Ford Called

[SixPac]

8:15 P.M. (CST)

Ford is conducting a survey of new 2002 Thunderbird owners. My wife talked to them, I did'nt. They asked questions about your likes and dislikes, what you would like to see added, and a whole bunch more. They even told her that a navagation system would run the price up about $4K and that a 390 HP engine would run the price up about $12K.

At the end of the survey, my wife gave them the www.thunderbirdnest.com web site and told them that they could get a lot of positive and negative comments about the Bird.

:fordsrule::fordsrule::fordsrule::fordsrule:

[Joybird]

Sounds like $4000, is a bit steep for the GPS unit , but if it is integrated it might be worth it.
And it sounds like the survey is like the one we got back in Oct=Nov. They did seem to care. Glad to hear they are still doing the survey.

[5bird7]

The surveyers must have missed us but then they can read my comments on my website.

[A Justin]

No i have had contact with fords lawyers and they are after people making money off of the ford name. Nothing more than that. They have an enthusiast policy and it requires that you do not make money off of the ford name with our there prior consent. Basically they are after the sites that are making good money... not measly 5 stickers or anything either.

[5bird7]

Mr hotshot, Both you and I know that Ford is after commercial sites using "Ford" in a domain name. As for using the word "Thunderbird" - wouldn't be any reason for Ford to have a model name on their hit list. We both also know that your site has received numerous hits from FMC in the past just checking to see what's happening with the Thunderbird, I doubt they would try to close yours or this site down.

[yelobird2002]

I received call # 2 from Ford Customer Service last night doing the survey on the ownership exerience. Took delivery 10-9-01 and got the first call on 1-9-02. Told them my dislikes, the visors and the hardtop scratching the paint. They asked me if I would like to see such things as XM radio, GPS system, HomeLink, manual or Triptronic trans, and how much I'd be willing to pay for these items. They asked if I would like to see a supercharged version with 375HP. That was a definite YES. Asked if I would be willing to pay $12,000 more for a supercharged version? I swallowed hard but still said yes even though I feel that is a little steep for supercharging a vehicle. I feel that a $3500 - $5000 increase would be more in line.

[Gobird]

:goof: Forgot about that but we also got that call two nights ago but the wife talked to them.
I should say that that was our second call, the first was back in Feb.

[TbirdTim]

I've had my Tbird since early December and have yet to receive a call from anyone at Ford...:sad:

Of course, I only have good:thumbsup:things to say about the car!

[5bird7]

Mr. hotshot - please reread Justin's response above - He HAS contacted Ford's lawyers about the problem and has been assured that enthusiast sites are "safe." The site you direct us to had become more than just an enthusiasts site. There is no need for us to panic about the choice of our domain names.

[DavidA]

Ford would never shut down an enthusiast site. For one reason alone, it helps promote their products. There are so may car clubs, Lincoln, Cadillac, Pontiac, Thunderbird, Miata the list goes on and on. Please don't start something as inane as this. There is no problem, Ford WAS contacted and we are ALL safe and sound. :nono:

[A Justin]

The guy that started the petition on my site received contact from ford lawyers regarding this matter. After that, he notified me about the "enthusiast policy" that ford has allowing people to have enthusiast sites without making profits off ford name. I dont have his phone number or the lawyers email any longer. I promise that it did happen though. Ive decided not to worry about it because well if they do take it then they do... i will just get another one. Members will still be there... just a minor technical difficulty.

[TBird02]

Amen, Justin. No need to worry about a problem that does not exist. If it happens, so what? We simply get a new name. I for one don't think it will happen to this "not for profit" site".

[AZTB]

I agree totally with you, Justin. Sometimes it is just too easy to get upset over stuff that's just stuff...let's enjoy this site while we have it, and if the name changes, the name changes.

Fifteen years ago I belonged to the Fabulous Fifties Ford Club here in Arizona (owned a restored 57 Custom 300...skirts, dual chrome exhausts...really sweet).

Ford, while not the initiator of the club, was glad to have their name used to support their product base.

Let's not sweat the small stuff...life's too short.

[DavidA]

HotShot: If you want some concrete evidence, go to the aforementioned site http://www.ford-diesel.com and get it there. As Justin said, we're not ogint to rworry about a non-issue. If we have to, we'll get another name, but frankly, shame on Ford if they complain about us. We're doing nothing but enjoying the car and each other. YOU, on the otherhand havemade some money off their name and that may be cause for alarm.
:thumbsdown: I think this discussion should end here.:nono:

[CFTBird]

... ... ... I was just momentarily speechless over HOtShots "?demand?" for concrete evidence....

me'thinks the devil is in the details, it isn't an issue until the owner of this site is contacted. A bridge to be crossed when we come to it perhaps... until then the rest of us are just here for the "sharing" the camaraderie of other TBird people who want to talk about their birds.

People reaching out to people, who would have imagined it... (sorry waxing sarcastic there)... not productive I know.

And to think I was always called a "worry wart" as a child; now life is just too good to sweat it.

CFTBird
Flying High on Yellow Wings!

[Joybird]

When we were at the VTCI a bigshot from Ford refered to clubs and names like Funbirds etc. so if they use their names for leverage and advertisement, then it seems that would be a double standard.
Think this might just be a perceived problem.