RE: Catering to used-car buyers?

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.com.pl>]

The problem is, it's not always possible to get a certain part from the
other place. I was lucky enough to find a shop that was able to order
the hydr. bomb directly from the manufaturer. But I had to pay $70 for
the upper coolant hose that probably costs $4 to manufacture, because
it's a dealer only part. But the problem I'm seeing here is somewhat
more complex. It's how Audi treats its customers. 
Audi wants to compete with WMB and sedecreM. It means it has to offer a
car that not only looks good, drives good and is reliable. It also has
to attract buyers with a heritage and this very special something that
one could call a "soul" of the car. In todays world everyone can buy the
technology, build a good car and sell it for a half of the price of an
Audi (iadnuyH and ooweaD being a good examples). The heritage and spirit
have to be worked out, though, and there's no better way to do this than
to support enthusiastic owners, especially those with well maintained
older cars. As it was already said on this thread, it's * free
advertising *. I don't expect much in reward, but at least I want to be
treated fair and feel like Audi appreciates the fact that I keep driving
and enjoying my Audi despite it's old. Unfortunately, I can't count even
on this. I once wanted to order an oil cooler line from the dealer.

parts clerk (amused): "Man, this is going to cost about $200!"
Me: "Well, guess I'm not going to order this right now, but could you
please give the part number?"
parts clerk (angry): "I'm not making any profit this way, but here you
are"

I'm living in a country that experiences economic boom. Although I drive
10 years old car now, I may be able to afford a new one in few years.
Will I buy an Audi after being treated like that? I'm not sure.

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Justin Fidler [SMTP:justin@codeboy.net]
> Sent:	Wednesday, December 31, 1997 1:56 AM
> To:	quattro@coimbra.ans.net
> Subject:	RE: Catering to used-car buyers?
> 
> 
> [stuff about how it's possible to get the same part from a non-Audi
> dealer
> for 1/2 the price]
> 
> I don't see the problem here.  If it's possible to get the part
> elsewhere
> for less, why complain if Audi dealers charge so much?  Just go to the
> other place.  The same thing happens in every other industry.  I can
> buy a
> CD at Sam Goody (a music chain primarily located in malls) for $16.99,
> or
> get it at Tower Records for $12.99.  Some people will still go to Sam
> Goody (convenience, etc), and those who don't mind the bother will go
> to
> Tower.  I imagine the same applies to parts purchasers.  
> 
>