Charlotte, NC - 01/16/2012 –  LeeAnn Shattuck (a.k.a. “The Car Chick”) of the America’s Garage Radio Show and Women’s Automotive Solutions has partnered with Woodie’s Auto Service and Repair Centers to educate busy women on automotive maintenance and repairs.

According to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, approximately 75% of all automotive maintenance decisions are made by women.  Yet, many women are not comfortable making those decisions due to a lack of automotive knowledge and a general distrust of dealerships and service centers.  Woodie’s and Women’s Automotive Solutions have partnered to create a seminar to better acquaint women with vehicle maintenance needs and to instill confidence in their ability to communicate effectively with their mechanic.

Women’s Automotive Solutions is a unique car buying service dedicated to helping women through the entire car selection and buying process, enabling them to save hundreds to thousands of dollars on a new or pre-owned vehicle.   Co-owner and Chief Car Chick, LeeAnn Shattuck, is passionate about empowering women to make informed decisions about everything relating to their automobile.  Shattuck is known as “The Car Chick” and co-hosts the weekly educational and entertaining automotive radio show, America’s Garage.

Woodie’s Auto Service is a local, family-owned automotive repair and service company that has served the Charlotte community since 1962.  Woodie’s has seven automotive repair and service centers in and around the Uptown Charlotte area.  Their new, flagship service center opened January 5, 2012 near the corner of Carmel Road and Hwy 51.  “Woodie’s dedication to honest customer communication and quality automotive service made them the perfect partner for this ‘knowledge is power’ car care seminar”, said Shattuck.

The seminar, entitled “My Car Needs a New WHAT?#$!”, is for women only and will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 10am – 11:30am at Woodie’s Auto Service new location at 6625 Carmel Road in south Charlotte.   The cost is $5 per participant, and all proceeds will be donated to United Family Services to benefit the Shelter for Battered Women.

Visit http://womenscarcareclinic.doattend.com/ to learn more and to register for this seminar.

The Car Chick, co-owner of Women’s Automotive Solutions and co-host of the America’s Garage radio show, talks with Fox News about holiday car shopping.  Are YOU leaving money on the table?

The Car Chick talks with Fox News about Holiday Car Shopping

foxcharlotte.com.Are Parents To Blame For Bad Teen Driving Habits Charlotte News Weather Carolina Panthers Bobcats FOX Charlotte Local News

Shattuck is the co-owner of Women’s Automotive Solutions, a national car buying service dedicated to helping women save hundreds to thousands of dollars without the frustrations of traditional car shopping.  Shattuck is also the co-owner of The Car Doctor, a concierge mechanic service, and the FIY (Fix-It-Yourself) Garage, a facility where do-it-yourselfers can rent professional garage space, complete with lifts and tools, to fix their own cars.  Her goal:  to empower consumers in the automotive industry.

Carolina Car Care Show producer, Chris Pardo, approached Shattuck to co-host the show because of her extensive knowledge of all things cars.  Pardo plans to syndicate the show and believes that Shattuck’s reputation as “The Car Chick^TM” will help attract more female listeners across the country.

The Carolina Car Care Radio Show, which airs Saturdays from 1pm to 2pm on WAVO 1150 AM and WTIX 1410 AM, educates the average person on everything from car buying and selling to vehicle maintenance and current industry news in a straight forward and slightly wacky way.  Listeners can call into the show at 704-596-4900 and listen online at http://www.CarolinaCarCareShow.com.

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/autos/3-myths-of-used-car-buying-today/

So, is October a good month to buy a car?  This year, it certainly is!  Since most new models begin arriving in August or September, dealers are often desparate to get rid of left overs from the previous model year.  Car sales for most manufacturers are way down this year compared to fall 2009, so extra incentives are available.  Contact Women’s Automotive Solutions today to learn how we can help you get the best deal on a new or pre-owned car!

Women’s Automotive Solutions is a unique car buying service dedicated to helping women through the entire car selection and buying process, enabling them to save hundreds to thousands of dollars on a new or pre-owned vehicle without the frustrations the come with traditional car shopping.

Mark decided that he wanted to become a part of Women’s Automotive Solutions after seeing the company’s logo-wrapped Mini Cooper in a local bookstore parking lot. “I was intrigued by the hot pink and green branding and impressed with the unique business concept. I know so many women who hate car shopping.” Mark was surprised to learn that 60% of Women’s Automotive clients are men.

Entrepreneur and automotive expert, Michelle Lundy, founded Women’s Automotive Solutions in 2004 after observing thousands of smart, successful women shy away from the car buying process. Together with her partner, LeeAnn Shattuck, Lundy has taken Women’s Automotive Solutions from a kitchen table idea to a national consulting firm with consultants in five states, coast to coast.

Mark is the fifth independent consultant to join the Women’s Automotive Solutions team. The company also has offices in South Carolina, Colorado, Washington and California and serves clients in all 50 states.

Visit http://www.WomensAutomotiveSolutions.com to learn more.

It’s true that the clunker money is subject to sales tax in most states.  The government’s official website for the CARS program clearly states in the FAQ section that the CARS credit may be subject to sales tax and encourages customers to check the laws in their state or to consult with their tax advisor. 

Why is the clunker money taxable?   The clunker credit is a REBATE.  Rebates, by definition, come off the bottom line – after taxes have been assessed on the selling price of the car.  The cash rebates offered frequently by the car manufacturers work the same way.  So do rebates on other products like soda, toilet paper and refrigerators.  Look at your grocery store receipt the next time you use a rebate coupon.

Perhaps the confusion stems from the fact that most people perceived the clunker money as a trade allowance instead of a rebate.  In most states, the sales tax on a car is assessed on the sale price minus the trade allowance (the amount the dealer gives you for your old car).   For example, if you purchased a new car for $20,000 and traded in your old car for $4,500, you would only pay sales tax on the difference of $15,500.  With the clunker rebate, you pay sales tax on the full $20,000, and THEN the $4,500 rebate is applied. 

The claim that consumers will have pay income tax on $3,500 or $4,500 rebate is completely FALSE!  The official CARS government website explicitly states that the CARS credit is NOT considered taxable income for the consumer.  It is, however, considered part of the dealer’s gross income.

Unfortunately, some blogs are spreading mis-information about the clunker program in an attempt to schmear the current administration as well as bash the car dealers.   Politics aside, I hope this post sets the record straight and eases people’s minds about the clunker money and taxes.

Over 220,000 new vehicles have been sold under the Cash 4 Clunkers program since it officially began on July 1st, with the top seller being the Toyota Corolla.  Opponents of the program expressed concern that it would favor the Asian automakers, but approximately half of the vehicles sold so far have been American brands.

Not sure if the vehicle you have qualifies as a clunker?  Not sure if the new vehicle you WANT qualifies under the program?  The official CARS site (www.CARS.gov) has a nifty (if somewhat slow) tool that will tell you!  Check it out the CARS eligibility calculator at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/CarsSearchIntro.shtml

If you do take advantage of the program, be prepared for extended wait times at the dealerships, which have been overwhelmed by the demand.  Also be prepared to provide additional paperwork, including the title to your clunker , your current registration card, and a detailed letter from your insurance company proving that the vehicle is and has been properly and continuously insured.  

Don’t want to spend hours at the dealership?  Want to get MORE than just the $3500 or $4500 rebate?   Let the car chicks at Women’s Automotive Solutions car buying service help you get the best deal without all the hassle! 

If you have a clunker to trade in on a shiny new, more fuel-efficient model, contact Women’s Automotive Solutions car buying service  today, and let us help you get the best deal – no matter what the government decides!