Saturday, October 27, 2012

Volvo Overseas Delivery (OSD)

Our four vehicles have an average of 113000 miles on them. While I enjoy doing the maintenance it takes a lot of time. For Christmas we have decided on getting a Volvo XC60 through the Volvo Overseas delivery program.

Here is what we have done to date -

1. Go to Overseas Delivery program website from the volvocars.com webpage. Read, read, read... Note: You get a 3-5% off MSRP depending on the car. The process is set pricing from the Tourist Website. You will get two round trip airline tickets and a single hotel night. This is possible due to Swedish tax breaks for tourism. US duties are reduced because the car is considered used.If you own a Volvo car you will get another night free in Gothenburg.

2. Print or download the current price list and design your perfect vehicle

3. Call the OSD 800 number. We got this from the VOLVO OSD Facebook site. The ODS employee on the other end of the phone was incredibly knowledgeable and reassured me of the next steps.

4. Decide whether to go with a local dealer or with one of the two internet specialists that frequent the swedespeed forum. I chose to go with my local dealer only after questioning the dealership on if they were well versed in OSD. My local dealer has a customer loyalty program, this was the main reason I chose to go with them. Service will be done by the dealer which offers their loyalty customers a rental car for overnight service.

5. Plan your trip dates (for us it is when our kids are on Christmas break from University - December 15 - 29th)

6. A visit to The Volvo Store at Winterpark found us reviewing our dream car by comparing cars on the dealer lot.

7. We then reviewed the most recent sheet from the Volvo factory. This incentive sheet is updated weekly with vehicles that are at the factory with set options ad do not have a buyer. The salesman did not find a suitable vehicle that met our criteria. We continued to order our vehicle by filling out the following forms.
a. Fill out the order form
b. Signed the Swedish Application for temporary registration. (Allows vehicle to be driven in Sweden)
c. Fill out the Power of Attorney
d. Put down $2000 deposit

Wait Begins

Sunday, October 21, 2012

transcontinental flights

I have been loyally booking Delta for my Los Angeles flights for the last year and a half. I would guess it has been 25+ round-trip flights. Tonight is my first Cross country on United. I never had in-seat entertainment with Delta! United might just be new friend in the sky!

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Update!! United still has terrible customer service!  The entertainment system was on a commercial loop the whole flight.  Flight attendant was a deer in the headlights when people started to ask how to turn them off.  Some people were lucky and could get them off mine just played the loop for six hours.  Even in the dark with my eyes closed I could see flashes across the my eyelids. My flight was in the evening and when it was dark the stewardesses walked around shining flashlights into peoples crotches verifying seat-belts were fastened. Just terrible experience.


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

TREK ride for breast Cancer in Lake Mary

Kevin, Gregg and Sally did the 25 mile route to raise breast cancer awareness.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Monday, October 1, 2012

My Review of Thelma 3 Bike


The right rack, right price and secure

By Gwagg from Orlando, FL on 10/1/2012

 

4out of 5

Pros: Secure, No Frame Contact, Easy to Install, Safe For Carbon Frames, Easy to Use

Cons: Hard To Build

Best Uses: For Bikes You Love, Road Bikes

Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist

Was this a gift?: No

After upgrading our bikes we knew it was time to upgrade our rack. We looked at all the no frame contact racks. Having an out of the box option for three bikes was perfect for us. I like the fact that the front wheel covers are a HUGE visual clue the bikes are secure. There are many stories of people forgetting to clamp down their bikes. The Thelma's design makes this nearly impossible IMO. The front wheel is tight closing but after a couple of uses it is not hard.

(legalese)