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November 13, 2003
The Trouble With Quixtar: 6
By QBlog in
Because blogs are inherently conversational and generally informal I thought it might be fun for me to take a few days to work out some of my issues with Quixtar right here, in this public space. Some posts may not make a lot of sense on their own but I hope that as a collection these posts will all tie together to accurately describe what I call "The Trouble With Quixtar."
To keep things organized I'm titling each related entry The Trouble With Quixtar and then numbering them sequentially. Also, please understand that this is a personal effort for me to fully comprehend why I am unable to embrace Quixtar, or any MLM business. This is my personal struggle with Quixtar. > 5<
Believe it or not, I've never bought a new car. I probably never will. I was raised with the understanding that new cars dramatically depreciate the moment they leave the lot and a savvy consumer will purchase a slightly used vehicle to dodge this precipitous drop in value.
And while I'd like to consider myself a savvy consumer I must confess that the real reason I haven't purchased a new car is because frankly, I find the entire new car industry completely repulsive.
I object to a system (the dealerships) that refuses to provide the products (cars, trucks, vans, etc.) that the customer demands (only Fords on this lot, BMWs on that lot, etc.). The dealership model is antiquated and in need of expansive change. Yet, that change (the lauded mega-dealerships among others) has not permeated throughout America in the way that some had anticipated. We're mostly stuck with the same dealership model that has existed for ages and I decline direct contribution (buying a new car) to that system.
I also dislike the fact that the sticker price is not expected to be the sale price. In what other industry is this routinely accepted? None that I can think of. But the common argument is that car dealers work on commission and thus some haggling is to be expected. Well, my question is why? Why maintain that status quo? Just because "that's the way we've always done it?" Get a grip and move into the 21st Century. Haggling over the price of new products is so last century (I should point out that Saturn seems to have bucked this trend but where are the new trend followers?).
And I guess the last reason I am repulsed by the new car industry is based on years of prejudice and stereotypical thinking. I just can't stand car dealers. I'm not entirely certain that they're even human. I have a couple of car dealer friends and they seem human enough but sometimes I wonder if they're just wearing human masks like the Lizard People things from V. I know, I'm being too hard on them and they're probably great people underneath that slimy exterior but it's difficult to quickly eschew all that ingrained prejudice. But I'm trying, I really am.
Comments
Have you seen this before? It's a number guessing game: http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/guessthenumber.html. I guessed 36163, and it got it right! Pretty neat.
QBlog I am in agreement with most of your comments about the retail auto business. I have dealt with these people for over 20 years selling them advertising-they deserve all the bad press they get. Saturn, however, should not be held up as the paragon of automotive retailing. Their vehicles are woefully overpriced when you consider the amount of vehicle you're purchasing. Keep the info on TOD coming, it's fascinating!
Posted by: Robert Dodd | November 14, 2003 8:42 AM