Articles by Shaun Parker on ArticleSnatch.com

The Make Up Brushes Of Beatrice De Havilland

Sun, 17 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In the late thirties, just before the storm clouds of World War Two began to brew, Britain was at peace and no Saturday night was complete without a trip to the local cinema. One of the nation's favourite actresses went by the name of Beatrice de Havilland, who was famed for her gold plated make up brushes. De Havilland's make up artist was called Alice Waters back in those glory days, and she had a terrible secret to tell. The story of de Havilland's make up brushes is one shrouded in mystery, as no one knows for sure why she loved these articles so very much. But before she performed any of her scenes, she insisted she was made up with these beautiful brushes. In famous films such as The Lady of Hamberly House (1937), and The Road to Blanfield (1938) she had these make up brushes with her - and Alice had the pleasure of doing her make up on these films. But in Tea with Marmeduke (1938) a dramatic incident occured, and the film was never completed. In her nineties Alice felt compelled to tell the truth about what happened to Beatrice. **End Summary** Topics: make up brushes]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a cosmetics expert with many years of experience in the cosmetics industry. Find out more about make up brushes at http://www.crownbrush.co.uk/

Forget Pensions, Invest In French Leaseback Properties

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The economy is not in great shape, as we are all too aware, and as banks have only recently started lending again, mortgages are available, yet only if you have a hefty deposit to lay down on your desired property. So investing in property in the UK is most certainly not as fruitful a venture as it was before the dreaded credit crunch, but there are property investments rout there that most certainly are. French leaseback investment is a very attractive avenue for investors to go down, and is becoming more and more popular with UK citizens mainly because of the limited restrictions and relative ease with which your investment is put into place almost with immediate effect. Due to French leaseback legislation you are guaranteed a tax free rental income through your invested property - this is stated in a legally binding lease contract which is solicited and signed as part of the complete package. Unlike leasehold properties in the UK, you will not be obliged to pay any management fees and you will not be blighted by hidden costs. **End Summary** Topics: French leaseback]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is an economist with many years of experience advising in the property investment industry. Find out more about French leaseback at http://www.premierfrenchleaseback.com

An Insight Into Honda's Hybrid Challenge

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

It seems as though Honda are mounting a real challenge to Japanese rivals Toyota in the Hybrid market as their new Insight vehicle has returned impressive sales figures in its home country since launching in February. Last week the Insight became the first hybrid at the top of Japan's best sellers list. The Japan Automobile Dealers Association ranked the Insight at the top of the tree after Honda sold 10,481 units in the month of April alone, becoming the first hybrid vehicle in history to outsell all other conventional models. Another plus point for Honda in the domestic (Japanese) market is that they were the only brand to experience a rise in sales for the month of April compared to April 2008 - an impressive feat given the state of the global economy at present. Like so many other car manufacturers, the Japanese giants have been hit hardly by the credit crunch and resulting economic downturn. In the UK they had to close their production plant in Swindon at the start of the year and have cut pay rates by 3 per cent in order to safeguard 500 jobs. **End Summary** Topics: Honda]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is an motoring journalist with many years of experience writing about the car industry. Find out more about Honda at http://www.hondainchcape.co.uk

Mini Pilot Scheme Positive For Global Warming

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The Mini E, an electric powered version of the iconic car, is being trialled in the US by 450 people in New York, New Jersey and California as BMW look for detailed feedback to see how they can get an electric powered car on the market by 2012. BMW have invested heavily into lowering CO2 emissions in the last few years but they hope that the Mini E will eliminate them altogether if it becomes a viable consumer option. The one year US pilot scheme will cost each of the 450 guinea pigs 850 dollars per month to lease these eco friendly vehicles as we enter the era of the electric car. This may not prove value for money for the trialists but they are all pioneers for the electric car movement so kudos, and possibly a slice of history in their pre-conceived egos are reasons for participation. The Mini E is identical to its incarnation minus the mod cons and the back seat! It's a two seater as the battery takes up the back seat space. **End Summary** Topics: Mini]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is an engineer with many years of experience in the car industry. Find out more about Mini at http://www.coopermini.co.uk

What To Look For When Choosing A Self Storage Service

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The British move around a lot. They move house, on average, every few years. And with the UK climate as unreliable as it is, well-heeled Brits have a great love of moving abroad - or at least spending a few months avoiding the winters back home. Folks from the British Isles are also pretty intrepid too; wherever you are in the world, there are bound to be a few of them kicking about, tourists or ex-pats. With such a mobile populace it is no wonder that self storage services are so popular. When someone is planning to leave the country for a few months - or even longer - deciding what to do with all of their possessions can be difficult. Leaving them with friends or family is always an option, but this might take up valuable space. Not only this, but having prized possession in a busy household can put things at risk - especially if kids are added to the equation! Self storage can provide the ideal alternative. In terms of security it cannot be bettered, because usually the person renting the self storage space retains the only key. **End Summary** Topics: self storage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a storage expert with many years of experience in the area of self storage. Find out more about self storage at http://www.safestore.co.uk/

Fish And Chips With A Squirt Of Business Research

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

It occurred to me once, whilst wandering the busy streets of Central London, that the thousands of visiting Japanese, French, Italians, Americans - and every other race on earth - don't have access to fish and chips. It was just a silly thought initially, but after doing a little business research I realised that there were indeed no major fish and chip shops in the heart of the capital. So I decided to look into it a little further - and my business research led me to the conclusion that it was a great business idea. I conducted several surveys among tourists who were milling around the British capital's famous sites, as part of my business research. At Big Ben they wanted fish and chips. At Trafalgar Square they wanted them too. Chinese waiting for the guards to change - they wanted fish and chips. Hungry Americans leaving Madame Tussauds, they definitely wanted fish and chips. Even fussy French turning their noses up at Buckingham Palace - they were game for a little traditional fish and chips - or English Roulette, as they called it. **End Summary** Topics: business research]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a business writer with many years of experience in the area of business research. Find out more about business research at http://www.isb.edu/isb/index.shtml

Buy To Let Insurance: Getting The Right Cover

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The boom in the buy to let market over recent years has seen a great deal of new landlords enter the area. Insurance is naturally a priority for all of us - but particularly so for those going into business. And the nature of a buy to let property means it is prudent to consider the benefits of specific buy to let insurance. For those entering the buy to let market, it can be a daunting experience. A multitude of things need to be considered in order that a property is run well - from organising Council Tax (which may not be payable if all tenants are in full time education) to ensuring direct debits for water, gas, electricity are all set up. But of course there are great rewards for successfully rented properties, with happy, careful tenants who pay on time and cause few or no problems. This responsibility to tenants and taking care of the bricks and mortar of the building can be somewhat eased by the choice of suitable insurance cover. **End Summary** Topics: buy to let insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a insurance expert with many years of experience in the insurance industry. Find out more about buy to let insurance at http://www.landlords-building-insurance.co.uk/

Charles Vance Millar: Writing A Will The Funny Way

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Writing a Will may not sound like a fun way to spend your time, but Canadian lawyer and financier Charles Vance Millar certainly had a great time writing his. Even when faced with the prospect of his own death, Millar made a big joke of it - or at least was extremely eccentric about it. Millar graduated from the University of Toronto with an average pass rate of 98%. As he was such a scholarly, bright man, it might be thought that he would have little time for humour. But writing a Will, for Millar, was the perfect way to demonstrate his extremely inventive sense of humour. Millar had no dependents to whom he could leave his extensive fortune - for he had been extremely successful in his working life. His will was laden will hilarious pranks and playful bequests, regarding a number of his associates. Wouldn't it be great to be given access to Millar's impressive holiday home in Jamaica as part of his Will? Well, that depends on who you have to share it with; Millar generously granted access to the property to three men - all of whom deeply despised one another. **End Summary** Topics: writing a will]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a will expert with many years of experience in legal industry. Find out more about writing a will at http://www.willdrafters.com/

Bath Is Best: From Walk In Baths To Gold Tapped Luxury

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

What makes having a bath so good? In terms of efficiency and speed of the shower clearly beats the leisurely bubble bath or hot tub experience. But the good old fashioned bath still arguably has the edge over the more modern power shower. From walk in baths to marble marvels, the bath has a certain grace and elegance - a certain cinematic stature the showers lack. Showers are typically where bad things happen (think Psycho 1960), and although they have cinematic punch, the bath has a particular filmic quality. Having a bath is much more of an event than taking a shower, providing a little quality time for the user. A whole range of products are available to make the bathing experience even more pleasurable, not least the ubiquitous rubber duck! Bubble bath lotions of course make the experience even more memorable. Although they hadn't quite managed the technological heights of products such as walk in baths, the Egyptians and Indians are thought to have invented the earliest showering devices. **End Summary** Topics: walk in baths]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a bathroom expert with many years of experience in the interior design industry. Find out more about walk in baths at http://www.wibco.com/

Tiles And The Countries That Pioneered Them

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Tiles have long been a beautiful and functional addition to the walls, roofs and floors of buildings the world over. Many nations have contributed to the manufacture, design and export of these often beautiful items. This article looks at some of the top national contributors towards the usage of tiles - from the fourth millennium BC through to the present. Greece Greece was the first place that tiles appeared, at few Centuries BC in the House of Tiles in Lerna. In the area around Corinth, tiles began to replace the more traditional thatched roofs and also replaced the temples of Apollo and Poseidon. From Greece, tiles rapidly spread to neighbouring regions. Italy Italy too employed tiles, importing the concept from Greece. Rome and the Roman empire were of course enthusiastic users of this wonderful invention, covering their roofs with pleasant terracotta tiles. The beauty of the tile was that if one was damaged, by weather for example, it could easily be replaced. Persia Located roughly where Iran now is, Persia was the centre of the Islamic tile tradition. Tiles here were often glazed, printed or painted - producing a stunning effect which spread throughout the Islamic world. **End Summary** Topics: tiles]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a interior design expert with many years of experience in interior design industry. Find out more about tiles at http://www.tileclick.co.uk/

Brain Injury And The Mental Capacity Act 2005

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 was introduced to protect the rights of individuals whose mental capacity is in under question, along with those who are without capacity. Primarily it focuses on clearing up any confusion regarding those who can make decisions for people who lack capacity, such as those who have suffered brain injury. After receiving Royal Assent on 7th April 2005, the act came into effect on the first of October 2007. It clarifies procedures and practices which were possibly unclear under previous legislation. 'Mental capacity' refers to the ability to make decisions on a daily basis. These decisions could be of a general type - such as what to wear in the morning or what to have for breakfast. Decisions of a more serious nature include those regarding banking, housing or medical issues. The act assumes that everyone has mental capacity unless proven otherwise - this is essential in protecting a person's interests from negative influences, or people who don't have the person's best interests at heart. **End Summary** Topics: brain injury]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a health writer with many years of experience in the medical industry. Find out more about brain injury at http://www.stewartslaw.com/

Gothic Clothing In The World Of Film

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Cinema has produced some memorable films with a Gothic theme, and the wardrobe department of each of these is crucial to developing the look of the film. Getting Gothic clothing to look just right in a film is essential in looking like the genuine article to those who enjoy films, books, TV and music inspired by this style. This article looks at the common themes found in Gothic clothing, as they have appeared in several films. The original Blade, starring Wesley Snipes, hit the big screen in 1998 and grossed 130 million dollars worldwide. Its success is sometimes credited with starting a revival of comic book characters in film. Central to the film's look was Wesley Snipe's (Blade's) Gothic clothing. A long black leather jacket with metal buckles provides the main piece of clothing, while Snipe's face is perpetually dominated by a pair of dark sunglasses. Heavy boots and of course the rather sharp armament complete the look which could arguably have influenced subsequent films. Blade is based on a Marvel comic character, which was developed in 1973 by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan. **End Summary** Topics: gothic clothing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a movie expert with many years of experience in the film industry. Find out more about gothic clothing at http://www.subculturewear.com/

The Buzz Of Air Travel: From Departure Lounges To Airport Transfers

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you let them, airports can give you an electric feeling that few other major buildings can. The airport is constantly on the move, serving a conveyor belt of holidaymakers, business people and those simply moving from A to B. Airport transfers mark the beginning of your flirtation with air travel, delivering you to the busy entrance, garnished with taxis, space wagons and cars - each spilling forth families, suited men and excited weekend breakers. The structure of airport terminals may not change significantly, but the lifeblood is moving all the time. The airport is the skin and bones, and the passengers are the pumping blood - ceaselessly arriving, waiting, buying, eating, drinking. Airport transfers, luggage porters, baggage handlers, security details - all these contribute to the buzz of the airport. A school or a hospital or a hotel - they have a liveliness about them, but nothing like that of an airport. Transfers between different terminals, each serving different continents - heading to Rio or LA or Toronto, to London, Glasgow or Edinburgh. All take the form of mini trains or people carrying conveyor belts - internal airport transfers have never been so slick. **End Summary** Topics: airport transfers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a travel writer with many years of experience in the tourist industry. Find out more about airport transfers at http://www.vennards.com/

A Memorable Business Trip: Chauffeur Car Hire And Japanese Tea

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

These days, in the world of business, it's not always prudent to splash out on those little extras, but as I found out a few weeks ago, giving your clients a bit of the red carpet treatment really makes a difference. My personal assistant suggested we should think about a chauffeur car hire to pick up Mr. Samamoto, who was arriving from Kyoto at Heathrow. Samamoto owned a Japanese private equity business and was considering investing in my company. I was sceptical at first, as I like to cut costs where possible, but my assistant persuaded me. And I'm glad she did. Mr. Samamoto arrived at 6am at the airport, and, going for a taste of classic Britain, I chose a beautiful white Rolls Royce to go along with the chauffeur car hire. I organised it so myself and my assistant could be picked up before hand, and be there ready to greet Mr. Samamoto. The weather looked like it might turn out bright but of course, it simply had to rain when we got to the airport. I really didn't want to get all wet - nor indeed did I want my guest to be wet. **End Summary** Topics: chauffeur car hire]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a business expert with many years of experience in conferencing sector. Find out more about chauffeur car hire at http://www.vennards.com/

A Balloon Ride To Remember - Famous Trips Across The Sky

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The oldest form of technology that can carry humans, the hot air balloon has been at the centre of a great many exciting air trips. The idea of a balloon ride as a way to explore the skies has captured the imaginations of people ever since the first one lifted in Paris, in 1783. The people of Paris stood in awe of this spectacular invention, as it drifted up over the Paris skyline. But there have been many a famous balloon ride occurring throughout history. This article looks at the most memorable. Hot air balloons are a remarkably simple yet effective way to get oneself into the air. The balloon itself is an envelope containing heated air. As this air is at a lower density than the surrounding cooler air, the balloon rises, carrying a happy bunch of balloon ride enthusiasts into the stratosphere, usually swinging in a basket or other capsule. If you're wondering what constitutes a really memorable balloon ride, or rather, epic flight - then Richard Branson's Virgin Pacific Flyer must be a good example. In 1991 Branson and Per Linstrand flew from Japan to Northern Canada. **End Summary** Topics: balloon ride]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a travel writer with many years of experience in tourism industry. Find out more about balloon ride at http://www.hotair.co.uk/

Making A Brand, From Blackberry To Lexus Dealerships

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Many of today's most famous brands are simply based on a company owner's name which has survived many decades - such as Heinz or Woolworths. But some have been entirely made up by the owners many years ago. In recent times though, advertising and marketing agencies have become responsible for creating some of the world's most well known brand names. In this article we'll take a look at how Lexus dealerships got their name, how Blackberry became a world-wide brand and the launch of Coca Cola Zero. Lexus dealerships did not, as some may think, get their name from Johnny Lexus in 1954. There has never been a Johnny Lexus. Dealerships bearing this name got it after a long and very careful process of deliberation. Advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi were hired by Toyota in 1986 to come up with a new brand for a line of luxury cars. 219 different names were dreamt up, with a short list of Chaparel, Calibre, Vectre, Verone, and Alexis racing into the final furlong. The winner was Alexis, which was meant to combine 'luxury' and 'elegance'. Eventually, the A was dropped, and Lexus cars and Lexus dealerships got their now famous name. **End Summary** Topics: lexus dealerships]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a brand expert with many years of experience in branding industry. Find out more about Lexus dealerships at http://www.inchcapelexus.co.uk/

How Toyota, Honda And Nissan Are Coping With The Economic Downturn

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The big three car makers of Japan have all been extremely successful across the globe, but none have been immune to the economic downturn which began last autumn. Toyota, Honda and Nissan have all been hit hard with falling consumer spending, where a new car may seem something of a luxury in the current economic situation. Although all of these manufacturers have strong factory presences in Japan itself, they also have plants across the globe. For example, Britain's top three car producers are indeed Nissan, Toyota and Honda (in that order). Despite its relatively small size, Japan is still the world's largest car producer at 11.6 million units, closely followed by the USA and significantly ahead of China (third), a country with 10 times the population. Japan's car industry is crucial to the health of its economy, so how well Toyota, Honda and Nissan deal with the global downturn in consumer demand is of great importance. Toyota is the world's number one car maker with a turnover of $17.15 billion dollars in 2008, employing 316,000 people worldwide. Its interests include robotic, financial services and biotechnology, as well as automotive - its core area. **End Summary** Topics: Honda]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a motor expert with many years of experience in car industry. Find out more about Honda at http://www.hondainchcape.co.uk/

What Accessories Can You Get From Your Mini Dealers And Other Stockists?

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you've got your hands on a Mini Cooper, you might want to take a look at what accessories you can get to both enhance your motor and your person - in order to profess your fondness of your vehicle. Accessories for this car are made by a wide range of manufacturers, so you know when you leave your Mini dealers there are plenty of places to get hold of caps, t-shirts, floor mats or mirrors. The list of fun items simply goes on forever. Having driven out of your Mini dealers perhaps you'd like to enhance the interior of your mini with some carbon fibre trims, so that your car looks as quick inside as it does outside. Maybe you're looking for a way to organise your boot space - why not try a Boot Box, specially designed to fit in your boot and offer separate compartments. Often these boxes come decorated in a choice of designs - including the classic Union Jack of course. They are also flush with the rear storage space when the rear seats are down. If you're looking for something more versatile, why not try a folding boot box? **End Summary** Topics: Mini dealers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a motor specialist with many years of experience in car industry. Find out more about Mini dealers at http://www.coopermini.co.uk/

Prestigious Car Showrooms, From Lamborghini To BMW Dealerships

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Car showrooms tend to be impressive, be it Ford dealerships in London, BMW dealerships in Glasgow or Jaguar dealers in Cardiff. But some dealerships have not only made their showrooms into glamorous spaces but have also selected excellent geographical spots, where many passers by will see their high octane machines of desire. So what makes a truly impressive showroom? In the UK some of us might recall sitting on a bus in Park Lane or walking along Mayfair and being struck by spacious showrooms with sparkling examples of the motor industry's finest cars. Of course it's not only the financially draining Ferraris and Aston Martins that find their way to the capital's most desirable thoroughfare - Mini, Audi and BMW dealerships have also successfully pitched their wares here. The more well heeled among us may have actually been in one of these showrooms - be it eyeing up a Ferrari or thinking of something more modest in one of the Mini or BMW dealerships. Despite the economic downturn, these showrooms remain popular among the Kensington and Chelsea elite, out looking for their next tractor - or possibly combine harvester. Of course, you rarely see an actual farmer in these places. **End Summary** Topics: BMW dealerships]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a car expert with many years of experience in the motor industry. Find out more about BMW dealerships at http://www.cooperbmw.co.uk/

The Humble Pallet - Supporting Modern Business

Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

They lurk in the corners of every warehouse in the land. They're piled high in storage facilities from Truro to Inverness. Without them, many global products would simply topple over. Literally. What are they? The humble pallet of course! If you've ever had the pleasure of using them, you might have had a few splinters pierce your fingers as you grappled with these often heavy, but very useful mainstays of business logistics. Although these useful items are usually wooden, you also get plastic and aluminium pallets - though these are much lighter than their timber counterparts, but equally as strong. Put simply, a pallet is a flat, usually square item measuring about a couple of metres. It is constructed so it can be lifted - normally by a forklift. They are the unsung hero of many businesses. Not glamorous, that's certain, but imagine a day in the warehouse without them! In a world without pallets the forklift driver might be the first to gape in astonishment as his fork creates conspicuous holes in his boss's valuable merchandise. Without them, getting hundreds of wooden boxes on to waiting lorries would be a challenge indeed. **End Summary** Topics: pallets]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a logistics expert with many years of experience in freight industry. Find out more about pallets at http://www.avatan.co.uk/

The Power Of Printing, From Woodblocks To Ink Cartridges

Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The power of print is something that most of us take for granted in modern times, as high quality printers are found in the vast majority of homes and businesses, ink cartridges brim full and ready to print anything from school essays to bus timetables, from short stories to bank statements. But this luxury is one that has only become available to people over the last couple of decades, since the technology required has in the past been very expensive. Let's take a brief look at the colourful development of printing which has led to most of us becoming rather print-happy with ink cartridges, both colour and black and white, primed and at the ready. The earliest known examples of printing are from China, dating from around 220. This process involved the use of woodblocks and began on textiles, progressing later to paper. Woodblocks were also used in East Asia and the Middle East. Long before our versatile home printers and affordable ink cartridges we had the Moveable Type system, arriving in 1040. This involved moveable pieces of metal type, allowed much more flexibility than previous methods. **End Summary** Topics: ink cartridges]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a printing expert with many years of experience in the print industry. Find out more about ink cartridges at http://www.inksave.co.uk/

High Impact Office Furniture In The World Of Film

Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The cinematic qualities of home and office furniture in the movies is often overlooked. But the truth is that imposing tables, eye-catching desks and high octane seating of all kinds have become the silent movie stars in decades of film. Be it a film noir thriller or a gentle romance - these laminated, varnished or lacquered actors lurk in the background of some of the greatest movie moments ever. Some might say they are a little wooden, their demeanour a tad tinny, that the director just wheels them on and they just sit there. But the truth is that although they may not be the finest character actors, office furniture of all kinds has added a certain finesse to some of the world's finest flicks. Make me an offer I can't refuse. It's 1972, and Francis Ford Coppola is working on his seminal work The Godfather. Would the power of Marlon Brando's performance be quite as impressive without that memorable colonial-style desk that he commands his criminal empire from? The heavy oak character of this most formidable piece of office furniture lends Brando even more credo as he barks his classic lines. **End Summary** Topics: office furniture]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a furniture expert with many years of experience in interior decor. Find out more about office furniture at http://www.planscapeuk.com/

The UK Scrappage Scheme, Bringing That New Lexus, BMW Or Audi A Little Closer

Sat, 09 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

For those of us lucky enough to consider buying a just-off-the-production-line car, the UK Government's new Scrappage Scheme means it's time to put your foot down and think about buying that new Mercedes, that impressive Range Rover or brand spanking new Lexus. With a mouth-watering 2000 pounds discount on your dream vehicle, this new scheme, introduced in the UK's 2009 budget, might well bring the actual purchasing of it significantly closer. The entire fund for UK motorists eyeing up their new BMW, Mini Cooper or new Lexus is 300 million pounds, which translates to the scheme benefitting around 300,000 customers. 1000 pounds is provided by the Government, while the other helpful grand is put up by the manufacturers. While many a potential car buyer will be gladdened by the prospect of such a deal, the real reason for its introduction is to stimulate the car manufacturing industry, as it has suffered severely from the current financial crisis. **End Summary** Topics: new lexus]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a motor expert with many years of experience in car industry. Find out more about a new Lexus at http://www.inchcapelexus.co.uk/

Car Selling Techniques, From Hyundai To Honda Dealers

Sat, 09 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Few of us walk in to a car showroom without some genuine interest in buying a car. So when you venture in to one of the many motor sales rooms - be it one of the Ford, Renault or Honda dealers - you know that you're very likely to encounter a keen salesperson. It doesn't matter what kind of car you're after, from Alpha Romeo to Honda dealers - the recession means that any potential car buyer is going to get a great deal of attention when they walk through that door - and quite possibly a great deal itself. That said, what kind of approach is your eager automobile vendor likely to take with you? Well, in such a competitive area your sales person is going to know every trick in the book. The first thing you can expect is that the salesman or woman will know their company's product inside out - they'll know exactly what makes Volkswagen dealers different from Citroen dealers, and what makes Nissan dealers different from Honda dealers. **End Summary** Topics: Honda dealers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a car expert with many years of experience in the motor industry. Find out more about Honda dealers at http://www.hondainchcape.co.uk/

Road Trip In A Well Used Mini

Sat, 09 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

My father told me a story about his Mini once, which I've never quite thought true. If his tale is to be believed, it was an extremely well used Mini indeed. This was of course the old-fashioned Mini, no longer built by any one. In the Spring of 1969 he bought a white Mini Cooper from a hippy living near the King's Road. Said Mini owner claimed that he had driven the car all the way from Goa after 'finding himself' over several years. Dad didn't believe that the little Mini could have made it so far, and having driven it round the block, decided that everything sounded in top condition - and subsequently that the hippy had perhaps been exaggerating a little and had never actually left his poky London bedsit. He bought the well used Mini. The idea of such a journey, however, captured my dad's imagination and he started toying with the idea of going to visit his uncle who was living in Napoli at the time. **End Summary** Topics: used mini]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Shaun Parker is a car specialist with many years of experience in motor industry. Find out more about used mini at http://www.coopermini.co.uk/