| Is gas so valuable that buying a $60,000 car doesn’t get you a full tank of gas? Apparently those are the rules at Rusnak Mercedes in Arcadia, CA. (Sorry, I know this is not technology related but I had to put it here) |
I had acquired my prior car from Mercedes of Laguna Niguel. Of course it came with the customary full tank of gas. When we bought my wife’s car from Lexus of Glendale, full tank of gas. When we bought my son’s Toyota Camry (only $22,000) Full-tank-of-gas!!! But when I got my new $60,000 car, 5/8 of a tank.
I complained, the salesman was gracious enough to say, “Let’s go to the gas station and fill it up…” He was going to do it using his own money. That was dedication, but I felt the company had to do that, not the poor salesman. This is why we are having problems with companies surviving in this country. This myopic vision that leads to, “We only care about the bottom line, so we can enhance shareholder profits and show our bosses that we can squeeze another dime out of the product ….” attitude hurts them in the long run.
I have advice for you Rusnak Mercedes of Arcadia–SELL THE CAR TO ME FOR $60,020, and fill up the tank with gas!!! Keep the customer happy. Go to school and take Marketing 101, Organizational Behavior 101, and most importantly Customer relationship 101.
So I figured, the dealership doesn’t care, but the parent company, Daimler-Chrysler, should. Wrong, once I got the survey, you know the one that says:
“Thank you for purchasing a car from us… How was the experience?”
Me! >> TERRIBLE, Couldn’t you fill up my tank with gas?
Mercedes USA >> We’re happy to hear that. Will you recommend us to your friend(s)
Me! >> NOOO!
Mercedes USA >> That’s great thank you. Please use the space below to send us comments.
Me! >> You should be ashamed of yourselves. (I proceed, of course, with a civilized conversational description, give my phone number and email with the hopes of some response).
Mercedes USA >> Thank you for your comments, one of our staff will get back to you soon.
I looked up “Soon” in the dictionary (In case I didn’t know the meaning), it said the definition of soon is:
– within a short period
– before long
– in the near future
– promptly or quickly
So I wonder how long (in Man Months) that would be? I’ve been waiting 6 months, still no response. Maybe they still think I’m happy. You know Mercedes, It’s not the $20, I can afford that (Hey I’ve been driving the car for 6-months and have not defaulted on any loans yet:-) but it’s like I rent a Tuxedo from you to go to the prom, and you give me one shoe. There are other stores that will give me both shoes. Maybe next time I’ll go there. Oh, yeah I forgot, I will also tell my friend, and they’ll tell their friends and so on, and so on, and so on.
Too bad it’s such a sweet car though! 🙂