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Dealer's "New Owners Celebration"

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by bighouse, Dec 31, 2009.

  1. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    Got an "exclusive invitation" from my dealer to a "very special event created just for new Toyota owners"...sounds like a sales pitch of some sort masquerading as a party!
    However..."receive a free oil change certificate for attending" is enticing.

    Anyone ever attend one of these?
     
    #1 bighouse, Dec 31, 2009
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    About 12 years ago, My Dad bought a Saturn. The dealership had a "New Owners Barbeque". Just for kicks, I went with him. I thought from a marketing standpoint it was brilliant. Some hot dogs, paper plates and some pop and chips. A talk about how they had just purchased the most wonderful car available BUT they needed to change the oil regularly and at the dealership and of course keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance. Plus I think an assistant mechanic did a quick demonstration of how to change a tire and by my observation most people attending were hooked. The whole "Barbeque" couldn't of cost very much at all to throw, and most people were very impressed and hooked into dealer maintenance.

    My advice is if you've got the time and just want to, go, have fun. But expect it to be kind of like a time-share experience where at one point or another they will try to sell you on sometype of dealership maintenance loyalty.

    By the way, I'm not instantly trashing dealer service. Sometimes it's the best option. But I am saying as far as parties go? I've never seen a service department with a velvet rope and a big line of beautiful women trying to get in.
     
    #2 The Electric Me, Dec 31, 2009
  3. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    Our dealers around here never offered anything like that. But then, this is New York.

    Q: How many New Yorker's does it take to change a light bulb?

    A: F*** YOU !!!
     
    #3 Doc Willie, Jan 1, 2010
  4. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Yes, they served pizza, subs & soda. You get to talk to the service people & other owners. No sales pitch. Enjoy.
     
    #4 JimN, Jan 1, 2010
  5. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Some dealers really do get it. They have things like this, they let other drivers share experiences and everyone walks away a little wiser. The dealer might not try to sell anything but they know that if just one person becomes a lifelong customer they will have more than earned back the cost of hosting the event. They are tapping into an existing customer base and spending tons less than traditional marketing.
     
    #5 TonyPSchaefer, Jan 1, 2010
  6. F512M

    F512M Member

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    When I bought my Prius V from Longo Toyota, the sales person mentioned that they have a special event for new car buyers which would include a buffet, free oil change coupon and a touch up pin. Did you get your car from Longo?
     
    #6 F512M, Jan 2, 2010
  7. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    I attended the event when I got my 08 Prius. It was nice to meet other Prius owners, they put out a nice spread and got to me some of the mechanics, got oil change cupons ect. They exploded an air bag in the parking lot, it was an nice event.
     
    #7 paprius4030, Jan 2, 2010
  8. datrays

    datrays New Member

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    I went and got a free oil change coupon, 15% coupon off parts good forever, cap and a Toyota bag.
     
    #8 datrays, Jan 2, 2010
  9. Capt Pat

    Capt Pat Junior Member

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    I bought mine at Darcars of frederick, and was invited to the new owner party.
    I know the fellow who sold me the pri and he told me that attending will give him some browny points.
    It was a soda and cookies affair, the GM told us how great the dealership was, and raffled a couple of Toyota blankets, did not learn anything new except that oil changes are better when done at the dealership:rolleyes:
     
    #9 Capt Pat, Jan 2, 2010
  10. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    I want a Toyota cap! Guess i will RSVP and attend based on the comments of those here,
     
    #10 bighouse, Jan 2, 2010
  11. prius4driver

    prius4driver Junior Member

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    Our local Dodge dealer has a cookie and coffee welcome for new Dodge trucks owners--or at least did in 2003 when we got ours. It was well worth going to. Wish our Toyota dealer did the same.....
     
    #11 prius4driver, Jan 5, 2010
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