3 Olympic Takeaways When Buying Personalised Number Plates

Team GB did so well in the medal stakes as did the Irish. But hats off must go to all the volunteers, the staff and the people behind the scenes that made it all happen. Every day, we saw great things being written and said about the running of the Olympics. How smooth it all went and how the atmosphere was electrifying. Well done London; it was a fantastic show. All the hard work was worth it.

And speaking of hard work, while hats off goes to the people behind the scenes, admiration and fascination follow all the athletes who competed at this high level. Some have been training for four years; other much longer. I got to thinking about the Olympics and how many parallels exist between the sporting world and the hobby world. Buying a personalised number plate is more than a hobby for some but for many, it is a hobby. This article will talk about the hobby buyer rather than the investment buyer, so if you're a hobby buyer, read on.

Here are my three takeaways from watching the Olympics that can easily be applied to buying a personalised number plate.

1. Reap what you sow

Many hobby buyers search the listings for the perfect number plate. Often times, the one that they want is either too expensive or is taken by someone else. This personalised number plate buyer then spends time looking at the alternatives that exist out there.

If you are prepared to put in the effort, you can find the perfect plate for you. You can substitute numbers for letters, i.e., 5 makes a great substitute for S, I for 1 and lots more. You can get a personalised number plate from Northern Ireland which is much cheaper and flexible.

Just as every athlete that went to the Olympics, they put in the hard work to get what they wanted. You too can apply that same level of tenacity and get the right plate at the right price.

2. No personalised plate buyer is an island

You can do as much or as little searching for your own personalised number plate as you want but nothing beats using a reputable personalised number plate agency. A company that specialises in personalised plates will help you find what you're looking for, have the correct paperwork to hand you and basically, provide support when you need it.

They have their own database and they make transfer of ownership easy.

Every athlete that went to the Olympics went with a team. They didn't go by themselves; they used the right people behind them to support them and you can do the same when buying a plate.

3. Truly own your number plate

When you find the perfect plate, it's only right that you show it off. It is important to truly own it. Even if it's just you and your partner having a glass of something or a cup of tea when it's driven home, you need to truly own it. And by that, I mean, don't hide it away. Show it off.

Just look at the closing ceremony of the Olympics. Each athlete came back into the arena smiling and happy with their achievements. Finding the right plate at the right price can be tricky and if you've accomplished it, then celebrate it.

Three Tips When Choosing a Personalised Number Plate Seller Online

If you put the following words 'personalisednumberplateseller' into Google, you're likely to get more than 27.8 million results. If you put the UK after it so it reads 'personalisednumberplatesellerUK', you'll get 15.7 million results.

Not all of these are applicable as Google can display many sites with the individual words 'personalised', 'number' and 'plates'. While this article isn't about making better use of the Internet, it does show that there are a lot of sellers out there that sell personalised number plates.

The buyer of a personalised plate will buy for a personal reason - a birthday, an anniversary, a treat for themselves or a reward. There are lots of reasons but the main reason is personal. With that in mind, it's important that the buyer uses a reputable seller. As it exists offline as online, there are always people out there looking for a quick buck at someone else's expense.

This article gives three top tips of what to look out for choosing a personalised number plate supplier.

1. Accreditation

Legitimate plate sellers have accreditation to a number of industry bodies. Check that your supplier are members of the following:

    MIRAD - Member Of The Institute Of Registration Agents & Dealers.
    The C.N.D.A - Cherished Number Dealers Association.
    R.M.I.F - Retail Motor Industry Federation
    The R.N.C - The Registration numbers Club

2. Trading History

It's always difficult for a new company to prove how trustworthy it is. But it is more likely that a reputable company selling on the Internet has been trading for a number of years. The chances are that they have both an offline and an online presence and have more ways of contacting them than just an email or phone number.

Trading history or the longevity of a company will show a good track record and it's a great way of underlining their credentials.

3. Transparency with paperwork

A genuine or reputable personalised number plate seller will be transparent in the process that they use. As a buyer, you must ensure that the plate certification is genuine before parting with cash.

A plate certificate has a watermark on it and reputable sellers will be prepared to scan a copy of the certificate for you for checks to take place prior to purchase. Some sellers still use a fax machine and can fax a copy if you too have a fax machine. The important thing to note is that they will be prepared to give you a prior check before you part with your hard earned cash.

In summary, don't settle for the first company that you see on the listing of 15.7 million results. Do your research on each company. It will benefit you in the end.

The Basic Requirements Of A Wheelchair Vehicle Conversion

When a loved one is involved in an accident or develops an illness that leaves them wheelchair bound for the rest of their lives or indefinitely, it is important that you are able to transport them around to doctor's appointments, shopping and the like. This often calls for a vehicle conversion or two that makes a standard van or car suitable for transporting a wheelchair bound passenger - but what are the basic requirements of getting these conversions done?

    A vehicle: The first requirement for a vehicle conversion is that you have a van or car on hand that you wish to convert. Whilst you can try using your current van, this may leave you without transportation for a few weeks whilst the additions are made. For this reason it is recommended that you purchase a new or second hand vehicle for the conversions and then sell your current one when it's ready.

    A converter: The second requirement is to locate a company that will be able to do the conversion for you. You need to make sure that they will have the vehicle ready for you in the timeframe that you need it (keep in mind that they may have other clients ahead of you on their list) and that they have experience working on the sorts of additions that you are hoping to make, such as a wheelchair lift or ramp.

    A plan: The third requirement is to have a plan in place of what vehicle conversions need to be done. Sitting down with the company who will be undertaking the work is your best chance of ensuring that everything is accounted for and will be suited to the needs of the disabled person in your family. The plan can also include if other conversions will be made at a later date.

    A supplier: The fourth and final requirement is to locate a supplier who can provide you with all the equipment you need for the vehicle conversion to be completed. Whilst the company doing the make may be able to do this for you, you might be able to save some money by looking for your own supplier. Make sure that the equipment you need is in stock and can be delivered when you need it.

Once you have taken care of each of the above requirements, you will be fully prepared for your vehicle conversion to commence. Keep in mind that it will often take a number of weeks to be completed, but that once all of the work is finished you will be left with a vehicle that is perfect for transporting your loved one around with ease.