A smart buyer knows that they have the inherent bargaining edge if they choose to use it: being willing to walk away. A person who isn't willing to walk away from a deal — at any point in the negotiation process — is likely a person who will overpay for their car. A smart dealer may try draw out the process, making you feel like you've invested a good amount of time in a car, and that walking away is the same thing as abandoning that investment. Don't fall for that trap. Know that any time you spend researching or negotiating, even if the negotiation falls apart, is an investment in itself and will eventually pay off. Car dealerships know that they can generally make money off of people who decide to lease a car. The prevailing myth that leasing a car is always bad isn't quite accurate; if you plan on keeping the car for less than three years, it's an okay deal. But if you want to hold onto your car for a good deal of time, paying that lease will usually leave you worse off than if you negotiated to buy the car. If you do decide to take a car on a test drive, keep your emotions in check. Dealers know that people get emotionally attached to cars when they take them for a test drive. When a customer is emotionally attached to a car, they are far likelier to overspend because they are less willing to walk away from a bad deal. Some things you can do during a test drive to control your enthusiasm:  Ask the salesperson for quiet, if necessary. During a test drive, a good salesperson will keep talking about all the features and amenities of a car, trying to convince you it's the best deal. They're trying to get you emotionally attached, do not fall for this trick. If the salesperson won't give it a rest, ask them for silence point blank. Bring your somebody else with you on the drive. Your companion will help you remain analytical and focused on the task of extracting the best possible value for the car. They could also be another BS radar, if the salesperson tries to pull a fast one. Take your time and nitpick. If you're going to buy this car, you should very well feel comfortable in it. Don't rush the drive and ask questions that you want answered. Wait for clear answers. Better yet, tell the salesperson up front that you're prepared to walk away if they bring out a four-square worksheet. A four-square worksheet is a clever mechanism the dealership uses to massage the numbers, getting you to agree on an inflated price. It's a three-card Monte trick the dealer uses. Don't get scammed. on the final out-the-door price. Dealers will try to "sweeten the deal" (ostensibly for you, but really for them) by adding on services, perks, etc. onto the price that you initially agreed on, making you feel bad about or guilty about not accepting because it's "agreed on." Don't get fooled by this. You can say something like: "I'm only prepared to negotiate on the final out-the-door price. If we can agree on a number, I expect that number to be the final number, not the starting point for another negotiation." Not all salespeople are slimy and wily, but a lot work in the car industry. Knowing the tricks of their trade will help you be prepared when you sit down to negotiate.  Don't fall for the guilt trick. Don't feel guilty for refusing an offer that you know is bad. A salesperson might make you feel guilty for "wasting his time" after taking a test drive. This is their job. Don't feel guilty. They certainly don't, their priority is to make a sale. Know that salespeople will start negotiating with an achingly, ridiculously high number. It's their way of "breaking" you, and making you feel like the number they're willing to come down on is actually a good one. If you know the invoice price (the price the dealer paid for the car), don't be afraid to walk away from an insultingly high bid. Know the commission structure. After a "holdback," the salesperson gets about a 10% to 25% cut of the difference between the sales price and the invoice price. The higher the total sales price of the car, the more money the salesperson makes in commission. Decide exactly what kind of car you want to buy. Locate several dealerships in the area that have that make and model of car. Phone each one of the dealerships up and tell them that you're planning on buying such and such a car at 5 PM from the dealer that gives you the best price. Tell them you're not negotiating, aren't willing to come into the office until the price is agreed upon, and that you want an out-the-door prices (taxes, everything included). The dealer may not want to play this game with you, but they'd be missing out on an opportunity to sell a car (something a dealer hates to do). Assure them that if they can give you the lowest possible offer, you'll take their offer. If you're buying a used car from a private seller or even a dealership, ask to take the car to a trusted mechanic to check for performance, accident history, or even water damage. Buying with peace of mind will help you find the best deal. Check if the car was reported stolen, scrapped, or ever recalled before you buy. You can get a full history report at CARFAX.com. Or if you live in the UK, go onto autotrader.co.uk, then "Get A Vehicle Check". You will have to pay a fee, but it is worth paying to know the truth about the vehicle you are considering purchasing. Don't put your guard down until you've driven the car of your dreams off the lot. Make sure you understand any contract you're reading, and don't be afraid to ask questions. A lot of the time, a dealership will try to add on $10 a month or even hidden fees to wring extra money out of your purchase. Don't be gullible and trust that the salespeople necessarily have your best interests at heart. If the dealership tries to "pack payments" by surreptitiously increasing your interest rate, for example, know that the dealer may be subject to heavy fines, as is it illegal. If you believe you are a victim of packing payments, contact a lawyer.
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One-sentence summary -- Be willing to walk away at any point in time. If you plan on keeping the car for a good while, forget about leasing. Ace the test drive. Walk away if the salesperson brings out a four-square worksheet. Negotiate Know the salesperson's tricks of the trade. Try this clever trick, if you're willing. Before buying a used car, take the car to a qualified mechanic for a complete pre-purchase inspection. Before buying a used car, run a Vehicle History Report on the car. Read the fine print carefully before you sign.


If the cilantro is even a little moist, you should dry it with clean paper towels or by putting it through a spin in a salad spinner. Cilantro will go bad much faster if the leaves are still wet, so it is crucial that you get as much water off as possible. To be on the safe side, the best option is to spin the cilantro in a salad spinner and spread the stems out in a single layer on a dry kitchen towel. Place the towel in direct sunlight for a few hours to further dry the cilantro. Cover the container and place it in your refrigerator. It should stay fresh for two to three weeks. Check the cilantro periodically during this time. Look through the sides of the container if using clear plastic, or quickly remove the lid and peek inside if using a container made of tinted plastic. Remove any wilted or discolored cilantro. If you notice any moisture, dry the container and send your cilantro for another spin in the salad spinner.
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One-sentence summary --
Dry the cilantro completely. Keep in the refrigerator.