"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
12/11/2014 at 08:29 • Filed to: None
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"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
12/11/2014 at 08:29 • Filed to: None | 6
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I wrote a piece about !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that went up yesterday. It's gotten some readers and some amazingly stupid comments. We ought to run a contest for Dumbest Comment (or Thread) of the week and give the award to the author who had to put up with it.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
But, I digress. I also did a companion podcast for the piece. So, the podcast stands alone OR you can listen to it even if you read the piece. There is info in one that did not fit in the other and vice versa.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
But only the podcast has my soothing voice . . . telling you it's going to be alright (despite what the trolls say under anything we write).
Nibbles
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 08:55 |
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I really lost it at quantize
I have no idea what quantum mechanics has to do with odometer fraud
Alfalfa
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 09:12 |
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I'm intrigued, and want to go read the comments. At the same time, I can't help thinking that it will just cause me to slam my head into my desk.
Also, if we were to give an award, you would have some stiff competition from Doug.
area man
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 09:27 |
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holy crap those comments...
shop-teacher
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 09:38 |
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There were some real pieces of Samsonite commenting on that one.
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SteveLehto
> shop-teacher
12/11/2014 at 09:40 |
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One guy said that - like all my other pieces - this one was outdated and useless. Or something to that effect. No examples of WHAT was outdated or which of my other pieces specifically he found fault with. Gotta love people who know how to construct an argument.
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SteveLehto
> area man
12/11/2014 at 09:41 |
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And I can never guess which pieces will do that. Some are uneventful and some, the commenters just go nuts. Full moon last night?
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SteveLehto
> Alfalfa
12/11/2014 at 09:42 |
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One guy was faux-offended on behalf of dealerships. Even though my piece did not mention them. He admitted he hates McParland and anyone else writing on Car Buying because he is a used car salesman. Later, when I commented on that, he went nuts, accusing me of insulting him. By calling him a "used car salesman." I kid you not.
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shop-teacher
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 09:45 |
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Well, he had a point there :)
Actually, I love that those people clearly couldn't be bothered to actually READ the article. You know, where you discussed how modern digital odometers can be rolled back too. But, it's never happened to him, so it must not really exist, right?
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SteveLehto
> Nibbles
12/11/2014 at 09:46 |
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He was trying to say "Quantify." Ironically, the illiterate was making my point for me. He was upset that I said odo fraud happens "all the time." He said it doesn't. As I told several other people who understood - you cannot quantify "all the time" - it is subjective. Therefore, if it happens AT ALL the statement cannot really be called "incorrect." It is a matter of opinion. But the poor used car salesman could not grasp that (and he got pissed when I called him a used car salesman. After he told he sold used cars. Go figure.)
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Nibbles
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 09:49 |
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I figured that he was looking for "quantify". Having worked with many salesmen (and having been one myself for many a year), he did fall right into the car sales stereotype.
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Alfalfa
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 10:09 |
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I feel like if you're that self-conscious about your job, maybe it's time to look for something else...
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SteveLehto
> Alfalfa
12/11/2014 at 10:15 |
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Another funny aspect is - Why would a used car salesman have special knowledge of "odometer fraud in America"? Since when do car dealers deal with that - other than when THEY are the ones doing it? His dealership might not spin odometers but that does not mean that other people aren't doing it.
And trust me, IT IS happening all time.
bradleyjames518
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 10:43 |
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I did have a question for you, but did not want to get lost in the sea of commentors....What would be the legality of a situation where the odometer would be incorrect but actual mileage was documented, and disclosed to the seller.
For example, I had replaced the instrument cluster with a used one from a higher mileage salvage vehicle (I was broke in college, needed to repair). I documented the actual mileage, provided the broken cluster to the new owner. Would I be liable for anything down the road? I did not have fraudulent intent and even referenced the incorrect mileage in the bill of sale we exchanged. The mileage for the replacement cluster was higher and wouldn't likely show up on carfax or title data.
The vehicle was over 10 years old, and NY did not require an odometer statement for title anyway. I am more curious than worried.
Thanks.
thebigbossyboss
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 10:47 |
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Hey steve. Here is a hypothetical. What is Michigan's opinion on "repairing dashboards" and the like? My speedometer & fuel gauge don't work. I would like them to work. I was thinking of swapping out my cluster for another from the scrap yard.
Presumably when I install this the odometer will take the reading from the other car. I am not going to be claiming my mileage is the new value or selling the car anytime soon, but I don't really see how you could fix a speedometer without disconnecting the odometer even if I were to solder in new stepper motors? (Yes it's a GM of course...)
Thoughts?
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SteveLehto
> bradleyjames518
12/11/2014 at 11:05 |
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Oddly, that MIGHT have been against the law. It would have been in MICH but I do not know NY law. The Fed statute requires intent to defraud and you would point to your actions to show that you weren't acting fraudulently. The MICH state statute only gives you the two options to comply with the law: zero the new one out or make the new one match correct mileage.
As for the title certification, that does not exonerate you on the odometer statute (but could implicate you if you did it wrong). It is merely another hoop to jump through but sounds like you did it right.
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SteveLehto
> thebigbossyboss
12/11/2014 at 11:07 |
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You can repair it so long as the numbers end up being correct. Make sure that is the case. Sometimes the replacement odo will pick up the numbers from the Control Module, sometimes they won't. (Depends on the make/model/year and so on). If it doesn't, then you have to figure out how to make it do that or to zero it out (which might mean a trip to a dealer and you know how much they hate taking over someone else's job).
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SteveLehto
> shop-teacher
12/11/2014 at 11:17 |
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Yes, he did! (Actually, I have no problem with someone who wants to have a constructive discussion. Tell me what is wrong with the article and WHY. "You are wrong," is not constructive (even if it is true!))
The funny thing is all the notes and emails I get from attorneys thanking me for writing these articles. Because, as they note, this stuff happens ALL THE TIME.
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bradleyjames518
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 11:52 |
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I did the best I could with the resources I had...Thanks!
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shop-teacher
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 11:55 |
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I have no doubt this stuff happens regularly.
You're great about discussing things with people, but that only works if the other party wants to have a discussion.
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thebigbossyboss
> SteveLehto
12/11/2014 at 12:11 |
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Thanks for the note. The fuel Guage not working doesn't bother me that much. The speedometer is really annoying though.
I can see it now being pulled over on the highway....
Cop "do you know how fast you were going"
Me "the speedometer said 30 so no, not really"
That's going to go over well.