It is a common observation that those who dwell continually upon their expectations are apt to become oblivious to the requirements of their actual situation.-Charles Sanders Peirce

What a wonderful world this would be if we all did as well today as we expect to do tomorrow.-Anonymous

Nothing is so good as it seems beforehand.-George Eliot

It is that time of year, when expectations run higher than ever. We're out of the brutal heat waves; the guy we've been trying to reach for weeks is finally back from vacation; there's pennant fever and the World Series around the corner; the first frost and the leaves turning are due sure as sin; the footballs arc in the air and on the air (beats the reruns); the kids are ensconced in school, and it's time for all those new car deliveries.

Certainly there are some minor headaches with the new car or truck ordering process, but they shrink in size when we know we are having fun making people (drivers) happy. In spite of getting a new one every couple of years, everyone looks forward to that "new car smell," the chance to make another selection choice, choose that new color, or get one with just a bit more spunk or room for the kids. This time of year it is a lot more palatable to find out the factory has delayed delivery for two additional weeks or the order was entered wrong and it won't come with the rear defroster.

Most everyone loves to be on the buying side of the desk. Once the overall budget and game plan are cleared by management, the fleet manager has the opportunity to exercise genuine and final judgment in terms of his or her selector list and entering of orders. The position commands an ultimate decision and an unequivocal statement that through your best, and most professional evaluation, you selected the models that are best for your fleet. This process may be a joy to most but there are also heavy responsibilities. Considering the complexities of this year's incentives, attempting to equate them can be a chore. The fact that interest rates are still relatively low is a plus: and so is the fairly stable used-car market.

It is "fun" time, so why not enjoy it? The factories and lessors invest big dollars making sure the specs and facts are before us. You've had since late spring to decide and get the orders in.

One little recognized statistic surrounds the month of June. It has always been a strong fleet-buying month. Would you believe that last year more fleets took more deliveries in June than in October, November, December or any other month? That is supposed to be the month to order the new ones: or is cycling taking on a new meaning just at buildout?

Fall is a chance to recover from some possible mistake made two or three years ago; replace it with what looks like a hot car now. Think of how happy you'll make the drivers who have been pestering you because they are turning 65,000 on the odometer, the car's a problem, and the tires are going. Those kind should send you roses. It's a great time of year.