Table of Contents

• COMMITTEE REPORTS
  • MEMBERSHIP REPORT
  • SOCIAL REPORT
  • SPEAKER COORDINATOR REPORT
  • TREASURER REPORT
• LEADS
• NOTABLE MENTIONS
• QUESTION OF THE DAY
• MAIN SPEAKER

Committee Reports

Membership Report
(Click here to go to the Membership page)

The board voted to revert back to the original member criteria.  Potential members will no longer be able to get in simply by paying a larger initiation fee.  This decision was based on the desire to maintain the group's high level of value.  As in the past, exceptions will can be made after careful review of each individual case by the board.  Click here to review the membership requirements.

The membership committee is as follows:

[membersonly/archives/committees/membership_ committee.htm]

Social Report
(Click here to go to the Social Event page)

No new events were announced. 

The social committee is as follows:

[membersonly/archives/committees/social_committee.htm]

Speaker Coordinator Report
(Click here to go to the Speaker Schedule)

• 01/14/05     Andy Jensen
• 01/21/05     Sandro Menasci
• 01/28/05     Lisa Schnaidt
• 02/04/05     Outside Meeting TBA
• 02/11/05
• 02/18/05     Mark Howard

The guest speaker committee is as follows:

[membersonly/archives/committees/guest_spkr_committee.htm]

Treasurer Report

No report.

Leads Report

When announcing leads, members are asked to limit them to new leads only (as opposed to recurring leads). 

39-38, 39-41, 46-26, 46-28, 46-20, 20-22, 22-40, 37-25, 37-47, 17-38, 23-27, 23-17, 29-24, 18-14, 26-11, 26-13, 26-44, 05-07, 05-26, 05-44, 30-06 (x2), 15-26, 15-17, 15-42, 21-17, 38-17, 35-22, 04-38, 04-28, 04-32, 31-21, 43-15, 43-47, 48-28, 48-42, 09-28.

This week's leads focus...

• Ralph Cunningham

• Christopher Curran

• Gus Dekavallas

Notable Mentions

Fred Vandervort thanked members for their cards, phone calls and flowers.  He also gave us an update on Carolyn's health. 

New committees were formed and announced at today's meeting.  Several were listed above.  The remaining committees include:

[membersonly/archives/committees/mentoring_committee.htm]

[membersonly/archives/committees/sunshine_committee.htm]

[membersonly/archives/committees/resolution_committee.htm]

Question of the Day

Bob Busch wants to know...Where do you draw the line?
When I started my business 26 years ago I bought a phone at Fry's and just plugged it in.  These days you need a telecommunications person.

Dave Spiess - If you only need 2 lines (phone and fax), you can still just buy the phone and install it yourself.  If you need multiple lines, etc., give me a call.

Charles Hultstrand wants to know...What is your outlook for 2005?

Andrew Jensen - Interest rates are going to go higher.  The stock market won't go straight up but we should end the year good.

Roman Okonowski - One of my clients received notice from his client that he was going to reduce his prices by 10% or he would be removed from their vendor list.  Also, my daughter is looking to buy a house.  We called one home that was for sale by owner.  He said he was taking bids.

David Spiess - The Christmas numbers are in.  High-end retailers did well (technology).  The low-end was flat.

Greg Stewart - I think America has felt horrible since 9-11 and the events that have occurred since.  I think the tsunami has made us realize that their are other countries out there worse off than we are.  People are feeling more positive and starting to spend more.  I think our economy will benefit from the psychological affect.

James Bache - They predict that gas prices will go even higher next summer.  This has a bad psychological affect on buyers.  This could explain why last August was so bad for retail.

Lisa Wolfe - Right after 9-11 we got frequent calls asking to book radio ads.  The inventory is reducing.  I tell clients to plan far in advance.  Not for next month or next quarter but for next year.  It is better to have and not need than to need and not have.

David Lathrop
Vehicle Purchasing Service

Dave was born in Minneapolis, Minn. 44 years ago.  At the age of 3 his family moved to a small town in Pennsylvania.  He grew up there and eventually graduated from Penn State with degree in engineering.

He immediately took a job with Nissan Corp as their district manager trainer.  They moved him four times.  He had lived in Phoenix for 2 years when they asked him to move for a 5th time to California.  He decided to leave Nissan and go to work for a local dealer.  Dave took over the service department and took it from the worst one in the company to one of the best in the nation. 

After 8 years he was ready for something new so he started his own company, Vehicle Purchasing Service.   He admits that his service is an acquired taste.  But if you are willing to try him just once, you will keep coming back.  Unless of course you are one of those people that eagerly get up early Saturday morning so you can look through all 50 pages of car ads in the newspaper.  Or perhaps you are one of those that enjoy 6 hours of engaging conversation over car worth with a 23 year-old.

Whether you're buying, leasing, selling or trading in a vehicle, Dave can help you.  He works as your advocate.  He can do as much or as little as you want him to do.  He charges $325 to help you buy a car and $350 plus expenses to sell one.  He is told that his rates are very reasonable for what they get.

Anyone in the market to buy or sell a car is a good lead for him.  He can also help anyone that wants to donate a car.  And he can guarantee that most of the proceeds will actually go to the charity.

Dave is a big believer in community service.  Since he came to Arizona 18 years ago he has been involved with several different non-profit organizations.  He adopted 2 greyhounds.  He has done fundraising for 2 foundations and is currently working with the Phoenix Youth at Risk and Big Brothers.

Dave likes his work and being his own boss because it allows him to fit these things in.  Today, for instance, he is going to the capital to speak on behalf of Big Brothers.

He encourages anyone to get involved, even if they don't think they "qualify".  Dave grew up in a rural area.  He didn't know about gangs and drugs and violence.  But he found that he could still touch the lives of these kids in a positive way. 

Dave also likes physical challenges. You learn a lot about yourself when training for events.  He is currently looking for the next challenge...any ideas? 

David Lathrop 15+ year member View Referrals Member since June 1996

AUTOMOTIVE BUYING SERVICE  Vehicle Purchasing Service P.O. Box 38621, Phoenix, AZ 85069 Phone: (602) 212-1644 • FAX: (602) 212-1497 E-mail: dclathrop@juno.com • www.vehiclepurchasingservice.com SAVE MONEY $$$ “Get the best deal on your next vehicle, new or used. Buy or lease any make and model. Vehicle Purchasing Service will negotiate the best deal for you and help you get the most from your current vehicle. Have a worry-free car buying, leasing or selling experience guaranteed to save you Time, Money and Hassle. Established in 1996, Vehicle Purchasing Service Promises to earn your trust and confidence while working on your behalf.” “A Referral Built Business”           CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE THIS COMPANY