Show ' 1 ' The Herald Journal Logan Utah Monday 0dinrifr®irsoaD GERVAIS Ore (AP) — In an unmarked site on the edges of this community of berry farmers Bob Harriman puts one foot on the ' world's most controversial grass It's a blanket of brilliant green — as thin as a piece of paper and as uniform as cellophane If it sounds Unnatural that's because it is The turf is a genetically modified version of the creeping bentgrass popular on golf course greens and fairways and it is being tested here by Scotts Co which hopes its will be resistant to a common ere-ati- weed-killin- g on chemical Scotts keeps the test site incognito because environmentalists are trying to ban the bioengineered grass — and radical groups have gone so far as to sabotage test plots elsewhere But while environmentalists have long opposed bioengineered crops of any kind this silky turf has other powerful voices urging caution: the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service “Our concern is that if it was to escape onto public land we wouldn't know how to control says Gina Ramos senior weed specialist for the it-- grass creeps Bureau of Land Management Her words conjure an image of a golf course gone berserk — a stale park for example blanketed in acres' of perfect putting green turf with no biodiversity Harriman Scotts’ chief research scientist counters that numerous studies by the company indicate the grass is unlikely to spread The grass seeds are dispersed by flowering blossoms — but the closely shorn turf on a golf course is never 'allowed to grow tall enough to flower The natural version of creeping bentgrass is the perfect surface for a golf ball because as its name suggests it “creeps" — growing in a smooth horizontal plane But as Harriman points oiit kneeling to stroke a patch adjoining the bentgrass test site the silky smoothness can get interrupted by a coarse weed — a yellow grass that grows vertical- ly in bunches like ah artichoke On a putting green that acts as a speed bump deflecting the ball and frustrating even the most talented golfer '“Tiger Woods hates this stuff” Harriman says 19 2004 — C3 April Some worry that product could invade public lands odd ' ' ' ' AP photo Bob Harriman chief research seen touching the bioengineered grass' in a test plot in Gervais Ore Here the world's most controversial grass is quietly taking hold on the edges of a community-o- f berry farmers scientist at the Scott Company is believe that “just because ‘I become popular with some “Whether or not you're : has been flooded damaged by extend the length of the con- fee the is and dealers Etch trade fire or used in a rental fleet a car tract a or two don't see an oil leak' and it to have easily year going you — that for the looks clean" is car's the a car to know what the car you're turn a charged etching among other things Duersch ' VIN number on the wind- for a deal with a $1 000 cream puff calls it “The best ($25) you buying is valued at" Duersch Continued from Cl shield ostensibly to deter Can spend when buying a car" ‘They detail (used cars) to profit — r into a says noting that dealerships mark theft the max” he says “A ‘78 LinIf you have a complaint cars “It's a pretty ingenious frequently up used even step onto that dealer's the fee look an Duersch “That's coln will can a deal after the purchase more of about or idea” they by $2000 pristine" says easy lot you better know what finance is final Duersch The “but not for the Once the customer — the says may manager charge people” register it with somealso offer to sell extras like Some dealers chaige several customer for the dealer” one besides the dealer Ducr- you're doing" he says “up” in sales parlance — is hundred dollars for the Etch Most people are payment stereo upgradesbr pinstriping sch recalls one unhappy Getting a feel for the dealer- - on the lot- the pressure is on and “you don't need it” (Etch Shop for these like you would the salesperson to put pressure shoppers but agreeing to ship shouldn't take long customer who came hack ' Sometimes you can do it simthe leave kits sell on for Internet else intent on returning a car only on the buyer Some dealer- can by anything comparing lengthy payments and quality When the ply by watching how a comthe buyer owing more than the around $20 and can be to be convinced by the sales price ships order sales reps to show installed in 15 minutes) ' no more than three cars before ' vehicle is worth Unless they pany advertises Here the old salesperson says “Oh we can manager that the contract was Documentation fees are are willing to hold onto the takexare of that" in regard to adage applies: If it sounds too binding Duersch says he later applying the heat Duersch ' overheard the manager admit car until it is paid off a car standard but shouldn't exceed some minor problem like a good to be true it is says and turn the customer Take for example the owner who is “upside down” ' $40 he adds Buy an extended balky window get it in writ'that he could have reversed over to a “closer” if things has to take a loss when they the deal aren't proceeding quickly “push pull or drag" sale The ing Otherwise "They'll forwarranty only if the dealer-shipadvertisements promise to pay enough Avoid such n 'sell the vehicle often rolling service department has “Most dealers get about it or play dumb" he : $2000 for your trade-i- n be do and that"1 won't stuck with a good reputation And take that deficit into their next purand are simply sure lots you'll says “It's important to pick chase and creating a domino regardless of its condition — any used car you're looking ill the repair trying to make 'a living Duer- “Just push pull or drag it in!" sch' says Another way to background effect that can last indefinite- -' to a mechanic of your choice ' somebody you trust" he says Duersch who says he is givto be examined — for all its “But the point is to he smart ' a vehicle is to order a CAR-FA“and the only way to do that is y' insider information the from the usefulness Internet about cannot more are to ing up buying car Don't take it http:car“They (dealers) report pick up warning signs” the for human trained deals than happy to do that'-- ' Duer- faxcom These solely to inform the public of $2499 lightly It’s a $10 (XX) expense eye replace it like one" Duersch Treat “The tell a in don't adds whether vehicle sch potential ripofTs participated And longer multiple salespeothey reports says bringing in one such “sale" and says finance that vehicle the more ple or pressuring a customer " the manager simply went to “buy today” are all “red they make” around the lot the night before flags to watch your back” The best defense is to keep and marked up every vehicle track who runs Duersch now of the numbers yourself says ' $2000 ‘Take a calculator into the ah industrial embroidery busi“The public really hit hard" ness “If the people are pretty dealership” Duersch suggests he recalls “They thought it ' pushy something is going on “They' II hate you for doing it was the greatest thing in the but you'll be better off" behind the scenes:" world” Another thing to beware of Another car lot adage “The Then there’s the $5 car sale: feel of the wheel seals the is “Be sitting in the car of your banks set limits on the amount deal " reflects the commonly ' choice at Tl am Saturday held belief that the customer's they willloanonagiyencar and a few lucky customers if the dealer wants to charged excitement will ensure a pur: will get to buy the car they're customer more than book chase if they go out for a in for a mere $5” Does any- value he can claim extra "demo” or test drive If you ' one actually get to buy a car come back from the demo and ' options on the car that don't for $5? exist! With say a Honda want to look at other cars “Sure they do” says Duer--' : don't let the salesman push ' Accord LX that is actually v sch ‘That $5 car prpbably bare bones he can (ell the you into considering only one turns out tp be one of the bank it has a CD player spoilvehicle Duersch reminds buyer and leather seats Those ers that they can walk out any ‘push pull or drag' cars” ’extras blimp' up the car’s time they feel uncomfortable Any dealership brazen value the bank’s loan ceiling enough to run Such sales says Dealerships make money in ' Duersch “doesn't think much and the customer's payments ' three ways: Selling cars " of their customers In his At some point during nego- -' financing those sales and Vthe dealers trade-inthe salesperson may : liations and “everything eyes reselling buying A' M O M ' marketbait is It's ask the customer to sign a them A deal that includes all give you form confirming their interest three in the dealer's favor is a ing but a lot of it isn't ethical” in buying the car Duersch' “home run" And don’t think sUch warns against signing such '" Prices for new cars are fair- -' ' " in occur don't shenanigans “agreements” since they are Jy standard and dealer cost: Cache Valley he warns poiritr not required and have nothing can be researched via the m n I' i’io' f ' of the that out do with the actual contract to biit Internet used for explosion ing prices local dealerships indicate that' — unless the seller is ' cars vary hugely according to is car sales a booming busi:’ condition Mileage and dam- unscrupulous enough to slip ness - ' one in without saying any- 'age history (Some areas for “There’s'a reason dealerthing Sign only the final con- -' example suffer frequent ' ' in the well A C so S' t- U O 'O VS I '() 'i O N are if tract and that after you’ve doing ships flooding yourcarwas purchased at auction in Houston read it thoroughly: :j- valley" he says “You have tpbe way care- So committed is Duersch to it may have water damage In : that he salt-car Utah " ful” he says “Ask to take the where icy roads are buyers helping offers free advice to anyonei ed in the winter undercar- paperwork home overnight If interested Seriously His tend to more rust they're uneasy about that all riages ' A s r C V IJ n't ' phone number is (435) 757y ' quickly whereas in Idaho the more reason to read it” 0557 which uses sand oh winter roads rock'chips may occur After you settle bn a vehicle r Most cardealers locally and a price you' II be ushered more regularly) and elsewhere are “good into the finance office: Duer-sc- h who ' Oncea customer settles on a ' wantyour ' dealerships says this is the “scariest -1 u u h i' h vehicle the financial business down the road too” but also the place part” - and operate legally and ethi- begins This is where' ' where sincethe dealer des Duersch to Duersch according cally says' an unethical r ' perately wants to close the : But Utah's “lemon Jaws holds the upper: dealer canreally take advan- sale I li‘ "v DOM fKNbW WHO COIN'D Hit' t 51 ir f ' jur IHli SECOMDfdlHON ACHF IFF AiljUf Will &V( Vi j' A 1 4 Y'f hand which allow a customer to tage of the buyer j !of 'What ijfe: Usfd:o 'vajiiv thf fhohW (om'ciK-t- i 'ii One of the easiest ways to : v “By the time you get to the recover their money if the car ? ASUI S'tS PI EC'IOUS AMD'U MlUUt I' V'JIOM QF CACE Eoa ' t adi'is amo yvii wiiU'twij iodIMai1 they buy js defective apply ' lose trackrof how much you’re finance office you have com- e iii 1 i Ol CAf PUBLiSHFb'OtJl WHF paying to focus on monthly plete power” he says ' only to hew vehicles So 1W) tl ' WERE AMAZlb AF IHE g'MlII OF'PHOIOS PI Upll BIOUGHJ' FI' and WrMD' If you've checked your buying usied must look out payments to the exclusion of : " IP I F'M' U 4ft THE' tOOK WF WISHED Wt COlJlD HAVfF IJ III ' P'l'A tf all else Many dealers now use credit rating and asked your for him- - or herself WAS'SOID 'OUIAFTEI BE'INO AVAMABlE FQ OMi't- a' EW' V u fl A ' Pll (II IS II AM A' the method divid- - bank about qualifying for a ' Step One may be theInter? loan beforehand you'll know net where sites Such as Kelley ing a worksheet into squares ZOli Will FNlOt IHis 8 ' S O i: A MIJ'C tt AS 11? INiorFfi: I'lifViMl (1 SfAF oyi ' WEHi IHAt'AS' Hf tii rru w PI At w'iiirtF-if the interest rate the dealer Blue Book (http:kbbcom) representing the four elements Av'f liVF D 'wblM I ' 'THAT HE Rl W JJA 'lE AS 1HOSI WtlO ' pH ApF tradeDon’t Car be fair a deal: of Buying and Edmunds Selfing price quotes you js v'ipv'-- ' 'y j 'WFIl ITCt'Mftl''N fooled into paying a higher ' in value monthly payment Guide (http:edmundscom) r ' 1HOUSAND WORDS 'HIS' If ONE flCIOlIIS W0IIH iJ'ijM HIMMIV and down payment The sales- - rate than you deserve ' ' WE kNOW ' give general guidelines about S I£)'l f VAIlf OHI 745 BOO jji ' with ' Armed “If they give youa rate pf used cars’ values person then focuses on ' ' 'SPAll j 18 Mi" i whichever element is most that information — both! on percent for crying but loud' — P I Ai 5 IHE Ji) li I? — 14 : are card for a the credit to customer per-shopping the vehiclethey go get important - for and their trade-i- n ' if they cent and put it on there” usually the monthly payment ' THE BOOK IS PIICED JUST RI0Hl $795 i'PpNyfNIFNTiy AVAII ABU Ai:iHF 1lr " decide to go that route --r: buy- - If they can convince the buyer Duersch recommends HASTINGS t the sook tabu yabcoSriN iudino sHrppNv: hermdjqjrnai: a the about Read contract carefully to forget is ONLY’ $33 '95 1HEBO0K IS A1SONOW AVAU ABIE ONUNfAl'H'i'lfW’Vijw' ers can approach dealership selling price ” ' '!CAll ANGIF AT'THf Hf RAID JDURNAl FOR fOMPlElt VjI'P'RMAII'O At the salesperson can sometimes for hidden fees One that has more confidently Sales sales-spe- “one-pounde- r" three-pound- ak er four-squa- re - ’s well-know- high-pre- s- X - ‘ - “power-booking"Sin- s A £ M I u- '‘c--b:'- ' I I1 'r-- i : ’ : D A- I v l-- - s- -i 1- - : : f the-buy- er : II A M R t e - il--- E i-- u-- ' 1 s ' any-on- 1 HEv'Ff(-Afi)F- ’ ' I I : PI I ? 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