The Carmax Experience

Before we left for India - one of the big items was disposing off the vehicles. Advertisements on the bulletin boards (online and offline) in the places of work resulted in many enquiries but no buyers. Craigslist helped a lot in getting serious enquiries and the car - a 2001 Altima - sold off quickly. Within 4 days of being listed, to be precise.

However, it's the minivan - a 2004 Odyssey - that attracted many more serious enquiries and a couple of finalists who wanted to buy. With the first come, first drive policy - the first person who confirmed the intent to buy got the lucky vehicle. He got it inspected at a service station of his choice - and was satisfied to learn the vehicle was in top condition. Of course, a detail service done on it helped project it in good light as well.

With the departure date closing in on us, we tried to close the formalities and he (let's call him Mr. Gandhi) waited for the loan to be approved by the financial institution. Gandhi got it done and went to pick up the check the day before we left. He was on time for the appointment, sat down to sign the papers, and upon being asked to produce the verification documents - he produced them including his driving license and the auto insurance approval papers. There started the trouble.

Gandhi had an international driving license - and the loan disbursal officer objected to it. Gandhi was asked to get a U.S. driving license before the loan amount can be handed out. He was in distress and called me for advise. We tried various options, and even the drastic option of me leaving the vehicle with him and he paying me once he gets the loan amount sanctioned. He was surprised at this last option and considered it for a while. He was in need of a big vehicle, since his family came from India and he's tired of shelling out money to the rental car companies. His severe back problem also made him look for a bigger. He seemed to be a very honest fellow - and hence my offer to him.

He called me late in the night to express his thanks and inability to accept the offer for various reasons. I already turned down two other serious buyers and didn't have time to put it on sale again. I didn't want to leave the burden of selling this vehicle for me, on friends/family. So on the day of departure, we changed our planned route to the JFK airport. We packed our suitcases in the van, started a couple of hours early, and went to Hartford, CT to sell the van in Carmax. I read about it that it takes about 30-40 minutes for the vehicle to be assessed and a quote given to us. Once we decide to sell the vehicle to them, they will finish the formalities in another hour and give us a check.

So, we drove there and offered it up for sale to them. They gave us a quote and albeit our negotiations, they didn't budge higher from their quote. It's like - take it or leave it. I had no other option. I was not sure (or may be I was) if unloading all the suitcases in a corner of their parking lot gave it away to them that I was desperate to sell it and had no time. Whatever be the case, I gave it to them, and they gave me a check.

My BiL got a rental van from the Hartford airport and we packed the luggage in it. From there we proceeded to the airport. It was the most exciting day of the past 3-4 months, leading to our boarding the flight for R2I.

That's our Carmax experience - high on convenience, low on price - but even on satisfaction. One must see the signs of relief on our faces, while driving out of the Carmax parking lot. A job DONE - in the final seconds :)

Swasti!!

Frozen

It's been a month to this day, since we returned home to India. It's been vacation time so far for all of us - especially since Dasara is a family get together time every year. The kids are growing 'smarter' watching the TV programs here - ChoTha Bheem being their favorite. We zeroed in on a school for them - and will be joining them soon. Our shipment is due to arrive by the end of this week - and we will then have no excuses after that :)

One thing I realized is - even after our annual trips to India - we are frozen in our '1994 India' mindset in some aspects. One example is - whenever I meet or come across my teachers/Professors I am folding my palms together and wishing them Namaste; while they are extending their hands to shake mine :) Walking is a forgotten skill for many, I observe. More on the 'frozen' part later...

Datta today wrote part of the Telugu alphabet and impressed at his 'artwork', he offered the 'masterpiece' to his mom and asked her to sell it for big money. He then came over to me and asked me to take a digital picture of it, and sell copies of it - so I don't have to work any more. I wish it's as easy and simple as that :))

Chandra and Lakshmi are enjoying every bit of the Masula life - mosquito bites included :)

Swasti!!

When 50 became 410

The boys are busy with Chota Bheem, Hanuman, Mr. Bean, some studies and other play stuff. In the US, they were never in front of the TV for more than an hour. Here, it's getting difficult to pull them away. Anyway, yesterday I had the fortune of them following me into the drawing room to sit down and do some Math. Chandra did 3 digit additions and substractions fine. Datta did single digit problems fine - so I gave him 2 digit problems as well. After a few problems, I gave him 25 + 25 - to keep things simple and make him excited. Excited - he sure was - at 'cracking' all the problems. He pushed his book towards me and ran off to join his brother for another episode of Chota Bheem.

I checked the book at the end of the day - before going to bed. And I was surprised to see him answer 25+25 = 410. For a second I didn't understand where got that from. Then I realized, I didn't teach him to carry over ... so no wonder :) Right or wrong, he is always at peace! What a joy!!

Swasti!!