Evaluate how well a Car Cover meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a car cover and you've learned about the different features of car covers. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of car cover - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the car covers available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed car covers to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Car Cover meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available car covers in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any car covers that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any car covers that clearly exceed your price limit.
The first thing you need to decide when considering the purchase of a car cover, is whether you want a custom-fit car cover or a ready-fit (pre-made) car cover. The advantages and disadvantages between the two may not always be obvious. Of course, ready-fit car covers will require less of an investment, but there is a reason you are considering even purchasing a car cover. Make sure your ready-fit car cover meets all of your needs when it comes to protecting the exterior of your vehicle.
Tip: Custom-fit car covers generally offer a wider selection of materials, while ready-fit covers will come in only the most popular and economical of materials.
Your material choices are limited when considering ready-fit car covers, but the material is probably the most important decision. Custom-fit car covers will give you many more options. The reason you want to consider a wider range of materials, is because different types of materials offer different kinds of protection. Obviously, you will want to choose a material that does not scratch any part of the exterior of your car. If you park your vehicle in a crowded parking lot, you will also need to consider puncture and tear resistant materials. If you live in an intensely hot and sunny climate, you will want to consider polyester or acrylic materials because they better protect against the harmful rays of the sun.
Tip: Ready-fit covers are convenient, because you can purchase and use them right away. However, ready-fit covers do not generally include mirror pockets.
Believe it or not, the type of fibre and material you choose can also make your car cover experience much more convenient. Some materials, when packed, take a quarter to half the space of multi-layer and non-woven fabrics. If you have to put the cover on and take it off frequently, the relative ease of constantly folding up and storing your car cover can make a big difference.
Tip: If you own a convertible, you'll have the choice of purchasing a custom-fit or ready-fit car cover that will cover your vehicle while the top is up or down. Of course, you could purchase both types of car covers for your convenience.
If you own a pickup truck you have even more options to choose from than other vehicle owners. There are different types of car covers for the bed of your truck and for the cab of your truck. You can choose a cab cover that is only designed to keep the cab a bit cooler, or for more protection you can choose a cab cover that will cover everything except the bed of the truck.
If you want to protect your bed (or the cargo in it) you have a few options to choose from. Installation is fairly easy regardless of your decision, but you will need to choose between a snap-on bed cover and a zip-on bed cover. Try and predict how often you will remove and install your bed cover and decide which will be more convenient for you.
If protecting your paint job is the primary reason you are considering a car cover, consider other accessories that can provide the same protection while you are driving. For example, front end masks protect your front bumper, the area most damaged while driving.
When you were considering your requirements in a car cover it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as custom or ready made, material used, size and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various car covers meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Types of car covers
- Custom-fit - designed for your car
- Ready-fit - pre-made and ready to order
Material
- 3-layer polypropylene
- Film barrier fabric
- Non-woven polypropylene
- Polycotton/Drill weave fabric - resists tears and punctures
- Polypropylene/Polyethylene composite
- Flannel - long-wearing
- Micro-porous middle layer
- Polyester - intense sunny climates
- Acrylic fibres - sunny climates
- Canvas - intense sunny climates, heavier, easier to manage in wind
Car Protection Features
- Moisture resistant
- Breathable
- Dust/Pollution protection
- Lightweight
- Soft and non-abrasive
- Moisture, Mould and UV resistant
- Impact Absorption
- Dries easily
- Rot protection
- Fade Resistant
Accessories
- Front End Masks - works as a car cover while you drive
- Windshield heat shields - Protect your interior!
- Seat Savers - Protect your frequently used seats!
- Locking kits - locks your car cover to your car
Easy-to-Store
- Storage bags
- What is the volume of your car cover when folded? Some car covers take up much less space than others when stored.
Truck Cab Top Covers
- Cab Cooler - covers just the top part of your truck cab
- Cab Area Covers - covers everything but the truck bed
Convertible Covers
- Protects from UV rays, airborne pollutants, droppings from trees and birds.
- Hook and loop straps for doorhandles and/or mirrors
- Anti-theft tabs secured inside hood or trunk lid
- Designed for protection on quick trips
Hardtop Covers
- Designed for when the hardtop is stored for the hot season
- Hook and loop fasteners
- Can be used with most hoists used to remove the hardtop
Truck Bed covers
- Protect your bed and/or your cargo
- Reduces drag - increasing gas mileage and more money!
- Zip vs. Snap
- No-tools-required installation
- Tailgate operates normally on most brands
Customer Care
- Truck Bed covers - Lifetime warranty on frame, 1 year warranty on the cover
- 1 to 3 year limited warranties
- Warranties to protect against poor workmanship and defects in the fabric of your car cover
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your car cover needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a car cover.
Once you have finished evaluating the car covers available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the car covers one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Car Cover compares with competing Car Covers
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of car covers that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of car covers that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which car cover on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these car covers best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed car covers has the best warranty?
Which car cover is the easiest to use?
Which of the car covers seems of the highest quality?
Which car cover do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating car covers that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the car cover, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the car cover is put together. Check the assembly - is the car cover solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the car cover from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is the car cover prepared for cleaning and maintenance? Make sure the car cover fits your car physically, and that it is user-friendly - some car covers look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose - fits car correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as different cleaning methods to those recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need a locking kit, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- What else will you need to fully utilize the car cover?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of car covers that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:Car cover purchaseHow to choose the right car cover that won't damage your carCar cover suppliersDirectory for car cover manufacturers world wideWide variety of car covers for all different makes and modelsCustom-fit car covers and accessories for cars and SUV'sSelect car covers for different types of carsInformation and color choices!ReviewsReviews of a car cover supplier