Well, I finally sold my car. After several weeks of listing, relisting, and re-relisting on craigslist, fielding numerous emails and questions, and riding along on various test drives, my hard work, patience, and determination finally didn’t pay off.
That’s right. It didn’t. I got fed up and took my car in to a local dealer who snapped it up for – well, less than I could have made under ideal circumstances but surprisingly more than I expected. I could have saved myself the trouble and done this last year. In fact, I should have, but the dealer I spoke with at the time strongly urged me to try my luck on craigslist. I told him I didn’t want to go through the hassle but he was pretty insistent that I should give it a try. I relented, reconsidered, and sat on the car for six months before eventually trying my luck on craigslist – and went nowhere. And so, rather than go back to that original dealer, I went to another one who proved far more receptive to my request. And, while I was there, I checked out a new car. I’m thinking of downsizing from my remaining Q7. If I do, I’ll probably end up buying from this second dealer as well since he seemed far more receptive to my business.
Look, I get it. That first dealer was presumably looking out for my best interests. Only problem was he didn’t really pay attention to where my best interests lay: not in how much money I could wring out of the sale of my SUV but how much less of a hassle I would have to go through to unload it.
If I do end up buying the car I’m considering, that will make my fourth straight Audi. I’m all about loyalty when it comes to friends, co-workers, and cars.
I used to drive a BMW. It was an excellent car and the service provided was beyond reproach. Then, when my lease ended, I elected to buy it out and sell it to a co-worker. At which point that stellar BMW service took a turn. Suddenly, I felt like I was trying to break up with a crazy ex-girlfriend who was doing everything in her power to make things as unpleasant and difficult for me as possible. That experience effectively turned me off BMW and ensured that I would never, ever purchase another car from the company – nor ever recommend the company to anyone.
My next car was a Mercedes and, in that case, it was a little more straightforward. No bait and switch there – it was a terrible car from the start. Never again.
Which eventually led me to Audi. To date, Audi products and services have proven excellent. My loyalty is their’s to lose.
Speaking of which…
Companies that have above and gone beyond the call to win my loyalty:
Audi
Bella Gelateria
Beta 5
Bose
Campagnolo Restaurant/Campagnolo Roma
Granville Island Animal Hospital
Minami Restaurant
Peninsula Hotel (Tokyo)
Companies that have disappointed and, quite frankly, pissed me off:
Blackberry
BMW
Mercedes
Rogers Communications
I’m curious about where you all stand with regard to product loyalty. What companies have earned your respect and repeat business? And what companies have so pissed you off that you will never do business with them again?
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