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February 10, 2012

Cutting Back on the Donuts

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — Jade Alexander @ 10:04 pm

There has been a lot about the new regulations that the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency have handed to car manufactures. Cars are being required to get 34 mpg by 2016 and 54 mpg by 2025. What people haven’t fully considered is what this means for your car.

Changing tires is a pain in the rear, even with AAA. However, AAA is saying that may be a thing of the past. The problem is that car makers will be challenged to come up with creative ways to reach these new standards. One of the easiest was to do so it to reduce the weight of the car, which means taking stuff out.

It used to be if you had a flat, you had to change it yourself. It was a heavy tire you had to haul out of the trunk. In order to lower weight and help the mpg, they switched out that tire with a “donut,” an embarrassingly small tire that is not meant to be traveled on very far, but it does spare you some weight. Additionally, car jacks have become smaller and lighter as well. It used to be they had large, easy to use jacks, now they most cars have a small, practical jack if they have one at all.

The trend now is that automakers are selling cars with no spare tire or jack at all. In fact if you are purchasing a new car, you should make sure it comes with one, or else look into getting an upgrade to one. The last thing you want is to get into forsaken desert highway, have a flat, and find out you lack a spare.

Run-flat tires are also a common addition to cars these days. Run-flat tires are designed so that you can keep driving on them, for a little while even if they go flat. However, you can’t go far, and it doesn’t count much for a blow-out. Other dealers are putting a can of Fix-a-Flat in the trunk, but like run-flat tires, this can of wonder can only do so much.

Of course, like George Clooney at the Oscar’s, this is still all up in the air. However, if you are looking for a new, or even used car, then you should make sure it has a spare tire in it. Make sure it is well inflated and that you have a jack and tire iron as well. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

At Dallas Ford Dealers you will find a deal you will love.

Of Vampires and Cheetahs

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — Stan Henderson @ 8:56 pm

It’s time again for the big game, that is right, the Super Bowl is here and that means big commercials as well. Car commercials have always made a strong showing and this year was no exception. Here were three of the best.

The 2012 ancient Mayan predictions are just asking to be made fun off and Chevy stepped up to the task. Picture a ruined and destroyed city with toppled buildings and debris everywhere. No one left around. Underneath some rubble a truck starts and pulls out of it. He drives out of the city, past a meteor shower, erupting volcano and alien crash site. He pulls up to three other Chevy trucks and the guys get out. They ask about one of their friends and one man responds, “He didn’t make it, he drove a Ford.” To make things a little more amusing one man is holding a box of Twinkies. They eat them as the commercial fades.

Infinity made another great car commercial. It opens with a car, a cheetah in a cage and a man in a remote area full of tall grassy plains and a long straight open road. The man lets the cheetah out of the cage and it lines up next to race. At the mark they both take off in a race, but before long the car quickly zooms ahead of the cheetah. The rightfully frustrated cheetah stops, turns, stares at the man who turns to run. They cheetah chases him down and attacks him instead, pouncing on him as the commercial fades.

Vampires were also the victim of a clever Mercedes spoof. The scene opens with a bunch of vampires at a party out in the woods at night. They look bored, as if they are waiting for somebody, the life of the party to show up. A car winds its way around a twisted road on the way to the party. It pulls up and they are excited, the party man is here. He pulls up, turns his headlights on, and the light incinerates all of the vampires with him not realizing what is going on. It ends when he accidentally steps into the light as well. At least they didn’t sparkle.

It seems that even if your team didn’t win the game the Super Bowl was at least commercially successful. It’s pretty amazing marketing by any means.

Check out Ford Fusion Dallas for a deal you will love.

February 6, 2012

Auto Shipping By Land, By Sea, By Air – The Three Ways To Deliver

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Tom Kearns @ 5:57 pm

As with so many useful inventions, the invention of the car was seen as a luxurious plaything of the rich, certainly not a serious every day means of transportations for billions of people around the world as it is today. The automobile is not only a necessity of life for many, it also can be a status symbol, a business, a hobby or a passion. Many of us today could not fathom what living without a personal auto would be like. Our cars not only get us to jobs, friends, and entertainment venues, they represent to us freedom in our way of life.

The automobile just might be the most adored invention ever. Since the personal car is so essential, the demand for auto shipping is growing rapidly. The world is getting smaller, thanks to the internet and air travel which means more and more cars are being transported to even the most remote spots on the face of the earth. Governments, businesses and constant human relocations all take advantage of auto shippers to fulfill their needs. That being so, auto transportation companies have added air and sea shipping to their formerly land-only based transport modes. Let’s consider why one would choose either air, land or sea for their auto shipping requirements.

Once the car was invented, it was only a matter of time before a means to transport those cars was also invented. Once this was put into place, an incredible number of resources and mechanics have transposed auto shipping into a thriving industry. Perhaps the foremost consideration of land transport of automobiles is the safety factor. Checking weather conditions, accident reports and various types of road delays is always mandatory during any car shipping process. There are also issues of driving directions, the finer points of the job, and equipment standards that must be understood to undertake a successful auto transport journey. Auto shipping demands experience and thorough preparation to stay ahead of the competition. If all of this is important on land, think what’s ahead for air and sea transport.

The 21st century is quite a haul from the days of Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers. It might be possible still to believe that their fervent imaginations just could have conceived of the combination of cars and cars traveling by air, but it would be a major stretch. If those guys were around today, they would know that they must review such things as air traffic control characteristics, restricted item laws and airport customs and regulations. Along with these requirements come flight reports, accident incident reviews, employee background checks and security checks in many different phases of travel . If Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers were as diligent as they must have been, they would have investigated airline black box research statistics, distance calculators and air transport news websites. Since auto transport by air is not as common as transport by sea, we will also look into that means of shipping.

Auto shipping over seas is not as exclusive as air transportation and not as accessible as land, but is still the second most utilized method of shipping vehicles over distances. Those carriers that ship by sea are conversant in areas such as seaports, transportation library data and water safety guidelines. Most of the world’s waterways are subject to international laws that can be very sensitive. Being aware of the nuances of these laws and regulations is a terrific advantage to all parties engaged in overseas automobile transport. The companies that know how different countries operate and understand the cultural differences of each regarding auto shipping will put them way ahead of the casual auto shipper who plays it by ear on each shipment.

Auto shipping is a delicate endeavor no matter what part of Mother Nature it is dealing with. Solid ground, gracious skies or majestic waves all have the opportunity in the world of today to bring a care to an awaiting recipient. Choosing a means of auto transportation will most likely come down to specific needs and budget constraints but no matter what the choice a conceded effort should be made to be as well educated as possible.

To continue to read about Vehicle Shipping or Auto Transport please visit MetroGistics.

February 2, 2012

Battling Fuel Costs

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — Moerza Pinster @ 9:04 pm

Just when we thought gas prices are going down; it looks like they are creeping up again. Prices in the state of California are nearing $4 a gallon which is ridiculous. Many families will undoubtedly feel the financial pressure as they struggle to fill up their tanks. Here are a few techniques to deal with this ever rising cost.

If your car isn’t efficient enough and a major gas guzzlers then you will want to get it replaced ASAP. It’s not feasible for most people to buy a brand new car just to save gas money. If you are on a budget (as we all are) you will want to look into used or pre-owned autos since these are much more affordable. Lexington Toyota dealer toyota corolla boston offers new 2012 inventory in Boston.

The most affordable option is to buy a traditional non-hybrid car that is pre-owned or used. Gas mileage may not be as good as that of a hybrid, however the traditional cars tend to be a lot cheaper. Good choices for efficient used cars include a used Ford Focus or Ford Fusion.

If you have a bit more money to spend then you can consider hybrids like the Prius. These cars have mileage over 40 mpg; however they are more expensive versus traditional cars like the Ford Edge or Fusion.

Can’t afford a new car? No problem, there are still things that you can do to conserve gas. One way is to make sure that you are filling up your car with the correct grade of gas. Why spend extra on Supreme gas if your doesn’t even need it?

Did you know that gas prices can vary drastically in the same city? Use a site like Gasbuddy in order to find out which particular station offers the lowest prices. Prices fluctuate so always check prices before you fill up.

Clean out your trunk and back seats; get rid of anything that you don’t need. Avoid carrying passengers unless you absolutely have to. Puente Hills Nissan nissan versa los angeles offers great deals on new Nissan cars.

Using a GPS can also make a big difference. Many people waste gas driving around aimlessly because they are lost and are trying to find the way to their destination. A GPS can help direct you to your destination with the shortest route.

Puente Hills Nissan nissan rogue los angeles offers great deals on new Nissan cars.

January 31, 2012

Understanding Auto Shipping Brokers and Their Price Quotes

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Tom Kearns @ 6:13 pm

“No other man-made device since the shields and lances of the ancient knights fulfills a man’s ego like an automobile” said Sir William. And Herbert Marcuse later added to that “The people recognize themselves in their commodities; they find their soul in their automobile, hi-fi set, split-level home, kitchen equipment.” These two are fine brokers of words and reveal some of the characteristics of cars, but this article’s intent is to zero in on vehicle brokering not word brokering.

In order to make a decision on how to ship a vehicle and whom to ship it with, lots of novice shippers rely on shipping brokers to answer questions and satisfy their needs. Of course the price is probably of most concern to anyone faced with the need for shipping their vehicle. Knowing how to deal with brokers and what the price they are quoting actually means to you will better prepare you for the mysterious process of shipping your car.

Although our auto shipping broker is most likely not going to be our best friend, it is still encouraged to establish a respectable rapport with the person you are dealing with. The person you are working with to help you ship your car should be friendly and helpful. Sometimes it may be hard to judge someone over the phone or through online communication but as best you can you should try to determine if the broker you are dealing with seems honest and reliable. There should be nothing suspicious about your interaction. Your broker should be available during normal business hours and the ideal auto shipping company will assign you a personal broker who can cater to your individual needs.

The knowledgeable auto shipping broker will help you understand the process of transporting your vehicle and will guide you to the best company for your particular needs. He will also help you discover the options and deals that are to your best advantage. Again, one of most important topics you and your broker will cover is the price quote. Below is a review of questions that should be asked to make the interaction with your broker go as smoothly aspossible.

When it comes to auto shipping and dealing with a broker, cost, and where the best value can be found, will most often be at the forefront of the initial conversations. There will most likely be specific information the broker is looking for to obtain a valid and fair price quote. One piece of data to have handy is the actual mileage you need the vehicle transported. Miles traveled will usually come into play when figuring out how much the service is going to cost. An easier question to answer, but equally crucial, is the make and model of the car you plan to ship. Different types of cars like vintage and oversized models have a tendency to cost more to ship, and your broker will be interested in what type of car you have so they can provide and accurate price quote.

The broker needs to know also if the car is in operating condition or not and if it requires any special equipment or handling in order to move it. Size and weight of the vehicle are also important in determining its cost of transportation. Lastly, to determine a proper quote, you will need to inform the broker of what type of insurance coverage you are seeking for the shipment.

As you can see, the relationship between customer and broker plays a crucial role in the auto transportation process. You need to understand the pricing the broker has quoted first and the rest will fall into place more easily. The right broker will deal with you on a risk free basis to find the best auto transportation company for your needs. You are paying him to do some complex research that is always mandatory in serving the needs of his customer. If the broker does not do that, he has not earned your money. Take the time to find a broker that you feel comfortable with. Treat him with respect and be nice. It won’t hurt, and it will make the complicated task of shipping your precious vehicle that much more pleasant.

To read more on Car Transport or Car Shipping please visit MetroGistics.

January 30, 2012

Job Opportunities in the Auto Shipping Industry

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Tom Kearns @ 6:09 pm

There are incredible career opportunities in the auto shipping industry including a wide variety of options for many different skills, talents and expertise at all levels. There are both full time and part time opportunities available in the industry to fill many exciting and innovative positions. The auto shipping industry is no different than any other in the qualities they seek in prospective employees. They are looking for loyal, motivated, hard working, qualified people at all levels of skill and experience. The auto shipping industry is a rather recent one, yet technologically advanced and provides some outstanding career opportunities with advancement and personal and career development potential even to the most inexperienced drivers or mechanics.

Jobs can be found the usual way: through classified advertising, car dealers, and online bidding sites. There is demand for auto shipping of general and specialized kinds, shipping of multiple or single vehicles, special shipping of traditional, vintage, collectible, customized or sports cars or various kinds. People move often nowadays. The various jobs available include auto-mover truck driver, shipping dispatcher, customer service representative, driver car hauler, CDL driver, military-vehicle shipping positions, truck fleet manager, and various auto mechanic positions, from novice through intermediate to senior, and many more.

Obviously, the industry hires truck drivers. In the auto shipping industry, however, this job is much more complicated and demanding of responsibility as the driver loads and unloads the vehicles, makes an inspection of all vehicles prior to delivery, communicates with the customers at pick up and drop off on top of the many miles of long distance driving over roads in all sorts of disrepair and possible inclement weather. All the time hauling valuable cargo which must be delivered punctually to many different destinations. The vehicles must be picked up and unloaded in varying states and across borders making each trip very lengthy, possibly many weeks to conclude. This is hard work. Not nearly the same as driving the local ice cream truck, but far more interesting and certainly far more remunerative.

The dispatcher in the auto shipping industry is actually a travel agent who takes orders and then lets the customer’s specifications be known to the trucking company. The dispatcher must establish communication between the customer and driver as to pick up, delivery and transportation times and certainly the cost of the entire process. The dispatcher/travel agent is very much involved in the planning of a customer vehicle’s trip, meaning that person must be highly organized and articulate. A carrier with many vehicles will have orders to deliver them to many differing destinations and the cost analysis in this type of project while still allowing for maximum customer service and profit for the shipping company is not a task for the faint-hearted or easily fatigued.

The client service representative is not responsible for any planning, but he or she does the crucial job of kindly providing fussy customers with all required information, including quotes by phone or email, and the job of placing orders with the dispatcher who then works with the company.

It is quite possibly the diesel mechanic that is the most critical piece of the whole picture in the auto shipping industry. There can be no auto transport company without the services of such an employee. One of the mechanic’s most crucial responsibilities is to thoroughly inspect and ensure the safety of all the trucks traveling under his jurisdiction. The job has high demands and requirements and is regarded with much respect and paid accordingly.

Finally, the auto processor performs the processing of customer cars between the different company terminals.

Companies often offer certified courses in some or all of the basic positions. Training for other positions can be done at community colleges, vocational schools, or even on the job.

To read more on Car Transport or to get an online Vehicle Shipping Quote please visit MetroGistics.

January 29, 2012

Auto Auction Reaches Record Sales

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — Darby Turnstile @ 12:47 am

The Scottsdale, Arizona Auto Auction is finally wrapping up after four days of shopping, dreaming and drooling over hundreds of amazing antique cars. The results of the auction are a bit outstanding. Over 200,000 visitors filed through the various auction houses on just the first two days. Numbers for the weekend are still being added.

Bids were placed, collectors jockeyed and positioned against each other to see just who was willing to go the furthest for the prizes they coveted the most. If the economy is struggling, there was no sign of it this weekend, with a grand total of 182 million in sales with 2,100 cars sold. That is pretty impressive by any means, but just you wait until you see the breakdown.

If there was ever any doubt about auction house Jackson Barrett’s dominance they put it to rest with $90.9 million in total sales and 1,291 vehicles sold. Taking their top spot was a 1948 Tucker Torpedo which went for a mere 2.915 million dollars. This automobile was an advanced automobile created by Preston Tucker and produced in 1948. Only 51 of them were ever made and today only 47 still exist. Because there are so few of them, it is incredibly rare for them to go to auction, although fetching such a record price might entice a few current owners to put theirs up for sale. At Cincinnati used cars you will find a deal you will love.

They also sold a beautiful 1947 Bentley Franay Mark VI Cabriolet went for $2.75 million. This classic car is often considered the height of Bentley’s creations, this model is by far the most successful and expensive car they have manufactured. To see one for sale is also a rarity. Other sales included Mercedes, Packard and Duesenbergs.

The biggest single sale went to the fine folks over at Gooding & Co. who auctioned off a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing for $4.620 million. They did well in other areas as well, selling a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe for $2.64 million and a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider for $3.905 million. Gooding & Co. finished the event with $39.8 million in total sales of 116 lots, not bad either.

Another powerhouse company, Russo & Steele, sold 401 lots for $18.3 million as well. Not as much money wise, but they had a lot more muscle cars that tended to go for less. While that may not sound like much compared to some of the others, they still sold several cars that reached the 5-7 hundred thousand dollar mark.

Overall the auction showed a 25 million dollar increase in sales from the year before. It looks like a great start to the auction year and shows that despite everything, there is still a lot of interest in these gorgeous machines.

At used car dealers in Reno you will find a deal you will love.

January 20, 2012

Progress Toward a More Green Environment By the Auto Shipping Industry

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Tom Kearns @ 8:03 pm

As environmental changes grow more and more obvious and talk of decisive action to reduce global warming more and more urgent, industries seem to move towards more environmentally friendly practices. This tendency can be seen nationwide as well as world wide, especially with large established companies in prosperous countries. Hybrid cars are so enormously popular that dealers have to manage long lists of customers eager to contribute to the campaign.

Waste and energy use are being reduced thanks to green homes, and their popularity is only increasing. Municipalities have reduced energy consumption by using eco-friendly light bulbs, hybrid buses, and more efficient street lighting. Recycling is evident everywhere you go.

Auto shipping companies are not an exception to this general shift towards urgent attempts to restore and stabilize a near-depleted world: a fairly young, recent, and one of the most innovative and distinctive industries in the history of modern civilization, they have been acutely attuned to modern problems and have been engaged in the campaign to reduce global warming for years now, without much pomp and fanfare.

Perhaps it is because they realize how tremendous and industry they currently are and what tremendous potential they still possess, and what they might mean for the near, exponentially-developing future, and probably because of recent investigations into the monstrous environmental pollution by carrier ships and trucks, perhaps because of this and their desire to survive as a mega-industry the collapse of which can incur a full-blown crisis, that they have fairly long since decided to be on the only one right side of the struggle, the environmentally safe side.

It is estimated that a single fairly large auto shipping company can save up to three million gallons of fuel, which means more than 38 million pound less greenhouse gases in our immediate atmosphere. And the number of expanding auto transport companies worldwide is enormous, many of them already gigantic corporations. Their number are likely only to grow with time and globalization.

Simple math can show how great the benefits can be from this industry if they practice green technology. If only one auto shipping company per state practiced the fuel saving methodology as mentioned above, national savings would be about 150 million gallons of fuel and up to two billion pounds of greenhouse gases will not be poisoning our atmosphere. So, if only half the companies existing today unite in this environmental effort, the savings would be enormous and critical progress toward a cleaner environment would be the result.

There are still too many vehicles on the road and anyone who drives can attest to this fact. No one industry can conquer the pollution problem alone. But those companies that lead the way to a greener future can be very proud of their achievements and stand as an example for the rest of the world to follow. This can only help them to greater profitability and promote world prosperity and health.

To read more on Car Transport or Car Shipping please visit MetroGistics.

January 15, 2012

The Significance of Brokers and Customer Responses in the Auto Shipping Industry

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Tom Kearns @ 7:58 pm

You may be interested in a particular company to ship your auto to a distant location and find that they are rather tight about relinquishing certain information, which rightly causes you to be suspicions. Moreover, you are not sure what to ask in order to allay your suspicions. This is why you need the services of a broker. He is able to verify insurance policies, licensing, track records, official documents and records that you can’t get at, as well as the company’s reputation within the industry and with its customers.

The broker’s decision will be made on the company’s past performance, whether it has industry longevity or not. The broker will then give you a choice of several companies that have passed this initial test. You will have much better access to information that is pertinent to you so you can make an intelligent decision on which company best suits your needs.

A very popular website to help you in your search for auto shipping brokers and/or companies is Transportationreviews.com. You can find customer reviews on the site above and beyond what the broker may provide. A good way to analyze the customer responses is to measure the positive reviews against the number of cars shipped out in a week, month, or year. But remember, the lack of negative responses doesn’t mean there is no one out there with a negative experience. People tend to write only good reviews for publication and deal with the broker or company directly to get satisfaction from either a real or perceived unhappy event. A bad review may also be coming from a chronic whiner who is never satisfied with any service provider with whom he does business.

Full customer satisfaction is the goal of any worthy enterprise and the heart and soul of his business. But while 100% positive responses are not a sign of total reliability, neither are 100% negative responses significant proof a company is completely undependable. You should pay the most attention to whether the nature of the complaint is major or minor and if it reoccurs with any degree of consistency. You will have to perform this analysis yourself, the website won’t do it for you. Remember any negative comments could be coming from someone for whom the company bent over backward to please, and there was just no pleasing this irrational hothead.

A wide variety of complaints may be as bad or worse. A company might not have one particular tricky angle figured out, but be otherwise competent. But a company which dissatisfy in a number of related fields is probably badly run or hasn’t the budget to cope with basic requirements, or both.

Nonetheless, customer response is only an early phase of your investigation and one of the very few you can research yourself without a broker. By hiring a broker, you will be able to take advantage of the information he can uncover that you can’t, not just cryptic customer reviews but official documents and records as well as professional experience, industry knowledge and advice. You will avoid the tedious details involved in industry bureaucracy and endless negotiations to set a price. A good broker is an effective negotiator who will save you money while charging a nominal fee, usually between $100 and $200 dollars for their services depending on the complexity and time restrictions your particular job entails.

To read more about Auto Transport or Auto Shipping please visit MetroGistics.

January 13, 2012

Tips for Choosing the Proper Car Shipping Company

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Tom Kearns @ 8:02 pm

If you’ve never shipped a vehicle before, the whole process can be a bit overwhelming at first. There are, however, a few things that you can look out for that may help you choose the best vehicle shipping company for your needs.

An important thing you want to consider is how readily the company offers to show their insurance policy. Do not trust your car to companies which do not cover the cargo they handle. Even if they seem decent, they are not doing to well if they cannot afford insurance. They are either already in a lot of legal trouble or they are just waiting to swindle a few more customers before they close and escape with the profits of an uninsured, ill-managed business (a sort of hit and run strategy, not uncommon among people who would be businessmen, yet who cannot adequately run a business).

You want not only a decent company, but a company prosperous enough to offer you several insurance policies you could buy before signing a contract. Depending on what your own current insurance covers, choose between primary or excess insurance. Excess insurance covers what your personal current policy omits. Primary insurance acts independently of your current personal policy. The company should be willing to describe the types of accidents and damage are likely in the case of your car and should help you decide how best to secure it against theft and significant damage.

Once you have these issues settles, you can move on to the next stage of preparing and submitting your car. There are several types of trucks and services. You have probably seen more open carriers than container carriers around. Open carriers are preferred by many customers because they are less expensive. In many cases the distances the cargo has to travel are particularly large, and if weather is fair open trucks often move out more quickly.

Generally shipments by sea use container shipping. The drawbacks of container shipping are the obvious increase in price as well as the less obvious time factor, Auto shipping companies are not quick to ship partial containers so you may have to wait a considerable amount of time before your container is full and ready to depart.

The closed carrier truck transport will cost you more. Also, there can be delays in shipment as this type of carrier will not begin its journey until it is fully loaded. You can get earlier shipment but it will cost you excess fees. The closed carrier does offer protection against inclement weather, flying road debris and theft or vandalism. If your car has to travel a long distance or if it is a rare, expensive, or fragile vintage model, it is worth protecting your investment by choosing the closed container truck.

Companies, that is – good companies, offer insurance for every shipped vehicle: any damaged while the car is handled by the company will be compensated. Moreover, they arrange for liability insurance of at least $800, 000 which covers damage to large numbers of cargo. No business company worthy of its name finds it profitable to mishandle or endanger the property of their clients. They make sure you are insured. Beware of fishy organizations which even so much as hint at reluctance to offer adequate insurance or neglect to mention it.

To continue to read about Vehicle Shipping or Auto Transport please visit MetroGistics.

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