HP 12c financial calculator

[Alsie35]

The newer ones have the arithmetic function (ie you can use them like a regular calculator if you so choose instead of having to memorize those all of those insane math formulas you need to figure out all that ROI, GRM stuff, etc., etc.)

That single feature is as responsible as I am for my having passed the certified residential exam!

And that's the only reason I ever bought one, and that's the only time I ever used it.

 

[TC]

The real appraisal geeks had their leather cases monogrammed and probably carried a slide rule on their belts in high school.

I used mine once when buying a car. I asked why my monthly payment was lower than what they calculated. It turned out there were some hidden fees they forgot to mention. I think that the salesman is now working as a reviewer for an AMC.

 

[Artemis Fowl]

I just bought two. Pretty handy once you catch the tricks of it. Still do most everything in excel tho.

 

[George Hatch]

RPN saves keystrokes and makes it easier to perform multiple operations. And multiple iterations of the same calc via changing one variable at a time. I still do most of my calcs in a spreadsheet, though.

 

[alebrewer]

Just like with stick shift autos, I think a lot of the allure just comes from the esoteric nature of knowing how to use one in today's world. That said, I still use mine every day.

 

[George Hatch]

I had the carbuying example, too. They were selling the payment to us but I had my calculator with me and I figured out during the first "let me take this to my manager" lull that they had loaded an extra $1500 into their sales contract. We walked and then I later called them and said we were interested in the car at the advertised price but I was using a financial calculator and could tell they had added another spiff into the contract. Send us a clean contract and we'll sign it. It took a couple phonecalls but they eventually followed through.

 

[Zoe]

I had the carbuying example, too. They were selling the payment to us but I had my calculator with me and I figured out during the first "let me take this to my manager" lull that they had loaded an extra $1500 into their sales contract. We walked and then I later called them and said we were interested in the car at the advertised price but I was using a financial calculator and could tell they had added another spiff into the contract. Send us a clean contract and we'll sign it. It took a couple phonecalls but they eventually followed through.

A guy I knew traded like every 1 year or 2 years. When he got ready to trade, he would start shopping for the new truck. He would go to different lots and offer $X. They would say we can't do that. He would say okay, I can't do what your offering. He would go back to work. I saw him do it many times. Sometimes it was a week or maybe 3 weeks later that a dealer would call him back and say okay, we will take what you offered. His trade ins were always in immaculate condition. His trade ins were like new truck almost.

 

[George Hatch]

I didn't have a problem with the advertised deal or with the idea of them making a fair profit. It was the spiff that annoyed me.

 

[Zoe]

I didn't have a problem with the advertised deal or with the idea of them making a fair profit. It was the spiff that annoyed me.

He was president of a bank already knew what he was going offer before he went. He knew the truth in lending disclosures very well. He was just trying shave the dealer's profit on a new truck while trading in almost a new truck. On some occasions, when used trucks were in high demand, he could trade in a year or so old truck and get a new truck for same money. Sometimes, he was probably paying cash because he had the cash.

 

[Zoe]

When certain new trucks are in shortage and in high demand, the dealer can make money on the 1 year old used truck also and is already making money on the new one from the manufacturer.

The new car dealer gets paid a holdback from the manufacturer just for the vehicle sitting on their lot. That is the way it rolls in new car business.