First time on the road with a driving inspector and I failed. It was truly my mistake and I am kicking myself for it. All the preparation that I put into the exercise was wasted because of a silly mistake. In most cases, we always look to put the blame elsewhere, however, it was something that I should have controlled.
A thoroughly disappointing experience and I now have to do the test again. It is very important to watch your speed in these tests. You cannot be slow or fast. The speed posted is the speed that you should drive at. Another factor to be aware off is to be confident and not allow the nervousness to get to you.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Truth about Car Dealerships!
We have all heard the cliche about never trusting a Car Salesman, there is absolute truth in that and more in my case as it concerns a Car Saleswoman. Over the last month we have been trying to close a car deal and the stories that we have heard at various dealerships have been crazy. This account tells you about what to be wary off and hopefully you will have a better experience when you deal with a car salesman/woman.
It has been over a month now that we have been tossing between a new or used car. We have visited several dealerships and we were very clear that we wanted a Japanese or Korean car. We decided to stay away from the North American cars purely out of choice. The popularity of South East Asian cars is tremendous world over and we have had good experiences with them. There are several people that we know that swear by their North American cars and research in the local dailies prove that the North American cars are giving all their rivals a run for their money now.
Having said that, the top Japanese cars are sold at a premium because they sell themselves as they have proven over the years to be hassle free cars. The car salesmen don't cut prices or even give you time of day as they know that their cars sell themselves. The number three and four car dealerships are willing to bend over, however, those cars did not excite the wife. Since she is driving, it is important that we get one that she liked the most.
So after a lot of test driving between new and used cars, it was decided that we will go with the new car. We chose a Korean car, the one with the Flying 'H' logo and sounds so much like the top Japanese car. We chose it because that is what we had back home and for the price that we were getting the car, it was truly value for every dollar that we were going to pay. These cars are really great and we swear by them.
We got the best price that we thought was right although the dealer made us feel that they were losing money on it. We chose the 2008 model as they arrive at this time of the year and the 2007 models are sold at discounts as dealers want to get rid of the old stock. We were told at the point of sale that there are several 2008's flooding the market and that we should receive the car in a week.
As we walked out with smiles on our faces, it turned out that we are the only ones in Canada that purchased that variant of the car. The car had to be shipped from Korea and it would take 5-6 weeks to deliver. I am sure that you can imagine our rage and the things that we said to the dealership after that. We had a similar experience with our car back home and so it was history repeating itself.
After several threatening phone calls and fist waving we hope to receive the car in three weeks, though we cannot be perfectly sure about it. Moral of the story simply put is buy the car that is in the showroom and can be picked up immediately. They will always tell you that the specific car that you want is in high demand and it needs to be delivered at a later date. This is because most dealers do not stock cars, they all sell stuff that they don't have.
It has been over a month now that we have been tossing between a new or used car. We have visited several dealerships and we were very clear that we wanted a Japanese or Korean car. We decided to stay away from the North American cars purely out of choice. The popularity of South East Asian cars is tremendous world over and we have had good experiences with them. There are several people that we know that swear by their North American cars and research in the local dailies prove that the North American cars are giving all their rivals a run for their money now.
Having said that, the top Japanese cars are sold at a premium because they sell themselves as they have proven over the years to be hassle free cars. The car salesmen don't cut prices or even give you time of day as they know that their cars sell themselves. The number three and four car dealerships are willing to bend over, however, those cars did not excite the wife. Since she is driving, it is important that we get one that she liked the most.
So after a lot of test driving between new and used cars, it was decided that we will go with the new car. We chose a Korean car, the one with the Flying 'H' logo and sounds so much like the top Japanese car. We chose it because that is what we had back home and for the price that we were getting the car, it was truly value for every dollar that we were going to pay. These cars are really great and we swear by them.
We got the best price that we thought was right although the dealer made us feel that they were losing money on it. We chose the 2008 model as they arrive at this time of the year and the 2007 models are sold at discounts as dealers want to get rid of the old stock. We were told at the point of sale that there are several 2008's flooding the market and that we should receive the car in a week.
As we walked out with smiles on our faces, it turned out that we are the only ones in Canada that purchased that variant of the car. The car had to be shipped from Korea and it would take 5-6 weeks to deliver. I am sure that you can imagine our rage and the things that we said to the dealership after that. We had a similar experience with our car back home and so it was history repeating itself.
After several threatening phone calls and fist waving we hope to receive the car in three weeks, though we cannot be perfectly sure about it. Moral of the story simply put is buy the car that is in the showroom and can be picked up immediately. They will always tell you that the specific car that you want is in high demand and it needs to be delivered at a later date. This is because most dealers do not stock cars, they all sell stuff that they don't have.
Leafs Game!
On Monday, I had my first experience of the Air Canada Centre and also the first time that I have ever watched a live game of any sport. It was a hockey game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals. There are absolutely no words to describe the experience expect that it was a truly AWESOME one.
I don't understand the game of hockey, however, I made it a point to learn a few rules. I have always dreamed of what it would be like to be in one of these arenas watching a live game and the real life experience is so much sweeter than the dream. The experience was even better as we were watching the game from an executive suite with food and drinks all paid for. That just made it the icing on the cake :-)
The Leafs are really loved in Toronto and Hockey is the #1 sport in the country. Sadly the game wasn't the best night for Leafs fans as they were trashed 1 - 7 by Washington. By the start of the third period, the stands were empty. Although I was sad for all the guys that showed up to see a Leafs win and mind you paid a lot of money for their tickets, it was a truly exciting night for me.
This is just the beginning and I am sure that my next visit to the Air Canada Centre will be to watch a sport I truly love - Basketball with the Raptors.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
I've been busy!
I haven't been updating this blog over the last couple of weeks and I guess I should be sorry. I am not! I've been busy! The last couple of weeks have been pretty crazy and not much has changed.
There are several more things to be done and it can be extremely trying on your patience. I hope in the next couple of days things get better and I have more stuff to write about.
If you are regular visitor, then I am sure that you will have some seriously exciting stuff to catch up on my blog in the next couple of days. I apologise if you have been visiting regularly and there is nothing new to read about.
There are several more things to be done and it can be extremely trying on your patience. I hope in the next couple of days things get better and I have more stuff to write about.
If you are regular visitor, then I am sure that you will have some seriously exciting stuff to catch up on my blog in the next couple of days. I apologise if you have been visiting regularly and there is nothing new to read about.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Thanksgiving!
They do it earlier here in Canada. It is a family holiday when everyone gets together and gives thanks for the year that has gone by. It is a night full of food and drink with a nice big turkey and lots of football on TV. Some people enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner in front of the TV while others make it a night full of music and dance.
In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Monday in October while in the US it is the last Thursday in November. In the US it is also the official launch date of the Christmas shopping season. In Canada, the long weekend is purely a time for family and almost everything is shut on this day. Some people choose to have Thanksgiving dinners on the Sunday while the more traditional ones choose the Monday.
We had a lovely time at a gathering of friends and we put an Indian (Goan) flavour to it with a lot of music, dancing and sorpotel, if you know what I mean. Apart from the regular turkey and stuffing, there was tandoori chicken, fish and some chappatis too. We love to put the Indian brand on just about anything :-)
In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Monday in October while in the US it is the last Thursday in November. In the US it is also the official launch date of the Christmas shopping season. In Canada, the long weekend is purely a time for family and almost everything is shut on this day. Some people choose to have Thanksgiving dinners on the Sunday while the more traditional ones choose the Monday.
We had a lovely time at a gathering of friends and we put an Indian (Goan) flavour to it with a lot of music, dancing and sorpotel, if you know what I mean. Apart from the regular turkey and stuffing, there was tandoori chicken, fish and some chappatis too. We love to put the Indian brand on just about anything :-)
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