Happy New Year

Hi there

I would just like to wish all Kelly Blue Book Planet readers a very happy new year. All the best for 2007!.

Adam

Kelly Blue Book Sets Up On Internet

Here is an article from Wards Auto World on the impact that Kelley had when it came onto the Internet.

Used-car dealers beware! Consumers now have easy access to the retail and trade-in value of used cars, thanks to the Kelley Blue Book Internet site.

The site (www.kbb.com) opened six months ago with new-car retail prices and expanded two months ago with used car-values, and that is becoming quite popular among web surfers, says Steve Henson, the Blue Book's director of marketing.

"We get approximately 350,000 new-car price requests per month and in the first six weeks we had 1 million used-car reports," says Mr. Henson, "and both of those numbers are on a steep upward curve."

Kelley's web site covers 21 years of values on more than 15,000 used cars, trucks and vans. Unlike the Blue Book itself, which only offers prices on used vehicles in good and excellent condition, the web site allows consumers to establish a more realistic value of their older models. It asks the consumer whether the vehicle is in good, excellent or fair condition; its mileage; its engine, transmission and other optional equipment; and in what region of the country they live. The information gives traders and buyers solid and realistic numbers to take with them to a dealer.

"It's more realistic because they're doing their car rather than a hypothetical car, which is what is in the book," says Mr. Henson, who adds that dealers seem to appreciate buyers who come in with more information.

"So far, we're getting overwhelmingly good feedback from dealers," says Mr. Henson. "I think they'd rather work with a knowledgeable consumer than one who has a $10,000 car and thinks it's worth $15,000."

My Kelly Blue Book and Used Car Ebook

Hi there

I would just like to tell everyone that within the next 2 weeks my ebook will be ready which will be an essential guide into using the blue book and getting the most out of buying and selling a used car. If you are interested in the ebook please email me admania@btinternet.com . The ebook will be around $19 or so.

Thank you
Adam

The Free Car - Product

This is another product I'd highly recommend. Please check it out. Did you know you can get paid for driving your own car? Seriously have a look at http://admaniac.thefreecar.hop.clickbank.net/

Don't forget to submit your kelley book news here at kelly blue book planet.

Happy Kelly Blue Book Xmas!

From me here at kelly blue book planet I would like to wish you all a very merry xmas!.
Adam

Make Hard Cash with Used Cars and Kelly Blue Book

Do some experimentation and find out what the most celebrated best selling cars in your area are. By staying in the lower price ranges with these popular vehicles you will be in a higher claim market since more people can afford these vehicles than higher priced more excessive cars, this will make it much easer to sell quickly for a profit.

You can find more articles at http://www.thearticleking.com and http://thearticleking.blogspot.com .

Kelley Blue Book - A Trusted Vehicle Information Resource

Here is an article from http://www.hotfact.com written by Karen Schweitzer. There will be more regular articles about the kelly blue book here at kelly blue book planet.

In 1918, a man by the name of Les Kelley opened his first used car dealership. He began with an open lot, three Model T Fords, and $450 in the cash register. Kelley’s business began to grow and by the early 1920s, he had devised a clever system to increase his vehicle inventory.
He started distributing a want list to car dealers and banks. The list consisted of types of automobiles that he was interested in buying, along with the amount that he was willing to pay for each. As a whole, the automotive community felt that Kelley’s judgment was such an accurate reflection of values that they began to request the list for their own individual use. Kelley realized that the list could provide an ongoing business opportunity and so the Kelley Blue Book was born.
First published as the Blue Book of Motor Car Values, the new guide featured the factory list price and cash value on thousands of vehicles from Cadillacs to Duesenbergs. Everyone began to recognize the value of this handy guide, including the banking and insurance industries. After World War II, even the United States government accepted the values as fact and used the book to place a ceiling on car prices.
Kelley Blue Book maintained the status of a trade publication until 1993 when a consumer edition of the book was offered. Then in 1995, the Kelley Blue Book website was launched, fueling the biggest growth in the guide’s history. Today, Kelley Blue Book values are easily accessible by consumers and industry professionals alike.
To get their values, Kelley Blue Book receives information from automobile manufacturers, wholesale automobile auctions, independent auto dealers, franchised auto dealers, rental and fleet companies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), financial institutions, and private party transactions. The final value is then determined by a proprietary editorial process. The collected data is analyzed, along with information like historical trends, industry developments, current economic conditions, seasonality, and location. The end results reflect the most up to date values.
There are several different values that are available through Kelley Blue Book. They include:
New Car Blue Book Values- The New Car Blue Book Value reflects a vehicle’s actual selling price. This value is based on sales transactions from auto dealers across the United States.
Kelley Blue Book Private Party Value- This value reflects what a consumer might expect to pay if they are purchasing a vehicle from a private party or what a seller might expect to receive from the sale of the vehicle.
Kelley Blue Book Trade-In Value- This value reflects what a consumer might receive from an auto dealer when trading in a vehicle.
Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value (MSRP for Used Cars)- This value reflects the amount that an auto dealer might ask from consumers at an actual dealership. This value is meant to show the starting point for negotiation, similar to a new sticker price.
Since 1926, people have relied on Kelley Blue Book to provide authoritative and unbiased information in regards to vehicle values. Nearly one out of every four people who buy a new or used vehicle in the United States visits the Kelly Blue Book website, making it the number one automotive site in the nation.

Kelly Blue Book

Hi I just wanted to thank everyone for visiting my blog so far. I am planning many more articles on the blue book on a regular basis so please keep coming back.

All the best
Adam

Product Review - Car Auction Site

The Car Auction site is a great way to get an excellent deal on a vehicle and I would strongly recommend it. For more info go to http://admaniac.cauction.hop.clickbank.net .

Every month, 1000s of cars become government property through seized and foreclosure laws. Since there are so many cars in these government auctions, and the enormous costs for storage, these cars must be sold fast and cheap!

Car-Auction has a database full of thousands of different repo cars just waiting for you to bid on! You cannot find a better way to purchase a car than through online repo auctions. Buying a car can be a difficult decision and a stressful process.
Make buying your new car fun by purchasing.

Here at Kelly Blue Book planet we want to help you the buyer.

Kelly Blue Book and Used Cars Ebook

Hi there

Just to let you all know I am creating an ebook all around the kelley blue book and the used car market with plenty of advice and tips. It is about two weeks away in its creation but it should be a very good guide once its ready.

All the best
Adam

5 Series is Winner of Luxury Vehicle Category in Kelley Blue Book “2007 Best Resale Value Awards”

5 Series Also Named an Overall Top 10 Leader in Projected Resale Value.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - November 29, 2006… The 2007 BMW 5 Series was named the winner of the Luxury vehicle category in the Kelley Blue Book 2007 “Best Resale Value Awards.” The 2007 5 Series was also named as an Overall Top 10 leader in projected resale value.
This is the second time that the 5 Series has won the Luxury vehicle and Overall Top 10 awards, having been named in both categories in the 2005 awards as well. With these latest honors, BMW has garnered a total of ten Best Resale Value awards since Kelly Blue Book established the awards in 2003.
“We are very pleased to receive this ongoing recognition from Kelley Blue Book,” noted Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America, LLC. “We are very committed to offering our owners outstanding value. This includes not only performance, safety and luxury but low cost of ownership as well. The 5 Series is a prime example of that commitment. We see strong resale value as an important gauge of our efforts.”
Kelley Blue Book’s resale values are projections based on current vehicle data, market conditions for each vehicle, competition in segment, expectations of the future economy and the combined experience of Kelley Blue Book’s team of market and pricing analysts. Values reflect projected future wholesale pricing for clean, reconditioned vehicles at the end of a five-year lease period.

Used Car Buying Tips

Here are some tips from John Paul aka "the car doctor" on buying a used car.

Q: What are some of the common mistakes you see used car buyers make?
A: The common emotional mistake is people fall in love with the car, and they buy with their heart and not their head. They buy the red convertible because they always wanted one and then find out it wasn’t the car for them.The real mistakes is they don’t take it to a professional to have it checked out before they buy it. Sometimes what people do is they fall in love with the car, they buy it, they get it registered and then they take it to their local repair shop and say, “I just bought this -- what kind of shape is it in?” Sometimes, they find out it was two cars once that were welded together.The basic rule is, Don’t sign on the dotted line for anything until it’s been inspected by a good repair shop.

Q; What if you’re buying from a dealership and they offer to give you a Carfax report?
A: I don’t care. Let’s face it. You’ll lose an awful lot of negotiating power once you’ve paid for the car. Before you hand over your check, you have a lot more control. For instance, you may be looking at a reasonably sound car but the tires are 75 percent worn. If you have the car checked out, you can go back and say, “The tires have had it, I think I’ll be interested in it if you put four new tires on it.”

Q: There’s constantly more pricing information available to consumers, such as web-based price calculators. Has that impacted used-car buying?
A: To quote Sy Syms, “An educated consumer is our best customer.” The more you know going in the door, the better off you’ll be. Don’t go in and say, “I can afford $300 a month.” They can always find something for you for $300 a month. You want to know what the car’s going to cost. Deal with the payment separately.The more informed you are with price and regional pricing, the better you’ll do. From the dealer’s point of view, you’re not going to waste their time. If you walk in and say, “That car is worth $9,500 that’s what I’m willing to pay for it,” they’ll see if they can do the deal and get you out the door.”You buy five cars in your lifetime, they sell five cars a day. They’re a lot better at negotiating than you are.

Q: If a person does their research, gets a Carfax report, gets the car inspected by a mechanic, do you have a preference whether they buy from a dealer or a private party?
A: You can certainly save some money with a private party, but what you’re not getting from the private party is warranty. Be very careful of private party sales that always seem to have a car for sale once a month. I’ve seen what appear to be private party sales in the ads, but I notice the same phone number is appearing three or four times. It’s somebody running an illegitimate car lot.

Q: Are you seeing new scams surfacing?
A: I don’t know if it’s new or not, but what I’m seeing is documentation changes. For instance, you’re going to take out a loan at 7.5 percent and when you go to buy the car it says 9.5 percent. So carefully inspect all the documents that go with the sale agreement.With all the recent floods, you should pay attention to flood damage. If you look at a used car, and the title says it came from a flooded area, and it either smells like an old refrigerator or like the perfume counter at Macy’s -- either way, something’s up.

Kelly Blue Book Articles

There is much good information about the Kelley Blue Book out there on the internet but I would suggest looking at the main site at www.kbb.com but also at my article site I have many articles relating to used cars and the kelley blue book which can be found at www.thearticleking.com .

Using the Kelley Blue Book

A description of the quote services provided by Kelley Blue Book, as well as the services that can be found via Consumer Reports.
One of the premier sources for car quotes is the Kelley Blue Book. This reference is generally accessed at its web page, www.kbb.com, but it may also be obtained in print form upon request. Many people who want to sell their old car, or perhaps even just wish to find out how much it's worth, consult its Blue Book value.
Kelley Blue Book provides a price estimate for the car of your choice. It allows you to input the specific make, model, and features you desire in your car, and then displays the suggested retail price for that specific vehicle. If you are willing to invest the time, you can use the site to compare different makes or models of cars that you are considering with similar features. Their Blue Book values may vary drastically, thus making your decision much easier.
If you are in a hurry, the page also offers a quick '3-step quote' service: you simply input the make and model you desire, your location, and a quick summary of your personal contact information, and then you are presented with prices from your local dealers for that specific car. You may then customize the features you wish to add so long as the dealer permits.
While a car's Kelley Blue Book rating is one of the most popular methods of determining its worth, it is certainly not the only option available. The latest edition of Consumer Reports is readily available, either in print or at its website (www.consumerreports.org), and contains the latest reviews and value rankings for the newest cars on the market. This page is a bit harder to navigate than the Kelley Blue Book one, simply because Consumer Reports deals with a much greater variety of products.
Neither of the above sites is truly 'better' than the other, and both sources are widely acclaimed and trusted. Consumer Reports can provide you with information regarding any product you could wish to buy, whereas Kelley Blue Book deals specifically with cars. Consequently, its information may be more directly useful to you. Its quotes are the standard for the automobile market, and will certainly give you at least a general idea as to how much a given car is worth.

What Exactly is the Kelly Blue Book Price?

Let's say you are looking to buy a house. You find one in a neighborhood you like, and you know how much the seller is offering to sell it for — its "listing price."You'd like your broker's help figuring out what that house is "worth" — what a fair price would be for that particular house. So you ask your broker to research what similar houses in that neighborhood have sold for recently.Suppose your broker came back and said, "Here is a list of comparable houses, and what their listing prices were." "Well," you respond, "That is mildly interesting, but what I need to know is what they sold for. Most likely none of those sellers got their asking price. Only if I know the actual transaction prices for the other houses will I have some idea of what a fair price is for the house I want."This concept may seem self-evident. But if it is, why do consumers forget all about it when they go shopping for a used car? Here is what frequently happens.You find a used car you are interested in on a dealer's lot, and you need to figure out how much you are willing to pay for it. The negotiation process is about to begin, and you want it to result in your buying the car for a fair price.All too often, however, the dealer will direct your attention to a printed price guide — and often it will be the Kelley Blue Book. (Kelley publishes more than one price guide for used cars, but the one your dealer is likely to use is the one labeled "Kelley Blue Book Auto Market Report — Official Guide," the version of the book that Kelley sells to dealers.)The salesperson will look up the car you are shopping for in the Kelley Blue Book, and will point to the "retail" price for that car. And then he will assert that since the price he is asking is quite a bit less, you should rest assured that he is asking a fair price. The implication is: why negotiate further?But what is that "Kelley Blue Book" value he showed you? Is it the price at which cars like yours have recently sold to other buyers? Is it even an estimate of the actual transaction prices?Surprising to most used car buyers, it is not! It is only an estimate by Kelley of the "listing" prices being asked by dealers — not what they are really getting for the car. As Kelley forthrightly says in the book, these are "suggested retail values" (although we bet that your dealer won't show that to you). The book clearly states:
SUGGESTED RETAIL VALUES represent Kelley Blue Book's estimated dealer asking price. The actual selling price may vary substantially. (Italics added.)Yes, we agree with that: In our opinion, they do vary substantially. And in most cases, they are likely to be substantially lower than the asking price. After all, how many sellers of houses, or anything negotiable for that matter, get their asking price?And as the version of the Kelley Blue Book that Kelley offers to consumers states:
Retail Values represent what a dealer may ask for the vehicle once it has been inspected, reconditioned and possibly warranted. This is the "Asking Price" and you may expect to pay less. (Italics added.)Yes, based on our research, you often may expect to pay a lot less.Our advice is simple: If a salesperson whips out a copy of the dealer edition of the Kelley Blue Book and points to one of its retail prices, say to him or her: "It is nice to know the price that Kelley thinks dealers are asking for this car, but can you show me what dealers are actually selling this car for?"And if the dealer says that Kelley doesn't publish those values, ask him to tell you the dealer retail Edmunds.com True Market Value® for the car. That TMV® price is the estimated average selling price for your car, and it's what you need to know to negotiate a fair price.

History behind the Kelley Blue Book

Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc., began as the Kelley Kar Company, a Los Angeles based car dealership, in 1918. The dealership was founded by Les Kelley, an Arkansas born businessman who started the dealership with three used Model T Fords and one employee, his 13 year old brother Buster.
In order to obtain inventory, he began circulating lists of cars he wanted to acquire along with the price he was willing to pay for them. The price lists quickly became a trusted standard among Los Angeles area banks and car dealers.
In 1926, he published his first Kelley Blue Book, a guide to used car values. The service was primarily regional until the 1940s. In the years immediately following World War II, a large number of returning serviceman and the pent up demand caused by four years of wartime rationing caused a huge spike in the demand for cars. Since most car companies had yet to retool from wartime production, the price of used cars skyrocketed. During this time, Kelley Blue Book expanded to become a nationwide automobile appraisal guide.
Kelley Blue Book steadily expanded its scope over the years. New car appraisals were added in 1966. In the years following, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, and mobile home appraisal guides were added to company's list of services.
Kelley Blue Book guides were primarily trade publications until 1993 when a consumer edition of Kelley Blue Book was launched. The company began its website service in 1995 and has become one of the most visited automobile related sites in the internet.

Tips For Buying a Used Car

Here is an article from my article site http://www.thearticleking.com . You can find more articles there relating to the Kelly Blue Book and buying and selling used cars. This article is by Mr. M.D. Robinson http://www.cool-tips.com/cars .

Buying a car is the second most expensive purchase, after a house. It is therefore important to consider budget and the main purpose that you will put your car too. Are you going to use it for shopping trips and family outings or are you going to be out on the road alot. If youclock up lots of those gas guzzling miles every year a diesel engine car is worth considering Reliability and maintenance are also important considerations. Although, ultimately the make, the model and condition of car you purchase will be determined by your budget,therefore look at your needs, and see if your budget will allow for them. Also look at reliable consumer research periodicals, that have tested different makes and models of car for reliability, safety and cost of ownership. It is advisable to do your homework first, whether buying from a car lot or a private seller, so you do not pay over the odds because you had no idea of the true value of what you have bought. This can be done quiet easily by looking through different magazines and other publications selling cars. cars of the same make and model should have a similar sale price. If you are considering a used car ,then it is advisable to pay a small fee to get an inspection by a qualified person, this is money well spent to avoid any costly repairs afterwards. A well looked after car will have a service record, be diligent and check the service record thoroughly, get intouch with the garage that serviced the vehicle to make sure it is genuine. Also have 'hire purchase' check to make sure there are no outstanding payments left on the vehicle. If you cannot get hold of qualified person to look the vehicle over for you, then there some very simple and basic checks you can make yourself. Look for rust on the bodywork and chips in the paintwork. Inside check the seats are not ripped or have excesive wear and tear, check to see the foot pedals and steering wheel are all consistent with milage and age of vehicle. It is important that you take a test drive of the actual car you are buying. test drive it properly and make sure the vehicle is safe, check to make sure the brakes work properly and are not worn or leaking any fluid. Finally think carefully before making the final decision, make sure it is logical and not impulsive.Ideally test drive a few different cars before handing your hard earned cash over. good luck.
Article Source: http://www.thearticleking.com

Used Car Buying Tips with Kelly Blue Book

Finding good used cars can be a frustrating, especially if you are not familiar with auto-mechanics. Where do you go to first? Do you go to a used car garage? Look through the want ads? Explore by word of mouth? Search the World Wide Web?Firstly, when looking to buy used cars, I suggest that you get an idea of what you want. I once asked a car mechanic what he will suggest, and he said that Honda Civics and Toyota Carollas are what he recommends. Everyone has his or her different idea what they like for a good used car. So you must decide what type of car you want. Narrow it down to at least four types.Then, it is recommended you do a blue book search. Visit www.KBB.com and get a rough idea of what these cars are valued at. Get the values for a variety of years.Armed with the highest amount you can spend, and as clear an idea as possible of what kind of used car you want, and what the blue book values are, it is time to begin your search. I suggest you look in online bulletin boards such as craigslist.org or autoweb.com.When you go to check out the car, if you have a friend who knows a lot about cars who's willing to come too, that is of course ideal. Otherwise, it is suggested you go to a mechanic to get the car inspected. Do not underestimate the importance of this step. Yes, it is inconvenient, but you do not want to end up with a lemon!What many people do not know is that some mechanics will give you a deal on inspecting the used car you hope to buy, especially if you promise to take it to them if it needs work. Ask them about this. It could not hurt. They may have a special offer, where the cost of your initial car inspection ends up going towards the car fixing. In short, wheel and deal with you mechanic. You have nothing to lose. If you do not take the step of going to a mechanic, then your seller must have accurate records of all labor and parts. It is highly important that they changed the timing belt for instance within the last 40,000 miles. The best advice I have is this: if you trust the person you are buying from, you are more likely to get good used cars. I have bought several used cars and each one came from someone who kept accurate records. One of the best tips to find a used car is to locate retired couples or elderly folks who are selling their car. If they are selling because the want to, not because they need to, congratulations, you have found your used car!
Article Source: http://www.thearticleking.com

Kelley Blue Book clicks with used car stickers

In a new partnership with General Motors Corp., Kelley Blue Book, of Irvine, CA, will provide KARPOWER software to GM dealers for processing GM certified used-vehicle window stickers.
Stickers feature complete vehicle descriptions and the Blue Book suggested retail value as a reference for consumers.
GM Certified warranty description has also been incorporated into the software for printing Buyers Guides.
KARPOWER's web export functionality has also been customized for GM dealers, allowing a dealer's entire certified vehicle inventory to be uploaded to the Internet with the click of a button.

This article is from http://www.findarticles.com

How The Kelley Blue Book Works

Since its humble beginnings 75 years ago, the Kelley company has worked to bring value information for cars, recreational vehicles and motorcycles to buyers and sellers. Its Kelley Blue Book has become the standard automotive price guide for dealers and consumers alike. Now Kelley is using the Internet to make that information even more readily available. In this article, we'll explore Kelley's history, show you how to use its price guides and Web site, and explain where it gets pricing information.
Les Kelley never intended to start a publishing company. He began in 1918 by selling used cars, starting with three Model T Fords in a Los Angeles parking lot. With the help of his younger brother, Buster, Kelley turned his small lot into a thriving used car sales and repair business within a few years. Kelley began printing lists of used cars that he wanted to buy, including how much he would pay for them. He sent these lists to other dealers and banks. Before long, Kelley's lists were on the desk of every sales manager in the county and people came to rely on them for accurate appraisals of an old car's value. In 1926, Kelley published his list in book form for the first time. He named it after the Social Register, a list of the important and elite people in local society often referred to as the Blue Book.
The Kelley dealership continued to expand until it was the largest used car dealer in the country. The Blue Book increased in popularity as well, moving beyond its regional boundaries and becoming a nationwide car value guide for dealers. In 1962, the Kelley family sold off their dealerships and focused entirely on the Blue Book.
In the 1980s and 90s, Kelley started using computer software to track prices. In 1992, it offered dealers a computer program that allowed them to print out a label displaying the condition, mileage, and optional equipment on a used car. The label also included the Blue Book price and the Kelley Blue Book official seal. In 1993, the Blue Book was finally released as a consumer guide. The last major change in publication format came in 1995, when www.kbb.com was created.
Kelley Blue Book stayed in the Kelley family for three generations until 2000. That year, Bob Kelley (Buster's son) and his son Mike retired from the company, leaving it in the hands of new leaders who kept the famous name and worked hard to maintain the tradition of trustworthy and accurate information. Today Kelley employs around 200 people and has offices in Irvine, California and Detroit, Michigan.
Today, Kelley offers guides for new cars, used cars, older cars dating back to the 1940s, as well as motorcycles and recreational vehicles like motor homes and camping trailers. Much of this information is available free from the Kelley Blue Book.
Kelley only offers information on cars sold in the United States, so the same model of car sold in Canada might have some key differences that would alter the value. Kelley can still be used as a guide when a used car is sold in another country, but it does not account for regional market differences.
Most people are familiar with the consumer editions of the New Car and Used Car Guides, which can be purchased in almost any book store. These guides are published twice a year.
The Kelley Blue Book New Car Guide contains pricing information on cars for the current model year, including:
MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price)
the dealer's cost
any extra costs that may be involved, such as shipping the car
pricing schedules for various options that buyers can select
The Blue Book Used Car Guide contains information on the values of cars made in the last 15 years. This guide offers several different prices:
retail price - what you would expect to pay for this car at a used car dealership
trade-in price - what a dealer would offer you in trade value
private sale price - the price you could expect to get for this car if you sold it yourself to another person
The Used Car Guide offers charts and tables to calculate the price based on the condition of the car, the mileage, and optional components. It also describes how those factors influence the overall value of the car. Information on older used cars is presented in a separate book, while motorcycle and RV information is published separately as well. That information is only available in the guidebooks -- not on the Kelley Web site.
Using the books is easy. The cars are listed by manufacturer, then alphabetically by model. If you wanted to look up a Ford Explorer, you'd first go to the Ford section, then thumb through the "E"s until you found "Explorer." The book includes a "How to use this book" section that explains optional equipment and mileage.

Welcome to the Kelly Blue Book Planet

Welcome to everything about the Kelly Blue Book in one convenient place. Great information on the Kelly Blue Book and great tips on using the Kelly Blue Book. Great all round used car selling information.