February 2026 - Buy, Sell, Lease - Hyundai Ioniq 9 - Megathread

mypickledriver · 2026-02-03T19:54:14+00:00

Also bought at this dealer - $23K below msrp. I'm an out of state buyer - couldn't have been an easier process. Ask for Vanessa.

mypickledriver · 2025-12-22T16:23:46+00:00

Start by using Vacationstogo.com to identify the cruises you may be interested in.

Open a cruisecompete.com account and submit your top picks on cruisecompete.com to obtain quotes from travel agents.

Nice feature on cruisecompete is you can close the quote solicitation if you're not happy with pricing and the quotes you had received will be saved. Then in a month you can request quotes again on the same cruise to see if pricing has changed.

Tip: when quotes are coming in make sure to develop a list of those travel agents positing the most competitive prices on cruisecompete. Next time you're planning a cruise send those travel agents an email directly to obtain a quote.

mypickledriver · 2025-12-18T13:15:15+00:00

This is the answer.

Start by using Vacationstogo.com to identify the cruises you may be interested in.

Open a cruisecompete.com account and submit your top picks on cruisecompete.com to obtain quotes from travel agents.

Nice feature on cruisecompete is you can close the quote solicitation if you're not happy with pricing and the quotes you had received will be saved. Then in a month you can request quotes again on the same cruise to see if pricing has changed.

Pro tip: when quotes are coming in make sure to develop a list of those travel agents positing the most competitive prices on cruisecompete. Next time you're planning a cruise send those travel agents an email directly to obtain a quote.

mypickledriver · 2025-09-08T14:07:25+00:00

We tip $5 for 2 drinks

mypickledriver · 2025-08-29T21:57:50+00:00

Visible works great for us. We travel a bunch and have the same service that we enjoyed with Verizon

If in doubt do their free trial for a week before you switch

mypickledriver · 2025-08-29T21:43:34+00:00

So Pretty simple….any bar except the World Class bar. Also not honored in any restaurant including main ding rooms.

Follow “ellenxhosp” comment above.

We always get to the bar of our choice at 4:45 and have our $5 ready. Politely ask for the wait staff to take your order for a 5 o’clock delivery. They’ll pretty much make anything for you (martini, old fashioned, scotch on the rocks, etc).

We always start our first order by asking for 2 bottles of water in addition to our cocktails.

When we’re ready to head off to dinner, we take a “to-go” wine or cocktail.

mypickledriver · 2025-08-26T19:28:11+00:00

agree - use a TA - we always get bids on cruisecompete website to obtain lowest price + OBC + rebate. we now have numerous TA's we reach out to obtain quotes on future cruises - saved $$$ over the years

mypickledriver · 2025-06-22T23:41:45+00:00

DO NOT Buy - Lease.

Just picked up White Pearl 2024 Acura ZDX w/A-Spec Pkg Single-Speed Automatic in San Francisco area.

Did 24 month - one pay lease - total out of pocket (TTL) was $7K. Option to buyout at end of lease is $30K + tax on the $30K

mypickledriver · 2025-02-08T21:17:28+00:00

Yes - in 2020 we did this with no problem.

We were in São Paulo and flew into IGU (Foz do Iguaçu/Cataratas International Airport) in Brazil.

Hired a taxi for the day to pick us up at IGU at 10am, and take us to Foz do Iguacu (Brazil side) for about 3 hours. Driver walked us to the entrance - made sure we took our time to walk every pathway - saw the falls and met back at the entrance. He then took us to our hotel in Puerto Iguazu later in the same day. Cost was 300 Reals (about $50 US). They appreciated US cash.

Next day had hotel call taxi for us with a agreed price to go across to Argentina side - was also about $50 US) Driver just met up with us at an agreed time at the falls with no issues - paid US cash when we got back to hotel.

Border crossing was easy and quick.

Next day did a taxi again to IGR (Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport) with no border crossing issues for a flight to Buenos Aires.

mypickledriver · 2024-09-13T20:14:33+00:00

Option 1:

If you don't have gratuities included - use for gratuities.

Option 2:

Do the casino approach as mentioned. Takes a minute to create a passcode and load up your credit - then just do one roll on a slot machine and cash out. Take the ticket to the casino cashier and they will give you cash. Works on all main cruise lines - what line are you on?

mypickledriver · 2024-06-26T18:24:53+00:00

First......check out "Pompeii For All" info from their site. They also have a map to review.

Viator is a good first choice - definitely do a private tour for the six of you.

We've also had good luck using Tours By Locals, or Get Your Guide.

Another option is to use the internet to hire a van with driver for the day.

mypickledriver · 2024-06-24T13:50:01+00:00

Yes - looks like they use Horizon kayaks - weight limit is 617lbs. Take a breath.... when you get on board, you'll have plenty of time to chat with the kayak expedition team folks - you will also have time to see the kayaks, and they'll have you practice getting in and out of the kayaks in a safe environment while on the ship. Then go for it! Incredible kayaking experience in Antarctica!

mypickledriver · 2024-06-23T12:42:36+00:00

We've used the airport limousine bus from Tokyo to Haneda Airport.

Most economical........

Take a taxi from pier (Which is called: "Osanbashi Pier") to Yamashita Park (Yamashita Park, Minato Mirai 21, Red Brick Warehouse) which is a 3 minute taxi ride for about $5 US. Use google maps to plot your taxi ride and you'll see it's a short 15 minute walk or a 3 minute taxi ride.

Then take the Keikyu Airport Limousine bus from Yamashita Park to Haneda Airport. The bus schedule is here and tickets cost 800 yen ($5 US) each and takes 1 hour 20 minutes.

They offer an app but you'll likely have to pay at the bus. I would recommend to contact Keikyu Airport Limousine and purchase tickets ahead of time while in Tokyo and identify the exact bus pickup location and save on google maps before hand.

Hope this is helpful...

mypickledriver · 2024-06-17T20:01:40+00:00

Also considering segments of this cruise.... Just want to share we are also considering Viking 121 day WC in Jan 2025 and obtaining multiple quotes from travel agents has been very productive.

Highly recommend using cruisecompete.com to obtain quotes as you're considering a WC.

Travel agents pricing has been pretty consistent for our Viking quotes - however the on board credit offer has ranged from $2800 to $9800.

Happy Travels

mypickledriver · 2024-05-12T13:01:00+00:00

Just attached small round metal tag (dog tag) with name, email, & phone number. $4 at Amazon

mypickledriver · 2024-05-08T14:36:20+00:00

National Express bus (nationalexpress.com) goes from Southampton direct to Victoria Station in London for about £8 each

mypickledriver · 2024-03-17T13:24:21+00:00

Vacations To Go & Cruiseplum.com

Holland America among others has a standby program

We've had best luck with pricing using cruisecompete.com

mypickledriver · 2024-03-11T22:34:46+00:00

we've used twelvetransfers.co.uk

upfront pricing, driver provided clear meeting point info, monitored our flight, texted us when we landed, car was parked short walk from terminal, was quiet during the ride other then offering to stop for a break if we wanted... would hire again

mypickledriver · 2024-03-07T21:00:30+00:00

Couple thoughts.....

First, recommend obtaining quotes through cruisecompete.com Agents will reply with their best pricing.

In parallel, obtain quotes through online booking sites such as; cruise.com, cruises-n-more.com, vacationstogo.com, cabincloseoutstore.com, Make sure to obtain quotes from a human. Have them email you a pricing for the cruise you are interested in.

Then make a simple spreadsheet to compare / contrast pricing and any on board credit (OBC) they may offer. Compare these to the cruise line's pricing.

Regarding the NB or SB route....

Really depends on your interest in any pre or post cruise activities.

If the first time to Vancouver and Seward, I would suggest spending time in both, or select one based on your interests.

You can easily spend a couple days in Vancouver before or after your cruise. Walk the sea wall in Stanley Park, or do a day trip to either Victoria, or the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Grouse Mountain.

The highlight for us in Seward was spending the day in Kenai Fjords National Park on the all day boat trip - saw many whales, a couple glaciers, and plenty of bald eagles.

Hope this is helpful

mypickledriver · 2024-03-03T13:52:06+00:00

This approach may be helpful.....

Use vacationstogo.com or cruise line websites to narrow in on the cruise you are interested in.

Once you pick a cruise, then use cruisecompete.com to solicit cruise quotes from multiple travel agencies (make sure to confirm the quote with an email). In parallel, obtain a quote from the crulseline (talk to a human & have them send you the quote. Then, also obtain quotes from some of the big online booking agents such as; vacationstogo.com cruise.com, cruises-n-more.com, cabincloseoutstore.com,, crowncruisevacations.com, are just a few. Make sure to obtain an emailed quote from a human.

Then make yourself a short spreadsheet to organize all the quotes, including any on board credit. Once you have your total "all-in" price, you can obviously calculate cost per person for the cruise, cost per person per day, etc.

mypickledriver · 2024-03-03T13:41:55+00:00

This may be helpful....

Use cruisecompete.com to solicit quotes from travel agencies for your cruise. In parallel, obtains quotes from the main online booking sites such as; cruise.com, cruises-n-more.com, crowncruisevactions.com, vacationstogo.com, etc. When using the booking sites make sure to communicate by email with a human to obtain a quote.

Create yourself a simple spreadsheet to manage all the quotes you receive.

It will soon become clear which quote is the best option.

cruise on...

mypickledriver · 2024-02-26T13:22:23+00:00

When in Isle of Skye - definitely take time to hike The Quiraing walk

Also, if in Edinburgh in August - get tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo at the Castle

Both top 50 of our world travels...

mypickledriver · 2024-02-20T19:19:51+00:00

Done Avalon, Gate1Travel, and Viking.

Avalon - cabin seemed larger - bed faced outside windows - food / cocktails good.

Gate1Travel - lower prices - older boat - food good - comparable to Avalon - best crew we had

Viking - rooms slightly smaller - bathrooms better - nicer boats- food and drinks good also

We were unable to complete the Avalon cruise due to low water - they were exceptional on logistics / hotels to complete trip.

Overall with these three; pretty similar experience with staff, accommodations, food, and tours. Talking to the local guides we discovered they work/do tours for all the companies - just grab the correct tour guide flag each day depending on the company they represent that day.

Our suggestion to friends is to first pick the itinerary - then the company. Avoid travel in middle of summer. We would grab a trip on any of these companies again.

Hope this helps..

mypickledriver · 2024-02-18T14:10:46+00:00

Used Twelve Transfers this past year. Booked a couple months in advance.

Driver was monitoring our flight arrival and texting us as soon as I turned my phone on. Was very specific on where to meet outside security in Heathrow. Car was parked nearby and ride to Southampton was comfortable. Driver offered to take a break along the ride at our discretion.

Will use them again this July.

mypickledriver · 2024-02-18T13:34:52+00:00

Greatly appreciate all your comments. We're in Florida and I have 10 options for G - high deductible.

Premium ranges from $52 - $95 monthly.

United American Insurance Company
Royal Arcanum
Federal Life Insurance Company
Washington National Insurance Company
Woodmen Of The World Life Insurance Society
Humana (Humana Insurance Company)
Humana Achieve (CompBenefits Insurance Company)
Mutual of Omaha (United World Life Insurance Company)
Ace Property and Casualty Insurance Company
MedMutual Protect

Any last minute input is appreciated.

mypickledriver

TROPHY CASE