My Mother: My Locator

"Mom! Mom! Mooooooommmm!??!.......Babe....Babe.....Honey....Where's my-?" How often do we hear these words? As moms, it seems we are often the keepers of tissues, car keys, eye glasses, wallets, kids stuff and more. Over the past few weeks I've been working with my 11 year old on him keeping track of his own basketball bag when we are at tournaments and games. This has surely been an undertaking. I can't even convince him to bring his own water bottle without me reminding him 500 times! 

He is still the sweetest boy ever. And, with Marcus about to start traveling   (he is heading to N.A.D.A. School this year), I'm having a hard time keeping up with him and all of his stuff. (*Fingers Crossed we will have our new big superstore soon!!!*)

We have scaled back our retail operation while my husband and business partner, Marcus, completes General Manager training. Our hope is to have bought or opened a New Car Franchise by 2014. Bob Stallings Auto Group has already put a store under contract. In the meantime, the Used Car Dealership needs to be smaller and more manageable. So, yes, I'm back to doing more locates.

What is a "locate"? It's me being crazy trying to take on the job of finding MORE THINGS for OTHER PEOPLE! Actually, it is fulfilling my passion for finding the best luxury or budget vehicles. When we told our VIP clients that we were not carrying cars in stock anymore most of them were disappointed. Marcus has such a passion and talent for finding the best used cars available. Even though we aren't going to keep our warehouse stocked, we are deciding to keep our resources available to the public. 

Just this week, I was contacted by an old high school friend named "Daniella" asking if I can still help with credit problems. Once we were able to submit her credit application to our Specialized Lenders, we were able to find just the car that she needed. We were able to get her approved on a late model, reputable brand with a manufacturer's warranty and less than 40k MILES! 

This is what makes us different! This is a "locate"! Sure, our specialty is Mercedes Benz AMG, BMW M Series and other unique luxury cars. But, my favorite thing to do in business is to help out friends with financial struggles. How awesome! I know that if "Daniella" went to another dealership or 'tote the note' lot, she either wouldn't be approved or her down payment would have been way too high. We were able to keep her payments around $250 with just $1,000 down! 

Ask me to:
Locate Your New or Used Car
Appraise Your Trade In or Buy Your Car
Get You Approved or Visit The Payment Calculator
Just Talk (E-mail Me)
Connect on LinkedIn
Join My E-mail List

(Enjoying our Sponsorship at the Dallas Margarita Society Ball)

*The Dirty Deets of Our New Company*

I know some might be visiting this blog just to find out "an inside secret" of what's going on  with our new business. Marcus is in General Management training, working hard for a new manufacturer's dealership. We can't announce anything publicly other than that. In the meantime, we are still open at BobStallingsCars.com. The majority of our retail operations have stopped. But, we are still carrying a small amount of specialty cars in stock. And of course, if you read the above, we are still doing locates. All of our relationships are still in tact with lenders, banks and financial institutions. We are still ready to provide our talents to our clients! As soon as we can say more, we will! 

Join Our Company E-Mail List Here

How to Summerize Your Car

Women's Car Care Clinic: How to "Summerize" Your Car 

It's 107 degrees, the warm Texas sun is shining brightly. You've just located your car in the parking lot of the supermarket. The trunk is filled with frozen foods that are melting by the minute, a pint-sized dictator refuses to buckle the seatbelt despite various threats including, "no tv time" and, another usually-cute court jester has just smeared his melted chocolate all over your car window to "practice drawing his name." 

 




Although you thoroughly enjoyed doing your hair and make-up this morning you now look like something akin to Raccoon/Peg Bundy. You're sweaty, your hair has frizzed up, your eye makeup is smeared but, somehow you've made it passed the part where you return your grocery cart to the cart return. Anxiously awaiting getting the heck out of the hot sun, you hurry back to your car. You know with every ounce (err pound) of woman that you are that once the crisp, cold blast of air hits your face you won't feel like crying any more. You sit down, burn your backside on the scorching leather, bite your lip and let out a little eek. In just literally 4 seconds until you'll make it to the air conditioned bliss that you've grown to require in the summer time. The keys are in the ignition, you turn the starter and- nothing. Flabbergasted, you try again and again and again. Your car has broke down in the middle of summer...now what?

Forget "Summerizing" I just want a new car...visit my website

Avoiding the Auto Repair Shop Blues

Prep the Cooling System If the pavements feels hot enough to cook an egg, then your engine is likely hot enough to roast a pig. During the summer, your engine can reach temperatures well over 200 degrees, which is why a proper-working coolant system is important. Inspect your radiator and hoses for any cracks, tears or strange lumps. Next, check your coolant levels and add antifreeze if they appear low. Even if levels are normal, consider adding fresh antifreeze since old coolant has the ability to create an electric charge that will corrode your radiator and engine. 

If you still find your engine’s temperatures rising to high levels as you’re driving, remember to turn on the heat (yes, the heat) which will suck out the hot air under the hood and help cool your engine. 

Check the Air Conditioner When you don’t treat your car right during the summer, be prepared to face its revenge when the air conditioning cuts out on the hottest day of the year. The key drivers of your car’s A/C are the belts that move the compressor, so examine them for any visible signs of wear.Also, the A/C won’t work properly if the vents are clogged by debris like leaves and dirt left from winter. Lastly, have your refrigerant (coolant) checked out by a professional.


Change the Battery Wandering the streets of an unknown town begging the locals for a jump isn’t a great summer activity. On average, car batteries generally don’t last beyond three years. If your battery is older than that, it’s time to consider getting it changed. Once your battery starts losing power, it becomes harder to turn the alternator and start your engine, leaving you stranded.


Take a Look at the Brakes If you plan on traveling this summer somewhere with many hills or stormy weather, you could find yourself reenacting an action movie as your brakes go out. Steep inclines will wear down your brake pads, while wet brakes are slower to respond; not to mention the havoc caused by high temperatures on your brake system. However, brakes are better off in the hands of a mechanic who can accurately tell you how much life they have left.

and this one will be hilarious to watch the husbands attempt....

Check the towing capacity You’re already hauling your kids and a trunk full of luggage around the country this summer, so why not add a boat or a camper? The reason not to is because it could be illegal, and stupid. If you plan on towing anything this summer, you need to review your gross vehicle weight, which is the top weight for your automobile, trailer and load. You don’t want to find out on the highway that your car can’t tow a yacht.

When towing, it’s important to distribute the weight by balancing it among the hitch and the axles. The hitch should carry only nine to 11% of the weight. In addition, the weight on your trailer should be split with 40% in the back and 60% in the front. Also, double check to ensure safety chains around the hitch are secure.

Check the Windshield Wipers The weather is very active in the summer months, so be sure to avoid driving with your head out the window because you neglected to replace your windshield wipers. Your wipers get assaulted by rain, snow and sleet, as well as ultraviolet rays from the sun that deteriorate the rubber. In fact, it’s a good idea to replace them twice a year, even if they appear to be in fair condition. Thankfully, windshield wipers are one car part that are relatively inexpensive to replace.

At BobStallingsCars.com we can do a "Summerize" Check Up on your car for FREE if you're a fan on FACEBOOK. Call 972.248.2277 or email the Dallas Car Wife for more information. 

Check out my sales and specials on our website...

SUVS

Sedans

Coupes