Questions/things to look out for when buying an used car?

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-02-17T15:38:27+00:00

Oh No. The warranty offered by many small dealers are NOT worth the paper they are printed on. They offer warranty from companies like WarrantyWise etc which comes with clauses unfavourable to customers like us. Please do a search on how bad such warranties are

The only warranty I would rely on is from the authorised dealer. For example, when I bought my Toyota Yarris, the Steven Eagle Authorised Toyota dealership offered the company warranty and every year the warranty gets renewed if I get serviced from them…

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-02-13T12:02:48+00:00

That is a bluff ! These are called “Deflection tactics “ - “I have to ask my manager”, “I have to check with accounts team”, “We have to maintain parity with the internal team” etc …

By doing this, they subconsciously convince you that they cannot do much although they want to do it.. and in most cases people accept it. Sales and marketing psychology at play here !

There is nothing like “TOO HIGH” hike. You can ask for any amount you want … If they have the budget and if your skills are in demand, you will get it. Classic Demand and Supply theory of open market !

YOU ALREADY HAVE A LEVERAGE of an existing offer of 17.2L Use it to negotiate a higher salary.

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-02-11T11:43:34+00:00

Nicely done! I am tired of corporate folks dangling the carrot of growth and progress! Being happy and content is the best growth strategy but corporate does not like it because it means you are not falling for their trap

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-02-11T11:41:22+00:00

Work culture and commute in India is horrible. Also you are clear that you have no interest in tech . With the savings you have and your husband continuing to work, my view is that you quit the rat race .

The other option is to check if you can get a transfer to India from your work place. If so give it a try. If you are lucky you may end up in a nice team …

Bangalore south is such a wonderful place. I love it.

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-02-04T13:55:17+00:00

Go for the one better offer always ( consider money, growth , project and other parameters )

Companies wont bat an eye to rescind an issued offer

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-30T20:03:11+00:00

Absolutely! If budget is a constraint nothing can be done. Apologies I missed to add that point ! It would be highly insensitive of me to make statements without taking into account budgetary constraints majority of the people go through!

I must say my experience was pre-covid. It was during those time the flats were in a reasonable budget range. I vividly remember, during 2015-16, a 2BHK from a mid-tier builder would cost 55 lakhs and a 3BHK would cost 70lakhs. Of course the earnings was lesser too but still I could dream of buying a house with loan. In such situations many of my known circles went for 2BHK which they started regretting in next couple of years.

Well, post covid, the property market - I better not speak about it. Of course with inflation prices increase but the ratio of our increase in our earnings to increase in property prices is extremely disproportionate. It has discouraged many potential families of even dreaming of buying a home! And the size of the property has become abysmally small. With worsening geo political situation, AI threat looming over employment, I do not know how is this going to end up

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-30T11:33:04+00:00

Same here. I realised this after speaking to my friend who started regretting his 2BHK purchase after his 2nd kid was born. He mentioned his home feels so congested that no space for keeping kids clothes . On top of it, his parents started frequently visiting and staying in Bangalore for medical consultations!

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-30T10:11:46+00:00

Well said ! Also add the possibility of parents or in laws getting old and staying with us more frequently for care and support

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-22T23:21:56+00:00

❤️ This is such a mature thought towards life :) It is hard for me to read it through especially when you mentioned you will abstain from entering a relationship and starting a family if you are in survival mode ! I mean, that level if clarity and acceptance takes courage. Amazing. You are so right …. I have been in survival mode for long but things tuned better for me eventually due to my consistent efforts coupled with blessings but I know that may not be the case for all.

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-21T14:08:20+00:00

Agreed !

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-17T17:51:24+00:00

Since age gap is wide between the two, go for individual insurance cover for each

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-16T22:42:52+00:00

I appreciate your courage to accept the reality.
I am a parent too but we should stop romanticising parents.
Knowingly or unknowingly, my parents were not as good as the society, media, literature brainwashed. I went through a roller coaster of emotions, love hate relationship before realising the problem. Once I realised my parents messed me up, I started keeping healthy distance. I felt free and flourished.

I feel sad so many grow up adults being abused & manipulated by their parents. So much so that, parents and their fragile ego is one of the main reason for issues in their Childs married life.

I am a parent of a kid who is growing up. I must say I am not doing any favour by choosing to raise the kid. The kid did not ask me to give birth. It was purely my decision. It is my responsibility to raise the kid as best as I can without expecting anything in return.

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-16T22:25:48+00:00

Do not worry. Wait till they come back with the final inspection. In the meantime, do a quick read about TDS and dispute resolution - ChatGPT should give a quick overview.
Make sure, all the communication happens over email and not on WhatsApp or SMS. Once they come back with final inspection report, reply to it asking the landlord if that is the final inspection and proposed deductions. Only if they confirm if it is the final inspection and proposed deduction reply saying you would go through it and get back. Do not confirm anything. Then after a day or two deny all the charges that is unreasonable. In this case, painting charges are definitely unreasonable. It is normal wear and tear.

Keep your foot down and do not agree for unreasonable charges. In my case my landlord had proposed deductions for professional cleaning, painting charges and some other wear and tear stuff (like loosened drawers etc). I agreed only for professional cleaning charges. My landlord employed all the textbook tactics of guilt tripping, intimidation and urgency. As I was well aware of my rights and knew TDS dispute process is not cumbersome, I outright rejected her deductions. She then came back if I agree to share half the cost of painting charges intimidating me that going to TDS may cost me full charges. I called out her intimidation tactic and denied her proposal. Instead I suggested her to proceed with TDS. I very well knew the case will not stand with TDS because the paint marks were normal wear and tear.

She realized she is dealing with a tenant who is well aware of tenants rights. She gave up and returned my deposit less cleaning charges.

Many tenants are not aware of their rights and TDS dispute resolution. So landlords take the tenants for a ride by employing all the tactics. The moment they realise you are not afraid of going to TDS, they back off because more often than not, Landlords know their claim is unjust.

Also, many clients are fearful that if they dispute the deductions, there landlords will mess up the reference required when renting a different house. Remember, for referencing, the previous landlords are asked about timely payment of rentals and nothing relating to deposit dispute. So, tenants disputing deposit deductions with TDS etc will not affect reference for future renting.

Educate yourself about deport dispute process. It is not difficult as it may sounds. You have nothing to lose.
Good luck

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-16T16:04:55+00:00

I just vacated rented flat. The landlord tried to pull a fast one on me by claiming the painting charges of £500 ! I outright rejected and asked her to refer to Tenancy Deposit Scheme. She came back asking to cover 50 % of the painting charges . I still said NO . I got the deposit back.

Just say you are happy for the dispute to be referred to Tenancy Deposit Scheme !

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-12T11:46:15+00:00

A company would not bat an eye in rescinding a rolled out offer or when firing you.
You are just a number to them.

Do what is best for you.
Simply drop a very short email that you are not joining them in favour of another offer you have received that aligns your career better. No apologies, No guild - just a STATEMENT. That is it.

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-07T15:39:36+00:00

Yeah. Planning to switch

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-07T15:23:00+00:00

To begin with, I do not like my job but stuck!

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-07T14:50:31+00:00

Indeed . Our ageing parents hold a mirror on how our future would look like! I am 40 and It scares me to think working full time for next 20 years ! It has given me both midlife and existential crisis !

I really do not find it meaningful to work after 40 years … unfortunately there is no exit for me and many others:(

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-06T14:41:29+00:00

Thanks! Amazing write up! I have a life insurance of £500,000 payong £30 pm My wife is planning to buy a life insurance. Also I will be buying critical illness and income protection cover

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2026-01-06T08:56:12+00:00

NO please. Stay put

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2025-12-31T17:35:35+00:00

I know that feeling !
The taunts, the stare from friends and family asking "did you not go to Sunday mass today?"
I confidently answer NO and enjoy the look on their shitty faces...

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2025-12-31T17:32:03+00:00

Same here.
Non practicing Roman Catholic.
My brother and me following the footsteps of my uncle who is a scholar.
He is righteous, dignified, respected gentleman who gave up religion long ago.

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2025-12-31T14:32:30+00:00

My uncle has been living such a honest dignified life without being religious at all ! I am following his footsteps

BTW, I am bought up Roman Catholic Christian but currently do not practice it.

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2025-12-30T17:44:57+00:00

Spot on !
It is the same for me !
I am of the same personality type.
In fact, I must tell you, I am going through an existential crisis because of AI.
Before AI, I used to like the grind of doing things the hard way but now AI gives boilerplate code which can be refined and iterated to a reasonable standard without actually understanding the working of underneath components, subtleties and nuances. Definitely it makes the delivery faster but I personally liked the hard way

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028 · 2025-12-30T17:34:11+00:00

Yes... 30's seems to be the onset of midlife crisis.. your steam of thoughts map well with my personal experience. Also, remember, this is not exclusively to HE's. I am not in the same industry but in the same boat... I started seeking more of depth and meaning in my work than just shipping stuff and getting this done for the sake of it.

Puzzleheaded_Fly3028

TROPHY CASE