When the Economy Changes, Consumers Turn to Used Vehicle Pricing Guides to Get a 'Leg Up'

  N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides' CEO Says Business Booms When the Economy Turns

    COSTA MESA, Calif., March 28 California business owner Don
Christy Jr. should be a little frightened these days with a sluggish economy
threatening the nation and a nasty energy crisis plaguing his state.
Surprisingly, Christy says he's not worried -- at least not about the current
state of the market.  In fact, he claims that when the economy fluctuates, his
business skyrockets.
    
Christy is the President and CEO of N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides, the world's
largest publisher of appraisal guides for used vehicle values.  For 68 years,
the company has been publishing the trademark, bright yellow and blue
guidebooks used by consumers, insurance companies, banks, lending institutions
and government agencies across the nation.  Christy claims that when the
economy heads south, consumers turn to the used car market and ultimately,
used vehicle pricing information like N.A.D.A. Guides to try and offset the
negative effects.  And, he says, even in good times, his business reaps the
benefits of increased buying, selling and trading in the vehicle market.
    
"Historically, our business fares well in a sluggish economy because
people are more apt to purchase used vehicles versus new," says Christy.
"Because of the increase in used vehicle sales, we see lots of consumers
utilizing our guidebooks and our website to determine the fair market value of
the vehicle they're interested in buying."

    According to Christy, shoppers aren't the only ones looking for a price
advantage when it comes to souring economic times.  He says industry
professionals across the country also pick up the pace when it comes to
vehicle value research.

    "From an industry standpoint, we see an increase in usage by dealers,
lending institutions and insurance representatives.  By using pricing guides
such as ours, professionals can assess the value of a trade-in, the amount of
a loan, or the amount of insurance coverage based on the value of a particular
vehicle.  When money gets tight, business owners as well as consumers pay
attention to every dollar," Christy says.

    And even in good times, it seems as if N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides does a
pretty decent job.  Christy says the company's current subscriber-base, as
well as the increased consumer demand of their online pricing information at
http://www.nadaguides.com, keeps the company's nose to the grindstone and the orders
pouring in.

    "Our current hard-copy subscriber base calls for the distribution of over
5 million guidebooks a year," says Christy.  "We're really pleased with the
performance."

    Pleased, indeed.  Christy says the company is developing additional
consumer and dealer tools while working harder than ever to meet the demand
for its current roster of services.  Not only does N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides
provide realistic values for used cars and trucks, but also vans, boats, RV's,
motorcycles, yachts, luxury motor homes and airplanes.  Christy says the
public can call (888) 232-6232 to order the used vehicle value guidebook of
their choice, or they can log onto http://www.nadaguides.com to research a price or
to order a guidebook online.