The closures and disruptions of normal processes during the pandemic are bringing out more fraudsters than normal.
Pandemic car scams on the rise—how to stay safe
Mind the GAP (insurance) – is it worthwhile?
If you’ve ever leased or financed a car, you may have been offered GAP insurance. And, if you’re like me, you may have turned it down—because it’s usually presented along with all the other upsells, like VIN etching, undercoating, and interior protection. But GAP coverage is actually one of the upsells that makes a lot... Continue Reading →
How to avoid buying the wrong used car
Buying a used car has a lot of advantages—it saves you from the dreaded new car depreciation that hits most cars as soon as you drive off the lot, and it generally makes the car you want a lot more affordable than if you bought it new. It also means that the car you’re buying... Continue Reading →
Avoiding OfferUp scammers: how to protect yourself
Scammers are the worst. As marketplaces continue to grow their online presence, scam artists are stepping up their games (from all over the world). In 2015, 44.9%—or almost half of all consumer complaints—were related to online fraud. OfferUp, a popular site for buying and selling items has made attempts to end the trend. But lately... Continue Reading →
Dashboard warning lights: what do they mean?
Few things are as unsettling as the sudden illumination of one of those colorful little lights on our dash. Because that usually means trouble. But most of the time it’s hard to know what kind of trouble, exactly. On top of that, when it really comes down to it… how many of us actually know... Continue Reading →
You’re not commuting—should you rent your car out on Turo?
A few months ago, I would never have considered renting my car out to a stranger. I couldn't imagine being without it, and also didn't like the idea of someone else driving it. Eating in it. Maybe parking it too close to another car in a parking lot. But, fast forward to now. When I... Continue Reading →
How to sell a car: your options and their pros & cons
Will this be the year that you get the car you really want or need? If you've been thinking about upgrading your ride, you've probably been wondering: what’s the best way to sell a car? What do I need to know? And to complicate things a little more, we are of course in a global... Continue Reading →
Rental car insurance: is your own coverage enough?
Ever wonder whether you really should get that supplemental rental car insurance? In some cases, it might be a good idea...
Kelley Blue Book and beyond: researching used car values
You’ve probably heard people refer to ‘book value’ when talking about a car’s price. The ‘book’ they’re talking about is usually the Kelley Blue Book.
Used car market: following the new car scarcity trends
The pandemic has disrupted the global supply chain, which is having ongoing impact on all sorts of products, from appliances to computers to cars. One of the component shortages affecting all three is semiconductor chips. It's created a new car shortage that's also impacting the used car market. How serious an issue is it for... Continue Reading →