#Phil Meenan

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I had plenty of anticipation going into the 2017 Chicago  Days of the Dead with goals to match. Although I’m no vlogger at this stage of the Terror Dave game, I wanted to capture as much video as I could while meeting celebrity guests, doing some shopping, and stepping out of my comfort zone for a bit of cosplaying (more on that later).  This year’s headliners included Linda Blair, Sean Astin, Dee Snider, and Jeremy Bulloch. As a lifelong STAR WARS fan, seeing Bulloch, a.k.a. Boba Fett, was priority #1 while my kids had autograph ambitions of their own. On this Friday night, however, it was “adult swim” as my horror compadre, Chris, and I attempted to tackle as much of the event as we could before the Saturday crowds made it a challenge.

Chris Carr (left) and I clownin’ around at Days of the Dead Chicago!

Shortly after arriving, I spotted my fellow Svengoolie chasers, Don and Bunny Urban. They’ve been attending this event from the very beginning; sitting in on as many celebrity discussions as they can. They’re always so kind in sharing their photos and insights from those for this site which is a huge help to me. So a BIG thank you to my friend the Urbans!

With Don & Bunny

With time to kill before the doors opened, I had an opportunity to meet some fun people, including a rather amusing woman with her husband and an eleven-year-old boy about to lose his “only child” status. “This one was a surprise,” the woman said, while patting her pregnant belly. She then proceeded to go on a hysterical tirade about wishing her spouse would take her on a more traditional vacations rather than horror cons. “My co-workers all show me pictures of their families at tropical islands and Disneyland!” she snapped while glaring at him. “And here I am like, ‘Oh…well check out this picture of us with Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead.” I cracked up.

Of all genre enthusiasts,  I’ve always found horror fans to be the nicest to talk to. I’m no sociologist, but I’m thinking it has something to with our favorite movies providing us a healthy outlet for frustration.

I also ran into Phil Meenan whom I spoke of last year. He showed off his tattoos of the celebrity he was anxious to meet this year,  Alice Krige from Ghost Story.

Once inside, I couldn’t help but notice  a maniacal elf swinging overhead along with other macabre, Christmas-themed props. It was the talented team from Illinois’ Massacre Haunted House whose haunt I was able to enjoy this past Halloween season. I wasn’t entirely surprised to see them as I’d recognized their giant, killer clown (seen in a previous photo) standing in the foyer.

The folks at Massacre also style haunts around Valentine’s Day and Easter which I’m looking forward to attending. I’m a firm believer that Halloween is a lifestyle, not just some date on the calendar, and attractions such as these reinforce that. Seriously, how much more fun would life be if we put a scary twist on ALL the other holidays, especially Christmas?

Further down was a booth displaying Bigfoot and Yeti patches which, naturally, reeled me in like a tractor beam. Aside from the fact that I love cryptozoology, I also collect patches: zoos, dinosaurs, UFO-related, and cryptozoology. So, needless to say, when I saw George Coghill the Monsterologist‘s setup, I quickly pulled out my wallet.

Ironically, though I’d never met Coghill before, I’ve had decals of his monster designs on my car ever since he did a Kick-starter campaign for them years back. I’ll be doing a full interview with the Monsterologist in an upcoming issue of Scary Monsters Magazine so stay tuned for that.

The next stop was Jay Langley’s Scare Bears which I featured HERE two years back with many more mentions since. I make no secret that I’m nuts for the guy’s work and, with no two bears exactly alike, add one to my collection each time I see him. He’s a great guy, his prices are reasonable, and it’s one purchase that never leaves me with buyer’s remorse.

Jay always creates special bears for auctions, like the one he does annually for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. This year’s bear was inspired by Jeepers Creepers along with another Leatherface one he did for an in-house raffle. He also created a custom Deadpool bear for a fan that was just incredible!

This past year I’ve been collecting Trick r Treat Sam items: both official and homespun. The last time I saw “the Clay Guy,” Barry Crawford,was at the Indianapolis Horrorhound Weekend this past September and I remember thinking then how much I wished he’d add “Sam” to his menagerie. My wish would come true a LOT sooner than expected as there was one standing prominently here at Days of the Dead. So that new treasure has since joined my clay Svengoolie and “Bubba” Scarecrow on my shelf. Barry also added a 2017 Pennywise as well as the Demogorgon from the Netflix smash hit, “Stranger Things.” The man is not only on top of current trends but seems to be outdoing himself in terms of his workmanship (and Barry, if you’re reading this, my next wish is for Krampus and his dark elves from the hit movie).

Here are some of the other great items on sale at Chicago’s 2017 “Days of the Dead”….

And here are my new Sam acquisitions…

One thing I did NOT expect while doing my holiday horror shopping was cuddling with a rare animal. There was a gal walking around with her Sphinx cat; a breed I’ve never had the honor of seeing in person before. He purred the whole time I held him and was much softer than I’d imagined. I also couldn’t believe how calm he was. If I tried bringing my Felix to an event like this, he’d have a kitty coronary two seconds after walking in the door.

Tonight, however, would belong to the canines rather than felines. As proven by the evening’s first celebrity encounter.

Coming Up…Rescue Dogs make Linda Blair’s Head Spin!

~Dave

A Touch of Holiday Horror at Chicago’s Days of the Dead! ( I had plenty of anticipation going into the 2017 Chicago  Days of the Dead with goals to match.

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Seven actions to buying a car that is used

Seven actions to buying a car that is used

1. Just how much to pay?

You want, figure out how much car you can afford before you even think about what car. There’s no magic calculator, but think about this: Financial planners say it is unwise to expend significantly more than 30percent of the gross monthly earnings on housing, which will be your biggest cost. Don’t allow your car or truck payment have therefore high so it cramps your capability to pay for your home loan, credit card debt or any other recurring expenses.

Now, would you want to spend all money? Or will a loan is got by you?

Spending money could be wise, specially if your credit isn’t good, because you’ll most likely need to spend a high rate of interest. Motorists with good credit could possibly get low prices — Capital One is providing 6.09% for a three-year used-car loan, as an example — so that it might create feeling to invest in and keep carefully the sleep of the profit investments or utilize it to spend down other debts.

Look at the payment that is down and attempt to deposit 20% to 33per cent. But don’t empty that piggy bank totally — it is essential to help keep some dough readily available for emergencies.

Should you want to fund, check out your bank or credit union and obtain pre-qualified for the loan; whether you use that lender’s offer or otherwise not, you’ll get a feeling of exactly what rate of interest ballpark you’re in. That can provide you with a leg up in negotiations with other loan providers.

Just just Take out of the shortest loan it is possible to, since longer people (some run seven years) wind up costing more in interest. Remember used-car loan rates are greater than those for new vehicles.

Get the credit history free at annualcreditreport.com, and spend the fee to obtain your FICO score — the quantity between 300 and 850 that loan providers used to know what interest rate they’ll ask you for. The bigger your rating, the reduced your price.

“Cars will be the purchase that is second-biggest individuals make, ” claims Steve Schooff of Capital One vehicle Finance. “Do your monetary research before you decide to even view a vehicle. ”

2. What type of vehicle?

Armed with your allowance, check out websites that are car-research. Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book’s site vehicle that is give and prices. Also check automaker internet web sites such as for example GM’s or Toyota’s, and subscription web web sites like Consumer Reports.

Say you’re enthusiastic about a Honda. The net can let you know exactly what a 2005 Civic will probably be worth, just exactly how numerous atmosphere bags this has, its dependability and its particular gas efficiency.

“This can be your possiblity to have a look at most of the options, all of the features, to obtain most of the facts, ” claims Jim Riesenbach, leader of Autobytel, that has car info and used-car listings on its web web site.

For several cars that are late-model you can test drive a unique one at a dealer to have a feel because of it, that will help slim your alternatives. Compare the price that is new of vehicle having its utilized value — some models depreciate faster than the others and that can be discounts. But a lot of loss in value too quickly may suggest issues.

When you’ve chosen a popular, search the advertisements on web web sites like AutoTrader.com, Craigslist and Cars.com (part-owned by Tribune Co., parent of this Los Angeles Circumstances). The adverts come from people and dealers; it is not necessarily clear that is which. The step that is next allow you to select between your two.

You’ve got two alternatives on the best place to purchase: a dealer or perhaps a personal celebration. Each has pros and cons.

Dealers are usually obliged for legal reasons to make sure a car or truck for the period that is short typically thirty day period, regardless of if offered “as is, ” says Mike Linn, CEO of this nationwide Independent Automobile Dealers Assn. Dealers will help with insurance coverage, taxes and enrollment.

There are two main tastes of dealers: those who offer only used vehicles and the ones that sell brand new cars also. Specialists state the latter are a significantly better bet, because they have actually their service operations and so are less likely to want to walk out company. In 2007, new-car dealers sold 14.5 million used cars; used-only clothes offered 13.7 million.

Buying from a person, regarding the other hand, frequently yields deals, claims Phil Reed, consumer advice editor at car web site Edmunds.com. And because private events aren’t expert negotiators, “it’ll be notably less painful. ” But there are not any warranties, also it’s difficult to obtain a reimbursement if issues arise.

THE DEALER ROUTE

4. A trick that is famous to detail the heck away from a vehicle making it look brand brand new, without fixing big issues. “A steam-cleaned engine and a whole lot of Armor All don’t fix a blown gasket, ” warns Edmunds’ Reed.

Having said that, many dealers that are reputable sell vehicles with major dilemmas, because they’ll need certainly to fix them. Try out a car you’re interested in; then odds are it’s just fine, ” says Dean Cafiero, owner of a used-car lot in Norristown, Pa if it doesn’t “make horrible noises or feel terrible. “Most dealers don’t want junkers on the property. ”

Nevertheless, it is an idea that is good have mechanic consider the vehicle. In the event that dealer claims its own technicians OKd the car, ask to see their assessment sheets. Them, insist on having an outside mechanic check it out if they don’t have.

Also, check always to note that the vehicle’s name is obvious and so it’s never been in a severe accident. Ask the dealer to appear within the motor automobile on Carfax or AutoCheck. Both charge a charge to locate the car’s vehicle that is 17-digit quantity for accidents, solution and odometer registrations. Many dealers will always check automobiles on the great deal free — in reality, ask them to run a VIN check before going towards the great deal.

5. Whenever negotiating with a dealer, don’t mention monthly premiums. Some concentrate on monthly obligations getting customers to cover significantly more than they understand. Other dealers haul out “foursquare” work sheets, which condense all areas of the offer, from trade-in to financing, right into a single deal. You have to concentrate such as a laser regarding the total cost of the automobile.

Rob Gentile, a used-car expert at Consumer Reports, recommends purchasers to split up every part of negotiating.

“First speak about cost, then financing, then extras like warranties, after which, and just then, speak about the worthiness of every trade-in automobile you may have, ” he states. Otherwise, navigating the cost for several of these simultaneously can be confusing at most readily useful, and a massive monetary mistake at worst.

You know where to start negotiating because you’re already armed with the current market price of the car. Professionals suggest bidding slightly below selling price and dealing up. Don’t be sidetracked with a salesperson who straight away falls $1,000 and on occasion even $2,000 through the car or truck, calling it a “special purchase. ” These guys have been in it to squeeze every dollar out, and you should be too.

Exact Same applies to financing. Guess what happens loan price you’re pre-qualified concerning, so pay attention to the dealer’s offer and negotiate. Show your estimate and get in the event that dealer will beat it. It’s likely it will, considering the fact that dealers benefit from financing.

You can take the contract on the car and go right to your financial institution and they’ll cut you a check, ” says Jerry Neemann, executive vice president of Credit Union Direct Lending, which coordinates car loans for 650 credit unions nationwide“If you don’t like the offer.

It’s important to have a price that is maximum head before starting rather than to surpass it. In the event that salesperson won’t budge, disappear — you may find they’re abruptly more versatile. As soon as you workout a cost, obtain it on paper.

6. You’ve wrangled a price that is fair the vehicle, however your work is not done. It’s time for the visit to the F&We (finance and insurance coverage) workplace, where in actuality the dealership makes a lot of its profit loan that is selling, extended warranties and insurance coverage, anti-theft products and undercoating.

Professionals are divided in regards to the items being offered right here — some state they could be a deal; others be concerned about rip-offs. But one fact that is crucial being among the most overlooked, states Tim Meenan, executive manager regarding the Service Contract Industry Council: you are able to haggle. “The cost of a car or truck is often negotiable, and thus may be the cost of the ancillary services and products. ” Dealers, he claims, pad the costs among these services and products, therefore be afraid to don’t make an offer.

Check around for these products you’re enthusiastic about at a dealerships that are few and compare rates on the web. Many dealers offer merely an options that are few any provided item, but you will find typically dozens available on the internet.

With maker warranties increasingly very long, Kelley Blue Book market analyst Jack Nerad states, it is frequently not well well worth purchasing additional protection if many years are kept regarding the guarantee that is original.

7. This couldn’t be easier if you buy from a dealer. It’ll be careful of all documents, including taxes, licensing and registration. What you need to do is sign right here, right right here and right here, and also you’ve got a street-legal automobile, with permit dishes in route.

Needless to say, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care to see the agreement, specially if the dealer pressures you to receive it over with. In Ca, there is certainly no“cooling that is automatic” duration on vehicles, so when you’ve signed, the automobile — and any extras you didn’t understand you’d just signed for — are yours. Under state legislation, but, if the motor automobile costs less than $40,000, there is the straight to buy an insurance plan of https://speedyloan.net/reviews/jora-credit kinds that lets you return it within two times. (See “Before you purchase, ” web Page C1. )

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