Rae Rad

Has any one received a post card from Acura? They sent me a post card congratulating me on my purchase, another one after 6 months saying " hope you are enjoying your TLX" , and now the sent me a 1 year anniversary card; furthermore, they just sent me a complimentary Acura logo power bank with a card that says, " just wanted to thank you for driving an Acura, here is a gift of our appreciation " this shows they care about their customers. This little card means more than people think. It's class!! Call me a fanboy or brand slob alll you want... I Fucks with Acura... the dealership in my area offers free oil change and cash wash for the life of your vehicle; in addition, they have free beverages like cans of soda, coffee, orange juice, apple juice.,, and they give free snacks like bagels, chocolate cookies, donuts in the waiting area. I couldn't have asked for better service from my car brand.

Good job Acura!

dezymond

Yup I've gotten them too, even an email from the internet sales manager I bought my TLX off of. I was very surprised to not see a sales pitch on that card Acura sent me though for 1yr purchase.

I wish I went to the same dealership you go to. Free oil changes for life, that saves a good chunk of money over the life of the vehicle/ownership.

holografique

I got none of the above during the 39-months I leased my RLX Advanced from 2013-2016...their flagship of the flagship. Their just now figuring out how to actually provide real class and quality in their customer appreciation.

Too bad they couldn't have figured that out 3 years ago...

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

thats just your dealership.

it surprises me that people dont know marketing when they see it.
they are sending you appreciation gifts to gain repeat business

welcome to "how to close people 101"

TacoBello

Personally, I'm not a fan of such stuff. I just don't like being bothered by unnecessary mail or phone calls. If I received a card, it would likely end up in the recycle bin before I finished even reading it. Something like this ultimately isn't going to change on how I feel about a car- whether I love it, like it, or not at all.

As Justin said- just marketing fluff. If I need another car, I know where to find one. I don't need someone reminding me they exist.

Rae Rad

Yes, Marketing 101, and it works! its not the post card, its the thought. ask me where are those cards they sent me? I wouldn't have a clue, I wasn't planning on hanging them on my wall, my wife might have thrown them out by now. but like a birthday card or a thank you card, we don't keep the card, we keep the thought. The power bank gift they sent me will most likely end up in my junk draw, but again, its not the gift, its the general idea of receiving the gift is what sticks. anyway... I wish all dealerships offer free oil changes but that might put some dealers out of business. I sure am lucky with my dealer. I've done 2 oil changes since I first purchase the TLX and both visits to the dealer I left without paying anything out of pocket, plus, I took an extra bagel with me

Civic2TSX

They have sent me a card on the anniversary of a sale/lease since my 2011 TSX.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Great for you and your dealership!


but honestly, ANY great salesman will "appreciate" his closed deals to gain repeat business and word of mouth marketing.
remember, ABC!
ALWAYS BE CLOSING!
he closed you and all of your family and friends with a simple thank you note!


there are tons of books on the psychology of selling shit.

holografique

This x100.

It's the basics of selling - making your customer feel appreciated beyond just being another transaction towards revenue and bottom line. Especially your customers paying top dollar for your top product. Well, what was SUPPOSED to be their top product....

AZuser

This.

I have a Toyota dealer nearby that offers all those free stuff (Coke, Sprite, coffee, bagels, donuts, etc) too. It's just marketing. They do it to make all customers come back and feel special, and by the looks of it, you fell for it.

The Toyota dealer also sends out quarterly/semi-annual service reminders. There's always a coupon for $1 oil changes and other stuff. Why? Because they want me back at the dealer as often as possible to sell me additional stuff/services. It also gives their sales people an opportunity to hit me up for a trade in and tell me about their "great" car deals.

There's nothing special about this.

randomRon82

I got those post cards every anniversary for both of my Acuras... I purchased the vehicles at different dealerships... The postcards came from corp headquarters, not the dealerships. I will say that it was nice getting them... made me feel special... they were customized for the specific model and had nice/inspiring messages in them... even the envelopes were nice with a large silver or gold leaf 1, 2, 3.. etc depending on your anniversary year.

randomRon82

^^ in other news... not to ruin the party, but Infiniti sent me a Bose Touch Pro Wireless speaker system for the purchase of my Q60. *ducks*... of course it was a choice of that, a go pro, 5 star dinner for 2, luggage, two nights at a fancy hotel.. etc. Don't throw tomatoes at me... I just had to mention it.

kurtatx

I'll give it a pass. Infiniti isn't much used to selling sedans

i kid

Tony Pac

I think it's a great gesture from Acura and team. Every good company does it to retain their customers and spread good word of mouth. We all know that this is marketing 101 but at the same time very thoughtful. Bravo Acura.

My dealer is amazing as well...they serve bagels, doughnuts, latte, coffee, fruits, soft drinks, water, free wi-fi, car wash and courtesy vehicle. Acura Laval is the place to service your car Montrealers

Tony Pac

Infiniti is very aggressive in their marketing. It's great that you have received that but at least in Canada they advertise non stop and I always see "$7,000 off the sticker price" I don't know if it's true or not but I like Infiniti's marketing department They are pushy and as a result we all see a huge increase in Infiniti's sales for the past 4-5 months.

steve_97060

there is a certain population on this forum that are definitely "the glass is half empty" types..

mapleloaf

It's a cynical world out there. Imagine they want to keep your business and treat you well. Holy crap batmen, stop the presses, people who feed their families want you to come back. Unfortunately, this basic lack of respect/trust for people who sell retail is due, in some part, to the growing trend to shop from home and minimize this type of human contact. it used to be about win win....it's seems to becoming more screw screw. One of the reasons I stay with Acura, is that I have developed good relationships with people in the dealership. When I have an issue, the go out of their way to make it right. I see the blue screens when I buy a car, I know what they make, what the owner makes, etc. I get a good deal, but i also understand that they have to make a few bucks. In the long run, this approach pays off - but it's not my main motivation. I enjoy cars, and I enjoy most people - and I certainly enjoying dropping in at the dealership from time to time. Free coffee, snacks, and car chat

Like anything else, you give respect, you generally get it back, whether it's buying or servicing a car or dealing with work colleagues.

WheelMcCoy

I know! The TLX doesn't come with a spare tire so I took an extra bagel too.

/JK. I know it's marketing, but I agree, it's a smart and considerate gesture.

Rae Rad

I guess I better use the term, "they offer free donuts" loosely.

BeerManMike

Bought a CPO for relatively cheap at the time from a LA area dealer and they acted like the were doing me a favor, wouldn't budge on price or extras and received nothing. Local dealership has been sub-par.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

a great salesman ALWAYS builds rapport with their client.
whether by sending an appreciation gift or simply asking about family.
which in turn, makes you the buyer trust the seller.
which is what you're talking about..respect and fair trade deals.

there is a difference between a good/great salesman and a shady one.
sounds like most of you are getting GREAT sales people.
but dont mistake this process for friends!
at the end of the day, the salesman wants to make a sale. AND you are his mark

Rae Rad

The salesman didn't give me anything but a monthly plan and a hand shake. The gifts/cards came from corporate headquarters

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

it's still a selling tool.
Acura is in the business of selling.

they got you, hook line and sinker...as now you are a buyer for life.
it's called customer retention

Customer retention refers to the activities and actions companies and organizations take to reduce the number of customer defections. The goal of customer retention programs is to help companies retain as many customers as possible, often through customer loyalty and brand loyalty initiatives

even you recognized this as you are a self proclaimed "fanboy"
I also believe you went through 2 ILX's?
they suckered you out of thousands and thousands of dollars and are appreciating you by sending you a tiny gift card.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

its like you're congratulating them on what THEY'RE SUPPOSED to be doing....

as an Entry level luxury brand, they should be doing EVERYTHING in their power to make the dealership experience more luxury like...
which includes customer retention programs like appreciation gifts, donuts, coffee, GREAT customer service...
these are the things that THEY SHOULD BE DOING ACROSS THE WHOLE COUNTRY throughout EACH dealership franchise
but no, it's still disjointed as one poster pointed out, they didnt get chit from Acura

Rae Rad

thanks for the community college marketing lesson. I appreciate it. You did not tell me anything I didn't already know, but thanks anyway.
Some poeple just can't believe that there is large population out there that actually likes Acuras!! Anyways.. they did not "sucker" me into anything. The ONE ILX I had was a great car just too small.

kurtatx

Just got my 4 year ann'y for my TSX...that I sold last month. Oops

wyliec2

Count me in the camp that doesn't see the periodic "Hi" or "Anniversary" message as evil subterfuge...and certainly no qualms if you get a discount on service. I've never walked into a dealership and left with a vehicle I wasn't already intending to purchase.

My wife and I are very happy with our vehicles - 2015 TLX Advance and 2014 Toyota Highlander Platinum.

I find the emails and postcards from Toyota a somewhat aggravating ruse to be always claiming "there is a high demand for your vehicle in the used car market. We'll make you a great deal blah, blah, blah.....".

If this is my biggest issue for a day....I'm figuring it's a pretty darn good day!

BeezleTL85

I get offers to buy my 3G which I sold almost a year ago. They can have it, if they can find it

kurtatx

Just got my four year ownership appreciation from Acura...

...oops