The Plan
May 24th 2013 | 12:24 am
#91
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,404
From: Back in the UK!
Re: The Plan
So good to hear that your plans are coming together!
Just a 'heads up'. I've just been over to New Jersey to see my son. On the spur of the moment I decided to sell my Volvo XC90 which had been parked in the garage since I relocated to Switzerland last October. It didn't seem worthwhile paying insurance for a car which wasn't being driven regularly - on future visits it will be better to just hire a car.
I was only there for a fortnight and didn't want the hassle of trying to find a private buyer, plus being concerned if a bank draft from a buyer was genuine, what if they prang the car whilst test-driving it, low-ball offers, having to haggle over the price, time-wasters etc.
I wasn't very happy when I got a very low offer from the Volvo dealer where we had purchased from and had always maintained the car. I'd heard about a company called CarMax. They will buy your car even if you don't want to buy one from them. The nearest one to me was in Connecticut, 110 miles away. Anyway I decided to give it a try and drove up there; CarMax appraised the car for $2000 more than the Volvo dealer was willing to offer me!
Best of all, they give you a 'certificate' with their offer price. It is solid for 7 days (so you can change your mind or find another buyer if you want). I took my Volvo home with me as I wanted to use it for another week. The following Friday I returned to CarMax (with the Title certificate and Car registration cert and driving licence - they need govt. photo ID.
My son came with me in his car (a Subaru Outback). He traded his car in on the spot too as he was getting a new car and CarMax also offered him $1850 more than the Subaru dealer!).
Their driver gave us a (free) ride in their shuttle van to the nearest train station and we got home via New York City. We were very happy with the deal from CarMax and it was so easy. (They won't take cars which have been flooded or have been in a 'reportable' incident eg. a rebuilt write-off/totalled car). My son's Subaru had been damaged twice; the first time a young woman was talking on her mobile and went straight into the back of his car. The second time a branch fell on the back of it during Hurricane Sandy. I thought this might be a problem but it wasn't - they run a Carfax report to check for reportable incidents and will buy your car if it comes up 'clear'.
There are some CarMax branches in Colorado; it might be worth checking out if you want to sell your RAV4 just before you move to the UK. I highly recommend them!
http://www.carmax.com/enus/we-buy-cars/default.html
http://www.carmax.com/enus/popup/why...to-carmax.html
Just a 'heads up'. I've just been over to New Jersey to see my son. On the spur of the moment I decided to sell my Volvo XC90 which had been parked in the garage since I relocated to Switzerland last October. It didn't seem worthwhile paying insurance for a car which wasn't being driven regularly - on future visits it will be better to just hire a car.
I was only there for a fortnight and didn't want the hassle of trying to find a private buyer, plus being concerned if a bank draft from a buyer was genuine, what if they prang the car whilst test-driving it, low-ball offers, having to haggle over the price, time-wasters etc.
I wasn't very happy when I got a very low offer from the Volvo dealer where we had purchased from and had always maintained the car. I'd heard about a company called CarMax. They will buy your car even if you don't want to buy one from them. The nearest one to me was in Connecticut, 110 miles away. Anyway I decided to give it a try and drove up there; CarMax appraised the car for $2000 more than the Volvo dealer was willing to offer me!
Best of all, they give you a 'certificate' with their offer price. It is solid for 7 days (so you can change your mind or find another buyer if you want). I took my Volvo home with me as I wanted to use it for another week. The following Friday I returned to CarMax (with the Title certificate and Car registration cert and driving licence - they need govt. photo ID.
My son came with me in his car (a Subaru Outback). He traded his car in on the spot too as he was getting a new car and CarMax also offered him $1850 more than the Subaru dealer!).
Their driver gave us a (free) ride in their shuttle van to the nearest train station and we got home via New York City. We were very happy with the deal from CarMax and it was so easy. (They won't take cars which have been flooded or have been in a 'reportable' incident eg. a rebuilt write-off/totalled car). My son's Subaru had been damaged twice; the first time a young woman was talking on her mobile and went straight into the back of his car. The second time a branch fell on the back of it during Hurricane Sandy. I thought this might be a problem but it wasn't - they run a Carfax report to check for reportable incidents and will buy your car if it comes up 'clear'.
There are some CarMax branches in Colorado; it might be worth checking out if you want to sell your RAV4 just before you move to the UK. I highly recommend them!
http://www.carmax.com/enus/we-buy-cars/default.html
http://www.carmax.com/enus/popup/why...to-carmax.html
May 24th 2013 | 3:52 am
#92
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: The Plan
We have a van to sell too. Not getting much interest through friends and don't want to go through the hassle of selling to a stranger. Was going to try the dealership where we bought new and did all our service at, but now after what you just said don't think we'll bother. Was going to go over to Car Max this weekend anyway, so will just plan on that alone. Heard nothing but good things about that company.
Just to let you know; CarMax will hold the price for one week (ie. if you get an appraisal on a Friday, then the offer expires at the close of business the following Friday).
I would imagine that the appraisal price would almost certainly go down if they have to appraise it again as the car would be a little bit older and have even more miles on it. Btw they didn't limit the number of miles after appraising my car, I must have put about 300 miles on the mileometer before returning the Volvo to CarMax.
May 24th 2013 | 4:28 am
#93
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,673
From: Dancing round my handbag
Re: The Plan
May 24th 2013 | 4:32 am
#94
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,673
From: Dancing round my handbag
Re: The Plan
I took the dog to her flight yesterday. I was a bit emotional but they were so lovely at BA cargo and she is such a flirt so they all thought she was adorable. I had a message from my sister, who is picking her up, that she was cleared and ready 1hr 10mins after the plane landed. I feel so relieved, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I knew she'd be alright but I felt bad that she didn't know what was happening. Now she can go and chase bunnies and be spoilt by grandma
May 24th 2013 | 4:34 am
#95
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,673
From: Dancing round my handbag
Re: The Plan
So good to hear that your plans are coming together!
Just a 'heads up'. I've just been over to New Jersey to see my son. On the spur of the moment I decided to sell my Volvo XC90 which had been parked in the garage since I relocated to Switzerland last October. It didn't seem worthwhile paying insurance for a car which wasn't being driven regularly - on future visits it will be better to just hire a car.
I was only there for a fortnight and didn't want the hassle of trying to find a private buyer, plus being concerned if a bank draft from a buyer was genuine, what if they prang the car whilst test-driving it, low-ball offers, having to haggle over the price, time-wasters etc.
I wasn't very happy when I got a very low offer from the Volvo dealer where we had purchased from and had always maintained the car. I'd heard about a company called CarMax. They will buy your car even if you don't want to buy one from them. The nearest one to me was in Connecticut, 110 miles away. Anyway I decided to give it a try and drove up there; CarMax appraised the car for $2000 more than the Volvo dealer was willing to offer me!
Best of all, they give you a 'certificate' with their offer price. It is solid for 7 days (so you can change your mind or find another buyer if you want). I took my Volvo home with me as I wanted to use it for another week. The following Friday I returned to CarMax (with the Title certificate and Car registration cert and driving licence - they need govt. photo ID.
My son came with me in his car (a Subaru Outback). He traded his car in on the spot too as he was getting a new car and CarMax also offered him $1850 more than the Subaru dealer!).
Their driver gave us a (free) ride in their shuttle van to the nearest train station and we got home via New York City. We were very happy with the deal from CarMax and it was so easy. (They won't take cars which have been flooded or have been in a 'reportable' incident eg. a rebuilt write-off/totalled car). My son's Subaru had been damaged twice; the first time a young woman was talking on her mobile and went straight into the back of his car. The second time a branch fell on the back of it during Hurricane Sandy. I thought this might be a problem but it wasn't - they run a Carfax report to check for reportable incidents and will buy your car if it comes up 'clear'.
There are some CarMax branches in Colorado; it might be worth checking out if you want to sell your RAV4 just before you move to the UK. I highly recommend them!
http://www.carmax.com/enus/we-buy-cars/default.html
http://www.carmax.com/enus/popup/why...to-carmax.html
Just a 'heads up'. I've just been over to New Jersey to see my son. On the spur of the moment I decided to sell my Volvo XC90 which had been parked in the garage since I relocated to Switzerland last October. It didn't seem worthwhile paying insurance for a car which wasn't being driven regularly - on future visits it will be better to just hire a car.
I was only there for a fortnight and didn't want the hassle of trying to find a private buyer, plus being concerned if a bank draft from a buyer was genuine, what if they prang the car whilst test-driving it, low-ball offers, having to haggle over the price, time-wasters etc.
I wasn't very happy when I got a very low offer from the Volvo dealer where we had purchased from and had always maintained the car. I'd heard about a company called CarMax. They will buy your car even if you don't want to buy one from them. The nearest one to me was in Connecticut, 110 miles away. Anyway I decided to give it a try and drove up there; CarMax appraised the car for $2000 more than the Volvo dealer was willing to offer me!
Best of all, they give you a 'certificate' with their offer price. It is solid for 7 days (so you can change your mind or find another buyer if you want). I took my Volvo home with me as I wanted to use it for another week. The following Friday I returned to CarMax (with the Title certificate and Car registration cert and driving licence - they need govt. photo ID.
My son came with me in his car (a Subaru Outback). He traded his car in on the spot too as he was getting a new car and CarMax also offered him $1850 more than the Subaru dealer!).
Their driver gave us a (free) ride in their shuttle van to the nearest train station and we got home via New York City. We were very happy with the deal from CarMax and it was so easy. (They won't take cars which have been flooded or have been in a 'reportable' incident eg. a rebuilt write-off/totalled car). My son's Subaru had been damaged twice; the first time a young woman was talking on her mobile and went straight into the back of his car. The second time a branch fell on the back of it during Hurricane Sandy. I thought this might be a problem but it wasn't - they run a Carfax report to check for reportable incidents and will buy your car if it comes up 'clear'.
There are some CarMax branches in Colorado; it might be worth checking out if you want to sell your RAV4 just before you move to the UK. I highly recommend them!
http://www.carmax.com/enus/we-buy-cars/default.html
http://www.carmax.com/enus/popup/why...to-carmax.html
I will definitely look into carmax. Thank you!
May 24th 2013 | 4:37 am
#96
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,673
From: Dancing round my handbag
Re: The Plan
Cardienscarf,
Wow! So good to hear how everything is coming together so brilliantly! Its lovely to read.
Fingers crossed your dog had an easy journey over, I know it must be nerve wracking.
Looking forward to reading more updates.
Englishmum, that was interesting about your experience with carmax, they have been running ads recently and I have wondered what they were like.
Wow! So good to hear how everything is coming together so brilliantly! Its lovely to read.
Fingers crossed your dog had an easy journey over, I know it must be nerve wracking.
Looking forward to reading more updates.
Englishmum, that was interesting about your experience with carmax, they have been running ads recently and I have wondered what they were like.
May 24th 2013 | 9:45 am
#97
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,654
From: South Bucks
Re: The Plan
What a lovely story about your dog! Wish you all the best returning and a happy reunion with everyone!
May 24th 2013 | 11:11 am
#98
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 402
From: Wirral, UK
Re: The Plan
Sooo glad your sister sent you a message Cardien saying that your dog had arrived safely and now she's going to be spoilt by gandma
May 24th 2013 | 1:16 pm
#99
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,673
From: Dancing round my handbag
Re: The Plan
I feel the same way too about the tale of the dog, in fact am almost in tears as mine (1 dog 3 cats) will be doing the same in about 6 weeks and I know I'll be crying my eyes out thinking of them on their own in the plane wondering why I've left them
Sooo glad your sister sent you a message Cardien saying that your dog had arrived safely and now she's going to be spoilt by gandma
Sooo glad your sister sent you a message Cardien saying that your dog had arrived safely and now she's going to be spoilt by gandma
Here she is chasing stones during her final fling at the reservoir yesterday:
May 24th 2013 | 2:36 pm
#100
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 603
Re: The Plan
Oh no! Well that's a rude reintroduction to the horrors of UK traffic I'm sure Summer will be fine and is probably sleeping off the journey.
I couldn't make the video play because it is set as private.
I'm sure Summer will be fine and is probably sleeping off the journey.I couldn't make the video play because it is set as private.
May 24th 2013 | 4:54 pm
#101
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,673
From: Dancing round my handbag
)
May 25th 2013 | 10:16 am
#102
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: The Plan
What a lovely dog! Who is looking after her until your sister can pick her up?
May 26th 2013 | 1:49 am
#103
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 603
Re: The Plan
What a great dog!
May 26th 2013 | 5:23 pm
#104
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,673
From: Dancing round my handbag
Re: The Plan
As soon as the plane lands at Heathrow, the animals are taken to the Animal Centre where they are let out, fed and loved. They had suggested to my sister that she pick her up on Saturday morning because it is a Bank Holiday weekend and the traffic would be bad. They will keep them for 24 hours (not sure what happens to them after that!) but my sister didn't want to leave her there overnight. However, she didn't really have much choice unless she wanted to sit in traffic for 6 hours.
She picked her up on Saturday (still took her 4 hours to do a 1-1/2 hr journey) and Summer had obviously been well looked after. The people at the centre said what a happy dog she is. She knows how to win friends and influence people
When people ask me what kind of dog she is, I always tell them she's the happy kind.She is now happily ensconced at my sister's house with her bed which I was allowed to leave in the crate. Somewhere I'd got the idea she could only have towels but I'd taken it in case.
I panicked last night because I went out and half way through the evening thought I'd forgotten to feed the dog, and this morning I woke up and thought - Ooo, it's a nice day, I think I'll take the dog out early.
I do miss her but at least she is safe and happy and being loved.
May 26th 2013 | 11:49 pm
#105
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: The Plan
Thank you. She's my favourite
As soon as the plane lands at Heathrow, the animals are taken to the Animal Centre where they are let out, fed and loved. They had suggested to my sister that she pick her up on Saturday morning because it is a Bank Holiday weekend and the traffic would be bad. They will keep them for 24 hours (not sure what happens to them after that!) but my sister didn't want to leave her there overnight. However, she didn't really have much choice unless she wanted to sit in traffic for 6 hours.
She picked her up on Saturday (still took her 4 hours to do a 1-1/2 hr journey) and Summer had obviously been well looked after. The people at the centre said what a happy dog she is. She knows how to win friends and influence people When people ask me what kind of dog she is, I always tell them she's the happy kind.
She is now happily ensconced at my sister's house with her bed which I was allowed to leave in the crate. Somewhere I'd got the idea she could only have towels but I'd taken it in case.
I panicked last night because I went out and half way through the evening thought I'd forgotten to feed the dog, and this morning I woke up and thought - Ooo, it's a nice day, I think I'll take the dog out early. I do miss her but at least she is safe and happy and being loved.
As soon as the plane lands at Heathrow, the animals are taken to the Animal Centre where they are let out, fed and loved. They had suggested to my sister that she pick her up on Saturday morning because it is a Bank Holiday weekend and the traffic would be bad. They will keep them for 24 hours (not sure what happens to them after that!) but my sister didn't want to leave her there overnight. However, she didn't really have much choice unless she wanted to sit in traffic for 6 hours.
She picked her up on Saturday (still took her 4 hours to do a 1-1/2 hr journey) and Summer had obviously been well looked after. The people at the centre said what a happy dog she is. She knows how to win friends and influence people
When people ask me what kind of dog she is, I always tell them she's the happy kind.She is now happily ensconced at my sister's house with her bed which I was allowed to leave in the crate. Somewhere I'd got the idea she could only have towels but I'd taken it in case.
I panicked last night because I went out and half way through the evening thought I'd forgotten to feed the dog, and this morning I woke up and thought - Ooo, it's a nice day, I think I'll take the dog out early.
I do miss her but at least she is safe and happy and being loved.
