Store Review - Planet Ford (Car Dealership)

We are all aware of the hundreds of thousands of recalls that Toyota has been dealing with for the past few months. Unfortunately, I am one of the poor victims that owns a Camry, so you can imagine the letters and phone calls I get daily about bringing it into the dealership to be fixed. However, a few weeks ago, I got a flier from a local Chevrolet dealership stating that they would purchase my poor Camry for 110% of its value, plus give me $2000 in cash to put towards one of their vehicles - new or used. At the time, I really liked the Ford Edge. Our finances being in order and the possibility of lowering my payments teased my senses, so K agreed to take me over to a Ford dealership, armed with my trusty flier. Our main goal was to get the Camry appraised and to test drive the Edge before we decided to buy.


We headed a ways away from our side of town to Randall Reed's Planet Ford Dealership in North Houston. Known for its huge selection of vehicles and apparently good prices, we assumed that we could test drive the Edge, and perhaps even find a used one. Unfortunately, the used Edge's didn't have the features I desired, so the used salesman sent us to the new car area, where we were picked up by an eager yet relaxed salesman. Right away I explained that I wasn't 100% ready to buy a car, but did want to test drive it. He said he understood and that he was willing to help us out. We sent the Camry off for appraisal.


According to http://www.kbb.com/, my Camry is valued at $12,000 trade-in. I understood that the value had diminished from the big recall, but I figured I would get something not too far away from it. Once again, I reminded the sales guy that I still wasn't ready to buy. However, after the test drive, the salesman happened to find the car I wanted - a cinnamon colored Edge with the new SYNC system, a few extra bells and whistles, but no sun roof, as mine has been rattling for the past 3 months and Toyota refuses to fix it.


The offer was about $32,000, and the appraisal came in at $7500. I was so insulted that I immediately shut down and ignored all of the wonderful promises the guy gave me, instead asking K to get us out of here. We immediately declined the offer. As the salesman headed back to his office in an attempt to crunch more numbers, I feel defeated. The car that I've worked so hard to pay down and stay on top of is now making me upside-down on it, all because of this stupid recall.


I've forgotten about the sales guy, who has returned with a new deal - $28,000 with $10K for my car. Nope, I've mentally checked out. I told him that I decided that I don't want new debt and to owe someone even more money and that I'll come back when I have a better grasp on my finances. He protests and K steps in, telling him that what I say goes, and that it's my decision; I deserve to be happy. We ask for his card and he went to the office to get one.


You realize this isn't the end of the story, right? Right!


I looked out at my poor Camry, sitting forlornly in the parking lot while employees milled about, waiting to snatch it up to fix and sell tomorrow. The little car has given me over 50,000 of its miles and just asks for an oil change, basic maintenance, and maybe a paint job for Christmas.


Enter J.R, the sales manager. I know this game, but I'm not prepared for this. The manager is a huge guy, poorly groomed, and proceeds to whine and moan and groan about my decision. He promises me $25,000 for the car, 1.9% financing, and almost $12,000 for my trade. He offers $50 cheaper payments monthly. I'm tempted (well, not really...I just want to get back to my car)...until he makes a comment that I'm stupid for not taking the deal. I immediately shut down and refuse to accept the deal. His voice rises and he scribbles numbers on paper. I shoot back with "Well, I wanted a USED Edge anyway."
"What's the matter with you? I'm giivng you 1.9% on a NEW car! Why would you want a new one?" (People are looking at this point, and I'm pretty sure steam is coming out of my ears.)
I told him "Ever heard of Dave Ramsey? I prefer to follow his teachings, and these numbers are making me panic." He asked why, and when he heard my response, he laughed in my face. I said "If I lost my job tomorrow, I would at least know that I only owe $8000 on my car rather than $25000 on your car."


I also gave my facts about new cars losing value as soon as they leave the lot. He tells me that I have no idea what I'm talking about and I'm wrong, new cars don't lose their value that fast. HELLO...do ya not see what I drove in here??? I bought a $24,000 car that is now worth $7500 and I owe $8500 on it!!! I'm livid and tired of him calling me beligerant and berating me. K has to grab my arm and steer me out of the dealership, all while the manager is cursing up a storm about not know what my problem is and how stupid I am.


We get in the car; I'm so irate I can't drive. I proceed to hug my little car and promise to drive another 100,000 miles before I consider getting rid of it. I ended up writing a letter to the managing partner and sales director of the dealership, plus I'm sending a letter to Ford headquarters for their lack of customer service. I said that I felt discriminated because I am a young woman, and was treated very poorly.


Overall, I highly advise you readers to avoid Planet Ford. They do business unethically and will do whatever it takes to put you in their car, even if it means insulting your character. We are to the point of desperation in this economy that test-driving a car is no longer an option - you have to buy it. How do we know what car we want if we aren't able to try it out? A friend of mine called up to the dealership earlier today and asked for a quick quote; when they demanded she come in and she declined, she was treated so poorly that she recorded the conversation on tape and sent it off to headquarters.


My email to the sales director and GM of Planet Ford was met with profuse apologies, but it's not their fault my car is worthless. Gee....thanks.

Product Review - Reynolds Crock Pot Liners

Ever since I met the man of my dreams (insert mushy groans here) I have discovered my true love for cooking. Whether it's baking my family-famous apple pies and chocolate chip cookies, roasting a whole chicken, or sauteeing some scallops, I adore cooking. The smells, the textures and tastes, the presentation excites me. When I go to the store I examine an artichoke closely, inhale the bright scent of an orange, or lust after a large butternut squash.

As a result, I have become very attached to my cookware and preserving its longevity. We are not a high income household to where we can afford a new set of Calphalon every year, so we take care of what we have.

The one thing I loathe doing is cleaning my crock pot. As much as I adore its slow simmers, the flavors that drift in my kitchen and entice two little furry faces to stare at it for hours, I despise cleaning the thing. The monstrosity barely fits in my dishwasher, and we all know the result of when it does fit - there is always a line of film or some leftover concoction. Sure, I can shove it in my sink, but water ends up everywhere, soap on the floor, and my shirt soaked.

My sister in law (of all people! She avoids cooking at all costs) introduced me to these clever little things. Reynold's, the makers of the famous Reynold's wrap, introduced crock pot liners. Simply remove the liner from the box - about 10 come in a box for a few bucks - open them up almost like a trash bag, but a wee bit more gently, and mold them into the crock pot. Cook, empty, voila!

I was certain these little bags were too good to be true. The food wouldn't cook properly, the bag would stick/melt into the piece, the bag would explode when I tossed the remnants. Whatever. I gave it a shot anyway, because judging before results is not professional. The challenger: Ms Judgemental's secret spice turkey chili. My future spouse adores my chili, but cleaning the crock pot...again...

I placed the bag in, added the ingredients, set it on low for the same amount of time that I would cook the chili without the bag, and waited. The aroma flooded the house just as it always does, the dogs came scrambling in the same amount of time, and I checked the dinner as often as I always do. Once my time was up, I spooned out a heaping bowl and served it.

Now, I would love to tell you that fireworks exploded more than they typically do just because of these bags, but they didn't. K (the guy) inhaled my chili as fast as he always does, complimented me repeatedly as always, and Life went on. OK...let's try the cleanup.

That is when fireworks exploded and angels opened up the heavens, singing praises. The CP Gods smiled down on me. The bag simply lifted out of the crock pot with no begging or peeling required. The crock pot itself? White as it was when I pulled it from the cabinet. A simple wipe down with a damp rag, a pat dry, and all was well.

Bottom line: I'm going to go buy stock in Reynold's now.

Review - Costa's Gym

Ok, I'm not known for being a fitness buff. In fact, I purposely avoid looking at gyms while I drive down the road, stuffing my face with a deliciously greasy hamburger and smearing fries on my hips. Since my divorce from a meat-head of a husband and a boyfriend who insulted my physical appearance being 'sub par' (AKA: not 2% body fat and size 0 pants), my fear and loathing of gyms has increased to the point where I hyperventilate when I come close to one.

So you can imagine my dismay when I stepped on the scale last week and realized that running every so often - especially in my area's weather - wasn't cutting down the pounds like I needed it to. I sighed, gave in, and looked up 24Hour Fitness prices, grumbling and moaning and gnashing my teeth. As I drove to a location one evening, my eye caught a small gym on the side of the road. Located in a shopping center with minimal parking, it promised no bright lights and fancy colors. The words on the front of the building read: "Costa's Gym". On a whim I pulled into the small parking lot and stepped inside.

The gym itself is smaller than the typical uber-gym with 42 treadmills and 18 TVs, social cocktail hour on the outskirts and Barbies walking by giving you dirty looks for not coordinating your hair scrunchie with your socks. A few people were on the machines, concentrating and unaware that their lack of makeup was the end of the world. There are 2 or 3 machines of each and a full weight set, plus a boxing room and 2 separate locker rooms. The owner popped out of his office and offered to give me a real tour, sending me into the women's locker room, explaining the use of each piece of equipment, and finally sitting down with me to discuss my health and fitness routine. We talked about nutrition and my workout goals and plans for the next 6 months, afterwhich he wrote up an exercise plan for me. He offered my fiance a 30 day free pass to see if he would enjoy coming/had time to come in and workout.

Last night I met with a trainer for my free introductory session. He stayed with me for about a half hour to show me the ropes and teach me the proper way of lifting weights, then left me to my own devices. I was checked on a few more times afterwards, otherwise never bothered nor made to feel uncomfortable for being in my own skin and not being able to run 3 miles straight.

Overall, if you live in the local area, you need to check this gym out. The location is not as convenient as 24Hour, but the service, the lack of snot-nosed teenagers who spend more time texting than answering your questions, and the friendliness of the staff is something that makes it worth driving a little out of the way for.

We're back!

Yes, the great Ms Judgemental has returned from the watery grave of travel and real work that pays good money. Sorry for the almost year-long absence, kids, but so much has happened!

To begin, I bought my first home on my own and love it. Soon after, I met the man who is now my fiance; no wedding plans, just a big party with lots of FOOD! I traveled to my homeland of Norway (twice) and rang in the new year with a new additional my family - my little niece!

Reviews will be sporadic, hopefully not spanning more than months, and PLEASE send in your submissions. I have lots to review, so let's get going!

Review - http://medicaladoptions.com/

In my review of this site, I found it simply fascinating.

http://medicaladoptions.com/ is a site for parents and legal guardians to trade out their children whether permanently or temporarily. Whether you need a breeding machine, a workhorse in the fields, or a maid that speaks English and you are uncomfortable paying minimum wage, this site is for you.

The site has been around for a few years operating under the name Child Trader. Credit card payments are accepted, except for Discover. Your child can work off the bill by begging out on the street for a few pennies, or passing out pens and claiming they're deaf. The younger the child, the more of a cash cow they will be.

So if you're tired of your kid, check out this site. A good threat is all they need to be straightened out and learn to fly right. If only this site had been around when I was a kid!*



*please note this site is a joke, as is the review.