September 1 - 15 , 2018 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY ARTS AND CULTURE 23
BBB Tips : Fall is a Good Time to Consider a New Car
Vancouver , BC - The kids are back to school and your work routine is getting back to normal . Like it or not , your commute to the office likely just got a lot more congested as well . If this has you thinking about a new car , it ’ s a good time to consider it .
Why fall ? Between now and December you ’ re likely to get a better deal on a new car as dealerships around the Lower Mainland clear out inventory to make room for the 2019 models . However , it ’ s a big decision and should not be taken lightly . Do your research : Buying a new car can be a great experience , but it ’ s also a big financial responsibility .
• Make sure it ’ s the car you need and not necessarily the car you want . Research many makes and models so that the car you buy fits your needs AND budget .
• The car you really want may not be the best value , consider things like : o Mileage o Reliability o Consumer Reviews o Warranties o Features for the price
• New cars have both BC provincial and federal taxes = 12 % of the purchase price .
• Depending on the make and model some have a luxury surtax as well .
• If you ’ re trading in , tax only applies to the balance AFTER trade .
• Most dealerships have fees they apply at purchase , usually around $ 500 or 600 for document storage and administration . Buying Used :
“ Fraud is an obvious concern for anyone buying a used vehicle ,” says Evan Kelly , Senior Communications Advisor for BBB serving Mainland BC . “ Curbers will hide any information about a vehicle in order to sell it to you including damage history . They count on you not doing your own due diligence . There are plenty of trustworthy , BBB Accredited new and used car dealers in BC . Come to BBB . ORG and check them out .”
Tips to Identify a Curber :
• They won ’ t provide CarFax or CarProof report . These can be purchased online through the use of the car ’ s vehicle identification number
WWW . PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY . COM
- VIN .
• They will roll back the odometer . Rule of thumb : 1 year of car age = roughly 20,000km of driving .
• They will tell you they are selling it for a friend or deceased family member as the reason their name , if they even give it to you , is not on the registration .
• They will only take cash , and pressure you for it .
• The price is too good to be true and well below market value .
• They will claim no damage has been done to the vehicle and will back away at the idea of an independent BCAA inspection . ( Legally , anyone selling a car won ’ t have to disclose damage under $ 2000.00 )
New Democrat government committed to crackdown on speculators with multiple vacant homes
As the New Democrat government ’ s tax on housing speculators shows signs of working , the BC Liberals and their allies continue to protect foreign speculators and people sitting on multiple vacant homes .
Last week , MLS figures revealed pre-sale condo prices are flattening . Michael Ferreira of Urban Analytics believes the market is beginning to “ feel the effects of the various policies introduced by various levels of governments .” ( Vancouver Sun , Sept 4 )
And on Monday , SFU Professor Josh Gordon told UBCM delegates that “ the market is now turning and we ’ re going to start to get more affordable housing ” as a result of the New Democrat government ’ s new housing measures , including the speculation tax . ( StarMetro , Sept 10 )
British
Columbians overwhelmingly support the tax on housing speculators . The most recent poll , conducted in August by Angus Reid , showed 88 per cent of Metro Vancouver residents support the speculation tax . Even 81 per cent of B . C . Liberal voters support the measure . ( Angus Reid Institute , August 27 )
This confirms results from multiple polls that consistently show British Columbians support the speculation tax by a margin of 3 or even 4 to 1 . ( Angus Reid Institute , May 9 ; Research Co , June 5 ; Insights West , March 1 )
“ Andrew Wilkinson and the BC Liberals ’ inaction caused the housing crisis , and their plan to cut taxes for speculators would make it even worse . Instead of letting speculators drive up housing prices , we ’ re asking people with multiple vacant homes to either rent out their homes or pay a little more . Making housing more affordable for everyday British Columbians is the right thing to do .”
- Carole James , Minister of Finance . Facts on the speculation tax :
• More than 99 per cent of British Columbians will not pay the speculation tax .
• The tax is expected to generate $ 200 million per year to help fund B . C .’ s historic $ 7 billion investment in affordable rental housing .
• The speculation tax targets foreign speculators , satellite families , and people with multiple vacant homes in the largest B . C . municipalities .
• Owners of multiple properties can avoid paying the tax by renting out their houses for at least 6 months of the year .
‘ Bato ’ confirms senatorial bid for May 2019 elections
Bureau of Corrections ( BuCor ) chief Ronald “ Bato ” dela Rosa on Wednesday confirmed that he is running for senator in the upcoming May 2016 elections .
Dela Rosa confirmed this as he formally joined the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino ( PDP ) Laban party . The oath-taking was administered by PDP-Laban President and Senator Aquilino “ Koko ” Pimentel III inside his Senate office .
Interviewed by reporters , Dela Rosa said his campaign would focus on law enforcement , peace and order , which are his forte .
“ Magpapakatao ka lang , ‘ wag plastic . Huwag mong gawin yung hindi mo kayang gawin . Yun lang kaya ko lang gawin ko , ( Just be yourself , don ’ t be a hypocrite . Don ’ t do anything you know you can ’ t do . I will just do what I can do ),” the ex- Philippine National Police ( PNP ) chief told reporters in an interview .
“ Bakit ako makikisawsaw diyan sa aspeto ng ekonomiya hindi naman ako negosyante or economist . Sa health , di naman ako doctor , ( Why will
I meddle with aspects on the economy when I ’ m not a businessman or an economist . And on health matters , I ’ m not a doctor ),” he said .
“ Dito ako focus sa law enforcement , at saka sa corrections ( I will focus here on law enforcement , and on corrections ),” added dela
Rosa .
Should he become senator , he also said he will not resort to embarrassing resource persons invited to attend Senate hearings .
Dela Rosa admitted he felt persecuted when lawmakers opted to embarrass him during congressional hearings .
The former PNP chief broke down many times in the Senate hearings when the upper chamber investigated the extrajudicial killings attributed to the Duterte administration ’ s brutal war on drugs , which he strongly supported .
“ Alam ko ganu kahirap yung ikaw ay winawalanghiya sa Senado . Kaya kung palarin na maging senador tayo , hindi ako mamamahiya ng tao . Hindi ko gagawin yan ( I know how hard it is when you are being targeted in the Senate . That ’ s why I won ’ t do the same thing when I become a senator . I won ’ t embarrass resource persons invited ,” he said .
“ Legislation kaya yan , di naman in aid of pahirap .. ganun din naramdaman ko .. lalo na yung may mga question na may agenda ,( Because the hearings are in aid of legislation , not in aid of persecution . That ’ s the same thing I felt . Especially those who asked questions with an agenda ),” he stressed . ( H . Tarragoza , mb . com . ph )