Dirty Deeds

Sheep Dipping

The car biz refers to “sheep dipping” as getting the “brand” removed from a salvage title. While not common, doing it requires a certain amount of finesse. One Utah dealer has stepped on his pee pee.

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Back in the 1990s, dealers used Idaho to “sheep dip” Washington titles. I wasn’t personally involved except selling the ‘clean title’ vehicles. In this era, how you can bypass CARFAX  or J.D. Powers must be difficult. Two dealers I know use a service and every vehicle they take in trade or buy from a wholesaler is checked.

How Colorado Stays Blue

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Surprise! The Democrat primary candidates are savaging each other while the GOP candidates are staying civil. Can't get their hands dirty, don't you know.

CPAP

I’ve been sleeping with a CPAP since 1996. This YouTube clip reminded me of why.

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My boss, Ed Jones, told me to get tested or get fired! He reminded me we were covered by Group Health; no excuses. I arrived at Group Health and they wanted me to spend a night in the “sleep labs”. Not happening, single custodial Dad with two young teenage boys. Instead, they painted spots on my chest were electrodes were to be placed and sent me off with the equipment. I returned the equipment the next morning and went to work. Pro tip; If you ever do this, shave your chest hairs first.

That afternoon I got a call from the head of the department insisting I come in RIGHT NOW! Grumbling, I complied. The conversation went like this.

 “Mr. White, not only do you have sleep apnia, you have the worst case I’ve ever seen. See the lines on this screen? When this line is that low, you are clinically dead!”

Realizing he was dealing with a stubborn blockhead, he continued.

“Based on my experience, I believe you will soon have a ‘significant medical episode’. It may happen tomorrow, next week, but will happen within the next six months. If you are lucky, it will kill you. If not, it will severely impair you. You do have someone who can provide you with 24/7 nursing care for many years to come, don’t you?” What a salesman he would have been!

I said, “And my options are?”

I went home with a CPAP and have used one to this very day.

 Car Story

Hope this isn’t a repeat.

There a few occupations that often have shit credit. Two come to mind, preachers and cops.

One of my coworkers at Southgate Ford/Isuzu in Burien, WA was a black man named Paul. He was a great salesman and all around good person.

One Saturday he was trying to get his minister financed in a car. It was taking time and the minister was wandering around upstairs where we worked deals.

Monday Paul came up to me and said, “Hey Tank! Our minister had a great sermon yesterday. He spoke about race relations and how progress is being made. You were mentioned”.

Oh shit!!!!

“Yeah, he overheard you working a deal. Loser xxxx was sucking up to you”.

Loser xxxx said, “Tank, you do really well with black people. What is your secret?”

My minister said you were visible irritated by the interruption and snarled at him, “Simple, treat them like white people”.

Paul then gave me an evil grin and asked, “Tank, are you sweating?”. Bastard!

As always, YMMV

 

 

 

The Green Future Isn't Now

 

Voting Your Wallet

New car sales are down in Colorado. EVs sales are way down.

Extracted from the article:

Still, the drop in clean car sales stood out in contrast to Colorado’s target of getting more than 900,000 zero-emissions cars on the road by 2030. 

That target wasn’t set by the people of Colorado. That is the target of the true blue econazis and self anointed elites imposing their will on the serfs. Alas, the serfs can still vote with their wallets.

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What is missing from this article, and from most people writing about the car business, is WSF’s constant reminder that there are two buyers in most car sales, the people driving away with the “happy tag” and the lender financing the purchase. With new car prices North of  $50,000 many people can’t qualify for the loan, even with 84 month financing.

Those needing to drive more than 200 miles from their base can’t, in an EV, especially in the winter, without charging along the way.

To stir the pot a bit more, who in Canada will buy the 30,000 Chinese EVs Imperial Carney has signed on? Their economy is tanking.

Questioning Career Choices

Another Wyoming Story

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More Blue City Death – Seattle

Starbucks announces moving their headquarters to Nashville. They will save about $12,000 per employee per year escaping Washington taxes and Seattle’s lunatic mayor and city council.

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Don’t cheer too loud Tennessee. Those Starbucks employees relocating to your state will likely bring their political views with them. Likewise, those coming from Chicago.

More, Please

The law enforcement in Laramie County (Cheyenne) Wyoming is having an impact on bad truckers. Too bad Larimer County (Ft Collins) Colofornia doesn’t do the same. Hwy 287 is now becoming a preferred route.  Past Wellington to Owl Canyon Road then to Hwy 287 North to Laramie, WY.

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Western Mental Illness – Iran Edition

The anger and outrage I feel with some people’s views overwhelm my meager writing ability. These soulless fucks are praising,” the brave Iranian people”, who are placing their women and children on bridges and around power stations to deter collation forces from bombing them. 

 Do they really believe these women and children are doing so voluntarily?

 The Mullahs and Revolutionary Guards don’t care about anyone other than themselves. They will retain power at all costs.

 5^th generation warfare is their strong suit; using worldwide social media to exploit useful idiots with a side of cyber attacks.

 Their short term strategy, IMO, is to survive the Trump Presidency and work hard, behind the scenes, to get another Joe Biden or closet Muslim elected in 2028.

Car Story

I screwed the pooch, and got fired. The bear ate.

 We made a deal without the trade physically present. While not too common, deals are made based on the customer’s word. We did one and I went 120 miles South to deliver the truck and get the trade. First problem, the trade had far more miles on it. Second, the customer’s family was there but he wasn’t and had not signed the title transfer. In a moment of stupidity I had one of his kids sign.

 When I got the trade back, the deal fell apart and the owner’s wife, Gail Felton, insisted I be fired. Little Hitler, aka Steve Lance, fired me.

 My response was, “Sometime you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you”.

 About a year later I ran into Steve and his wife leaving a supermarket.  He hollered, “Hey, come work for me”.

 What about Gail Felton?”.

 “Fuck her, I bought the place”.

Over the next ten years, I would get pissed and quit or he would get pissed and fire me. It became a standing joke.

To this day, Steve likes to tell others about the bear remark.

As always, YMMV

 

 

Clearing the Decks before Christmas

 

Wyoming Wind

Truck and RV blow overs are common. “Hey, can’t you read the signs?” Trains? Not so much.

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How Democrats hold power in Colorado

This is another deep dive in the Democrat cesspool. If you don’t live here you will probably skip. However, you may find the same patterns in your state.

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Not a car sales story but amusing

This is not a car story but inspired by a picture of LL giving Chinese kids candy.

 While my youngest was at Kandahar with the 1/4^th ID, Jolly Rancher hard candies were available for the troops to give to kids. Soldiers, being soldiers, adapt.

 In a care package I sent him I included, on a whim, a wrist rocket.

This was soon in service giving candy to kids. As they drove past civilians, the kids liked to throw rocks at them. In response, the turret gunner would give the kids  Jolly Rancher candy via the wrist rocket.

Soldier inspired win/win civil engagement!

Addiction?

Though I’ve been out of the car biz now for years, I still follow what is going on and check  many of the, “how to buy a car” YouTubers and  especially, the comments. I’m not surprised that the buyers still hate the dealers and are still outraged dealers still want to make a profit. They want, want, and want the lowest out the door price delivered to their computer.

 This is a hard truth. The dealership doesn’t need to prove they have cars to sell. The buyer needs to prove they can buy. Most can’t, buy. What they can do is suck up a commissioned salesperson’s time with no return to the salesperson. Cost to the “buyer”?

 My response to the people pontificating about how car dealerships should operate was uniform. Buy a dealership and run it the way you want.

 Good News to Me – Pearl Clutching for (P)regressives

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 My hope is the next three years will see a rollback of all this job killing, small town killing environazi bullshit.

FAFO Emperior Polis News

Poking the bear has consequences

The head of the U.S. Department of Transportation threatened Monday to withhold $24 million in federal funding from the state of Colorado for what he described as a slow response to a major violation of federal commercial driver’s license regulations.

Other related news Federal SNAP audit in Colorado found 200+ deceased receiving, and using, SNAP. Not Minnesota level fraud to be sure. Fraud is fraud.

 Who Needs to Read English?

The current uproar about unqualified drivers of big rigs brings to mind being stationed in Europe sixty years ago. We soldiers were required to have a USAREUR specific driver’s license. We spent two days learning road signs and laws. Passing grade required was 98%.

Passing was not optional. Anyone who has been in the military remembers what failing “not optional” brought on you.

Here in the USA? A sample of road signs you just might need to be able to read while driving a big rig.

Here because I like it.

Taken from Cory Gaines’ newsletter. He is a conservative thorn in the Blue’s butts. I read him every day.

 A Cheerful Note

Merry Christmas!

AS always, YMMV

The Colorado Way

 

The Colorado Way

 Locals Apposed – Don’t know what is best for them

Colorado must triple its wind generation and quintuple its solar capacity to meet 2040 clean energy targets and that will call for a lot of land — land developers say it is hard to come by in some counties.

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The article, in the “nonpartisan” The Colorado Sun, doesn’t  mention those clean energy targets were imposed by the Front Range liberals and mountain trust fund snots (some overlap) against the interests of rural Colorado.

A fine example of OUR DEMOCRACY majority fucking over minorities, IMO

Car Sales

BTDT

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 Having spent many years retailing cars, truck, and utility trailers I like to watch YouTube videos. This guy has 43 years in the business, he says, and gives you great advice. He also has a business you can click on.

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The cynical old car dog in me thinks he has found a way to make money without the bother of a car lot or meeting the great unwashed in person. YMMV

Apathy

A mayoral candidate and a city council candidate held a well publicized,  “meet and great” in our 96 unit apartment building community room. Just three of our residents bothered to attend.

 My neighbors who didn’t attend will be the first to piss and moan about how the city isn’t doing this or that.

Is it surprising elected officials care more about their donors and less about “the people”?

 As always, YMMV

 

Is the Biden Woke Crimes Ending?

 

Trucking

This guy nails it. Biden + woke + corruption = highway fatalities

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Simplistic Current Car Sales Methods

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For grumpy old retired iron movers like me, this is why you better do all your own research because the likelihood of the person across from you knows anything about what they are selling are nil.

Late 1990’s had a couple come in wanting to buy an F-150 with a 5.8 V-8, manual transmission, to pull a travel trailer. They had a folder full of information and “knew what they wanted”. I started asking questions? How much did the trailer weigh? Whipped out the brochure and showed me. Pointed out that was dry weight, water alone added 8+ lbs. per gallon, etc. They left, very unhappy. Next weekend they were back. Seems they had talked to people who had RVs. They left with a F-250 extra cab, automatic transmission, and a 7.5 V-8. At the time Ford rated the automatic tow capacity higher than a manual. P.S. We didn’t cheap sell the truck.

XCEL

By misfortune, my electricity provider. Apart for first class boots on the ground, otherwise the ongoing target of my ire.

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The Xcel board is well insulated from the public and in thrall with “green energy”, DEI, and other (P)regressive crap instead of focusing on providing electricity. They find kindred spirits within Colorado boards and agencies.

 

I pay $60 to $90 monthly for a 600 sq ft apartment with gas heat and gas water heater. My gas bill runs around $15 monthly.

Question relating to AI Centers? Why should we home consumers be forced to subsidize them?

Blue to Green – It Is the Colorado Way

A long article by a pot stirrer detailing how the state wants to tax packaging material used by businesses.

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Excerpt.

 It gets worse, however. Guess who's running the show? It's yet another unelected board contracting with a nonprofit. More of Polis' and other Democrats cronies reaching into the lives of citizens and tinkering in the state economy.

 The article ends with a sane quote.

 "Weld County Commissioner Scott James, who was opposed to the plan in the beginning said nothing has changed his mind. 'We don’t need it,' James said. 'It’s just more grist for the green-grift mill. We are creating economies where no economies exist in the name of environmental absolution. People are done with it. It’s going to cost producers more, and companies will not absorb that cost. If we really want to make things more affordable, then we need to stop doing things like this.'"

 In other Colorado news,  Colorado is #3 nationally in bicycle thefts.

As always, YMMV

ADDENDUM: My last post has triple the number of views the blog gets. Must be a good clickbait headline. I hope folks weren't too disappointed.

Wolves, Again!

 

Wolves

The Montana  solution.

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Health

Not complaining, simply reminiscing. Over the years, I’ve driven many poorly performing vehicles.

 One, a Ford Courier purchased in Kent, WA was running on three cylinders.  I drove to it 1,400 miles  to Brighton, CO. Top speed, 50+ mph. Crossing 1-80 in Wyoming, got behind a bull hauler and drafted him 180 miles at 85-90 mph. There are dozen more examples.

 Now 81, I’m down to 1/3 of my teeth. My gums won’t tolerate dentures. My knees are shot, my left shoulder has a separated tendon, and I’m having problems with my left hip. Conclusion? All those years of nursing along old crappy vehicles were preparation for the mental challenges of a body long past usable service date.

Pigs Fly

A bill introduced again in Congress by two communists, excuse me, Democrats that I can applaud.

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The devil will be in the details. Since (P)regressives are sponsoring it, some details will likely be “gotcha”.

Wyoming Trivia

The Cody mayor might not use her booking photo for a campaign poster. Will her arrest hurt her re-election chances? Likely no, in Wyoming.

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2^nd Amendment

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Something I wasn’t aware of. 1,000 a week? To be clear, I’ve never fired any of their product. Revolvers are what I prefer.

Buying Vehicles

The internet is awash with, “how to buy a car” videos.

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Many, for a small fee, will help you out!

In 1986 I started selling Suzuki Samurais as a stop gap until I could find another construction management job. To my surprise, I started making big dollars and was home in my own bed every night. I started reading every book on the subject of buying cars, from the consumer’s point of view. Dirty pool? Tough shit. Today, the amount of information available on the internet is over whelming.  

 These experts all seem to dwell on the “out the door price”. Good advice.

 The flaw in all this strategy is this; the seller/dealer isn’t obligated to sell to you, the consumers, on your terms. They own it, you want it, and the strongest “weapon” the seller has is, NO! The seller knows there is an ass for every seat. If not yours, someone else. Likewise, they will negotiate their way, not yours, if they want. Go along, or walk away, is your choice.

 So do your homework and make an effort to be prepared. Consider the amount of time you need to work for the money in the first place against the time you spend preparing.

 Extended warranties? Just say no. Just as a seller can say no, a repair facility has no obligation to accept a third party payer and that payer's terms and stipulations.

Pro tip. Unless you are paying in dead Presidents, the dealer has two customers; you and whoever is financing the purchase. On your own, visit your bank or credit union first, to find out what kind of loan you will qualify for.

In my personal life, I deal with credit unions. The only bank I have any dealings with is Chase for the Amazon credit card.

 As always, YMMV

Another Trip Around the Sun. Happy New Year, Gaia

 

Wishing many the best for the New Year. Wishing my enemies a not so good New Year.

Not So Blue Colorado

Colorado has 64 counties. In this past election cycle the Democrats made a big push to elect Democrat County Commissioners. They failed.

The announcement:

The Colorado Democratic Party is proud to launch the Colorado County Comeback, a strategic initiative designed to take the fight to elect community-minded folks to battleground county-level district seats.

This project will prioritize targeted investments into counties and candidates, comprehensive campaign planning, rigorous training, and robust staff support for dynamic campaigns led by both incumbents and challengers. Ten applicants will be awarded with the initial grants, with more grant opportunities possible later in the year.

 

“It’s time to end the supermajority of far-right Republican commissioners in Colorado,” the state party’s website reads, noting that only 34 percent of county commissioners in Colorado are Democrats. “The next frontier of Colorado Politics is local. By focusing on local races, we’ll cultivate grassroots success that can translate into significant victories at the congressional and statewide levels.”

The result:

·      2024 ELECTION, DOUGLAS COUNTY, EL PASO COUNTY, EXCLUSIVES, GARFIELD COUNTY, POLITICS, PUEBLO COUNTY, SHERRIE PEIF, UNCATEGORIZED

Colorado Democrats targeted county commissions in November; they ended up losing ground

DENVER — The more high profile outcomes of the November election includes Republicans flipping enough seats in the Colorado House of Representatives to cancel ruling Democrats’ supermajority. There was also Congressional District 8, where GOP candidates flipped both the US House and state board of education seats to the red column. Perhaps equally significant, though lesser known, is the Democrats’ targeted effort to flip county commissioner seats around the state, where after all the votes were counted they actually ended up losing ground.

While the Front Range white suburban moms, university enclaves, and mountain town trust fund snots have kept Colorado blue, the rest of the state is red. Not only red, but deep red.

 Deportations

One of Colorado’s best minds is Jon Caldara. He mixes clarity with humor and a deep knowledge of, “how things work”. Worth the read IMO.

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Perhaps the smug residents of Aspen haave learned they are not as insulated as they thought from the consequences of their liberalism.

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How I Became “Frank-the-tank”

1986 while working for the Sound organization (multi brands/stores car and truck sales) worked an offsite sale involving six different Sound stores. We salesmen were clustered around the entrances with a lot of jostling for position.

 One salesman, Jeff Johnson, tried to push me out of position. I pushed back and soon we were fighting. I got a shoulder under his armpit and leg swept him. He went on his ass and then jumped up. Don Chalmers, one of the store owners, got between us. Brave man, he was all of 5’6” and 140 lbs. Jeff glared at me then said, “Damn, you are a tank”.

 Jeff was a shot putter and football player at the University of Idaho. He made the 1980 Olympic team that Jimmy kept from attending the Moscow Olympics.

The picture was taken several years after the encounter. We became friends of sorts with both being in the car biz in the years after.

 I’m just over 6’. If I had a neck I would be 6’2”. At the time of the encounter I was about 220 lbs. At 16, I was wearing a size 52 jacket. Years of bucking hay bales at 8,000+ altitude gave me upper body size and strength. Had the fight continued, I probably would have lost; Jeff could pick up the back of a Harley.

New Orleans

Rather than pontificating about this attack, I refer you to Aaron Cohen.

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I find him to be somewhat over the top. I do think he knows what he talks about. I like he offers solutions. Sadly, the people who can implement his suggestions lack the will. Perhaps that will change under Trump.

Senator Kennedy makes a promise.

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 He will likely have a strong backer.

 As always, YMMV