9:01 pm, February 18, 2010
TALK about stick the knife in! If ever proof was needed that the car retailing world is a cut throat industry, it is this.
Spotted on Twitter late last night from large American car dealer was this simple Tweet:
‘Receive a $1000 rebate on your Toyota or Honda. Send me a DM for details.’
Now this got me intrigued – surely the Ford dealer wouldn’t be sticking the knife in to his rivals forced into recalling hundreds of thousands of cars across the world?
You bet they were.
I sent them a message via the social networking website and asked if buyers really were that upset with cars affected by the recall that they were considering swapping them.
Their answer?
‘Of course. There are lots of buyers disappointed with their recalled cars. We saw that as an opportunity.’
Well, they say all’s fair in love and business – or at least I think they do – and you’ve got to admire their front.
So, how long before dealers over here start capitlising on the negative messages pulsating around the media and offering a similar incentive?
Think about it – despite the fact these manufacturers hit by recalls are working hard to repair the faults, there are still a lot of owners out there who will probably have lost – rightly or wrongly – a little faith in their car.
That’s why ‘enterprising’ dealers offering an extra slice of cash for chopping in one of those cars affected might just have some buyers take them up on the offer.
Whatever you think of the dealer for doing it, you can’t deny they’ve spotted an opportunity and pounced. And with car sales predicted to take a tumble in 2010, wouldn’t you like to try every trick in the book?
James
If you’ve spotted a similar offer or have come up with something like this at your business let us know by posting your comments below
