Selling and buying vehicles from owner to owner has never been easier thanks to many websites such as Ebay and Craigslist.  There are huge triumphs when people take the gamble and sell their vehicle on these popular sites.  Both parties expect and believe to make or save more money than if they were to go to a dealership.  This is why the auto section in Craigslist is one of the most active places on the internet. However with so many people exchanging so many cars for so much cash, it was only a matter of time before criminals and con artists took notice.

One of the most common scams is that the buyer accidently pays more by money order or cashier’s check than was asked for and asks you to refund them the overage. These money orders often turn out to be counterfeits and any money sent them is lost forever.

Here are some other warning signs that should raise your red flag.

• Cars are priced far below current market value.
• The seller claims to be in the military and is stationed overseas.
• The posting does not include a phone number.
• The seller will demand that you use an online escrow service of their choice.
• The person receiving the call is referred to as a “pickup agent.”
• Payment must be wired to or from another country.Western Union is often requested.
• The buyer or seller is very anxious to conclude the transaction.

A vehicle purchase is big ticket item and shouldn’t be a game of luck and chance.  We highly encourage people buying and selling their vehicles the old fashion way or getting a second opinion at a dealership. Most people find out they can get great incentives for their vehicles when they trade it in at a dealer. So stop by Planet Ford in Humble today to see how much your trade-in is worth and avoid any scams.

Thank you, Kristi for always thinking of the students in our community and looking for ways that Planet Ford can make a positive difference in their lives.  We are so grateful that YOU and Planet Ford are in OUR lives!

For many students moving to Austin this fall for college, transportation to school and around Austin will be a key issue they will be facing.  A student’s transportation is an essential and vital part of their college life that gives them the luxury to be truly independent. We explore the many

options of several vehicles out in the market today and found that only one car stood beyond any other as the best and most suitable option for Austin’s geography, climate and culture. That car is the — drum roll, please — 2011 Ford Fiesta!

The Ford Fiesta is capable of taking on the vast geography changes the city of Austin has to offer.  The city is in the heart of the Hill County, which means there are various elevations in and around the city.  One moment you can be driving at 425

feet above see level the next you’ll have to climb 1,000 feet. The Ford Fiesta has enough torque and horsepower to climb any of Austin’s terrain with ease.

Next, the climate in Austin is fairly difficult to predict, as with any other city in the great state of Texas. One moment you are enjoying great weather, the next you are running for cover from a thunderstorm. This is not a problem with the Ford Fiesta. It is equipped with AdvanceTrac® ESC.

This feature automatically applies the brakes and modulates engine torque whenever it detects wheel slippage, and it helps avoid skidding and fishtailing by controlling under steer and over steer issues. What does that all mean? It helps maintain control under unfavorable conditions such as ice, gravel or rain and provides more confident stopping power.

Finally, “Keep Austin Weird” has become a staple of Austin’s culture. This is

why the Ford Fiesta fits in with city’s culture. The Fiesta has no qualms about standing out, from its sleek front end to its distinctive dragon-eye headlamps. A razor-slash side panel highlights the car’s cut-and-run stance, while the up swept rear end makes it look like it’s ready to launch. And with a starting price just under $14k its easy to own one.

Stop by Planet Ford in Spring to see this vehicle before you take off to school this fall.

Lets keep this short. Here are some tips to drive in the rain for a safer driving experience.

• First and foremost: slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.
• Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
• Maintain proper following distance (3 Second Rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather.
• Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
• Don’t follow large trucks or busses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
• Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you.
• Avoid using your brakes; if possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.
• Turn your headlights on even in a light rain, or in gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions. Not only do they help you see the road, but they’ll help other drivers see you. If your car has daytime running lights you still should put them on, so vehicles behind you can see you better.
• Before it starts to rain, replace old or brittle wipers.
• Avoid off-road driving: it’s hard to judge the actual depth of puddles and you can easily become stuck, even in an SUV.
• Never drive beyond the limits of visibility. At night rainy roads become especially treacherous. The glare of oncoming lights, amplified by the rain on your windscreen, can cause temporary loss of visibility while substantially increasing driver fatigue. In rainy conditions pedestrians, livestock, and wildlife are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid.
• Never drive through moving water if you can’t see the ground through it; your car could be swept off the road.
• When driving through a puddle of uncertain depth, go slow. If it’s deeper than the bottom of your doors, turn around and find another route. Deep water can cause serious damage to a modern car’s electrical system.
• Avoid splashing pedestrians.
• If possible, stay off the road during heavy thunderstorms. Large flashes of lightning can temporarily blind and disorient drivers, and the accompanying high winds and heavy rain can create deadly driving conditions.

Slow down! This should be obvious but it also very important. People are so used to driving certain speeds on certain roads that sometimes they forget the need to slow down when inclement weather presents itself. Be careful and have a safe driving trip.

Technology is constantly evolving thanks to human ingenuity. It is no wonder many Americans have a hard time keeping up with the latest technological trends. It was not that long ago that we thought that CD players were the pinnacle of technological ingenuity. The same can be said with many of the safety features found on vehicles today. First it was the seat belt, next it was the side impact airbags, and then there was the whole explosion of safety features that many of the car manufactures started to offer. But like the constant changing world of technology many Americans started to lose interest in keeping up with all these options. However we are hoping these latest safety features from Ford Motor Co. will help you get interested on what you have been missing. Here is our top 3 list of safety features we believe will get any car buyer exited about safety.

1. BLIS with cross traffic alert

• This feature helps drives change lanes or back out of a parking space with more confidence.
• BLIS can notify drivers when a vehicle has entered their blind spot
• Cross Traffic Alert alerts drives to traffic approaching for the sides when the vehicle is in reverse, such as when leaving a parking space

2. Adaptive Cruise Control

• Provides everything conventional cruise control does- keeps a constant speed without having to work the brake or accelerator pedals-plus automatically maintains a comfortable distance from vehicles ahead.

3. Collision Warning with Brake Support.

• Designed to help drivers avoid rear end collisions be alerting them with an alarm and warning light.
• Uses sensors in the front of the vehicle to help detect moving vehicles ahead traveling in the same direction.
• If the risk of collision increases despite the warning, the brakes are immediately pre-charge, so they can respond quickly when the driver applies them. This helps the driver achieve maximum braking as quickly as possible

Stop by Planet Ford in Humble and ask one of our Product Specialists to show you a car demonstration with the latest Ford safety features.

At Planet Ford in Humble, Texas, we are always looking for ways to improve ours customers’ overall experience and satisfaction. It is through feedback from you all that we are able to know how successful our ongoing efforts to improve the “Customer Experience” have been.

We would like to share some of the feedback we’ve recently received and invite you to let us know how we are doing when you visit Planet Ford in Humble. This is what Mrs. Valle had to say about Planet Ford:

Being in the Service and Sales industry before, I understand that providing outstanding service is easier said than done. Customers can be demanding and critical. My observations at Planet Ford in Humble, Texas: 1. The staff is responsive and the General Manager very easy and pleasant to work with. 2. They are committed to providing customer satisfaction and willing to go that extra step to ensure a customer is completed happy with the purchase and experience. 3. The sales floor was easy to navigate and was very clean. I enjoyed the vehicles in the showroom! 4. I am very happy with my new purchase [Mustang 2011], and am planning to purchase another vehicle within the next 6-12 months at the same location. In conclusion, I applaud Anson [General Manager] and his team for the commitment to the customer.

Regards,

Mrs. Valle

Planet Ford in Humble, Texas wants to thank Mrs. Valle for sharing her great experience. For more information and news, visit www.PlanetFord59.com!

He’s a sweetheart and ready to climb into someone’s heart. He likes to run, play and chew.  His name is Simon and he is an excitable puppy born on June 2010. This small puppy is a Pointer/Terrier mix that has already been spayed and would make a great pet for any adult family.

Come meet Simon at Petco in the City of Humble on FM 1960 just east of Hwy 59 on weekends 12-4:30 and see if his is the perfect match for your family.

As always Planet Ford in Humble is happy and excited to help out community centers around our city to help bring awareness.

Link: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/17281970

For most dads, Father’s Day is a time to get the gadgets and gizmos they’ve been eyeing since Christmas.  For others dads, it’s a time to ask for things with a little more heft, things they can take apart and put back together.

Whatever the case, Father’s day is just around the corner, so we have compiled a list of items that many men will like for their special day.

Margaritaville G1000 Ride Behind tailgating Grill($400)

Why we liked it: The Margaritaville is a transportable grill with a new twist. You can attach the swing arm to any vehicle’s 2-inch receiver hitch and have an instant tailgate. The G1000 aced our high- and low-temperature grilling performance tests.

Why dad like it: For starters, it turns heads when you take it on the road. And, when he gets to the campsite or stadium, he doesn’t have to haul it out of the trunk. The fold-out side shelves provide ample space for that rack of ribs or can of beer.

Shelby Zippo Mug ($19.95)

Why we liked it: The Shelby Zippo Mug is a stainless steel body mug that holds 16 oz. of any manly beverage.  It also has a co-molded rubber lid and double-wall insulation to keep his drink cold or hot.

Why dad like it: Simple, the cup is different from those foo foo cups you get at you local coffee shops.

“Genuine Parts” Oval Sign ($94.95)

Why we liked it: This large sign that features Ford’s vintage “Genuine Parts” tagline will go perfect in dad’s den. The sign also has 20-gauge metal with holes for easy mounting, which means dad won’t have a hard time putting it up.

Why dad will like it: Because it’s cool-looking and brings back childhood memories! This powder-coated sign is filled with vibrant colors that easily fit into any man cave.

A/C Deodorizer Flush ($99.99)

Why we liked it: Our top of the line service will disinfect and deodorize dad’s car air conditioning system to make it breathable for him in this Houston atmosphere.

Why dad will like it: The service will remove any allergy causing bacteria that causes him to breathe and maintain his prized car or truck.

For more info regarding availability on some of the top products visithttp://www.fordcollection.com or www.planetford59.com.