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by Mary K. Morgan
AutoZone has the perfect solution for “shade-tree mechanics” who possess the skills to fix their cars, but often lack the specific tools necessary for a specialized job. Very often these are seldom-used, expensive tools that are only needed for a short time and require too much of an investment to own. Repairs to auto air conditioners, steering components and emissions devices can be very costly if one has to buy the unique tools to get the job done.
A reasonable, refundable deposit allows a customer to “borrow” a tool for a day, or so. The AutoZone Loan-A-Tool program offers about 60 different tools that are integral to a variety of repairs. Stop by your local AutoZone for more information about the service.
And it gets better; the AutoZone web site has a complete selection of repair guides that you can access at no cost. You just follow the online instructions to find the correct manual for your vehicle. In addition, you’ll find vehicle specifications, component locations and some great tips about keeping your car running efficiently while using less gas.
The AutoZone Loan-A-Tool program is just one smart way that big companies are helping our country “go green.” Keeping cars running clean, and out of landfills, is a major step in the right direction.
Speaking of cars, would you mind leaving yours outside for a while? I’d like to get rid of — rather recycle — some of my extra baggage by hosting a garage sale. Oh wait, maybe there’s another way — a Cyber Sale! That’s right, folks, try holding a virtual garage sale. No need to work for days assembling the wares, sticking little price tags on everything, sitting around the garage waiting for customers, not to mention getting the leftovers out of the garage.
All you need is a digital camera, an e-mail list and you’re set to go. The design of your virtual garage sale is a function of your expertise and web design savvy, but don’t despair. A good deal will sell even if your presentation is less than stellar. A list of your offerings and little “pic” clickies will suffice. Over-achievers will actually design the interior of a virtual garage and have customers clicking on clothing racks to bring up pictures of the items. Since it’s your sale, you can do it any way you want.
My preference for finding customers is to send the list to your entire e-mail list, with a suggestion (plea) that they forward it to their friends. The “exponential customer effect” is in force here. You can post a price or take offers. Some of you may be fans of Craig’s List posts. A Bargain Box ad may even be fashioned, but I don’t know if they allow web links, or just phone numbers. It’s your call — be creative!
End the sale at a specific date and time and be sure to impose a window of time for pick-up and pay-up. All customers should bring their own change, bags, boxes and transportation for large items. They already know what they bought and should know how much money they need and how they can get their purchases home. If not, something’s the matter with your e-mail list!
All this is contingent upon the old saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” That’s not to say that you shouldn’t embellish on your goods a bit. In your photos, clothes may be modeled, dishes and flatware placed in an attractive table setting, furniture stylishly arranged, bikes shined-up, etc.
There are countless ways that you can “go green.” Once you begin thinking in terms of recycling and maintaining a cleaner environment, the solutions will emerge, one idea at a time. People have been recycling their cast-offs at garage sales for decades. This is just a twenty-first century version of an old favorite. Be sure to donate to a charity what doesn’t sell. Let’s keep those landfill items to a minimum. Remember, recycle LARGE, discard small!
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