One thing I have grown to loathe as my vehicle search has dragged on is that dealerships put potential customers in never-ending auto-generated email hell to try to force you to call them. I make a point of not providing my phone number when submitting inquiries because I don't want to spend time on the phone with a bunch of dealerships (and they'll call non-stop all day long).
After being lied to over the phone by NW Hyundai (a Keating dealership), I suspect they don't like to communicate by email because it reduces their ability to deceive customers and renege on commitments they make. The most annoying part, though, is how they pretend that email is a viable way of communicating with them. I've contacted probably 20 dealerships and almost universally when I've submitted an inquiry on a vehicle with very specific question entered into the comment box (i.e. "What is the OTR for this vehicle?"), I get some version of this back:
My point here, I guess, is that in today's communications environment, dealerships should move away from the sales model wherein they force potential customers to call them to ask a simple question like, "Is this vehicle still available?" or "What is the price on this vehicle?" I think Honda is probably one of the worst offenders here with forcing customers to call them because they don't even put vehicle prices on their websites. I stopped looking at Honda entirely for that reason.
After being lied to over the phone by NW Hyundai (a Keating dealership), I suspect they don't like to communicate by email because it reduces their ability to deceive customers and renege on commitments they make. The most annoying part, though, is how they pretend that email is a viable way of communicating with them. I've contacted probably 20 dealerships and almost universally when I've submitted an inquiry on a vehicle with very specific question entered into the comment box (i.e. "What is the OTR for this vehicle?"), I get some version of this back:
When I respond back with the information/questions I previously submitted, I get the same auto-generated email back. One dealership sent me this same email 8 times. Inevitably, I also get an auto-generated email with the GM's name on it:Quote:
Thank you for your interest in the [car model]. Do you have any specific questions about the vehicle, process or dealership I can answer? How can I help you move along through the process of getting your next new car? Please feel free to call, text, or email me anytime. I am here to help.
It doesn't seem to matter which vehicle make it is, the language is pretty much identical and when I respond I get the same auto-generated responses. Out of the 20 or so dealerships I'm contacted, 17 of them dropped me into and endless loop of the first email version quoted above, 10 have sent the GM email. 5 of the dealerships still have not responded to questions about vehicle pricing and availability after more than a week of my responding to auto-generated emails.Quote:
I am the General Manager of [dealership]
I would like to personally thank you for considering your next purchase from our dealership.
Purchasing a vehicle is one of the most important decisions you will make, so I want to make sure that all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction.
Should you need help with this, please do not hesitate to contact me directly
My point here, I guess, is that in today's communications environment, dealerships should move away from the sales model wherein they force potential customers to call them to ask a simple question like, "Is this vehicle still available?" or "What is the price on this vehicle?" I think Honda is probably one of the worst offenders here with forcing customers to call them because they don't even put vehicle prices on their websites. I stopped looking at Honda entirely for that reason.