Auto Spies response to the owner of the $12.5M BMW dealership
The customers speak
Here’s the latest letter from our owner of the $12.5M BMW dealership.
Dear 001:
Thanks for taking the time to respond to my email and also finding it necessary to place it at the top of your list in your latest edition. I have to tell you that I was taken by surprise by your placement and zeal to publish it. What bothers me is the tone you took in your headline. As I stated you need not be so proud to assume that we have nothing to do but worry about the fluff that is put out by your band of spies. Our goal is to sell and service autos nothing more and nothing less. Actually the concept is to provide an ownership experience that is second to none. That is why we have made the investment in world class facilities and train our people much in the way the Ritz does or even Nordstroms. You people proliferate the idea that we are strictly in business to take advantage of those that don't know. Your site is perceived to provide the consumer with knowledge that will prevent that from happening. I for one can proudly say that my organization and those that I am closely familiar with are proud of the job we do and the excellence in service we provide. Quit making us look like the guys in black hats, that was years ago. I am not naive enough to think that there aren't dealers out there that practice that worn out way either. Give us a break and see for yourself that throwing your trade keys on our roof is for the dinosaur's, not for those of us that have the vision and belief that the customer will always come first and that the truth will set you free.
Thanks
A proud and happy BMW Dealer
Rather than responding directly to the owner of this dealership, we decided to let the people we work for (our readers) be our voice.
(BTW, we received more mail on this subject than any other in our history! Sorry, we couldn’t publish all the emails.)
It’s long, but it’s a great read!
Dear 001,
Great move in publishing the letter from the dinosaur dealer principal on your site.
My response would be "I hope someone with $12.5m comes along quickly. This is the information age, old timer. After all, aren't web sites such as AutoSpies mildly flattering? Their mere existence demonstrates that a great many people (your target market) out there have a strong enthusiasm for your product and that of other manufacturers. If no-one cared about BMW no-one would take the time or the interest to look."
Enjoy the site.
Greg
Strategic employee- From a large luxury car manufacturer whose company MADE him email us and request that the company name be removed (which we were not obliged to do but did it out of courtesy to him)
Here is the note that his company suggested ( J ) he write us:
Early last week I sent an email to AutoSpies with my personal response to the letter you posted from the owner of a 12.5m BMW dealership. You have obviously received many. My response was posted second in the list - perhaps in part due to the fact that I work for a large European luxury car company.
The response that I submitted was my own personal opinion and, in hindsight, should have been sent from my own personal email account. However, in my haste, I sent it from my company account.
I am not in a position to speak on behalf of my company and my opinion is probably not representative of everyone who works here (representative, they’re scared to death of us!). I would be grateful if you would have my title and company name removed from that section of your web site just as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance,
Greg:
001: Greg, does this mean they won’t let you expense your Auto Spies subscription?
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Dear 00's,
Grammar mistakes aside, The Owner (as I'll call the author of the posted email) makes some interesting points. The Spies publication has been pretty dead on in calling many things car enthusiasts are thinking. You can call a spade a spade (a 7 series a design mistake, a Porsche a slow seller, a E class uninspired, a LS boring, etc, etc..). Hey, we are all thinking it and it's good to see someone not only saying it but backing it up with lease rates, sales data, deals and upcoming changes.
Back to the point, The Owner is used to an uninformed or, even worse, ill-informed consumer. I can still remember going to a dealer and being told that since the car is hard to get I would have to get it "with all options" (all options include lojacs, paint protection, undercoat protection, high performance mats and just about any dealer installed option you can think of). With Spies I can get the 'inside' scope early. I am confident when I come into a dealer. I know when they are feeding me a line and most important I know what I should pay. Knowing what I should pay has saved me THOUSANDS. Those are thousands that stayed in my pocket and didn't end up with the dealer. I've forwarded your url to dozens of people I know in NorCal when they mention they are looking to buy a new car. Just about all of them commented that they got some great info (upcoming models, price breaks, lease rates, etc). I would venture to guess that each one of them forwarded your url to their friends as well. They become informed consumers with up-to-date information. Informed consumers cost the dealers money, lots of money.
So keep publishing your crap or bs or whatever else The Owner called it. Keep us car buyers informed and we'll keep opening your site every Friday for the latest news.
Thanks again,
Alex
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Dear Spies,
Here is an example of how and why you provide such a valuable service to all of your readers:
A couple of years ago I purchase a certified BMW 540iA that had just come off lease from my local dealer. A very nice car. Not as clean as I keep my cars but the dealer assured me it was one of the nicest 540's he had seen in a while. As we are driving off he is shaking his head telling me I "stole" the car from him.
Fast forward 14 months. My wife has put 6,000km (Canadian) which works out to 3,600 garaged, hand washed, lady-driven, dealer serviced, miles on the car and we are looking to trade it in on a NEW 330iA. Well, you should have heard the story.. "It will take thousands to re-condition and re-certify the car, it's going to awfully hard to move a car with that may miles on it....." By the time the dust settled the "depreciation" between years 3 and 4 was going to cost me the same as leasing a brand new 530iA 14 months earlier AND I was going to have to pay full-up on the 330iA because they "can't keep them in stock"!
To make a long story short, we drove down the street to the Infiniti dealer. They matched the trade-in from the BMW AND were willing to deal (a little) on the hottest car on the planet. We are now the proud owners of a G35 that in 6 months of ownership has NEVER been back to the dealer for ANYTHING!
Will I ever go back? Absolutely, "The Ultimate Driving Machine" isn't just a marketing slogan. WIll I go back armed with "Auto Spies" information..... DEFINITELY.
Tell Mr. 12.5 that he can only treat us like mindless cattle ONCE! Thank you Auto Spies.
M.F.
Windsor, Ontario
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I'd like to tell this guy to pound sand. I'm an autobroker and my whole focus is to save my clients from people like him. The BMW Financial Services rates and residuals sheet is factual data, I've seen it myself, and 7 Series I-drive anamolies exist, two of my unfortunate clients have had numerous experiences to back that one up! And for the new 5? Don't even take me there, I think I'm part of the majority of current BMW owner-enthusiasts when I ask what the hell is Bangle doing to my favorite marque! Blech! I think your site is a valuable insider's tool and I always look forward to your emails. My clients look to me as a non biased source of information when they are trying to decide on which vehicle to buy and your information helps me do just that. I feel it is good ammo when negotiating with dealers, cause let's face it, it is still the car biz and it really hasn't changed much.
Keep up the good work guys!!!
Craig
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Dear Mr. Dealer
The attitude put forth in your "letter" is the reason Auto Spies exists. If you spent more time on good deals your wimpy 12.5 million dollar dealership would be a 24 million dollar dealership. I have yet to run into a BMW dealership that REALLY values repeat business. I have had 15 BMW's and none have been from the same source.
I find this a laughable statement "Spy photos are one thing publishing material that is detrimental to those who have the investment to run an honest business is another." Knowledge is power Mr. Million Dollar boy. Most of us know more about our BMW's than your sales goons. And if the Spies are to be dismissed as your letter suggests, why do you even care? Are they actually forcing you to be competitive and, God forbid, honest about the product you peddle?
Your "Big Brass" attitude is deplorable. You wouldn't happen to be of Murray Motors in Denver would you? They have the same holier than though attitude as well. Maybe you can hang out together amidst your overstock of ugly Z4's, 7 Series and soon to be 5 Series.
Oh by the way. If you are so important why not get a real email account? Have the spies hurt your business so badly that you have to use free AOL hours?
Tim
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I think that customers are going to get the information somewhere. Whether it is from AutoSpies or word of mouth the information gets out. Our industry is one of the few that has our margins readily available to the consumers. Try buying furniture, appliances, a boat or a motorhome and see what you can find out.I have spent 20+ years in the highline car business and many things have changed.There are a number of very reputable dealers out there who do a good job oftaking care of customers and doing business in an honest fashion. Unfortunately, there are also a few who tarnish our image. That’s true in every industry.
I am not necessarily happy about my margins being published for all to see but I think most peoplewould be surprised at how much (little) profit is generated off of the average new car sale. The general public thinks we make $10,000 on a $50,000 car when the average margin before expenses is 6% or so. $3000 profit before we pay for our people, facilities, free car washes etc isnot all that much. Please understand I am not whining. The profit margin on a car is generally dictated by supply and demand. Basic economics 101. It is a competitive business today. Lexus, BMW and Mercedes are all competing to sell 200,000plus cars in the US. Good business people can still make agreat living in the car business. Profits are what drive this country and economy. The bottom line is that I know if we are honest and forthright in how we operate ourbusiness; our customers understand we need to make a profit. There are some people who want everything for little or no profit margin and we just say“No than you” and move on.It’s a free enterprise system at work.
Duane SandersGeneral Manager
Mercedes-Benz of San Diego
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From a past purchaser of 6 BMWs:
Your letter made me smile because of its irony. Publications like Auto Spies flourish (even when their information is imperfect) only because automakers and dealers have developed a reputation for gamesmanship and "hide and seek" with their customers, rather than fair dealing. Try, for example, the advertisements showing "1only at this price!" which always is for a car that has already been sold. And if, by chance, the car is unsold when you arrive at the dealer, just try paying cash rather than signing onto the dealers above-market financing, or his confusing lease. This noble car dealer's purpose in pushing these finance tools and extended warranties, of course, is to deprive you of the bargain you thought you had been lucky enough to get by camping out until opening time. And try, for example, the "Certified Pre-Owned" BMW which is covered under an extended warranty but which, to most buyers' amazement, has not necessarily had a major recent service. So, when 2 months after purchase it requires $1,500 for a major service, this "Certified Pre-Owned" promise fails to cover one of the few ownership costs that was totally PREDICTABLE by the dealer. Is that fair? And let's not even mention the Tomfoolery around sticker add-ons for "Market Adjustment" or "Dealer Markup," which is paid only by the unwitting buyer on the vast majority of cars. When was the last time a dealer disclosed to a customer the holdback?
So, the bottom line, Mr. BMW Dealer and your Big Wig BMW bosses, you are now reaping what you have sowed. You avoided full and fair disclosure building profits by taking advantage of people is it any wonder they now look to build their information sources however they can?
Signed,
NOT YOUR PIGEON ANYMORE
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With an attitude like yours, if you owned a cookie store, you’d probably be suing the Girl Scouts for taking business away from you.
There have been wonderful advances in the field of pharmaceuticals which may bring you great benefit. Modern anti-anxiety medications and anti-depressants cause a lot fewer side effects than they did the last time you tried them. With regards to your other personal issues, I am sorry that Viagra is contraindicated for a man with heart issues like yours because I can tell from the tone of your email that you could certainly benefit from the drug. I am happy to hear that the Imodium has been working well for you.
Perhaps if you did a better job of treating your customers with care and respect, you wouldn’t be losing ANY sleep over AutoSpies. In the interim, go ahead and blame AutoSpies. While you’re at it, blame your manufacturers for pressuring you to overextend yourself by building the $12.5MM facility which you shouldn’t have built in the first place, and cry that the hidden facility cash you tell your sales manager does not exist won’t help you cover the nut. You know, if only BMW would establish better Just-in-time delivery programs where you could always get the car you needed in a short period you could make more money. How dare they keep that from you when the Honda guys are pulling it off with production lines which can switch from making civics to making elements with zero changeover time. Oh yeah, you may wish to blame Chris Bangle for cars which don’t look like a Chevy. Then again, perhaps you should blame your service guys for not fixing customer cars right the first time. Then again, if only it would stop raining so much, maybe you’d get more customers in the door. Blame God too for that one.
The Internet is here to stay. I know you hate it that the same tools you used to bone your customers in the past are now openly available to anyone who knows to look for them, but that’s life. With sites like AutoSpies, you no longer have the ability to get off by charging higher interest rates to people of color or people for whom English is not their native language. You have to play on a level field with things which are alien to you like good cash management, customer satisfaction, and courtesy. Damn. Don’t you wish for the old days?
The world is different now, and you’d better come to terms with it. You have a choice to learn to survive by giving your customers a value proposition that will make them loyal to you, or you can choose to spend all of your energy trying to stop the dissemination of information about your business over the Internet, in which case you will go to your grave bitching about it and reminiscing about the old days. I got an idea! Maybe you can gain sympathy by sharing your woes with the recalcitrant old men who destroyed the music business by ignoring the public’s demand for easily accessible music over the internet and who then sued everyone who tried to do it legally in hopes that they could control it themselves, only to find that the public was going to get the music, or in your case, the information whether you wanted them to or not. Of course, it wasn’t THEIR fault that they killed their business either…….
Name withheld by request.
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Hey,
That bit about BMWNA flipping out over your 'leaks' is both funny and
interesting. I noticed some startling parallels between the sentiments expressed by the
dealer/BMWNA and the similar-but-different sentiments expressed by the RIAA (Recording
Industry Association of America). In both cases, old-school business is
trying to blame new-school technology for it's woes - quite laughable if you
ask me. Perhaps the BMW top-brass should have spent 30 minutes discussing
how they will return to designing clean, German-looking cars rather than
moaning about Autospies? Silly Bavarians, when will they learn? Remind me
to slap them when I am in the motherland this summer.
Regards,
Jon
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Hey!! We people have the right to know certain information about the automotive industry and should be allowed by all means to obtain protection against being ripped off on deals for new cars as well as falsified information that can greatly affect our car buying decisions!!! Auto Spies are the people who care and protect the buyers from these infringements. They have been nearly 90% accurate on all information presented. For the last 1 year I have been monitoring and reading their news, and most of them were true and thus we were informed way ahead of any other automotive magazines or even the damn dealerships who don't even have a clue on some of the information we get. According to Meade Lexus, the one of the biggest Lexus Dealership, they LOVE AUTOSPIES!!! Because it provides them information on new cars and help them deal better with customers on used cars.
Dave
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I Say:
Sir, the days of the un-informed car buyer are WAAAAY over! You may as well retire and/ or sell your den of lies now. The proliferation of solid information about what to pay and how to get a fair deal on a car is here to stay.
C YA!
JK
Denver CO
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I don’t understand how BMW leaks like a sieve as regards to inside new model info but continues to fool the public about it’s terrible reliability and quality problems. They won’t be able to hide the fact that there new design language is coyote ugly.
Steve
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I think the BMW dealer owes you dinner at a fine restaurant. I can't think of any better way of stimulating demand for current generation 5-series cars than your spy photos of the forthcoming Bangleized 5-series. And if I were him, I'd sell my BMW franchise while it is still worth something.
E
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Keep doing what you’re doing. I’m sick and tired of dealers not having a clue when it comes to the products they sell and service. Why is it that I feel like every time I visit a dealer I end up spending MY time educating them on THEIR products. I’ve owned 3 BMW M3’s and enjoyed every one of them. I wish I knew which dealer was complaining… I would be sure to avoid them. Do I have a spare 12.5mill? Nope. Will I be back next Thursday to see what’s new? You bet.
Rick
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What you write is not worth the cyberspace it occupies. Specifically manufacturers THRIVE on the spy stuff, that's why they make spy clad cars during pre production testing. You need something to stand out and be obvious so the Rumor mills will see it and report on it. It's called Hiding in Plain Sight.
If the pre-pre press such as Auto Spies, VW Vortex, BMW Boards, etc. did not exist, the grass roots interest in your vehicles would take that much longer to take hold.
Sales people love it when the cognoscenti come into the dealership and ask if rumors can be verified. Lets' face it anybody walking into your dealership with a question represents a prospect. I will ask, if Auto Spies is worthless, then why do you constantly read it and comment about it in e-mail replies. Certainly an astute business person of your caliber has more important things on their agenda, such as meetings with the brass?
One last thought that reflects upon your own keen business acumen. You state that it takes 10-20 Million to make an honest go of a franchise. If that is the case then why are you selling out at the bottom of the range only 12.5 Mill. (which after negotiation would be less than 10 mill.)
Could it be that you spend too much time reading the web and not enough time selling and understanding what drives the market?
Paul B.
A proud Auto Spy reader
and an Owner of a 2003 AUDI ALLROAD
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Dear Autospies,
You asked for responses to the letter that the owner
of the 12.5 million dollar dealership owner put on the
site. I regret to say that although I think that you
have a great site and you have some great information
on your site, however this time I do believe that you
are wrong. I think you do a commendable job with what
you do best, placing spy shots and information about
future cars. I, however, believe that it is wrong for
you to be sharing confidential information with the
public. It is kept confidential for a reason, and for
good or bad, it should be kept that way.
An example of confidentiality is where your income tax
amounts aren't just given to anybody and everybody on
a website that is supposed to be reputable and giving
good information. You wouldn't like this in the least
if it were to happen. The BMW dealers and corporation
are trying to make an honest living, and dealer rates
are not to be shared with the public. I would also not
like to know how you came up with these figures
anyway. Your site is great without the confidential
stolen material..keep up the good and HONEST work.
On a side note...I believe it was wrong for you to
post the letter that the Owner sent to you to the
internet without his/her permission first. I am not a
lawyer, but there is something such as implied
copyright, and that applies to ALL original material
including electronic mail. Although you will not be
arrested or sued for this, it is leaning towards the
side of wrong doing, and I would not be happy if I was
the Dealer.
Thank you for your time and your request for an honest
opinion,
Yours Truly,
NDS
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Dear Auto Spies,
I hope you will ignore this a--hole's comments about your site and continue to publish news about cars. You ARE doing us, "the consumer", a great service with this site! If I had known about your site before I bought my BMW 2000 M Coupe, not knowing that one year later in 2001, BMW comes out with a higher HP version. Although I still love my 240 HP M Coupe, I would have waited to buy the current 315 HP version instead. Your site provides me with news about new models that I may not have heard of or read about in collection of car magazines. Your site is no different from these car Magazines that give you rumors or news of a new car model. So I don't see why this dealer is so upset, unless he has a HUGE inventory of current 5-series that he needs to unload before the new model comes out. If he doesn't sell them, he will ultimately Lose money... What he needs to learn is "not" over order cars and maintain his inventory just enough for the demand... In this case, he is the "Loser". And just because he owns a BMW dealer he thinks he can talk to you in this tone, what a rich snobby Jerk!
This guy does not realize that you are advertising for these car manufacturers without being paid for it. And he considers this a disservice??? What an idiot! I wonder how he got so much money being so dumb. Maybe i need to be an idiot to be rich... I think I'll pass :)
As for confidentiality for car manufacturers, I perfectly understand that every car manufacturer needs to keep their "new" models secret, but only from "other" competing car manufacturers, not from consumers like us.
Also, I could not find the publication that this dealer was referring to... What was it so "detrimental" to him.
Regards,
Toan
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For years, the auto dealers preyed on the public and their lack of knowledge . . . selling cars way above their cost, not passing along information on new / updated models coming in a matter of months, and not passing along safety and production problem information (until they were made to do so by the government). With the advent of the internet and websites such as Auto Spies, that has all changed . . . and the auto dealers (probably even more so than the manufacturers) are not happy about it. The problem is that we are now educated consumers and they can no longer take advantage of the situation. In some cases, I would say that the educated buyer knows more about their product and the competition than the sales person. And, we know about their true cost and can make a better (fair) deal. So my response to Ownerof12.5MillionBMWDealer is the playing field has been leveled and this will never change - perhaps you should get over it and change the way in which you deal with the customer . . . or better yet, you should retire. Clearly, you are the dinosaur and it will not be too long before automobile dealerships as we know them are (also) extinct . . . soon they will be nothing more than an facilitated internet order site where you can (essentially) cut out the middle man and order directly from the manufacturer.
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What a Jackass. Talk about getting a real job. This idiot has probably never put in a hard, honest days worth of work. He probably inherited the dealership from his daddy. Is daddy probably got it from his daddy? He calls himself an honest worker. I must laugh because we all know that most of these guys would bend their mother over to pick up a dime. The reason this jerk looks at your site and laughs is because he never finished grade school and never learned to read. It is sad when someone who has a worth of "12.5 million" has to write articles to complain that Auto Spies is giving true information while he lies to his customers and claims that there is no changes in the works at BMW. All this so he can get premium out of his cars and screw his salesman out of their money. I am willing to be that this jackass does not even own a BMW. Probably drives a Lexus or takes BMW's home for the evening. If I did not have car payments, I could easily buy a crappy dealer and act like I am really someone like this TOOL!!!
FYI.......Jackass, Nearly everything that I have seen on Auto Spies has come true. GET A LIFE or get back to screwing your customers out of their hard earned money.
Regards,
RUACOOL12
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I somewhat agree with what the BMW guys are saying. Getting information is always good, messing with someone's livelihood is another story. I do hope they realize that people get on autospies.com for the pictures and presumed true articles...I hope that your readers don't take everything so seriously and realize that your articles my not be as accurate as they appear and that you aren't necessarily a reputable news source. That is not a bash to you at all. I am just stating mere facts. I appreciate autospies and what it has to offer to the consumer. I might respect you guys more if you would stop with so much BMW news and let other manufacturers have some spotlight...Like Volvo for instance.
A
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Dear AutoSpies,
Regarding the bmw dealer who told you he gets laughs reading AutoSpies; I think he is getting a lot more laughs knowing what people are paying for the crap he sells. The only thing I have seen worse than bmw product quality is the total lack of customer service.
Two years ago (2001) I purchased a new bmw X5 to provide confidence for my kids to be in a vehicle again after watching their mom die in an accident by a hit-and-run driver. The auto manufacturer's argument is that a bmw is safe and in an accident it will provide a larger than average margin of safety. I challenge you to try that argument on three children when they are required to ride in some mini economy loaner car much of the time because their X5 requires on average more than one service visit per month. (The vehicle has been out of service 5 -10 % of the time). I can't even get help from the bmw district service manager or the national customer support phone center.
The auto manufacturer would try to impress you with innovations in technology, but if you can have no faith that it may work when you need it, what good is it? I for one did not purchase a new vehicle to become a test driver. If that is what bmw expects it's buyers to be, they should be informed up front before they purchase a vehicle for over $50,000.
I have been a driver for 27 years and well over 250,000 miles with many different makes of vehicles. I have driven in every major city in the US, and a lot of roads in between. I had been lead by savvy marketing to believe that a driver should look up to and strive to own a bmw one day. I certainly would not have expected to own the most unreliable vehicle I have ever driven.
I wish I would have known about AutoSpies two years ago so I could have avoided ever having anything to do with bmw.
Sincerely,
Douglas
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I tried in vain to purchase a 740IL with some very expensive options and was told to wait, they don't have it, they only have it in Europe or that I didn't know what I was taking about by a very rude lady at BMWNA. I got all the information from BMW off of their web site in Europe.
Got on a waiting list put down 60K for what I could get even though it wasn't what I wanted and after three months without a confirmation from the dealer I went and got a Mercedes S500.
Thank God I didn't get one.
It's all about Attitude and most have a very poor one.... some dealers & BMWNA folks (not all) and they should be more careful who they hire in the BMWNA customer relations and how the product is being marketed at the dealer, they need people that have a passion for the cars and know what is going on not only in America but around the World.
OOOOOOOOOOOO… I have a great idea they should read your information about the automobile industry to keep up to date!
Kurt
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It sounds to me like the dealer must be scared. For one he obviously knows that the info you have given is true. Second he must know that the car is ugly because everyone else does. Last the BMW brass must have torn the dealers a new one after reading your site and seeing the pole concerning the new 5 as well as the 7. Hell they know the cars are kind of ugly too.
T
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Obviously he doesn't want the light to shine in the dealerships dark places. His letter sounds like he has something to hide from his customers.
Ben
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Dear Sir
If you feel the people at Autospies have published something
that is false, or intentionally misleading, then please provide
them a correction to set the record straight.
Regarding the rumors, spy photos and opinions published
by Autospies, you may want to ignore them. It is okay
for them to publish rumors and opinions as long as they
clearly describe them as such. I personally own a
BMW and like to read all the news, bad news in particular,
so I am better prepared to know what to ask when I visit
at dealer or repair shop since they rarely offer this information
without being prompted. As a good example, the new electronic
systems in BMW (called I Drive) and Mercedes (? is it COMMAND ?)
have had many problems reported on a number of web sites
and now I can get dealer to grudgingly acknowledge the issue.
So I hope you can see that these web sites do serve a
purpose for owners and buyers of cars.
Best regards
Sam
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Because of the info I have read on you site I am planning to buy a 5-series . I think BMW owes you for the advertisement you give to them.
Ben
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Tell this dealer, there is no such thing as an honest business when it comes to car dealers!!!!!!!!!! They are all scum and I have a BMW X5 and they are scum (BMW north America and their dealers) as well.
I love the auto spies because it evens the odds for the consumer. Also most of the time the dealers don't have a clue about their products and what is coming!
They (car dealers) made their bed, let them die in it.
We need you guys (auto spies) rock on!
Chris
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BMW F_ _ _ FACE:
Hey you loser, the best thing that happened to consumers to buys cars is AUTOSPIES. YES YOU HEARD MY AUTOSPIES. These guys help us go into dealerships confident without a risk of getting fooled, ripped off, overpaid and etc. I will with full confidence support Auto Spies. It is not illegal to inform the public. Knowledge is power and when we come into the dealership with power, that makes you want to run into exile. You piece of s_ _ _ !
I hate to stoop to this level as I am an educated individual but you sure as hell piss me off!
Imran
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Thank you SO much for confirming what the folks at Auto Spies are reporting. It is clear that if what their website was publishing is false, then the consumers who use that info, upon finding that it was wrong, would no longer listen to Auto Spies and their business will fold. The fact that they are the most sited automotive source on the internet clearly proves that their information is both correct and informative for the automotive consumers out there. Your irate and utterly asinine complaints suggest that Auto Spies must be right on the money, since your inability to fleece consumers must be driving your discontent.
Once again, I thank you for verifying what I new all along: Auto Spies is here to level the automotive information playing field, ensuring that the automotive consumer will always get the best value for their money.
Sincerely,
Geoff
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So, the BMW dealer would rather just have us buy an obsolete product because that's all the manufacturer has to offer. Perhaps BMW shouldn't wait SEVEN long years to replace a great, but clearly aged model. We all know that no model lasts forever. Makers and dealers alike surely plan for a drop off in sales in the last year or two of a product cycle. Quit your whining and yapping and realize that you are going to sell many more new models that will make up for the inability to hoodwink customers into buying a model that is past its prime.
Rich
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If you're as honest as you say you are, Auto Spies will only help keep you that way! You have nothing to worry about if what you say is true!
Only someone that is trying to hide things from the car buying public would worry about such disclosures being published.
Stuart
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Another example of German arrogance. Why shouldn't we buyers have every bit of information we can get before shelling out our money for one of their cars? They are over-priced and relatively ugly little machines but are usually put together rather well. Witness the fact that every cab driver in Europe drives a Mercedes while the prestige buyers, often as not, drive US-made cars. I invite you to stroll through the better neighborhoods of Munich, Hamburg, St. Petersburg, and other places, including Tokyo. More US cars than in Orange County!
I think AutoSpies does a great service to the public. So what if you don't always get it 100%? It is not a muckraker letter and is on target most of the time. I only wish more time and attention were paid to US brands. We're so damned fair here. Try to find an article, even a negative one, about our products in the foreign press.
To be sure, our car companies are just as sterile and in-bred as are theirs but, at least, we seem to be breaking out of that. Witness some really exciting cars at the auto shows. Lock the bean counters in a closet somewhere and let the designers go. We're still the best in the world!
Don't be intimidated by a greedy old man. Keep up the good work!
Bill
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I really feel for the salesmen, buyers might actually get a good deal now.
Matthew
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You're kidding me right? Either someone out there is getting a good laugh
right now as that letter has been published, or you guys are trying to come
off cooler than you actually are. No offense, but who would believe the
crap in that letter? The idea that auto manufacturers are put off by spy
photos? Come on, manufacturers are half the people seeding such photos in
the first place. It's no big secret that spy photos have been a great
manufacturer marketing technique for years. And the notion that your site
is doing a diservice? Ha! Manufacturers should be begging you guys to
update daily, this is free advertising for them. For them, good news is
great, and bad news is better than no news at all.
MB Sales Guy: "Oh Auto Spies, please stop publishing residual rates and
money factors! We're so tired of all these people coming in and buying
cars. We don't wanna deal in volume, we wanna be your loss leader super
store."
Love you guys really, but come, this is a joke...just not sure who it's on.
Chad Roskelley
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Yes, well, as an, umm, employee of a dealership of similar or perhaps
greater stature, I disagree, and happily continue to supply you with any
opinions or info that might be of assistance to your subscribers.
This sounds like a desperate statement made by a stupid man; you know,
typical Dealer Principal.
D
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Dear Auto Spies,
I work for a BMW dealership. I completely agree with
Ownerof12.5MillionBMWdealership@aol.com regarding you releasing confidential
information to the public regarding our lease rate factors and residuals. I
don't think your actions are ethical. You are interfering with
organizations that are trying to make an honest living. And yes, that also
means trying to maximize our profits. What business in this capitalism
world is not out there trying to maximize profit?
Lets turn the table around.
-When we walk into a retail clothing store, we don't ask the sales clerk or
sales manager "what is your invoice on this shirt?" "Oh, it's $5? OK, I'll
offer you $1 over your invoice on this shirt."
-Lets go to one of our favorite places that has become a daily ritual for
most of us, Starbucks. "Hello. I see that your Grande Mocha is $3.69 on
the menu. Your invoice (cost of ingredients, machine (total divided by
number of expected usage), and cup) is 50 cents. I'll offer you DOUBLE that
and give you a dollar. I think $3.69 is way too much for your drink." Lets
try to see this one fly at Starbucks!
Actually, lets dissect this a little more. Say you drink their Grande Mocha
only 5 days a week. There's 52 weeks in a year therefore 260 times a year.
If it costs them 50 cents to make this Grande Mocha and you MUST pay $3.69
per drink, that's $3.19 PROFIT per drink. Lets multiply this by 260 (times
per year) and that's $829.40 PROFIT for retail coffee that Starbucks makes
per year per customer! And Starbucks sees a lot more customers (even repeat
customers) walking in daily versus a car dealer (especially a high-line
dealer). Starbucks will consistently make this profit because people drink
coffee on a DAILY basis. However, people buy/lease cars on average every
3-4 years. Sources like you are telling buyers that they should offer on
average $500 over invoice when they buy a car. With this calculation,
Starbucks will make $829.40 profit JUST FROM JOHN DOE every year versus a
car dealer that will make $500 profit from JOHN DOE EVERY 3 YEARS!!! If
this is the case, I need to tell my dealer principal to sell the dealership
because his $20 million investment is not giving a good return when instead
he can invest only $1 million to $2 million on a Starbucks and get a much
much better return on his money!!!
I agree that there are some dealers out there "ripping people's heads off"
and I agree that is not right. But don't punish others that are doing their
best to work hard in earning their C.S.I. selling a $50,000 product. It
takes time, skill, knowledge, dedication, and relationship-building to sell
a car. And a dealership deserves to earn at least a 5% profit (hopefully
even more) with all the time, money, and effort invested to make the sale
while others (such as coffee-sellers) are making WAY OVER A 100% profit.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
TheBMWDealer
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The views expressed in his e-mail demonstrate the arrogance that BMWUSA &
many of its dealers have towards their customers. I remember when BMW was
an enthusiast's car company. The first BMW dealer in my city became a
dealer in 1968. BMW came to him and gave him two 1600's on consignment, as
an inducement to become a dealer! Boy, how things have changed. Our local
dealer is a former mega-dealer for GM, and his new BMW franchise is run
just like a Chevrolet dealership. On my last service visit, parts were
left off the engine, bolts were left loose, and the clamps to the Mass
Airflow Sensor were not re-attached! If BMW (and its dealers) continue to
ignore their customers, they will see loyal buyers such as myself, leaving
their showrooms and moving to other brands that treat their customers with
respect. It is very difficult to gain a new customer. It is even more
difficult to keep that customer. BMW better wake up before its too late!
Please withhold my name, as my local dealer is well aware of my
dissatisfaction with their customer service, and I still have 1 year to go
on my current X5 lease.
T
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Being an avid BMW fan, currently driving a 2002 M-5 I want the dealer to understand we live in the United States…..the land of the free and brave! Every business person has the right to run their business the way they want within the guidelines of the law. Any company that is afraid of the truth about their operation has something to hide and we as a buying public should be aware of this. The more information the buying public has the better we can deal with the company that has the product we wish to purchase. Competition and education will always help the buying public make better decisions. Auto spies provides a service that evidently is widely read, and helps keep interested car nuts like myself aware of what’s going on in the auto industry. I salute Auto Spies for the service they provide and if BMW dealers don’t like it ……Don’t Read It!!!
Respectfully submitted, Douglas
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So, that BMW dealer feels he can plead with you all to let him make an honest go at his business. Who the f--k does he think he is kidding? Next he'll have the BMWNA's lawyers contact you all and try to shut you down. You've got them on the run. Keep charging. Their days of ripping off customers are limited thanks to Auto Spies.
Knowledge is power!
Keep up the great work.
Sincerely,
Ed
P.S.- I stopped subscribing to Autoweek. You guys blow them away!
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Hmmm,
Sounds like the dealer has issues with BMW himself, why is he so eager to get out of the business? Perhaps what you publish is just reinforcing the obvious to the common man, dealers take advantage of you, every time!
Keep up the good work! The internet has sure leveled the playing field.
Eric
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I just had to respond to this email.
"You may take pride in knowing that 30 minutes was spent warning dealers and their employees about furnishing you with inside info...I for one look at your site for laughs and not concrete data... The proliferation of rumors, supposed inside intelligence, etc., does a disservice not a service to your readers."
Really!!! As a BMW owner I can tell you that you should be happy that Auto Spies devotes so much space to BMW information. This place keeps your current and future customers interested in the technologies you are creating and will be trying to sell us now and in the future.
Even more important, I have purchased two cars in the last year because of the "insider" information on great lease deals. If I had not seen this information I would not have purchased a BMW or my other car during the last year.
The most important thing you need to remember is many Americans are not happy with German companies right now. French imports are off dramatically since the war. German imports are off as well. I am sure you have seen customers return cars and cancel orders in the last few months. You should be happy that someone is providing information which can only help provide interest in your products and ultimately your sales. Don't spit at people helping to put food on your table. Maybe next week the articles will be about another manufacturer and we'll buy their products.
Curtis
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Auto Spies has raised the bar to a new level with perceptive commentary on the automobile industry, and is a valuable resource for drivers who demand the most from the automakers and dealers who so gladly take our money. Spy photos are what fuel the passion and controversy over the vehicles you have chosen to sell for profit. Be thankful Auto Spies is here to hold our interest and get us hot and bothered about your future models. If you truly have an “honest business,” then disclosing how you price and configure your vehicles would not been seen as a threat, but merely a demonstration of the true value of the product you have chosen to sell. If you believe in your brand, you should not be threatened by Auto Spies at all. It sounds as though the anxious “laugh” you have while reading Auto Spies may be more about your lack of confidence in the corporate machine you are so vitally dependent upon. Information is power; something the automobile dealers have had a monopoly on for far too long. Perhaps retirement is a good idea.
Sincerely,
Honest and informed consumer, who works for a living just like you
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Sirs,
I just have a short comment regarding the ramblings of Mr. BMW franchise; get over it. This is such a typical response by an individual who in some for or fashion feels threatened by the dissemination of information. I think for years consumers have been taken advantage of by business, and I salute you and your staff for doing your part to see that this doesn't happen. I would thoroughly enjoy to meet this individual and debate the merits of his insistence.
Obviously you are striking a chord here.
Spy on.
Jeffrey
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I laughed it off, as I'm sure you did too 001.
Funniest thing in his note was "why don't you try....and make an honest go of it..."
Since when did a dealership pride itself on being honest?
Almost fell off my chair!
Nice work. Keep it coming. : )
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So when the dealership is sold for $2.1 million is it still a $12.5 million dealership?
M
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In the first place the information provided on the spies site is intended to assist and place the buyer on a more level playing field when dealing with the BMW dealers throughout the USA. It seems BMW dealers believe they have the best cars in the world only because Consumers Reports rates the 5 series as the best car in the world. My daughter has a 2001 3 series coupe that has been recalled 3 times for faulty cooling system problems, let alone in the dealership for engine, radio and door rattle issues and the cocky dealer tells her these are routine issues when you drive a BMW. She has already made it clear when this 3 series goes she will purchase a Lexus where service and attitude are king. She has discovered at the ripe old age of 28 that BMW owners & BMW dealerships are a clique of arrogant & cocky individuals who believe their s--t does not stink and if you drive anything less than a BMW you are a substandard human being. She has also discovered that BMW owners as a group will not admit that they made a poor choice when purchasing a BMW only because if they complain to anyone outside of BMW about the poor quality or the less than stellar service they will be chastised & laughed at because they do believe all choices they make are the best and to have to admit to themselves they made a bad choice is devastating to each of their inflated egos. What we have with this BMW dealer bitching about to Auto Spies is an extension of this inflated ego that is pervasive in this BMW clique.
Joe
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I would tell the clown "if you can't stand the heat, open a MB or Lexus dealership"
Keep up the good work. I believe that Auto Spies should also be considered a "no spin zone".
Grant
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Wow..
What a bunch of Crap.
I understand companies may try to keep a "tight leash" on products but that is the most insulting letter I’ve ever read!
He belittles your website, belittles your character as a person, Hints at legal proceedings, and seems genuinely perturbed.. about nothing!
Fact is this. #1.You recieved INFO from an Actual Dealer that circulated around that may or may NOT be fully 100% accurate.(its more "hearsay" So, that’s considered "free speech".
#2.You (Auto Spies) are listing all the Newest latest and greatest data AS it appears.
#3.You (Auto Spies) cannot be slandered for the interpretations of ANY company that is willing to belittle (as I mentioned) so openly and disdainfully.
#4.I would have to think its time for BMW to fire anyone that is willing to openly attack a website, person or business, based on so called "leaked" data FROM BMW DEALERS, and told that they should basically" Shut up" or "Desist from reporting facts or fiction for that matter" (everything is based on merit of the word received).
#5.If the info is so "Top Secret" then NO ONE should be told of what’s coming.
Its simple logic. No one needs to know! (remember, James Bond Drives BMW's)
#6.The Dealers are simply doing their jobs. If they (the dealers) supposedly "leak" any info, and are not TOLD to keep things "hush-hush" or simply are just not GIVEN the data in the first place to could give the POTENTIAL to tell anyone secrets that might possibly cause BMW to "blow away" in the wind over 1 model of car, is seriously in need of of a trip to a mental hospital.
#7. BAD PR.(BMW) If you cause a stir over something so trivial, you are only making your company and your Product look less.."appealing".
So, In short, I don’t feel Auto Spies is in anyway a "threat" to BMW or any other web site out there saying "BMW" is this or that. Grow up people!
Keep up the good work.
Jeff
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Mr. Dealer,
Aware of the Constitution? Freedom of Press? Freedom of Speech?
Don't like it, THEN GET THE F--K OUT! If you can't take the heat, get out of kitchen!
There are shining seas on each end of this great country. Take your pick and start swimming. You might just make it to your BMW Dealership Owner Fantasy Island.
Ever acted and profited on a hot stock tip? I though so. The only thing worse than a hypocrite, is one that has made a lot of dough from his clientele and still cries like bitch. Seems to me that your afraid of the educated consumer. "Harsh Criticism" how about "Harsh Truth." "Afraid of a little fire scarecrow?" You need to run your business a little tighter and increase profits through dealer operations instead of your customers.
I own two BMW's, 2001 330i and 2002 540i 6 Speed, over $100,000 in cars. When I speak with someone at a dealership, no matter which one, about an issue with my car, it is as if I'm speaking about a Carolla or Accord.
You all have a hard time remembering that even though most of your customers have greater than average income, a $100 G's is a $100 G's regardless of who's pocket it comes out of. So when I bring my car in because the ebrake squeaks, I shouldn't feel I am being a pain in the ass. How easily things change after the sale.
If the consumer can get better info before buying and save a few G's, then even better. I am currently looking to buy another BMW for my wife and CANNOT WAIT, to negotiate a price showing no cards, get the figures and then drop the bomb.
You should be putting your best foot forward at the first step. I know you have to make money and can appreciate that. I have no problem paying a fair price including your profit, but for you to lie point blank to me about your cost and then sell it as a great deal, when I'm spending 40K plus at your dealership, is purely a bottom feeding procedure on your part. You have had it far to good for far two long. You’re like a mouse in a cheese factor that just purchased the latest mouse trap.
12.5 Million? You imply in your email that you paid $12.5 million for your dealership. Right! If you did, then stop over by the river in Brooklyn, I got something you may be interested in.
Good luck on your retirement and you should hope to hell that after you
do retire, you don't need to purchase a new BMW. If you're dumb
enough not to capitalize on the Autopsies "disservice" then you are going
to pay through the nose.
Lastly, while your "idly standing by" go ahead a take a nice big "sniff" of the warm cup of SHUT THE F_ _K UP! That I am sure you'll be handed from the courts.
With loving regards,
M
P.S. autopsies was "sniffing" the new 5 before you knew if it was being developed.
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Donald,
First off, let me say that I think your site provides useful content for consumers everywhere. If dealers were so uptight about info getting out, they could just charge everyone the same like Saturn, but they obviously want to make as much they can, just as we have a right to save as much as we can! Keep up the good work.
As you have probably figured out from my email address, I am an Officer in the US Army (Reserve) mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom. I am currently stationed in Kuwait. The other reason for my email was the fact that I am going to be buying another car when I get home (hopefully in the next few months). I recently found out about a program BMW has for soldiers stationed overseas that essentially gives them 10% off of MSRP through a military sales program. I wish I had known before I bought my previous 3 series (99) and X5 (02) last year. I could have saved thousands! Anyway, I think Volvo has one as well. I am letting you know so that you can spread the word for families of other soldiers, and also to possibly motivate other auto makers to step up and match the type of savings that BMW is offering its soldiers. Jeep is the only other I know of, and their deal is a $500 rebate (good effort, but not great). Below is the link to the BMW site. Possibly you could post other manufacturers that might want to do the same? I am looking at a 545i when it debuts later this year (unless someone else matches the discount).
As a side note, I work for Dell in my civilian life. Might want to try them instead of Gateway for the internet ads!
http://www.bmw.de/de/services/MilitarySales/index.html
Take care,
1LT ERIC RAHMAN
CJTF-7 C6 Battle Captain
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I would tell him as an owner of 5 BMWs over the past 8 years (96 540, 98 328i, 99 540 sport, 2001 X5, 2001 330), to basically go to hell. For one, the arrogance of the dealers and charging over sticker, things like that, have completely turned me off from BMW. Now, this new styling direction is completely turning me off. Now, in the past 2 years I have checked out Mercedes-Benz and Audi. I am currently driving a 2003 A4 QSM and I love it! I am not sure you could get me to even look at a new BMW. I have driven the new 7 and the Z4. They drive OK, but they are BUTT UGLY!!!! The 5 is worse. Combine that with the dealer experience, and I am through with BMW.
A year ago, I was in the market for a sports sedan/coupe. Obviously, an M3 was on the list. The BMW dealers were so obnoxious about charging list and then some, and you can not get the cars, unfair waiting lists that others seemed to avoid, and I bought a Mercedes-Benz C32. Much nicer car and much better dealer experience. No games, no arrogance. They just helped me get into the car and took care of me.
Tell the dealers that consumers who lay out huge sums of money have a right to know what games the dealers are up to, and what (wrong) directions the manufacturers are up too.
Thanks,
Mark
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Who cares what he has to say? I read your site religiously every week and appreciate the information you provide. Maybe your info is right and maybe it's wrong but that's the business your in -- A lot of speculation but it's fun to see how close you come to the final product.
For instance, the next Lexus LS. Try and find ONE article or photo regarding the next model, fuggedaboudit! You're the only site that has info on it. Kudos to you and don't let some BMW dealer get you down. Remember he's the one that has to sell the ugly 7 and Z.
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If the material Auto Spies puts out is indeed misleading (as Mr. Owner asserts), then there's absolutely nothing wrong with BMW's current design direction and their current product pipeline is nothing short of spectacular. If that's the case, then why is he looking to retire and sell his dealership?
Sincerely,
Ownerof60k540i
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I can understand this person's frustration, but in no way are you a disservice or undermining his, or BMW's, efforts.
In this day and age, the public is entitled to know what is going on behind the scenes. Our society has evolved to the point where there should not be any secrets, confidential information, or inside deals. From what the public has learned, after the fact, from the ENRON's and TYCO's - this type of behavior is not going to be accepted any more.
Your weekly newsletter and your website are a fine example of how the public can remain informed. As an educated individual, I realize that some of the information on your site is speculative, and some of the pictures are pre-production and concept vehicles, but all of this has to be taken with a grain of salt. At least, through outlets like your organizations', the public can attain additional information to help them make a better decision when they are in the position of making a purchase. In my household alone, we recently purchased and leased two new vehicles in the last two years - and information from sites like yours helped us in our decision making process. Ironically both of our new vehicles were BMW's - so there !!!
I do not see anything wrong in informing the public about upcoming products and their promotion, etc. In our society, today, there should not be any secrets or "confidential data". Perhaps, rather than criticizing what groups like yours' are doing, these companies that are doing the criticizing should learn how to utilize groups like yourselves to spread the good word and get their information out to potential consumers.
In response to the e-mail you received from this particular franchisee, it seems he is just upset that you are stealing some of his thunder [without having to dish out the major investment he had to put up]. But then again, he put up his investment to turn a profit in selling automobiles! I do not see how your organization is doing anything to undermine or discredit his business.
Keep up the great work!
Matt
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First, the email sent by the disgruntled dealer was the most inarticulate, grade school level, combative missive I have read in a long time. If the person who wrote it is the best that dealership has to offer, God help them.
Second, what is it that causes problems for that dealer? Rumors are rumors. They will turn out to be true or not. Your newsletter is not an official "organ" of the BMW factory or any dealership. It is meant as a service to car fans. And it does just that. Is his problem that your readers become armed with current financial information that allows them to know what the current lease rates and residual rates are? Why would he complain about customers having such information unless it thwarts his salespersons' abilities to gouge potential customers. What happened to fairness and good faith in business dealings? He, the auto manufacturers and dealers should be thrilled that people are this interested in their cars. But for such "car aficionados" the financial condition of the auto manufacturers and dealers would be further in the pits than they are now. People such as me, who buy new cars every few years keep them in business.
Third, the disgruntled dealer has forgotten that we live in the U.S. where we are blessed with freedom of speech and press. All of his threats will never overcome the First Amendment.
Keep up the good work. Your newsletter is the best.
Larry in Los Angeles
(Cars owned: 7 Mercedes Benz, 2 BMW's, 1 Audi, 1 Lexus)
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My parents now live in the Fort Myers, Florida area and recently bought a Mercedes E-500 from the dealer in Fort Myers. The salesman directed them to Autospies.com to give them some independent confirmation that he was offering them the best deal he could. In my opinion, any dealer who is dealing honestly with his customers has nothing to fear from any of the information that is published in Autospies.
The car dealer is a businessman, and naturally he wants to maximize the return on his investment in the dealership. As a customer, I want him to be profitable so that he will be around to service my car and to make it convenient for me to buy my next car. However, if he doesn't manage his business efficiently, or if he overpaid for the dealership, that is not my problem and he shouldn't expect me to willingly pay for his mistakes. The fact is, an honest dealer with a well-managed dealership can make a good profit even if he sells every car on his lot at less than MSRP.
For most car dealers, the business is about keeping a good supply of suckers coming into the showroom. The only other business with pricing schemes as convoluted as those offered by car dealers is the airline industry. Most dealers are at best just a notch above the average white-collar criminal. There primary goal is to make as much money on that one sale as possible. When I find an honest dealer who treats his customers right, then I stick with him. In the past ten years, I have bought five GMC Suburbans and one GMC pickup truck from the same dealer and the same salesman at that dealer. Why? Because when I go in there I know that he's going to quote me the best price he can give me as the first price. On average, I've paid about $400 over invoice price on each of the vehicles. In addition, I know that their service department will not try to sell unnecessary work to me. Furthermore, the salesman always runs interference for me with the service department whenever I bring a car in for service. If a dealer is dishonest, my motto is "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." At one time I owned an Audi S4, and it was one of the best cars I ever had. However, I'll never buy another Audi while the current dealer in Memphis has the franchise. My parents, who just bought the E-500, now own four Mercedes at different locations and have owned about 10 Mercedes over the years. They absolutely refuse to deal with Mercedes-Benz of Memphis. All of the Ford dealers in Memphis are crooks. The BMW dealer is about average. You can get a good deal there, but you've got to work for it. Their service department is reasonably good. Probably the best dealer in foreign cars in Memphis is Pat Patterson Volvo.
I've rambled too long. Thanks for indulging me in this rant.
Murray
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Where exactly to you come up with your 12.5 million figure?
There are 2 BMW dealers in the Las Vegas area. Both are equal in size and do amazing business. Both have prime real estate locations and similar inventory.
Their inventory of cars is what I guess to be average for a successful dealership at about 50-60 units of new BMWs.
Even if your average model price on your lot is $80,000 (which I am guessing it's not), and your are as successful as the Las Vegas dealers, I figure your inventory value is between $4 million to $4.8 million.
Say you have a great location and new building, add another $1.5 million.
That totals $5.5 to $6.3 million, which is a far cry from your stated $12.5 million.
What gives?
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Dear AutoSpies:
Regarding the letter from the BMW dealer: What an incredibly short-sighted
businessman! No car company in the world could afford to generate the
publicity, heightened interest and awareness of their models that AutoSpies has
consistently done for BMW. As a former BMW owner, I swore I would never go back to
BMW again. However, the many tidbits of BMW insights (whether they are
accurate or not) has made me seriously consider getting rid of my boring Mercedes.
This dealer exhibits the typical American manufacturer business outlook
wherein he cannot see the forest for the trees. He is so focused on the riches of
today's dollar that he has no long term vision of true wealth. I would
challenge him to demonstrate true professional skills by recognizing the service and
entertainment AutoSpies provides and develop a strategy to use it to his
advantage: Isn't that more representative of how successful businesses continue to
thrive?
As with all industries, but even more pronounced in the automotive world,
knowledge is power. Both for consumers and manufacturers. The information
gleaned from your web site helps everyone in the long run; perhaps not immediately,
but in the long run. For example, when dealers focus only on lowest price
and "anything to make a deal" advertising, they sell nothing other than a
commodity. Long-term community presence, image-building events, complementary brand
advertising and all the recurrent images and "secret" insights from AutoSpies
serve to create an aspiration for a consumer which pays off when they are
finally able to purchase your vehicle.
On a positive note, I have to appreciate his myopic business views.
Individuals like himself guarantee a long and lucrative career for business/marketing
consultants like myself.
Sean
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I’m in the Mercedes Benz business – the accuracy of your information is scary. I go to your site and use the information to get answers from MY MANAGERS. In my opinion KEEP IT UP. Your site is awesome!!!
Thanks.
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Boo Hoo, cry me a river! You finally met your match! I've been a BMW
customer since 1996 buying M3's , X5's, M5's and so on. You guys deliberately
misrepresent what changes are expected on the next model year car just to get the
sale that day. Spending my hard earned 80 grand and seeing it plummet to 50
grand because of depreciation in a year is not my idea of doing a consumer a
service. I've canceled my 760Li order because of your crappy electronics that I
would have otherwise not known about. I'll keep my 2002 M5 thanks until the
next one comes out, not buy the 03 and watch it crash down in value in
anticipation of the new model. Now all I have to deal with is my two G500's that have
been sitting at the MB dealer for over two months now and my paint peeling 2003
Range Rover! Wake up! Your balls slapping against the consumers ass days are
over!!
Paulos
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