Why Entrepreneurs Are Hiring InventureX For Their Crowdfunding Campaigns? [SERVICE OVERVIEW]

Jen Lambert on June 5, 2019

Starting a crowdfunding campaign can be very exciting. People automatically have visions of raising a lot of money to fund their new idea. The harsh reality is that it might seem easy, but a crowdfunding campaign is difficult.

Perhaps the most difficult thing with any crowdfunding campaign is actually launching. Some people do it by themselves, while others will go with a company that can help entrepreneurs and inventors. InventureX prides itself on being one of the best in the business in this area.

How InventureX helps?

Every single crowdfunding campaign is going to be a little bit different, but there is a certain formula that has been successful in the past. InventureX has been spending the last few years perfecting all the different ways to really have success as a company. By working directly with every single client, an exact plan is put into place before launching the campaign.

Specialization is always going to be a major key when dealing with so many different campaigns. Crowdfunding can be used by inventors, seasoned entrepreneurs and more. Having the ability to launch a crowdfunding campaign for a technical device might not be the same as something in the fashion industry, but having a specialist on staff can help Taylor everything.

InventureX relies heavily on their propriety crowdfunding marketing systems. It helps to not only get exposure for every single client, but recognition from the right people. In order for a crowdfunding campaign to really take off, the right people need to see what it has to offer. Getting that in front of the right eyes can make all the difference in the world.

What type of customer service should be expected?

At InventureX, the company does a very great job of getting all the information from each client. Competitors do not offer nearly the same type of unique customer service that is completely tailored to each client.

At the very beginning, and initial consultation is able to craft together a very strategic plan for a new campaign. Goals and expectations are discussed, making people really start to understand just how much they can get out of crowdfunding.

After the campaign is launched, constant updates are provided so that people know exactly where they stand. It can be a very anxious time when a crowdfunding campaign is going on, so knowing all the different updates is very beneficial.

Throughout the campaign, little tweaks can be done in order to make sure that every client is set up for maximum success. It is a nice touch for those people who really are just getting started with crowdfunding in general. It is a little bit unrealistic to expect every single person to know what they are doing. That is where InventureX steps in.

How do people get started?

Throughout the year, InventureX is always looking for new applicants on their website. Visiting InventureX.com/launch is the best way to get started to see how the company can help.

The Value of Clean Customer Data

Jen Lambert on May 29, 2019

Few things are as valuable to a company as their customers’ data.

Using collected customer data, companies can try out all kinds of strategies to increase revenue. Companies can also use that customer data to tailor specific approaches for each client to ensure that the working relationship continues for many years to come.

The companies that also take care of customer data and use that particular resource wisely will put themselves in terrific positions for continued growth.

After years and even decades of dealing with customers from all walks of life, you will likely amass an impressive collection of their data housed within a humongous database. It’s great that you have all that data available, but can you be sure that everything there is still accurate?

You can only get the most out of customer data if it’s up to date. This is why it’s important for companies to partake in some data cleaning every now and then.

What Is Data Cleansing?

Before discussing why having clean customer data is so important, it helps to know what data cleansing actually is.

To put it simply, data cleaning is a process that focuses on purging incorrect pieces of information from a database. The bit of data can be incorrect because it’s incomplete, because it was not properly encoded the first time around, or simply because it’s inaccurate.

Crucially, data cleaning is not just about erasing erroneous entries in the database. During the data cleaning process, entries can be corrected for spelling, formatting, and a variety of other issues. Data cleansing may also involve optimizing a certain database so that it becomes easier to access.

Given all the tasks involved in data cleansing, you can even think of it as a useful professional development resource that can help your employees become more fluent in technical tasks.

Data cleansing can be done in a variety of ways.

It can be done through the use of multiple spreadsheets or through certain functions. If your business is making use of CRM software, there are programs that can also be used for cleaning up customer data more efficiently.

Gartner MDM analysis may help you figure out which type of data cleansing method you need to employ. However, there are also other factors to consider such as the size of your customer database.

Why Is Having Clean Customer Data Important?

You probably won’t be able to fully appreciate the importance of having clean customer data until you’ve dealt with the ill effects of having incorrect customer data.

If your employees have to constantly double check entries and accounts because they can’t rely 100 percent on the customer data in front of them, that’s going to have a huge impact on your business.

Think of how much time is wasted regularly on your employees having to re-check the database whenever they are retrieving information from it. That’s time that they can put to use in more productive ways.

Having clean customer data will also help improve your retention rates. By allowing incorrect data to remain in your database, you could be needlessly risking the loss of customers. If you aren’t regularly checking to see if phone numbers and email addresses are still accurate, you may lose contact with a previous customer and all the future business they could have provided.

Clean customer data will also help bring in new clients to your business. If you’re using CRM software to handle your data, you should be able to form profiles of your customers and see why they have chosen to engage with your business. Using that information, you can then come up with additional marketing strategies that are designed to land similar prospects.

The information contained within your database is only useful if it’s accurate. You can’t allow such an important resource to lose its value over time because you didn’t maintain it properly. Regular data cleansing should keep your customer database in prime condition and your bottom line will be thankful for it.

Author Bio: Douglas Pitassi is small business blogger and freelance writer.

What Makes Platinum Rapid Funding Group A Company Worth Working For

kai ivancich on May 28, 2019

Proper funding and capitalization are extremely important for any business, but sometimes, assistance is needed. That is where a company like Platinum Rapid Funding Group comes into the picture. They specialize in providing finance options for people who might not want to or be able to go the traditional bank route.

Not only is the company excelling as far as customer reviews are concerned, but it is also gaining a reputation as one of the best companies to work for in the industry. Having a great working environment has really helped them separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Here is what makes Platinum Rapid Funding Group a company worth working for.

Happy Employees

Having happy employees can make a big difference for any business trying to have success. When employees are happy, they tend to perform at a higher level. Currently, Platinum Rapid Funding Group has an almost perfect five-star rating on Glassdoor.

Employees are very happy with the overall amount of work, the treatment they receive from those in charge, and the benefits. Compared to a lot of competitors out there, they have one of the highest overall ratings on the website. That bodes well for anyone who is thinking about employment with the company.

Excellent Leadership

A good leader is always going to make life easier for employees. That has always been a major focus for Ali Mayar, and he continues to hold up his end of the deal.

Mayar has been able to take some of his past knowledge from other businesses to make the work environment great at Platinum Rapid Funding Group. Not only does he do a great job leading all the other employees, but he leads by example as well. His strong work ethic is a major reason why the company is where it is today.

Unlike several others who might be in charge with businesses of similar sizes, Mayar is still very hands-on with a lot of daily activities. That is also motivating for any employee, as they usually try to live up to expectations set by the main guy in charge.

Happy Customers

The happiness of employees can really make a major impact on the customer experience. That is one of the main reasons why Mayar has been very focused on making sure that employees are really taken care of. If they are able to perform at a high-level, customers are also going to get a very positive experience from the company.

At times, working at Platinum Rapid Funding Group can be a little bit hectic depending on the amount of questions a person gets thrown their way from a potential customer. With the right amount of training done with every employee, all answers can be handled pretty easily, giving the customer confidence.

For all the effort put into customer satisfaction, Platinum Rapid Funding Group has a five-star rating on Google, and an A+ rating with the BBB. They continue to try to work as hard as possible to be the best in customer service online in the industry.

Follow Platinum Rapid Funding to Stay Up to Date on Career Opportunities

All updates involving Platinum Rapid Funding Group can be seen through their official page on LinkedIn, as well on their website, PlatinumRapidFunding.com. Those looking for a career opportunity can check back on LinkedIn to always be in the know.

4 Smart Property Selling Tips for Homeowners

Jen Lambert on May 22, 2019

Putting up a ‘for sale’ sign is a good strategy for attracting prospects but it may not be enough to sell some properties, especially those located along low volume roads. While this strategy still works and can bring in a good buyer, you should explore other marketing strategies just in case your prospect doesn’t use your route. For homeowners looking to sell properties without the help of an agent, the following tips can be helpful.

Royalty Free Photo

Search Property Listing Sites Online

There are a number of sites where you can place your listings without the help of a real estate agent. Most of them charge a flat fee to list your property for a couple of months. Read the terms carefully before you sign up. You can look into sites with free listings as well. Having your house listed on a couple of sites boosts your chances of selling faster and also getting a good deal.

Get Good Images

Buyers will not pay attention to your online listings if you use poor quality images. Therefore, don’t take some dull photos with a cell phone and post them online. Rather, hire a professional with a good camera to do it for you. Look into photographers who cover residential and commercial properties. When hiring a professional, note that there are different forms of property photography. For instance, consider Architectural vs Real Estate Photography. The former focuses on the quality of the building and is normally used by contractors to showcase their work. The latter focuses on the value, by making the property look desirable. This is what you should be looking for when capturing images for your property. Hire a photographer who understands such things and your listings will attract more people.

Write an Emotionally Appealing Description

When writing descriptions, don’t just jot some bullet points to showcase the property’s features. Write a good story that will move the prospective buyers’ emotions. Show them how the property’s features can make their lives better, how they can save them money and show them why they should consider investing in a property with such features.

Secondly, don’t just focus on the property. Market the neighborhood and the nearby features as well. If you are not good at writing, hire someone to help you out. Since descriptions are short, it won’t cost you much.

Hire a Real Estate Lawyer

Since you are not working with an agent, hire a real estate lawyer to help you out with the contract and other legal issues. An attorney can help in the closing process. Also, they can walk you through the laws governing real estate in your state.

Selling without an agent will save you money. However, you should only do this if you are sure you can comfortably handle all the processes by yourself. If you will have a hard time negotiating or preparing listings, look for an agent to help you out. You can hire an agent for the whole process or for a few tasks. Another option you have is to work with a hard money lender or a private money lender. Look for hard money lenders near me or private money lenders in Los Angeles.

Simple Small Bathroom Decorating Tips

Jen Lambert on May 14, 2019

If you want to decorate a smaller bathroom, there are different challenges that appear. For instance, you have to deal with the smaller possible design layout. Space is highly limited so lavish use is not possible. You need to use smaller furnishings and cannot add many items. Here at Fix It Right Plumbing we fully understand the challenges of decorating a small bathroom. Fortunately, there are many different things that can be done, as long as you have the information to do so.

Some of the things that you can usually do include:

Floors

Always use light-colored, large tiles on the small bathroom’s floor. Light beige, gray and white are wonderful options since they instantly create the illusion of having more available space.

Walls

You also have to choose lighter colors when you paint the walls. You do not necessarily have to go for beige or white, but you should avoid darker colors. They just make walls seem closer than they are.

Sinks

The best option to consider is a wall mounted, small sink that does not have vanities. It allows you to get more floor space. If there is more visible space on the floor, the small bathroom instantly appears to be larger.

Cabinets

A great thing that you can do is install cabinets that can easily be set right into your wall. Open shelves or cabinet doors are always preferred. Unbroken, smooth wall surfaces make the bathroom look wider and longer. Cabinet doors have to be painted so that they match wall color.

Mirrors

It is a really good idea to hang larger mirrors. They reflect space and will always make the smaller bathroom look as if it is double the size. Larger mirrors can be added right above sinks. You can even add extra mirrors if possible.

Bathtub

It is possible to have a bathtub installed in a smaller bathroom. If this is the case, replace it with a shower stall that has clear-glass-door. This instantly frees up space. Alternatively, you can go for the Japanese style bathtub since it is extra deep and small. You have a tub that is large enough for the smaller children and a shower for adults. Add a curtain and a shower whenever possible.

Accessories

Simply because you have a smaller bathroom does not mean you cannot add accessories. You just need to be smart about what you choose. A great opportunity available is contacting RV suppliers. They have wonderful accessories that can be added to smaller bathrooms. For instance, you can always install tumbler holders, toothbrush holders and acrylic mounts.

Plants And Pictures

It is always a very good idea to use plants and pictures. Prints or photos that are mounted in clear frames can so easily create a wonderful decorating theme. This is a preferred option for the smaller bathroom as the theme is created without having to use too many items. Combine everything with towels of a suitable color and do the exact same thing with shower curtains.

5 Tips for Fixing Up Your Yard this Spring

Jen Lambert on May 14, 2019

Spring is a time when we can finally start to spend some more time outside. Winter is behind us, and so too is the cold weather that kept us inside for many months. To make the most of the Spring weather, and the Summer weather that follows, it’s a good idea to spend some time fixing up your yard. This will give you a place where you can relax or entertain guests. Luckily, fixing up your yard isn’t too difficult – here are 5 tips you can use to get started.

Do Some Regular Maintenance

For starters, you’ll want to do some basic maintenance tasks around the yard. This could include maintaining your lawn, trimming back some bushes, pressure washing your home, or clearing away any debris that accumulated during the Winter season. Just like you need to occasionally clean up the inside of your home, the same goes for the outside. By performing these maintenance tasks now, you’ll make it easier to take on some of the bigger projects mentioned below. You may even find that once it’s clean, your yard doesn’t really need that much more work to make it suitable for guests.

Start a Garden

A great way to fix up the outside of your home is by starting a garden. Gardens not only improve the atmosphere around your home, but they provide a touch of color, and depending on what you grow, you could even enjoy a nice meal because of it. Take some time to explore your yard and see if there is a place where you could start a garden. If there is, the next thing you’ll want to think about is what you want to grow.

One option is to grow some colorful flowers, or you could grow some fruits and vegetables. Each plant has its own requirements in terms of soil, sunlight and water, so you’ll want to research the type of plants that would be best for your area and yard. Starting a garden requires a bit of work, but once everything grows, you’ll be glad you undertook this project.

Add in a Patio

The next tip is to have a place in your yard where you can entertain guests or just relax on your own. For this, a patio is a great option. A patio is a flat service in your yard, usually made up of stone or bricks. It gives you a nice, sturdy surface on which to place a BBQ grill, a table and chair, a fire pit, and more. To add in a patio, you can either learn how to do it yourself, or call in a professional landscaper. Which method you choose will largely depend on your own skill level, how big of a patio you want, and how much work you’re willing to put in. Building a patio is a big job, but it’s certainly possible to do on your own.

Upgrade Your Furniture

While you’re fixing up your yard, now is a great time to think about the furniture that you have out there. If the furniture you’re currently using is old, beaten up, or worn down, it might be time for something new. You deserve great-looking, comfortable furniture on which you and guests can relax.

To upgrade your furniture, you have a few options. You could head over to a local furniture store and see what they have available. Another option is to check out local garage sales and see if you get lucky. You could also browse for patio furniture online and have it shipped to your home. If you’re not sure where to start, try doing a simple search online. For example, if you live near Spring, TX, you could search for “patio furniture Spring TX” and you’d likely find plenty of options.

Add in a Water Feature

Finally, a great way to fix up any yard is with a water feature. A water feature could be something small like a fountain, or you could go big and install a large pond. Water features add a relaxing element to your yard and help make the entire area look better. Just like with a patio, you can either do this yourself, or work with a professional landscaper if you want something big. For examples of outdoor water features, you can check out these ideas.

Start Working on Your Yard Today

When the warm weather arrives, you want to be able to enjoy it. By taking the time now to plan out your yard improvements, and then getting started on them, you’ll have a great place to spend your time this Spring. Hopefully this guide was able to offer you some ideas, and you’ll have that yard you’ve always wanted before long.

5 Hacks to Help You Afford Car Repairs

Staff on April 24, 2019

If you’ve ever had a car break down, you know how much financial stress it can cause. Car problems can occur randomly, but routine maintenance is also something that also needs to be considered. While mechanic costs can add up fast, the following guidelines can help you keep maintenance and repair expenses low.

Do Your Research

Those who don’t have the best idea of how to estimate a car repair can benefit greatly from doing a little research before they send their car to the mechanic. One study found that people can end up with a better cost for the repairs if they make an effort to look into the problem beforehand. Knowing what the fix should be priced at can work in your favor. Websites like Driverside and AutoMD can help you determine where the problem might lie and how much it should cost to have fixed.

Even those who don’t have in-depth knowledge about their vehicle can have better luck at the mechanic’s shop. “Look into the problem beforehand, ask as many questions as you want, and if you feel unsure about anything, move on to a different mechanic. If you haven’t signed anything, you’re not obligated to work with them,” explained Jason Chalik, car accident lawyer in Plantation. The peace of mind will assure you that you’re on the right track.

Look for Discounts and See What Your Warranty Covers

Sometimes, Pep Boys and Meineke put coupons online, and even these can save you some cash. Warranties on new cars usually last until 36,000 miles or three years. Repairs will likely be taken care of if your car is still within those time restrictions. Used cars can also be covered if you purchase an aftermarket warranty.

Look for a Reliable Mechanic that You Trust

An honest mechanic can save you a great deal of money. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence endorses mechanics after they have demonstrated proficiency in every aspect of car maintenance and repair, and their website is the best place to locate a mechanic if you haven’t found one yet. AAA also recommends mechanics. Or, see which repair shop your family and friends take their cars to. Reviews can also prove useful as a last resort, and get a second opinion if you’re in doubt.

Stay on Top of Recommended Maintenance

Some services might not be absolutely necessary, but prioritizing certain maintenance tasks can save you a lot of grief later. Check your owner’s manual to see what your car needs, and avoid spending money on work that doesn’t need to be done until you reach a certain mileage. Certain checks can be done yourself, such as looking at the fluid level or changing the oil. Many instructional repair videos are available on AutoZone and other reputable websites that can help get you started.

In summary, being proactive can save you a great deal of expense and frustration when it comes to your vehicle. Do you have any other tips for finding a good mechanic fast? What do you look for when taking your car in for a tune-up?

4 Ways Your Military Status Could Help Your Family

Jen Lambert on April 17, 2019

While it might not seem like it to the outside world, being a service member in the military is no easy feat. Long separations from their families, frequent moves, strict and inconsistent training schedules, and stressful missions are just some of the few ways to describe the hard life of a service member. Unfortunately, the demanding career of a military service member affects not only him/her but the entire immediate family as they have to deal every day with the emotional torture of not knowing what lays ahead in the future of their loved one. Nevertheless, the excellent benefits that they enjoy make life much easier. If you are new to the military, here is how your status could help your family.

Access To Excellent Health Care Plans

As a service member, your military status benefits your family big time when it comes to healthcare. This is because your immediate loved ones usually get access to the incredible healthcare plans provided by the military such as Tricare prime, Tricare standard, and extra. With Tricare prime, whenever your loved one falls ill, they get free medical care at a military treatment facility, or they could pay a small amount at other health care facilities. As for Tricare standard, your immediate family members have the advantage of seeking treatment from a diverse selection of healthcare providers authorized by the military and they only pay a yearly deductible of 20%. On the other hand, Tricare extra gives them access to an even more extensive selection of healthcare providers which includes dental and eye care in which they only pay 15% of the total charges.

Great Education grants

Apart from access to quality healthcare, your military status also benefits your family massively when it comes to education. There are various family educational assistance programs and grants for military families who make it possible for your loved ones to get access to high-quality education without spending a fortune. For instance, if your spouse wishes to, they may pursue their degree without having to pay much as the military will offer them a grant of up to $4000 to facilitate their education.

Great discounts on goods and services

With the skyrocketing living standards, purchasing household items such as groceries can prove to be quite expensive. However, families of military members don’t have to worry about such costs as they usually boast access to the military’s commissaries and stores. Thanks to this, they can, therefore, purchase the much-needed household items at discounted prices which makes life even more comfortable for them. Additionally, they don’t have to pay hefty amounts to enjoy recreational activities as they have access to the base’s recreational facilities such as movie theaters and libraries, not forgetting the 30 days paid vacation that they enjoy each year.

Also as a way of thanking them for their service, most private organizations and businesses offer significant discounts to military families which make life even more comfortable and cheaper.

Housing allowance

When you are on active duty, your loved ones usually get to enjoy basic allowance for housing based on where you are stationed. This allowance often covers 97% of the total housing cost which makes things even more smooth sailing for you and your family members, especially when you consider the rising costs of housing in the real estate market.Even though there are many other benefits that your loved ones enjoy thanks to your military status, the above are enough proof that your service to the army is highly appreciated.

Using these great people as examples shows us how serving others really improves the world, and if you are ever interested in helping out, check out different places for Donation Pickup.

Typical Mistakes Novice Freelancer

Jen Lambert on April 15, 2019

Freelancing is a very attractive venture and it has attracted lots of attention from many people especially students. However, there is a journey to become a good freelancer earning lots of money in a week either in content writing or freelance editing jobs. Every journey starts with a step and just like baby steps, be sure to expect some falls and crawls here and there. When starting out one gets into lots of mistakes, but having someone highlight what they did wrong and how to avoid them, will be of great help to you as you start freelancing.

Not setting your price tag

Most newbie’s do not know what the clients expect and if what they offer is the right thing. For a start, freelancers let clients set their prices and this leads to exploitation by clients. As a service provider, you also have a say in negotiations with your client. It’s okay to turn clients down if you think they are not fair in their payment methods. So do not be lured by terms such as limited budget or promises of repeat businesses. So do research prior to engaging and make sure that you quote an average service charge.
(consider using a professional looking proposal as well).

Being a master of all and becoming an expert of none

As a newcomer sometimes you desperately need some cash and you apply for any freelancing job that comes your way. You end up with diverse jobs on your portfolio and this is not attractive to your clients. They assume you can do everything and anything moderately well without being a perfectionist at any of them. Specialists earn more on jobs than generalists. So, if you start as generalists do not take much time to find your niche and specialize in it. This will help you attract high-profile clients easily.

Accepting every job that comes along

This would mean you are a generalist, but also specialists could fall into this trap. If you accept whatever job comes your way you might be stuck with several low-paying jobs. This is dangerous because it will cripple down your schedule and you might lose focus on the most important high paying jobs. Take time and carefully assess every job you are offered, consider all the conditions that come with it, is it long term or one-off task? What is your schedule before you accept it? Is it worth having the job in your portfolio?

Treating earnings like salary

When you are employed the story is different because for every check you get you spend as much with the surety of another paycheck on the way. When you are new at freelancing know you are running a business which incurs operational expenses. So with every payment, you earn from the job set aside 30% of the amount to continue operating smoothly. Come up with good payment and spending plan, if you are using any payment platforms set days to withdraw money.
These are just a few mistakes that you can encounter as a new freelancer, but as you continue you get to learn the dos and don’ts that work for you. Most importantly, you should own a blog. This grows your portfolio faster and you get to share links to your live content and clients can assess your blogs and assess your abilities against their writingjobz.

Your Guide to Buying a Used Car

Jen Lambert on April 12, 2019

If only you could buy a used car like you buy your groceries; you pick one off the shelf, you toss it in your basket, and you pay for it at the cash register. But a vehicle is a more complicated purchase. You’ll probably have to get financing for a used vehicle, which is a process in and of itself. And then you’ll need to take steps to ensure that the car you’re buying is in good condition.

Buying a used car definitely isn’t as easy as buying groceries. But it also doesn’t have to cause you stress or anxiety. Just follow our simple guide to make a successful used vehicle purchase.

Determine Your Budget

The first thing you need to do is determine what your budget is. Pour over your finances and see how much money you can pull together. Some used vehicles might be cheap enough to buy out-of-pocket. Lots of people pay cash for vehicles that cost between $2,000 and $4,000. Keep repair costs in mind, too. If you’re going to have to pay for new tires after you purchase the vehicle, you’ll want to factor that into your costs. Maintaining your car is a constant expense (never a bad time to get yourself a car cleaning kit).

If you need to get financing, determine how much money you can put toward a down payment. The higher your down payment, the lower your auto loan rate may be.

Get Pre-Approved for An Auto Loan

Auto loans are commonly used to purchase used vehicles. On average, auto loans have a term of about five years. Because the term is so short, the interest rate tends to be high. But it’s hugely beneficial to get pre-approved for an auto loan. First, you’ll have a realistic budget. Second, you’ll be in a stronger negotiating position with dealers (we’ll get to that at the end). Third, you won’t get burned by high rates that come from dealer financing.

Find the Right Car at a Trustworthy Dealer

Once you have financing down, it’s time to begin your search for the best used car. Do research on makes and models of different vehicles and make a list of the ones you like. Then, narrow it down to two or three vehicles that usually go for a price that fits within your budget.

Next, see if you can find those vehicles at your local dealerships. There are lots of dealerships that sell used cars, but not all of them are trustworthy. Some dealers may try to conceal deficiencies in a vehicle. Other dealers may try and sell a vehicle for a price that’s much higher than the going-rate. Try and find dealers that sell certified pre-owned cars. For example, if you find a dealer that offers certified Mercedes-Benz cars for sale, it means they sell used vehicles that have been maintained using only authentic Mercedes parts. Certified used vehicles are typically heavily maintained and drive better than other types of used vehicles.

You can also buy from a private seller. Private sellers are usually citizens who are just trying to get rid of an old vehicle, and they can offer great prices. Obviously, private sellers won’t be selling certified vehicles, and you’ll want to be sure to meet them in a public place that’s safe. But you can get some of the best deals from these sellers.

Shop Prices

Never inquire with only one seller. Always visit different sellers and see which one offers the best price and the best quality vehicle. A used car is an expensive investment, so it’s important not to rush your purchase.

Test Drive

Test drive the vehicle you’re thinking of buying. You’re test driving for two reasons. First, you want to make sure that the car runs well. Second, you want to make sure that you like the feel of the car, that you enjoy driving it. Be sure to go driving on the freeway, and test out the car’s turn radius, A/C, and headlights. Some features, like the radio, don’t need to be perfect. Worry about the most important components first, like the headlights — you can always upgrade your car sound system later.

Inspect the Vehicle

The biggest concern when you’re buying a used car is that you’ll pay too much for a vehicle that’s in poor condition. A car is a huge, intricate piece of machinery. A car could have a nice paint job, but have bad defects.

Always arrange for the vehicle to be inspected by an auto mechanic of your choosing. For a small fee, you can have a mechanic inspect the vehicle and identify the condition of the internal components. This is a common practice when you buy a vehicle. If the owner or dealer refuses to let you take in the car for inspection, it’s a red flag that the vehicle may be in poor condition.

Negotiate

Finally, it’s time to negotiate the price and seal the deal. If you’ve been pre-approved for a loan, try and negotiate the price below the loan amount. Don’t let the dealer price the vehicle higher; insist that you’ll only buy at the price of your loan. Many dealers will agree to this so long as the vehicle you’re buying isn’t commonly sold at a price higher than your loan.

Congrats! Once you’ve carefully navigated each of these seven steps, you’ll be driving home from the dealership in your newly-owned used vehicle. Remember not to rush the process, and only buy a vehicle that you’re truly going to be happy driving. A used car is a large investment, so don’t settle for anything.