strange offer from dealer

[YLO BRD]

i got a strange offer in the mail yesterday from a local Ford dealer. The promotion was called Feed & Fuel, just for coming in, they give you a turkey and $50 gas voucher. Thats not the strange part, the letter said "we are in need of acquiring 23 2002 Thunderbird vehicles by November 22, 2008 in order to fulfill special pre-owned vehicle requests. With market conditions the way they are right now, it is difficult for dealers to purchase quality used vehicles at the auction. During this event, we will pay our best market price for any 2002 Thunderbird." This wasn't the dealer I purchased my car from but, one I had done business with in the past. Anyone else get anything like this?

[AntarcticDave]

Re: strange offer from dealer

I got one from the dealer I bought mine from saying they had a need for used vehicles. Considering dealers aren't moving cars, and in general are loath to take trades except economy cars right now, I suspect it's all just an effort to get people into the dealership so they can push their new cars.

[mamabird]

Re: strange offer from dealer

I got one like that for our Lexus RX about a month ago minus the turkey. I just laughed at it and tossed it and said to myself "I traded in that P.O.S. for my lovely Bird" But honestly I'm not sure why they do this. You would think they could get them at auctions and stuff.

[texasbird]

Re: strange offer from dealer

I have received items with almost the same wording, except they were wanting Linda's 2003 Impala. Sounds like their marketing department or contractor may have purchased a mailing list of what people own, within a certain vehicle age & mileage. They may be working off previous service records as well. These are the same lists that let aftermarket warranty providers know when your factory warranty is about to expire. Check around with friends and neighbors. Chances are their computer will plug the type of vehicle that is associated with the owner's name into the form letter.

The trick is simply to get possible buyers onto the showroom floor. Buyer beware.

James

[Sandman]

Re: strange offer from dealer

Hi Joanne,

It looks to me like another clever way of getting you into the dealership. Seems a bit strange that they would need all those 02 Birds in a few days.
If you check somewhere on the bottom of that mailer, you will probably see in very small print the name of a promotion company that is running this gimick for the dealership.
Go down and get your free stuff but be carefull that you don't get talked into something you may be sorry for latter.
Any way, why would you ever want to get rid of your Bird?

Ron

[ShadowDragon]

Re: strange offer from dealer

I get those for my F150 all the time.

[Ediron]

Re: strange offer from dealer

I'm sure they would have no problem finding 20 Birds.The idea is to get you in and sell.When i sold engine scopes for Allen Test my thing with a potential sell was to leave the scope for a weekend "as I had to pick one up for delivery ." Most times the client was sold on his own after using.Car dealers will do the same "here use it for a couple of days " most can't walk away.
Than they hit you with a low trade.

[FUN X 3]

Re: strange offer from dealer

Agree with many above, they just want to get you into the showroom and convince you to replace your "high demand" used car with a "low demand" new car, LOL! We get the same letter for the Escape and the Bird both. Sounds like a great way to get a free turkey and free gas if you're okay saying no about 50 or so times, like after a 90-minute timeshare presentation in the real estate industry.

[My Raven]

Re: strange offer from dealer

Sounds like a great way to get a free turkey and free gas if you're okay saying no about 50 or so times, like after a 90-minute timeshare presentation in the real estate industry.

[FUN X 3]

Re: strange offer from dealer

Quote:
Originally Posted by FUN X 3
Sounds like a great way to get a free turkey and free gas if you're okay saying no about 50 or so times, like after a 90-minute timeshare presentation in the real estate industry.

Hey Joe, your reply says you been there, done that too, right!

[texasbird]

Re: strange offer from dealer

OK Guys, How long did your battery powered B&W TV last from that Timeshare presentation?

[TBD42]

Re: strange offer from dealer

I opted for the corning ware set instead of the b&w TV.

Mine are in the garage holding assorted nuts and bolts, nails and screws I knew I would need someday, but obviously not in the first 40 yerars that I kept them.

Well worth the 200 mile rt ride to the Poconos, even adding in the $3 worth of gas I used.

Archie Bunker was right, "Those were the days"

[blue731]

Re: strange offer from dealer

First: I have been getting those cards from my dealership for about 4 years because they "need" my used Ford truck. There is no shortage of new/used ford trucks. As others have said already, this is just to get you on the lot, looking at other new vehicles. I used to sell cars way back in the day, and you would be surprised how many sales I made to people who only came in for an oil change, or some repair.

Second: beware the free gas offer. It's a pain in the butt. There was an "expose" on my local news channel recently that lots of car dealerships were getting sued because of how people had to get their "free gas". How it worked here, you got rebate coupons for $5. You had to redeem one $5 coupon for each full tank of gas. The company sent paperwork that had to be filled out and sent back before the $5 check was actually sent back to you. It took weeks for each $5 rebate to process and come back to you, to finally total $50. It' s not like you pulled up to a gas station and filled your tank for free.