Tuesday, May 29, 2007

NADA Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, and Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices – Whose Prices Are Right?


The Internet has been touted as the greatest resource for the used car buyer. Prospective buyers can find trade-in, private party, and retail values in a heartbeat. The question to consider, however, is what Internet source is right? The three major sites: NADA, Edmunds, and Kelly Blue Book are clamoring to be the Trusted Authority on used car values. Yet price discrepancies are frequently in the $1000’s from site to site. Which web site, if any, is the most accurate source for the used car buyer?

To illustrate the discrepancies, here’s an everyday example: NADA may retail a 2003 SAAB 9-5 Linear at $15,996, Kelly Blue Book prices it at $17,456, and Edmunds prices it at $14,800. These are all retail values, assuming excellent or clean condition. $17,456 minus $14,800 is a $2,656 difference. That’s a huge price difference in the highly competitive used car market. This is not an argument to protect used car dealers. Rather, this is a warning for the used car buyer when he or she is surfing the web for used car prices.

The retail values placed on many vehicles by these web sites can have even larger price differences - some as high as $4000 to $8000 dollars. These gigantic price fluctuations can leave a used car buyer spending $1000’s extra, depending on which guide he or she used. Moreover, private party and trade-in sale prices do not accurately account for vehicle condition.
Vehicle condition is a critical variable. An owner might think his trade-in is in stunning condition and thus worth X, based on his Internet research. An expert may know it needs $1000’s in repairs and reconditioning costs.

The answer to "whose prices are right" is...click NADA Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices

RepairTrust
Setting the Standard for Fair Car Repair Prices

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Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Searching For Car Repair Prices

If you’ve ever surfed the web looking for prices on car repair, you probably got a bit frustrated with the lack of information. The reason for this is multi-faceted. In short, auto repair costs are extremely variable because car repair has a number of variables as well as unknowns. Thus there are no accurate databases or lists, or even computer generated pricing programs, that could even come close to hitting the mark on car repair costs.

So there’s no easy cheat sheet that states: replace water pump: $487.65 - tune up: $125.87 - oil change: $29.95. A recent letter to RepairTrust illustrates just how hard it is to get accurate car repair pricing information:

It states:

Hi,

I’m working on a project for driver’s education and I need to find prices for a tune-up, 2 oil changes, and a brake job. Unfortunately, none of the sites will tell me how much they are...please help!

We responded:

Hi,

Specific and accurate car repair prices don't exist on the web. There are
just too many variables, too many types of cars, and too many repairs at any
given time to provide an accurate car repair estimate.

This is why RepairTrust has implemented "LIVE" auto repair pricing @ http://www.repairtrust.com/. This service will provide detailed, accurate and professional auto repair estimates.

We do provide FREE samples of online auto repair estimates @ http://www.repairtrust.com/contact_price_quote.html so you could get lucky.

Even your oil change question, while a GREAT question, has hundreds of
different answers. For example, an oil change on a Toyota Camry might cost
$29.95, but an oil change on a Volvo might cost $89.99.

The same goes for tune up, brakes, and the rest. There are no generic
prices.

I hope this helps.

If you'd like us to provide an estimate for you, visit us @ http://www.repairtrust.com/

Good luck on your project!


-Ted
RepairTrust
Empowering the Car Repair Customer
Making sense of car repair costs

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Auto Repair Estimates and Car Repair Prices - the Real Information to Avoid Car Repair Scams

Wondering whether or not you were overcharged for your car repair is awful.

There is tons of advice on how to avoid getting ripped-off, but no one ever talks about actual car repair prices. We really need to look at the charges on a car repair estimate or auto repair shop invoice.

In other words, the focus needs to shift from outdated advice to the specific charges on one's repair estimate. Are they legitimate charges? Can they be justified by industry guidelines?
Car repair estimates can be confusing. To get a better idea if your auto repair shop is charging you appropriately....to learn more click auto repair estimates
-RepairTrust
Making sense of car repair costs

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Sunday, May 06, 2007

FREE Online Auto Repair Estimates

The most important factor in an auto repair estimate is the break down of the charges. Without a break down, one can not see the exact price for a specific car repair. Too often, car repair estimates are a jumble of confusing verbiage and prices.

What you'll notice about the estimates below (compared to an invoice from your auto repair shop) is the complete break down of costs.

Again, seeing the break down of the auto repair charges is the best way to ensure you're getting treated fairly. Learn more @ FREE Online Auto Repair Estimates

-The RepairTrust Team
Making Sense of Car Repair Prices

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