Purchasing Books

Quick read that gets right to the point. I haven't completed my boat purchase yet and have been researching for a year. I want to get the best boat for the money. The author's tips regarding communication with the seller or broker really work. I have gotten all kinds of information from brokers regarding boats that they have sold including selling prices and what I should expect to pay for similar boats. I feel much more confident and less concerned about rushing into things than I did before I read the book.

Excellent overview for the virgin potential boat buyer like me.

I brought this book because I thought that I would be buying a powerboat. However after discussions with my wife I am now looking for a big yacht-a really major purchase!
I'm using the same techniques that he recomends in the book though. I'm making an offer as recomended and walking away.
The sellers that I have dealt with have not been angry. They seem to appreciate an honest valuation.
I have not brought yet, but then I don't need to.

This book is short and easy to read, but contains outstanding advice. It walks you through the process of figuring out what type of boat might work best for you, and then helps you locate and evaluate potential boats. The checklists were great - they helped us be very thorough in looking over boats, and helped us realize when we found a boat that was a great steal. In addition, the author walks you through the negotiating process and gave us tips that saved us hundreds of dollars. He deals with the emotions of the process, which was very helpful as well. We always negotiate on all our purchases, but some of the tips here were new to me and worked extremely well. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about buying a boat.

I purchased this book a year ago at a point where I knew nothing about powerboats. Reflecting back... this was a really good book in that it explains everything you want to know (and don't want to know) about purchasing a powerboat. There are entire sections dedicated to helping you decide specifically what type of powerboat you may want as well as sections dealing with boat inspections, sea trials, and techniques for purchasing.

The book is well worth the money.

I bought this book 2 years ago based on reviews, along with a few other SC books, out of personal interest and my career needs to build depth in this field.

Dr. Simchi-levi's book is fantastic in that it is the ONLY book where a novice, mid-career, or a dept head can all benefit from reading it. The way he writes the book is so straightforward, balancing applicable usage and concepts and theory. Most SC books are either too light on the applicability, or too light on the theories. Not this book.

My latest role had me running the entire country supplychain. We shipped >100m units / year directly to customers in an online division. I find myself picking this book out of my shelf and reading it casually over coffee and it still brings refreshing perspectives.

Read it in 10 min sessions, 4 hour sessions, or use it in school. No other book are as flexible and as valuable than this one. If your work involves SC (and today's global economy is more so than ever), you should invest in yourself with this book.

I gained so much respect for Dr. Simchi-Levi from reading his book that I flew to Shanghai to meet him last year at a forum. Buy the book, read it (it's compact, even hardcover), enjoy it, and benefit from it.

Words can not explain how much this book is valuable. Its pragmatic approach to supply chain is wonderful. I am sure any reader will have the same idea after reading this book. I really appreciate this great job. Special thanks to the authors.

This book one of the rarest ocasions in SCM field when you read a book and enjoy its contents to the fullest. I agree with ine of the other reviewers that this is one of the BEST books about SCM. I highly recomend it as one of MUST have SCM books.

I have this book as my text in the Business program at the University of Phoenix. I am not a supply chain manager and do not aspire to be, but it is a required course. Some of the math is a bit daunting (the phrase "using simple calculus" is an oxymoron to many) but even without knowing calculus the case studies and discussions convey the fundamentals effectively.

Visually, the book is also good, with a layout and graphic design that makes reading easier and not at all a strain on the eyes. That might not seem important when you are shopping for a text, but when you are reading the third chapter of the day sometime between supper and midnight, it will!

Good as a text book for an MBA program but I needed something concise and clear. I'll keep looking

This is a well written book. Everything is neatly arranged. The author provides explanations of common terms like focal ratio, eye relief, and many more. He also provides a history of the various types of telescopes as well as a comparison of the various uses. Phil S. Harrington did a excellent job of compiling a reference of the various telescopes, accessories, and manufacturers. It also contains some information on observing. As an added bonus, purchasers of the book can go to his website for updates and corrections (and some other useful stuff). This book is definitely worth the money!

I took an astronomy course about 20 years ago back when I was 15, and I find myself only now with the time and money to seriously pursue the hobby. So, I ran across this book in several forums as a way to introduce myself to the hardware needed for the amateur astronomer, and the book delivers all it promises; I ended up buying the right telescope and accessories for my level of knowledge and have it right next to the scope's manual for reference. I recommend it to anyone who is thinking about purchasing a telescope or related hardware, as a must-have guide to star ware shopping.

After reading Phil's book Star Ware, I would not think of buying anything for my telescope without looking it up in his book. I am about 402.00 in the hole because I didn't have a copy of this book. I have since picked up a better scope for less money. The difference in price would have gotten me a really good wide FOV 13mm eyepiece and money left over.

I now own the last 3 editions of this. An excellent and extensive introductionj to astronomical equipment and accessories definitely worthwhile for the new astronomer. Even worthwhile for many more experienced astronomers. Includes a section featuring many DIY accessories.

I have found this book to be a veritable wealth of information with the uncommon aspect of actually giving critical, unbiased assessments of the wide and varied array of astronomical hardware available.

While you might not agree with all his observations, the assessments appear to be based on actual hands-on experience, and I find it refreshing to see reviews that don't uniformly praise every single item under scrutiny!

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to future updates.

I was very disappointed reading this book.
The use of the word bootcamp is misleading. The author throws on you a bunch of trivia style information but fails to arrange it in a textbook like manner. It sounds more like a memoire than a how to book.

There is also a tendenccy, to create fillers as technical trading how to, commitment of traders report and so on.

Two thumbs down!

Dissapointed that I did not undercover anything 'new' or earth shattering. It is a decent intro book but I did not learn anything special.

This book combines personal reminiscences, economic analyses and trading know-how. Gregory T. Weldon tries with some success to balance these three important elements, but readers are likely to be most interested in his trading advice. To convey it in detail, the book relies heavily on charts. One appears on almost every page, along with commentary and an explanation of why it is relevant to trading. This approach has its strengths, particularly in conveying information about trends and statistics, but as time passes, the utility of the charts may dim. Weldon could have softened this impact by providing instructions to readers on how to extrapolate more timely charts. He could also have proofread more painstakingly, as minor errors undermine his authority, but the depth of his knowledge shines through. getAbstract recommends this ambitious book to visual learners who aspire to trade in gold.

A lot of people don't know anything about precious metals investing and tranding. I know, since I work at Capital Gold Group, and everyday I have to educate clients about the basics of commodities investment. I wish I could give everyone who walks intot he office a copy of this book. It is easy to understand, clear, and factual. It has everything you need to know to become your own gold, capital and precious metals investor.

Gold Boot Camp is very well written and the author actually entertains you thorught w/ stories and analogies to make what is normally very boring material, very interesting. I'm ready to start trading I'm so inspired!!!!!!!!!!1

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

As a little boy or a little girl your parents tell you to make sure you get good grades in grade school because good grades will make you a better student in Junior High School. Then make sure you get good grades in Jr. High School because that will prepare you for Sr. High School. And of course Sr. High School will prepare you for college.

And when you go to college, make sure you study really hard and get good grades because this is the last step to get a really good job, actually J-O-B which stands for JustOverBroke.

So you study really hard. You get out of college and if you are lucky to find a J-O-B you suddenly find that it is not what you expected. You get into the 50-50 plan where you work for 50 years and end up with a $50 watch, that is if your not downsized, re-engineered or just layed off.

Burke Hedges talks about a different 50-50 plan. Where you work for 50 months and live free for the next 50 years. Which plan is better?

This program leads to independence instead of dependence on the government or a employer. You must be independent, not dependent and you can be independent through free enterprise ala network/marketing.

Getting back to education, the big problem is what nobody ever told us is that that kind of education doesn't lead to financial security or financial freedom. If you are lucky to last 50 years on the 50-50 plan, you can look forward to be free at age 65 and live off of savings. If you invested carefully, you can maybe live off investments, savings plus ssi and pensions if they are still around when you retire.

Some people look to conventional businesses and brag that they made over a million dollars. Trouble is, it cost them $2 million!

Sort of reminds me of the poem by Stephen Crane, the author of the Red Badge of Courage:

I met a sneer,
He held in his hands
The book of wisdom,
"Sir,", I addressed him,
"Let me read,"
"Child--" he began,
"Sir," I said,
"Think not that I am a child,
For already I know much
Of that which you hold,
Aye much."

He smiled.
Then he opened the book
And held it before me--
Strange that I should have
grown so suddenly blind.

Have you been blind? Blinded by what "they" told us all those years? Looking for a change? Then read Burked Hedges great book "Who Stole The American Dream" which is even more relevent now than ever.

All they hype and glory surrounding MLM (including the author's effusive attitude towards it) cover a very important piece of information: MLM, network marketing, or whatever name it goes by at present, is unethical.

I say "unethical" since most MLM corporations make sure to do their dance one step removed from "illegal," to keep themselves clear of charges of pyramiding, ponzi schemes, or racketeering.

The premise of your average MLM is this: the parent company manufactures, purchases, or makes available a certain quantity of resources. It hires "distributors," who are individuals working through a class-S or another form of single-individual company. These individuals, in the process of selling the resources, also recruit other distributors whose sales activity will be credited to the recruiting distributor in the form of commission.

Over time, it is supposed that the original distributor will have hired so many others and receive commission on their work, that it will no longer be necessary to sell resources themselves, and simply relax while collecting the commission reward for bringing on board the other distributors that individual recruited. Of course, it is expected that any new recruit "change their buying habits" to purchase resources from the company, rather than another source, in order to credit the people above them in the food chain.

The problems here are several:

* The original company has no territory policy to protect its distributors (i.e., you and your next-door neighbor could both end up selling the same AmWay products, competing against one another in close quarters). Under a normal sales practice, salespersons maintain either real or figurative "territories," in which either a geographical area or a portfolio of clients is managed by that salesperson - this originated from the recognition that it is tough enough competing against competitors, without having to worry about being stabbed in the back by co-workers.

* No one bothers to examine the economic reality of the system when in a "revival" recruiting meeting at the local Howard Johnson's. That reality being that there is only so much profit available on a single unit of resources, and the cut of the pie at the bottom tier is miniscule, if present at all. Instead, these companies focus on a hypothetical future where the new recruit will rake in money hand over fist because they managed to recruit distributors who themselves recruited distributors and so on. While distributors are enabled to sell product directly, the prime focus and the majority of activities directed, will be aimed at recruiting. By US law, hiring an endless succession of middlemen breaks the law, as a ponzi scheme.

* Often, "changing your buying habits," particularly in the case of AmWay, means buying practically *everything* from the distributor that recruited you. What is not mentioned is that the products in question are overpriced when compared to competitors or even other sources for identical items. Often these companies will tout their partnerships with such firms as "Coca Cola, GM Cars, Dell Computer" or other big-name vendors - who themselves couldn't care less who is selling their wares, so long as it moves more of their product out of the warehouse. Buying in this fashion cripples the new recruit's cash-flow further, and this can be particularly difficult if the individual is already cash-strapped and desperate to improve his or her situation.

There are better, and more successful, ways to spend your money and start your own business. MLMs are simply pyramid schemes waiting to prey on the greed and desperation of people who have not been educated about business. As a rule of thumb - if someone is unwilling or cagey about announcing whom it is that they represent, there is a good reason to avoid them. Another that might apply is that no job should ever COST you money up front - if the company is confident in its wares and its sales strategy, they will hire you and offer to pay you for your time.

If you really itch to start your own business, there are plenty of books that can help you do so - and ones that will steer you into choosing your market correctly.

Best of luck -

T

In response to a post made by "Thomas J. Theobald" back on MArch 26, 2003 RE: Sorry, MLM just is not ethical. This individual refers to MLM as pure "hype and glory" and says it is "unethical."

He even goes on to suggest "that most MLM corporations to make sure to do their dance one step removed from "illegal," to keep themselves clear of charges of pyramiding, ponzi schemes, or racketerring."

What planet has this guy been living on for the last 25 years? Is he not aware that even the hardened FTC gave Amway, the great grandaddy of MLM corporations a clean bill of health regarding their marketing strategies way back in the late 70's?

Is he not aware that major corporations, those who have a lot to lose by aligning themselves with less than desireable marketing plans or companies now utilize MLM or Network Marketing?

MLM or Network Marketing has come of age. It is the "Wave of the Future." It is the opportunity of the century and especially in times like now where we are entering into a jobless society.

MLM is way of marketing. Yes it has layers of management but don't all corporations also have layers of management?

Obviously Mr. Theobald did n ot take much time to truly investigate MLM or he would know that MLM is not an "illegal pyramid scheme." Also, he should know that MLM does not "hire" people. MLM offers business opportunities to independent contractors. This is not a "job" so the supposition that "you should not have to pay for a job" holds about as much weight as Mr. Theobalds other ridiculous charges.

As far as MLM products being "overpriced", MLM products are more expensive because they are of a better quality.

Since this individual mentions Amway repeatedly, I have to wonder if Mr. Theobald just has a gripe about Amway in particular in place of the overall MLM industry. I also have to wonder if he tried a "poke it with a stick method" in the MLM company that he obviously failed in.

Mr. Theobald also conveniently forgets to mention the wholesale discounts that MLM representives get so the accusation that "changing your buying habits" would put a strain on a new recruits cash flow is without basis. Also, I know of no good MLM company that "requires", as Mr. Theobald suggests to buy huge amounts of products. So once again, Mr. Theobald's comments are without basis.

MLM may very well be the last bastion for true financial freedom. Why knock it?

And Mr. Theobald, try reading the book with an open mind and get involved with a good MLM company that offers good products and a personal development program as well.

Although I am not an Amway distributor, I would suggest that Mr. Theobald enroll in Amway just for the personal development. It will clean out your mind of junk obviously from reading too many tabloids or even other supposed respectable publications that only print the "hype" against MLM.

Since September 11, 2001, the American economy has been in a downward spiral. No job is safe any longer no matter how long you have worked there.

Enter PREPAID LEGAL SERVICES, INC. A 31 year young NYSE corporation that markets North American wide access to top lawfirms for less than a cup of coffee per day. You can start your own business for less than [dollar amount]. Never worry again about being unemployed. ...

I find it interesting that people bashing network marketing are buying and posting on Amazon, who also use Affiliate (referral) Marketing methods to run it's business. In fact, it's reduced it's traditional marketing budget and has put more money into it's affiliate marketing program. Ever wonder why links for "buy this book" take you straight to Amazon.com. These people are getting paid by Amazon to have these links. And good for them, they are figuring out that TV commercials, spam, telemarketing, etc are being phased out because of technology.

You'll also notice that the Affiliate Retailers for Quixtar are also stores you probably shop from everyday. If you despise any type of network or referral based marketing, then boycott these stores and stop being a hypocrite.

"The Better World Shopping Guide" should be on everyone's desk who is in charge of drawing up shopping lists for their families. It is a terrific resource which enables us to be better, more knowledgeable consumers whose purchases make the least negative impact on our world. An updated version would be even more helpful.

I'll start off by saying that this is the most important book I own. I thought that I was being a good citizen to the environment by recycling everything, buying organic produce, etc. I had no idea how off the mark I was until I picked up this book. It is, to say the least, an eye-opener.

I carry it in my purse at all times, and, with it's grading system, it is very user friendly. One of the things that blew me away was the fact that almost 40% of all chocolate produced in the world is done using child slave labor! For that reason alone you should know who scored a "D" or "F." Not only does it list brands of foods you should avoid, but retail stores, electronics, clothing, gas, and the list goes on.

Usually I don't go on about books, or anything else I buy here, but this book is a huge exception for me. I honestly believe if we were all more conscience of the products we purchased, and where we purchased them from, this world would be a lot better place. If I could afford it I would buy a copy of this book for everyone I know.

"A must Have!" if you want to make a life change then this is the book that will help you do it.

Anyone who is working on being a better consumer with a social conscience will benefit from this very helpful book. After I read and used it, I gave copies to three friends. Two of them now take the book shopping with them as they try to make better purchasing choices.

This guide will help you to make better choices on how to spend your dollars. If you care about the social integrity of a company -- and where your money goes, buy this book and keep it with you to use at the store. I love this book , although I used to love it more -- the older version had detailed charts so you could see in which areas companies performed well or didn't. Now the authors don't provide the charts, they turn the details into a grade. The upside is that the book is smaller and easier to use. Maybe they could print a fatter one with all the charts, too!? I would buy both!

I am a real estate developer in a family business.
She does a great job at making the complex subject of development easier to understand.
Excellent for beginners.
Great for intermediate.
Very Good for the Big timers as well.

This book is essentially a step by step guide as to how one can enter the real estate development universe. It outlines the various opportunities available and the processes through which a beginning developer can systematically approach the onslaught of obstacles he or she will encounter throughout the development process. The beneficial aspect of this book is that it provides a birds eye launch point from which a person can prepare for and begin to research the intricacies of what is an incredibly complex process. On the other hand, I would argue that the book borders on being uninformative. While I did not expect a comprehensive guide to a successful development, I found the content to be lacking actual substance even short what I would expect from an introductory level text. The author writes the book as if one could carry out the process simply by bringing the book with them as a checklist. However, I think the best use of my time would have been to simply write a list of topics touched upon so as to seek out other books that more comprehensively address those points. But, as I said initially, this book is a fine introduction to real estate development if you are simply trying to understand what is involved in the process.

Once in awhile there is a book that stands out that is well-written and informative. This book has a lot of easy-to-understand insights on becoming a Real Estate Developer and the process and pitfalls that one may encounter.

Almost all Real Estate Developers have to learn the ropes through real world experience; with this comes a lot of trial and error. This book displays the common problems that Developers face, which speeds up the learning curve rather than enduring years of learning the "kept secrets" of Developers. The core of this book covers a lot of Real Estate and Developing concepts!

This Handbook is very up-to-date and provides a lot of resources to turn to for additional help and research; it also has a CD that has useful forms that is sure to be of great benefit.

I am very glad that I picked up this book... I have learned so much and it has saved me years of learning on my own. Thank you!

Well writtan,all the information you are going to need on starting your own Real Estate development company.I flew through this book, I could not put it down.It really gives you the starting building blocks on how Real Estate development works.It comes with a CD,it gives you all the contracts
you are going to need when starting your business.If you plan in getting into Real Estate development,this book is a great head start.

This book is a good primer for what a potential developer should need to know before diving in to such a risky venture. The chapters on the many potential pitfalls while researching and buying a piece of property are solid. However, what is quite conspicuous is the almost complete lack of mention of the basic knowledge of the construction processes that any person needs to know in order to be a successful builder. While the white collar end of things in the book are crucial, it should include, or at least refer the reader to some other useful materials regarding construction management. Knowledge of the trades is essential; one needs to know how they operate, work together, how each phase is completed, the inspection process, etc. You should know how to read a set of plans in order to be able to accurately estimate how much it's going to cost you to build a building of any sort. A person doesn't have to be an expert in everything from initial grading to touch-up painting, but again, a working knowledge of how to physically manage the project is utterly absent from this book.

I would encourage anyone thinking about building to read this book because it has some great information, but by no means is it complete.

This is the first time my husband and I are buying a used car. This book is written candidly with many scenarios to help you develop your strategy to get the best deal. Definitely one to keep on my reference shelf for future purchases.

This book is an excellent resource. Ignore sao530 who doesn't mention anything about the book, but only has issues with the fact that everyone else loved the book. With the information here, I saved over $5,000 on my used 2002 BMW 530i.

This is the best book of its kind-bar none. Burke gives very simple, easy-to-follow advice. He not only describes the sales techniques being used on you, but describes how to effectively combat them and give yourself the advantage in negotiating. I combined three of his techniques (waiting for a rainy day, showing up at the end of the month, and taking a test drive and bringing the car back just after the dealership closed) to great effect. I got the price I wanted and I didn't have to negotiate hardly at all because the salesmen just wanted to go home. Burke's book may be the best $15 I ever spent.

You can not go wrong with this book. I don't know how many times I have read it. The information in this book is something you won't get anywhere else. It is well worth the money.

I don't know, it just seems strange to me that all "reader reviews" of this book give it 5 stars. Doesn't anyone think this book could be improved, even a little bit?? The previous reviews are so spectacular they almost sound like a SALESMAN might have written them ;) Could it be that the author has left all these other reviews of his own book? Naa, that couldn't be, could it?

This book is a must-have reference for anyone involved with supply chain management; whether academic or professional. The central focus of the text is the Supply-Chain Council's Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model and how to improve any supply chain through its use. As advertised, the book does a masterful job of taking the reader through a step-by-step approach to a SCOR project. Best of all, this second edition incorporates the experiences and learnings of another 30+ projects over the first edition. Readers gain the benefit of the authors' vast experiences in such projects, as they share their best pratices and pitfalls-to-watch-for. The book will easily return its value may times over!

This is a reference book for SCOR model. Moreover this is the only book so far on implementation of the model. And is a great and practical one!

SCOR is an acronym for the Supply Chain Operations Reference business model that was developed by the Supply Chain Council. (For more information about SCC, please visit http://www.supply-chain.org/index.ww.) In this volume, Peter Bolstorff and Robert Rosenbaum explain what the SCOR model is, how to use it most effectively, and why it can help any organization (regardless of size or nature) to improve its supply chain management. When reading this volume, it is important to keep in mind that effective management of any supply chain model depends upon active and collaborative engagement in the process by (literally) everyone involved, at all levels and in all areas of the given enterprise.

Many readers will especially appreciate the format that Bolstorff and Robert Rosenbaum selected within which to present their material. After two introductory chapters in which they discuss the supply chain operations reference model and then suggest how to build organizational support for supply chain improvement, they focus on the implementation of a four-phase process during a recommended seventeen-week timeframe and devote a separate chapter to each of the seventeen weeks.

Phase I: Discover the Opportunity (Week One)
Phase II: Analyze Basis of Competition (Weeks Two-Four)
Phase III: Design Material Flow (Weeks Five-Eleven)
Phase IV: Work and Information Flow Analysis and Design (Weeks Twelve-Seventeen)

Bolstorff and Rosenbaum then provide six appendices which facilitate review of the key points later: SCOR Model Overview, Fowler's Business Context Summary, Fowler's Supply Chain Improvement Project Charter, Partial List of SCOR Model Leading Practices (Sorted by Business Area), SCOR Version 5.0 Quick Reference Guide, and SCOR and Six Sigma DMAIC [i.e. Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control].

Note: Fowlers, Inc. is a billion-dollar conglomerate with worldwide leadership in three businesses: food processing, optical technology products, and business services. "Fundamental to the success is the Fowlers mission to continually exceed customer expectations. The company and its employees believe that if they go beyond what customers require, those customers will return again and again."

For me, some of the most valuable material in this book is provided in Chapter 17 (Week Fifteen) when Bolstorff and Rosenbaum explain how to determine how the given business should work by reviewing the Sample SCOR Level 3 Baseline Blueprint (see Table 16-3 on Page 181), adjusting SCOR Level Three processes between "swim lanes" (i.e. dividers used to organize and separate process steps by groups, organizations or roles; used to delineate ownership of the processes), incorporating transaction language for the specific technology application that will be used, conducting logical business transaction tests, and calculating productivity improvements based on the changes.

This is by no means an "easy read" and will be especially challenging to those who have only limited (if any) prior experience with the design and implementation of a large organization's supply chain for. Credit Bolstorff and Rosenbaum with making brilliant use of an extended case study of Fowlers. I certainly appreciated this approach because it enabled me to gain a much better understanding of how the exemplary organization navigated its way through the eight steps of the SCOR project lifecycle which begins with educating everyone within the given enterprise about supply chain improvement to gain their support and concludes with implementing whatever changes (i.e. improvements) may be necessary to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

Those who share my high regard for this volume may also be interested in Thomas Stallkamp's SCORE! in which he explains how (then) Chrysler Motors used a proprietary goal and measurement system (Supplier Cost Reduction Effort) in the 1990s. At that time, Stallkamp was responsible for Chrysler's procurement and supply activities. "Although it took some time to get started, by 1992, the SCORE approach had been incorporated into a supply-management philosophy called the Extended Enterprise of the firm. Because their destiny and fortunes were directly linked to Chrysler's, the idea was to build a virtual team atmosphere in which all parties focused on reducing the cost of developing and producing vehicles. The construction supply-side suggestions worked to reduce both the supplier's costs and those of Chrysler." In this book, Stallkamp traces with meticulous the process by which SCORE was formulated and then implemented as a proprietary goal and measurement system.

Definitely a very good overview of the SCOR model (Supply Chain Chain Operations Reference). I have used this book as a base reference for Kaizen processes I have championed, with SCOR as a structural foundation.

My only reservation is that the book reviews how the overall process works from a project perspective without digging into the metrics. An experienced practitioner can get around this through experience and other resources however it would have been nice to have. To offset this the auther goes into the "whys" and the "whats" instead of the "hows" and does an extremely good job at his targeted subject material.

I would most definitely purchase and use this book again, and recommend it to others looking to use SCOR processes to improve their balanced scorecards.

I would not call this a handbook; because a handbook is in my opinion supposed to fully educate you on how to complete a project. This book does supply information, but in a way that the reader is left with more questions and this is where Supply Chain Excellence, owned by Peter Bolstoff, a consulting firm looks to obtain new business. Also this book pushes you to think you need ProccessWizard, which is not true, most of what is in it, that I have found, you can build yourself or use Microsoft's Visio software.
But if you have knowledge of Supply Chain Performance and an understanding of Lean Manufacturing and six sigma you can fill in the gaps without having to invite SCE to clear up your confusion.

With every retailer out there trying to rip you off, it's nice to have the inside secrets on how the car dealers do it.

99% of what dealers tell you is bull, this book puts you on level playing ground.

This book doesn't really provide any advice you can't find on the internet. The author's tactics also resemble those of car salesmen themselves. For example, he recommends a certain company that sells extended warranties and goes into great detail over its product. I did a quick search of this company on the internet and found it had gone into bankruptcy and did not have the most reputable business practices. Yes, perhaps the author just made an error in judgment. Are you sure, however, that you want to follow someone's advice when it comes to spending this much money? I would think your money better spent just scanning over a few books at a local bookstore or picking a better book online.

This book was extremely helpful and easy to read! A lot of sound advice that gave me confidence about the buying process and dealerships. My first car buying experience was awful and I was taken advantage by the dealership; after reading this book, I believe I took advantage of them!

This book should be MANDATORY for first time car buyers!!! It opened my eyes to many things. Let's you REALLY know what car dealers don't want you to know. Because of this book I actually decided to go with a car buying service (Car Bargains) to get the best deal on a 2003 model.

We all know that common sense isn't alway so common. We all also know that car dealers have many tricks up their sleeves and for many of us we'd rather have a tooth pulled out than face a car salesperson. This is an easy to read book that lays out the different tricks that car dealers are up to and how you should go about buying a car. It has a long section about leasing which for me was a bit unnecessary since I would never want leasing, even before reading the book, but reading about leasing here is probably a good wake-up-call for many. It is brief enough to get through in a few hours, and easy to read. Much of what is in the book is just common sense, but common sense isn't always common :-)