Saturday, August 14, 2010

Consumer Reports gets it right...most of the time...

Ok so I couldn't help myself. First of all let me preface all of my remarks: as a car dealer who makes every attempt to be ethical I love the information age. I am not scared that most of our customers are more educated than myself on a specific model when they step into the showroom. I am excited. Cause if it's the right information and they are willing to let me make nothing more than a fair profit - than the transaction is going to be smooth and we have reduced the number of times someone would ever feel (dare I say it) "buyer's remourse."

BUT sometimes I read something from a consumer advocate service and it drives me nuts. It usually is something that means well but falls short of painting the full picture. So this time out I actually have written Consumer's Reports about some things stated in thier new 2011 New Car Preview.

I thought I would include the letter for all who follow this blog.

August 14, 2010

ATTN: Rik Paul, Editor “Consumer Reports”

Mr. Paul,

I simply wouldn’t feel like I was doing anyone any justice if I didn’t address your latest Consumer Reports Preview Guide. As a hard working, hands on, dealer principal in the car business I have found over the years that many of consumer reports teachings actually work adversely to the very same people you propose to help.

One simple example is found in this latest issue, “Don’t visit during special sales events solicited by direct mail. Those are often run by contracted specialists trained in techniques that increase the dealer’s profit.” You spend countless pages battering the word profit as if all other businesses in the world are non-profit. Being an industry insider like yourself you show no sympathy for the countless dealer closings and/or difficulties that have beset our economy and industry. It’s the information age Rik, “fair profit,” is more less the word of my generation along with being a responsible and ethical business man and dealer.

Now I will finally arrive at my point. Earlier on the same page you speak on “hard-to-track” dealer incentives. Being that I currently reside (and I might as well sleep here) in a General Motors store I do not deny that we don’t often receive incentives quarterly based on units and excellence in CSI (customer satisfaction). While it costs money to participate in this opportunity of earning these incentives (which we don't always reach) they are more often than not “passed on to the customer.” Oftentimes the best way I can communicate these “hidden” incentives directly to my previous customer base is through Direct mail.

I used to work in media. I understand that it is oftentimes a vacuum that needs to be filled. Why don’t you someday contract a current dealer to add a little true insight to your service? More often than not when the complete picture isn’t painted you do an injustice. In this case you’re hurting the very people who pay good money for your services.

Sincerely,


Brett A. Morgan
Wade Raulerson Buick GMC

Friday, July 30, 2010

The New Buick Lacrosse continues to garner praise....

The new Buick Lacrosse has lived up to every bit of the hype here at Wade Raulerson Buick GMC except for one thing...Sales! Buick's new revolution of cars has come to be in a time of economic downturn when many mature buyers have decided to stay on the sidelines. We are ok with this - for now...it has ensured that in Gainesville and Central Florida, clearly the 2010 Buick Lacrosse is the car market's best kept secret.

Just this week KBB (Kelley Blue Book) announced the Lacrosse #1 as far as the most comfortable vehicles under $30,000 dollars. Guess who finished #2? Again Buick with the Lucerne. Toyota is lucky it wasn't a Top Five List as the Camry and Avalon snuck in at #9 and #10 respectively.

I don't want to give our customers and my readers the wrong impression...we are selling some Buick product and the Buick Enclave product continues to do well. All I am saying is that we are sitting on a bonified hit and that the masses just don't quite understand this yet. I feel like I am managing the Beatles right before they signed to Capitol Records!

Then Autoweek this week caught my eye. They paired the new Buick Lacrosse CXS with the Audi S4, BMW M3, Cadillac CTS-V, Hyundai Sante Fe SE, Ford Fusion Sport, Chevy Malibu LTZ and VW CC Sport. And guess what they said?




"The car that surprised me most was the Buick LaCrosse. It's good looking, quiet and has a beautiful, comfortable interior. I'm not saying it was the best car at camp from a performance standpoint, but it surprised me the most of any car there." - Wes Raynal "Autoweek" Editor

So Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, High Springs...I ask you...how long can you stand on the sidelines?

Brett Morgan
Wade Raulerson Buick GMC
General Manager
bmorgan@waderaulerson.com

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

"Buick is Back!" Raves Motor Trend Magazine ...

Wow! What a cover. Glad to see that the new 2010 Buick Lacrosse and the upcoming release of the new Regal are gaining some positive traction!


By the way - actually read the reviews too - they say the new Lacrosse outclasses the Lexus ES!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Pontiac Vibe 2009-2010 Included in Toyota Recall?

First of all I will say I feel bad for the misfortunes of the Toyota. As many of our customers know we did have one vehicle that was a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors - the Pontiac Vibe. As soon as we have more information available we will post it here. It is important to know at this time that there are no known cases of Pontiac Vibe's (2009-2010) having failures consistent with the cases related to the Toyota recall.