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Wrath of the Net - talk about Ouch!

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#11
Doug - you may say you're unfamiliar witheBay, but I think you picked up plenty for someone new to eBay. It wasn't a screen shot - the eBay listing link in this initial posting is the actual eBay listing. Yes, it is strange they listed it under "Other", but I think that is a setup fault in the eBay listing vendor they're working with. You have to manually key-in "NO RESERVE", so that was definitely done intentionally....unless their eBay listing vendor has a feature that does this automatically?

I hope this helps to affirm your assumptions.
 
#13
Alex,

I am only new/uninitiated with respect to posting auctions. I use
eBay irregularly ... and then typically look for items that are being
overlooked by others due to substansive typos. I once got a heck
of a deal because nobody else happened to notice a Garmin GPS
that was posted as "Garmen GP S". Frankly; I was surprised when
the seller delivered without so much as a whimper.

I suspect that Husker did not get any bidding because prospective
M3 buyers never thought to look in "BMW Other".
 
#14
"WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL ANY BIDS AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON" - This leaves them a little room (very little room) if things progressed through the court systems, however attorney fees, court costs, and most importantly the future business that will be lost by the dealership will cost a lot more than eating the $10k short term loss. At this point it's probably too late for them to make it right no matter what happens. Gone are the days where a dealer's worst fear is buyer's remorse - these days an isolated incident like this can sink a dealership.
 
#16
Wow Greg. I just finished reading every post since page 91. Now that I know the Husker group is part of a larger group, a group I have a lot of respect for, I'm even more torn. I hope this whole thing gets cleared up soon.

Maybe my little voice is meaningless in the whole scheme of things, but I think a level-headed representative of the dealership should post a public statement in every area they can. There obviously is another side to the story, but the masses aren't hearing it. With the other side of the story made as public as it can be made, I think it will calm people down.

I also noticed someone posted a link to this article in that M3 forum thread - very cool! It looks like a few of the participants like some of the things being said on Dealer Refresh!
 
#17
I'm not sure an isolated incident like this can sink a dealership (of course depending on how they dealt with it) but it can get them some publicity for sure. I have not doubt there are 2 sides to the story (there always are) and I think our stance here is neutral. I would hate for this to happen to any dealer but we all learn from our and hopefully others' mistakes.

What's funny is; I read that due to the publicity, the floor traffic at the dealer has been tremendous and they have had a great week with sales. I can't validate this but It's believable.

I'd be hiring one of the brightest marketing firms in the business and figure out how to someway turn this bad publicity into a something positive, it would have to be edgy...but I think it could be done.

I too was not aware that this dealer was part of a larger dealer group that I too have a lot of respect for. No doubt about it, it sucks. But it happened and we are all learning from it, not matter what side of the story is has more weight to it.

Jeff
 
#18
Looking at the auction, I see a systemic situation here- a laissez-faire attitude which is underlined by their complete inattention to the auction while changing the buy it now price and by the photos. Look at the quality. I have seen better photos of used stereo equipment than what these folks used to list a $70k+ vehicle. I would think they would break down and get at least a 1-2 megapixel camera for their photos. On top of that is the arrogance of the manager laughing at the customer, thinking they are above the law. Too common.

The thing that really irritates from an eBay standpoint me is too often, I have been on the other end of one of these auctions. In September alone I had 14 vehicles "sell" on eBay, and for one reason or another, 5 were not delivered. What recourse do I have as a dealer on those 5 deadbeat bidders? NONE. eBay needs to step up and support the businesses listing items and I think they have taken a step forward with their new feedback policies.
 
#19
There are internet wildfires going on all over the place. Old school operators are getting tazered by angry customers that now have a method to vent.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ricart Automotive has agreed to drop a lawsuit it filed against an angry customer who created two anti-Ricart Web sites to log customer complaints about the dealership. Ricart Automotive Agrees to Settle Suit Against Web Critic - Public Citizen

Ricart has spent $100k in legal fees to take down 2 sites and this Ohio State University graduate student has made Ricart public enemy #1. See his site at www.columbusconsumer.com, its amazing.

Joe
 
#20
A MUST SEE for those that don't get it.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ITE7ITSR6M&


Step by step, the One of the most compelling, educational, well constructed ___sucks.com videos I have ever seen.

It's critical that management must recognize "the new world order". Customer service is now deeply connected to Reputation Management.

BE PROACTIVE. Doctors that are sued the least are the ones with the best bed side manner. And when the wheels fall off the car... bend over backwards right upfront! The 1st loss is always the least loss.

Joe
 

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