Automakers: Don't Ask Customers What They Want

Re:Automakers: Don't Ask Customers What They Want by gregmac on Monday December 11, 2017 @05:22PM (#15901119)

This is its own problem. I want one feature of package B but package B costs +$$$. I don't care about the other features package B also comes with (in other words, provide $0 of value to me), and the feature I want isn't worth $$$.

As a result, I don't buy package B, or even don't buy the car at all and go to another comparable model.

I had no opportunity to explain why I didn't buy package B to the manufacturer, so do they even realize they're missing out because of that? I'm sure I'm not the only one.

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Re:Automakers: Don't Ask Customers What They Want by mikestew on Monday December 11, 2017 @05:48PM (#15901411)

I want one feature of package B but package B costs +$$$. I don't care about the other features package B also comes with (in other words, provide $0 of value to me), and the feature I want isn't worth $$$.

It's been ages since we've purchased a new car, but can't you just check the box for "$FOOBAR" after checking the box for Package A? Our Leaf was pretty much pre-built with few choices outside of packages, but we did that with our Scion. Additionally, though my BMW motorcycle came with a "package", I could still get stuff a la carte. I'd just have to wait for BMW to build it and ship it, instead of riding it home that day. (Or in my case, the dealer has the a la carte items on the shelf. They sent me home with the taller windshield in a box, for example, and I bolted it on myself.)

OTOH, I'm using a motorcycle, an early-adopter electric car, and a quirky little off-brand Toyota as examples. Probably not the best examples for sussing the average car buying experience.

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Re:Automakers: Don't Ask Customers What They Want by gregmac on Monday December 11, 2017 @06:02PM (#15901539)

Sometimes. There's lots of variations though, some companies only offer specific trim levels, others appear to offer individual options but then you'll run into "That option is only available options x, y, and z, and is not compatible with w. Include x, y, z and remove w?".

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Re:Automakers: Don't Ask Customers What They Want by mikestew on Monday December 11, 2017 @07:31PM (#15902101)

Ah, okay, thanks for the insight; as I said, it's been a while since I've dealt with this. I shouldn't be surprised now that I think of it. Want $HOT_ITEM (say, CarPlay)? It's included in our $2000 luxury package! Except I just want the CarPlay, which can't cost two grand. sigh, fine, sell me crap I don't need so I can get the crap I want. Sounds kinda like a bill going through Congress. :-)

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Re:Automakers: Don't Ask Customers What They Want by balabaster on Wednesday December 13, 2017 @10:18AM (#15914731)

It's exactly like a bill going through Congress. Except usually with the bill going through Congress, the items you don't want are quite a lot more toxic.

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