Worse for Car Dealers' collective reputation than Inflatable Gorillas?

[Ryan Thompson]

I thought that was Stan Sher who jumped out of that truck at 0:16

 

[kcar]

Ruins the whole "car dealership" image for every dealer out there.
Giving customers as a whole the wrong impression of how car dealerships work and who owns them.
These types of entertainment only further damage the perception of the automotive dealer.

 

[Eley Duke]

Ruins the whole "car dealership" image for every dealer out there.
Giving customers as a whole the wrong impression of how car dealerships work and who owns them.
These types of entertainment only further damage the perception of the automotive dealer.

What? How do you think this one show ruins the whole car dealership image for every dealer? Most logical and sensible people know that this is just another pathetic "reality" TV series, lets see if it even makes it past 6 episodes! Did you ever see “King of Cars”; they had more whacky crap going on there than I have seen in these clips, but I agree this is really bad as well. King of Cars didn’t damage the entire image for every dealer in the US, in fact, you probably forgot about them already.

If you’re looking out on your sales floor seeing black wife beater, 2 inch thick gold chain wearing sales people, you might be worried! But in general and in reality, this show will hardly leave a mark on the automotive industry! Most will see it for what it is; pathetic reality TV.

This crap should be wedged in between Keeping up with the Kardashians and Jersey Shore! Although I do like that they are Cadillac fans!

 

[kcar]

It's not just this one video, consider the effects of thousands of videos, millions of negative car dealership reviews and comments, etc. It all adds up. Yes, it's "reality" TV, and I agree people will get the general idea of it. But I feel that car dealerships have such a negative perception as it is, we really don't need anything that further gives a negative impression of car dealerships in any way shape or form.

 

[Jerry Thibeau]

Did you ever see “King of Cars”; they had more whacky crap going on there than I have seen in these clips, but I agree this is really bad as well. King of Cars didn’t damage the entire image for every dealer in the US, in fact, you probably forgot about them already.

The one thing about king of cars was at the end of the day all the customers got a good deal or at least it was presented in that manner. Had they been talking about laying people away, that would have really been bad for the industry.

 

[Eley Duke]

The one thing about king of cars was at the end of the day all the customers got a good deal or at least it was presented in that manner. Had they been talking about laying people away, that would have really been bad for the industry.

I agree Jerry, it was actaully funny and they sure have a unique twist on selling cars, then again, they are in Vegas and from what I read Towbin rock and rolls! Maybe it was a bad comparison on my part, I was really more comparing the shows impact on our industry. In the end I think we all agree we dont like what we are seeing with Car Fellas and its potential impact on the publics view of dealerships. However, I cannot think anyone is going to compare this show and a small "used car lot" on some city corner and what goes on in that show to a Any Town Main Street franchised dealership. That was my point.

 

[Eley Duke]

It's not just this one video, consider the effects of thousands of videos, millions of negative car dealership reviews and comments, etc. It all adds up. Yes, it's "reality" TV, and I agree people will get the general idea of it. But I feel that car dealerships have such a negative perception as it is, we really don't need anything that further gives a negative impression of car dealerships in any way shape or form.

Kcar, again, if you’re looking out on your sales floor seeing black wife beater, 2 inch thick gold chain wearing sales people, you might have concern and be worried!

My $0.02: You can go to any town in the US, ask 10 people on the street about X dealership on Main St; you will get some positive and some negative comments. That is for any business, we have some people that don’t like our store, I am sure everyone reading this is shaking their head thinking about one or two people they have tried to please but just couldn’t. That’s reality.

There was that time in the past and it still exists to some small point today that people don’t like dealerships, do you like the dentist, the tax man, or the Dr when you hear the snap of a rubber glove? It all goes back years, and I think it all goes back to Americas love for cars, some hatred in the buying process, and the negotiation tactics that became synonymous with “did I get bent over”. Those days are gone, in our store they are long gone if they ever existed at all. I don’t think you can associate todays selling with the days of “did you hear the one about the lawyer and the car dealer”, I can say that, I am married to a lawyer, she has an outstanding reputation by the way and even does franchise and dealership law, no plug intended.

I think we are thinking too much about this shows impact on dealerships as a whole, people will see it for what we said it is, crap TV. I don’t see that people in communities served by dealerships with good reputations will look at those dealerships and see any correlation.

 

[john.quinn]

Kcar, again, if you’re looking out on your sales floor seeing black wife beater, 2 inch thick gold chain wearing sales people, you might have concern and be worried!

My $0.02: You can go to any town in the US, ask 10 people on the street about X dealership on Main St; you will get some positive and some negative comments. That is for any business, we have some people that don’t like our store, I am sure everyone reading this is shaking their head thinking about one or two people they have tried to please but just couldn’t. That’s reality.

There was that time in the past and it still exists to some small point today that people don’t like dealerships, do you like the dentist, the tax man, or the Dr when you hear the snap of a rubber glove? It all goes back years, and I think it all goes back to Americas love for cars, some hatred in the buying process, and the negotiation tactics that became synonymous with “did I get bent over”. Those days are gone, in our store they are long gone if they ever existed at all. I don’t think you can associate todays selling with the days of “did you hear the one about the lawyer and the car dealer”, I can say that, I am married to a lawyer, she has an outstanding reputation by the way and even does franchise and dealership law, no plug intended.

I think we are thinking too much about this shows impact on dealerships as a whole, people will see it for what we said it is, crap TV. I don’t see that people in communities served by dealerships with good reputations will look at those dealerships and see any correlation.

AMEN! I mean, men watch "Real Housewives" and still like women, right? And although "Jersey Shore" is still on the air, last time I checked, the beach was full....

 

[Eley Duke]

Aww hell, now this is going to be a real nightmare for Cadillac, probably sink the entire brand!! TMZ reporting Snooki traded her BMW for a Cadillac. Story Here