Hot off the press, it was announced today that the the 2008 Cadillac CTS has won the coveted title of Motor Trend Car of The Year, beating out other rivals such as Mercedes, Audi and Volvo.
The CTS is available with all wheel drive and 2 versions of their 3.6L V6, with the direct injection version producing 304 horsepower while still delivering great fuel economy. The CTS is availble exclusively on the North Shore at Carter GM Northshore in the Northshore Automall.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
General Motors Lowers Prices to adjust for High Canadian Dollar!
As of this morning, GM Canada has announced price adjustments to their entire lineup with customer delivery credits ranging from $1500 up to $10,000 on some models. On top of the other concerns arising from purchasing south of the border, these price adjustments will assist in alleviating the concerns for cash buyers, and are in addition to the already low financing and lease incentives already available.
They have also announced the year end "Wish and Win" event, which allows prospective purchasers to win up to $10,000 off the price of their new vehicle on top of the customer delivery credits. The minimum amount is $1000.
There is also an early GST rollback in place, so you are able to get a jump on the 1% GST reduction that is coming on January 1st.
If you are in the market for a new vehicle, there has never been a better time to test drive one of GM's great new cars and trucks.
They have also announced the year end "Wish and Win" event, which allows prospective purchasers to win up to $10,000 off the price of their new vehicle on top of the customer delivery credits. The minimum amount is $1000.
There is also an early GST rollback in place, so you are able to get a jump on the 1% GST reduction that is coming on January 1st.
If you are in the market for a new vehicle, there has never been a better time to test drive one of GM's great new cars and trucks.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
US Vehicles not the True Bargain consumers think
Since the dollar has reached, and since surpassed parity with the Greenback, there has been a surge in the media about how much cheaper every product is south of the border. This obviously affects high ticket items to a much greater degree than it does every day products such as beer and toilet paper.
Unfortunately, Cars and Trucks are high ticket items that at face value do appear to be much less expensive in the United States due to the market pricing strategy of the vehicle manufacturers. While the MSRP to MSRP prices that people look at are certainly drastically different in the case of more expensive vehicles, (anything under about $30,000 doesn't really present enough difference to make importation worthwhile) there are many factors that come into play which the consumer is either unaware of, or chooses to ignore in making their decision.
1. The only people who benefit from purchasing a "new" vehicle in the states are the people that can actually write a cheque for it. Between 80 and 90 percent of all vehicles in Canada are either leased or financed using highly subsidized interest rates, as low as 0% for 5 years, and enhanced lease end values. Cross border shoppers who purchase will not be able to take advantage of these incentives which can add up to as much as $20,000 in interest savings on higher end vehicles. The lease and finance payments in Canada are in many cases lower than the payments available to consumers in the US.
2. Barriers: There are barriers in place from purchasing new vehicles with some manufacturers disallowing dealers to sell new vehicles to Canadian customers, as it is in contravention of their franchise agreement and the dealers could be shut down. Your planned trip to the dealer across the border could be a big waste of your time.
3. Warranty issues: Depending on the manufacturer, the new vehicle warranty may not be valid in Canada, (Chrysler, Honda, Acura, Mercedes to name a few) or may havea time and mileage limit before it is eligible for warranty, so if anything goes awry in that time, you are out of luck, or you may not have warranty for the life of the vehicle.
4. Taxes and Fees: may consumers think that they can just drive across the border and bring a vehicle back the same day. The fact is that there is a long process involved including a full inspection of the vehicle in the US, which is at the cost of the ourchaser, the acquisition of an outstanding recall letter to assure the vehicle is eligible for import into Canada, up front payment of GST and PST at the border,and in the case of full size sport utilities, which are some of the most common vehicles coming north, the eco-auto rebate of up to $4000 which is built into the price in Canada, must be paid up front at the border. There is also customs brokerage fees. Also: vehicle amnufactured outside of the US or Canada are subject to a 6.1 duty whan they come into canada.
5. Vehicle History: While the vehicle sales industry is highly regulated in Canada, it varies widely from state to state in the US. Finding the history of a used vehicle can be daunting if not impossible, and evewn the information that you can find is only as good as what has been reported. There is no regulated insurance company like ICBC to rely on for damage claims, and even then, much damage is not reported.
6. Long term value: While you may save on a vehicle from the US, you must also take into account the re-sale value when you trade it back in or sell it. The used vehicle market will adjust to the currency differential quickly, so you will very soon be able to buy used vehicles at very close to US prices, yet when the vehicle is traded or sold, the value will undoubtedly be significantly less for vehicles originating in the US than for Canadian vehicles. I recently appraised a Porsche 911, and when it was discovered it was a US vehicle, the value dropped by over $20,000.
7. Hassle factor: While there are certainly cases where you can save on used vehicles in the US, you must weigh the time and hassle factor waiting for 2-3 hours at the border in each direction for every time you need to go, and the whole process of bringing the car back into Canada.
In summary, the US vehicle market is not the panacea it occurs to be. In time, the market always wins and adjusts, and while consumers may save that extra dollar in some case, one must ask if it is really a long term saving. So unless you have a big account balance, take advantage of the great dealers and the great deals that are available right here at home.
Unfortunately, Cars and Trucks are high ticket items that at face value do appear to be much less expensive in the United States due to the market pricing strategy of the vehicle manufacturers. While the MSRP to MSRP prices that people look at are certainly drastically different in the case of more expensive vehicles, (anything under about $30,000 doesn't really present enough difference to make importation worthwhile) there are many factors that come into play which the consumer is either unaware of, or chooses to ignore in making their decision.
1. The only people who benefit from purchasing a "new" vehicle in the states are the people that can actually write a cheque for it. Between 80 and 90 percent of all vehicles in Canada are either leased or financed using highly subsidized interest rates, as low as 0% for 5 years, and enhanced lease end values. Cross border shoppers who purchase will not be able to take advantage of these incentives which can add up to as much as $20,000 in interest savings on higher end vehicles. The lease and finance payments in Canada are in many cases lower than the payments available to consumers in the US.
2. Barriers: There are barriers in place from purchasing new vehicles with some manufacturers disallowing dealers to sell new vehicles to Canadian customers, as it is in contravention of their franchise agreement and the dealers could be shut down. Your planned trip to the dealer across the border could be a big waste of your time.
3. Warranty issues: Depending on the manufacturer, the new vehicle warranty may not be valid in Canada, (Chrysler, Honda, Acura, Mercedes to name a few) or may havea time and mileage limit before it is eligible for warranty, so if anything goes awry in that time, you are out of luck, or you may not have warranty for the life of the vehicle.
4. Taxes and Fees: may consumers think that they can just drive across the border and bring a vehicle back the same day. The fact is that there is a long process involved including a full inspection of the vehicle in the US, which is at the cost of the ourchaser, the acquisition of an outstanding recall letter to assure the vehicle is eligible for import into Canada, up front payment of GST and PST at the border,and in the case of full size sport utilities, which are some of the most common vehicles coming north, the eco-auto rebate of up to $4000 which is built into the price in Canada, must be paid up front at the border. There is also customs brokerage fees. Also: vehicle amnufactured outside of the US or Canada are subject to a 6.1 duty whan they come into canada.
5. Vehicle History: While the vehicle sales industry is highly regulated in Canada, it varies widely from state to state in the US. Finding the history of a used vehicle can be daunting if not impossible, and evewn the information that you can find is only as good as what has been reported. There is no regulated insurance company like ICBC to rely on for damage claims, and even then, much damage is not reported.
6. Long term value: While you may save on a vehicle from the US, you must also take into account the re-sale value when you trade it back in or sell it. The used vehicle market will adjust to the currency differential quickly, so you will very soon be able to buy used vehicles at very close to US prices, yet when the vehicle is traded or sold, the value will undoubtedly be significantly less for vehicles originating in the US than for Canadian vehicles. I recently appraised a Porsche 911, and when it was discovered it was a US vehicle, the value dropped by over $20,000.
7. Hassle factor: While there are certainly cases where you can save on used vehicles in the US, you must weigh the time and hassle factor waiting for 2-3 hours at the border in each direction for every time you need to go, and the whole process of bringing the car back into Canada.
In summary, the US vehicle market is not the panacea it occurs to be. In time, the market always wins and adjusts, and while consumers may save that extra dollar in some case, one must ask if it is really a long term saving. So unless you have a big account balance, take advantage of the great dealers and the great deals that are available right here at home.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
The Xango Invasion
I recently attended the Xango Convention in Salt Lake City. It was my first one and I was so impressed with the entire event. There were 10,000 people there and the energy was amazing. I attended training sessions put on by successful business leaders and corporate sessions at which a lot of new information was disseminated and we were entertained by a keynote speaker, as well as danced at a Xango dance party.
Some points of interest:
Some points of interest:
- Xango is now a billion dollar brand in 5 years of operation (it took Microsoft 13 yrs)
- Xango was voted best company to work for in Utah this month
- Xango founders won Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recently
- Xango changes people's lives - the product & the business opportunity
- Xango has just surpassed Coca Cola as the largest contributor to Operation Kids
- Xango just launched another charity component - Xango Goodness Meal Pack - for every pack purchased ($115 each), 50 starving children in a 3rd world country will be fed
- www.xango.tv was launched at convention - check it out!
- next year will see the launch of a new skincare line from Xango
- Xango in over 20 countries now, and will be in 32 by next year.
- the first North American research has been conducted this past year at Harvard Medical School - on the effects of mixed xanthones on cancer cells - great results, which will be published in the next couple of months
Some inspiration about this business:
- Xango changes people's lives - the product and the business opportunity
- Network marketing is a leadership program with a compensation plan
- Excellence: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
I encourage you to learn more about Xango and if you know anyone who you think may benefit from "the power of the xanthones", or who is looking for some part-time or full time residual income.... please let me know.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Marketing Network Marketing
I have had a few different jobs and business experiences in my working life, and my latest venture has brought together a lot of what I've been looking for, for a long time. I finally have an opportunity to help people with their health and train people to create passive, residual income at the same time. Here is a synopsis of the business, the company, the product and my interest in making a success of Boost Your Health.
But first - a couple of quotes I came across that echo my sentiments about the reason for being in this business ...
"An example of success means to be that man, or be that woman that makes the biggest difference in people's lives and does whatever it takes to make that so." Aaron Rashkin
"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The Business:
Xango chose direct sales or network marketing as its business model. This way of doing business has so often been misunderstood, and yet is on the way to creating many, many millionaires in the next 10 years, according to Paul Zane Pilzer, a leading American economist.
Warren Buffet recently added a network marketing company (Pampered Chef) to his empire.
They must know something...
The Company:
Xango, the parent company, became debt free in its 8th month, and has now become a billion dollar brand after just 4 years. It is the category creator, marketing strictly through independent distributors. It is not sold in stores. Xango outsells its competitors 4 to 1, and its success as the market leader speaks for itself. Xango is now in 22 countries and growing.
The Product:
Xango is an all natural, organic, whole-fruit puree of the mangosteen fruit that has many, many health benefits. The mangosteen comes from South East Asia and is known as the "Queen of Fruits" in Thailand. Xango is the only mangosteen juice to contain the WHOLE pericarp (outer rind) of the fruit - which contains over 40 potent natural healing nutrients called XANTHONES.Other healing plants have at most one or two. This juice is a natural anti-inflammatory and a powerful anti-oxidant for example. The science on xanthones predates the company by many years.
How Fast Forward can help me:
This group can help me by truly understanding the network marketing model, and supporting me in my venture. The support may be through taking the 90 day juice trial, and seeing for yourself the benefits of Xango. It may be through introducing me to your warm market leads that could benefit from the juice, or who may be looking for a way to create passive residual income on a full or part time basis. It may be attending an event or presentation to hear what others have to say.
I am interested in cross-marketing opportunities - perhaps through doing events with you, or maybe gaining product awareness through display in your business (if it is a fit), and any other ideas we can dream up together. The possibilities are endless...
There are many ways that the group helps me grow -through the positive energy, the willingness to share, and the challenge to become a blogger - to name a few.
Although Boost Your Health is my passion, I am also "working a JOB", as you know, as Corporate Sales Manager for Meinhardt Fine Foods. I thought I should mention it here, as this is our busiest season, and it does take up a fair amount of my time these days. I am always looking for companies that may want to send gift boxes or flowers to clients, family, or friends to acknowledge them - and I will make sure it is easy to do business with me.
How I can support Fast Forward:
I can offer support, ideas, access to my network, leads, enthusiasm, loyalty and team spirit to all of you and your businesses.
I love helping people and learning new things; that is at the heart of what I do. I hope I have given you some insight and that we can continue to learn and grow together.
Janice
http://www.boostyourhealth.net/
http://www.meinhardt.com/
But first - a couple of quotes I came across that echo my sentiments about the reason for being in this business ...
"An example of success means to be that man, or be that woman that makes the biggest difference in people's lives and does whatever it takes to make that so." Aaron Rashkin
"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The Business:
Xango chose direct sales or network marketing as its business model. This way of doing business has so often been misunderstood, and yet is on the way to creating many, many millionaires in the next 10 years, according to Paul Zane Pilzer, a leading American economist.
Warren Buffet recently added a network marketing company (Pampered Chef) to his empire.
They must know something...
The Company:
Xango, the parent company, became debt free in its 8th month, and has now become a billion dollar brand after just 4 years. It is the category creator, marketing strictly through independent distributors. It is not sold in stores. Xango outsells its competitors 4 to 1, and its success as the market leader speaks for itself. Xango is now in 22 countries and growing.
The Product:
Xango is an all natural, organic, whole-fruit puree of the mangosteen fruit that has many, many health benefits. The mangosteen comes from South East Asia and is known as the "Queen of Fruits" in Thailand. Xango is the only mangosteen juice to contain the WHOLE pericarp (outer rind) of the fruit - which contains over 40 potent natural healing nutrients called XANTHONES.Other healing plants have at most one or two. This juice is a natural anti-inflammatory and a powerful anti-oxidant for example. The science on xanthones predates the company by many years.
How Fast Forward can help me:
This group can help me by truly understanding the network marketing model, and supporting me in my venture. The support may be through taking the 90 day juice trial, and seeing for yourself the benefits of Xango. It may be through introducing me to your warm market leads that could benefit from the juice, or who may be looking for a way to create passive residual income on a full or part time basis. It may be attending an event or presentation to hear what others have to say.
I am interested in cross-marketing opportunities - perhaps through doing events with you, or maybe gaining product awareness through display in your business (if it is a fit), and any other ideas we can dream up together. The possibilities are endless...
There are many ways that the group helps me grow -through the positive energy, the willingness to share, and the challenge to become a blogger - to name a few.
Although Boost Your Health is my passion, I am also "working a JOB", as you know, as Corporate Sales Manager for Meinhardt Fine Foods. I thought I should mention it here, as this is our busiest season, and it does take up a fair amount of my time these days. I am always looking for companies that may want to send gift boxes or flowers to clients, family, or friends to acknowledge them - and I will make sure it is easy to do business with me.
How I can support Fast Forward:
I can offer support, ideas, access to my network, leads, enthusiasm, loyalty and team spirit to all of you and your businesses.
I love helping people and learning new things; that is at the heart of what I do. I hope I have given you some insight and that we can continue to learn and grow together.
Janice
http://www.boostyourhealth.net/
http://www.meinhardt.com/
Introduction to Fawcett Insurance
Fawcett Insurance has been located in Deep Cove for almost 70 years as an independent insurance broker. Our staff has a combined experience of over 100 years , so we really are experts in our field. We mostly serve North Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, however we have clients all over BC and do some business in Alberta as well.
We offer all lines of insurance including ICBC Autoplan, Personal Property (homeowners, condo's, etc), Marine Insurance, Commercial Insurance and Travel Insurance. We also offer financial products such as life and disability coverages.
We shop your coverage needs to various insurance companies with a view to place not only the best coverage, but at a reasonable cost. As an independent broker, we work for our clients - not the insurance company. This mean we are able to negotiate with the insurance companies and advocate for you in the case of problems. We also have binding authority with our main companies, which means we can often bind coverage the same day a client contacts us.
As the Personal Lines Manager, I specialize in all of your personal property needs. If this means a Tenants Package for $30,000 in personal property, or a house valued at $1 million or more, I can offer coverage to suit.
One of our specialties is in investment properties. We offer great packages for owners of rental condos and dwellings right up to large apartment buildings. Many landlords are not aware of the different exposures they have when it comes to protecting not only their property, but also their rental income, we are here to advise them on the coverage available to protect their investment.
We offer all lines of insurance including ICBC Autoplan, Personal Property (homeowners, condo's, etc), Marine Insurance, Commercial Insurance and Travel Insurance. We also offer financial products such as life and disability coverages.
We shop your coverage needs to various insurance companies with a view to place not only the best coverage, but at a reasonable cost. As an independent broker, we work for our clients - not the insurance company. This mean we are able to negotiate with the insurance companies and advocate for you in the case of problems. We also have binding authority with our main companies, which means we can often bind coverage the same day a client contacts us.
As the Personal Lines Manager, I specialize in all of your personal property needs. If this means a Tenants Package for $30,000 in personal property, or a house valued at $1 million or more, I can offer coverage to suit.
One of our specialties is in investment properties. We offer great packages for owners of rental condos and dwellings right up to large apartment buildings. Many landlords are not aware of the different exposures they have when it comes to protecting not only their property, but also their rental income, we are here to advise them on the coverage available to protect their investment.
Elizabeth J. (Mah) Wong, B.Comm, LL.B. [North Shore Law LLP]
How can I help you?
I am a lawyer at North Shore Law LLP who assists individual and corporate clients in all areas of:
I am a lawyer at North Shore Law LLP who assists individual and corporate clients in all areas of:
- Wills, trusts and estate administration
This includes all areas of estate planning, including wills, trusts for life insurance policies or for disabled or incapable family members to ensure that are able to maximize any government benefits they receive, as well as planning for incapacity in the form of powers of attorney and reprsentation agreements. We also assist executors in the administration of estates and the distribution of assets to beneficiaries.
- Company and business law
This includes assisting clients from start-up to wind-up, including agreements throughout the life of the corporate entity (shareholder agreements, share or asset sale or purchase agreements), other contracts and agreements (employment, confidentiality) and the preparation and execution of documents related to corporate borrowing.
- Residential and commercial real estate
We assist purchasers and vendors with their real estate acquisitions and dispositions, from assisting realtors with drafting clauses, due diligence, completion, and discharge of mortgages to refinancing and family transfers.
Where do I work?
North Shore Law LLP is the largest full service law firm on the North Shore and as such I have access to senior lawyers experienced in the areas of family law, criminal, personal injury, and civil litigation at my fingertips. Life is often a matrix of issues that cannot be viewed in isolation and our firm has the resources to meet our clients' needs.
I am also a member of the board of directors for the Canadian Mental Health Association - North and West Vancouver branch and a volunteer lawyer at the Silver Harbour Seniors' Centre Legal Advice Clinic to assist seniors with their legal challenges.
Why choose me?
I believe in providing my clients with premium service from not only myself but also from the team with whom I work very closely. My services are distinctive and designed with the client's convenience and goals in mind, so I attend at clients' homes, restaurants, coffee shops or offices on early mornings, evenings and weekends. I aim to build loyalty by allowing my clients to take care of the legal matters in life at a time convenient in their busy lives. We also continue to provide service to clients, as it relates to their file, for months past the "completion date" on the paper work, if required. I am empathetic person who takes a proactive approach to legal problems and to work together with each individual client to customize a solution to any concerns or challenges they face.
I look forward to building this network of reliable professionals to which I (personally) or my clients can turn to for services. I look forward to lunching, working and sharing with you all in the years to come!
What Dave the Mortgage Broker does!
My thanks to Willie, Michele and Ryan for their excellent posts on their businesses. I wanted to add some info about what MortgageDave does.
I am a mortgage broker with Invis, Canada’s largest mortgage brokerage firm. The affiliation with Invis gives me the negotiating power of a national company when dealing with the banks and other lenders
I started my own company in January, 2006. I have 19 years of lending experience and I wanted to do something I love for a change. Being a mortgage broker allows me to help my friends and referrals with their home financing strategies.
I can arrange a mortgage for anyone anywhere in Canada. I offer new mortgage financing, refinancing for equity take out and renewal financing for anyone whose mortgage is up for renewal and wants to make sure they are getting the best deal. Did you know that 80% of people whose mortgage is up for renewal just sign the renewal agreement the bank sends in the mail? These renewals are usually higher than the current market rates. I specialize in residential financing but I have a business partner who is a commercial broker.
My services are free to my clients as I am paid by the lender for originating a new mortgage. If I have to arrange a mortgage from a private lender the client would typically have to pay a fee for the services as these lenders don’t pay for the deals.
I work with my clients to discuss their home buying and financing strategy to make sure we are not only meeting their financing needs today but that we are able to plan for their future needs as well.
The mortgage process:
1. I meet with the client by phone to discuss what they are looking to do and to gather information.
2. If they haven’t bought a place yet I do a mortgage pre-approval so that they know what they can afford and their rate is guaranteed for 4 months while they look for a place. If the rates go up during this time they are covered and if they go down in that time I will get them the lower rate.
3. Once they identify a property I shop their mortgage deal around and find them the best fit for their needs.
4. I either meet with the client to get the mortgage signed or I send them all the documentation by secure e-mail. I work around their schedule so there is no taking time off work, etc.
5. I submit all documentation to the lender and they instruct the lawyer in regard to the closing documents.
6. The clients go to lawyer to sign documents and then wait to move in.
During the above steps I “stick handle” any problems or issues with the lenders so that my clients can just focus on their move. I never forget how stressful buying and selling real estate can be, so I make sure I take the time to explain things carefully to my clients. I assure them there are no stupid questions so they should feel free to call anytime.
Unlike a banker I am not paid based on the interest rate charged but rather the size of the mortgage. Accordingly, I will always send the client to the lender who has the best product for their needs.
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