, Nashville and over a dozen properties in Hawaii. 8. PATRICE MOTSEPE  ($2.3 billion) Patrice Motsepe, the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, became a billionaire in 2008 – the first black African on the Forbes list. In 2016, he launched a private equity firm, African Rainbow Capital, focused on investing in Africa. Motsepe also has a stake in Sanlam, a listed financial services firm, and is the president and owner of the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club. In March 2021, Motsepe was elected president of the Confederation of African Football, the sport’s governing body on the continent. In 1994, he became the first black partner at law firm Bowman Gilfillan in Johannesburg, and then started a mining services contracting business. In 1997, he bought low-producing gold mine shafts and later turned them profitable. 9. Michael Jordan  ($2 billion) Regarded by most as the NBA’s greatest all-time player, Michael Jordan won six titles with the Chicago Bulls. His salary during his career totaled $90 million, but he has earned $1.8 billion (pre-tax) from such corporate partners as Nike, Hanes and Gatorade. MJ joined sports-betting firm DraftKings as a special advisor to the board and an investor in September 2020. He also became a NASCAR team co-owner in late 2020. Jordan, who owns the Charlotte Hornets, agreed to sell a minority stake in a 2019 deal that valued the NBA team at $1.5 billion. 10. STRIVE MASIYIWA, ($1.8 billion) Strive Masiyiwa overcame protracted government opposition to launch mobile phone network Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in his country of birth in 1998. He owns just over 50% of the publicly-traded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, which is one part of his larger Econet Group. Masiyiwa also owns just over half of private company Liquid Telecom, which provides fiber optic and satellite services to telecom firms across Africa. His other assets include stakes in mobile phone networks in Burundi and Lesotho, and investments in fintech and power distribution firms in Africa. He and his wife Tsitsi founded the Higherlife Foundation, which supports orphaned and poor children in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burundi and Lesotho. 11. Alexander Karp ($1.8 billion) Alex Karp is cofounder and CEO of data mining firm Palantir Technologies, which received early backing from CIA investment arm In-Q-Tel. The company does contract work for government agencies like the Department of Defense, the FBI and the Danish National Police. Palantir went public on the New York Stock Exchange in an unusual direct listing process in September 2020. Karp met Palantir cofounder and billionaire Facebook investor Peter Thiel while at Stanford Law School. Karp managed money before starting Palantir in 2004, and occasionally teaches meditation classes at the company. 12. Rihanna ($1.4 billion ) Rihanna, Barbados’ most famous export, is a billionaire thanks to the success of cosmetics line Fenty Beauty.

The cosmetics company, which she co-owns with French luxury retailer LVMH, doubled its revenue in 2022. She also has a 30% stake in the Savage x Fenty lingerie line, which raised money at a $1 billion valuation in February 2021. The pop star headlined the Super Bowl LVII halftime show for the first time in 2023, during which she revealed she is pregnant with her second child. Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky already have one son, born in May 2022. She released her first new music in five years in 2022 for the movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her song “Lift Me Up” was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song. 13. Michael Lee-Chin  ($1.4 billion each) Michael Lee-Chin made a fortune investing in financial companies like National Commercial Bank Jamaica and AIC Limited. The native of Jamaica acquired AIC in 1987, when it had less than $1 million in assets under management. Under Lee-Chin, the Canada-based wealth management and mutual fund business managed more than $10 billion in assets by 2002. But the firm was hit hard by the 2008 recession, and Lee-Chin sold AIC to Canadian financial services group Manulife in 2009 for an undisclosed price. He managed to hold onto a valuable 60% stake in National Commercial Bank Jamaica, which now makes up much of his wealth. 14. MOHAMMED IBRAHIM  ($1.2 billion) Mohammed “Mo” Ibrahim founded Celtel International in 1998, one of the first mobile phone companies serving Africa and the Middle East. He sold Celtel to Kuwait’s Mobile Telecommunications Company for $3.4 billion in 2005 and pocketed $1.4 billion. Since then, he’s focused on fighting corrupt leadership in Africa through the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, directed by his daughter, Hadeel. Ibrahim also chairs the board of Satya Capital, a private equity fund that invests in African businesses, education and healthcare. 15. Tiger Woods  ($1.1 billion) Woods has earned roughly $1.8 billion during his pro golf career, including a PGA Tour-record $121 million in prize money. In 2022, Forbes certified him as a billionaire, making him only the second active athlete ever with that distinction, after LeBron James. Woods reached that rarified air despite reportedly turning down a “mind-blowingly enormous” offer from the upstart LIV Golf tour, a deal that LIV CEO Greg Norman told the Washington Post would have been in the “high nine digits.” Woods has parlayed his golfing paychecks into investments that include two homes on Jupiter Island, a golf-course design business and high-end mini-golf chain Popstroke. Woods and fellow golf star Rory McIlroy announced in 2022 that they had founded TMRW Sports, a tech-focused venture with plans to launch a new golf league called TGL. The superstar is also a partner with Justin Timberlake and British billionaire Joe Lewis in Nexxus, a luxury real-estate venture. 16. LeBron James ($1 billion) James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $1 billion in June 2022. Born to a 16-year-old single mother, he lived with an assortment of family members, friends and neighbors, plus his youth football coach, before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. James has reportedly earned more than $430 million in pretax salary from stints with the Cavaliers, the Miami Heat and his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers. He has raked in upwards of $900 million (pretax) off the court, according to Forbes estimates from business ventures and endorsement deals with the likes of PepsiCo, Walmart and Nike. Key to his billionaire status: James has been more than a pitchman, taking equity in brands he works with, including Beats by Dre and the fast-growing Blaze Pizza chain. His LeBron James Family Foundation opened its first elementary school in 2018 and has pledged to spend more than $40 million to send kids to college. 17. Tyler Perry  ($1 billion) A director, actor, producer and writer,

Tyler Perry is best known for his “Madea” franchise, which has grossed more than $660 million. Perry started out in live theater in the 1990s and became extremely popular before transitioning to film and television in the 2000s. Perry’s wealth comes both from his cut as a producer and from a library dating back to the early 1990s: he owns 100% of the content he’s created. In 2019, he opened Tyler Perry Studios, a 330-acre property in Atlanta with 12 sound stages and custom sets that include a to-scale White House.     #billionaire #Nigerians #wealth #Worldsrichestblackpeople