But lets be honest, that rarely if ever happens.

 

 

you would think a brand well reputable as Lexus would not need small time marketing tricks like this, but marketing is a huge tool regardless of size and sucess, and part of the job when you are a salesperson. Whether or not its ethical its fair, is a matter of opinion and not something that is defined in the clear. the Rx-L being overpriced for what it is, hell yeah if it sold at MSRP. However if they set the price lower, that thing would not move, and the market would demand a better deal to be given to them. Hence MSRP is a fluid idea rather then a cold hard line.

 

When it comes to RX-L, it is likely a case of specific dealer ordering too many or something, if i remember correctly, Lexus goal was far less than 35%, likely due to much increased price over 5 seater.

 

LS doesn't sell because everyone wants large SUVs.

Then again, the GX and LX are super stale already, so double whammy.

 

both GX and LX - heck, all of their SUVs are currently just printing money. They just had record month and year is also going to be record one, without UX yet.
And thats with youngest vehicle - RX, being 3 year old now.

 

That's really funny. How about test driving a car for an online review or video. Unethical? Is it unethical to go to the Super Bowl when a vendor invites you? Or go to their suite for a hockey game?

Gall? lol

We had a dinner at the Captial Grille, and my boss had no intention of signing any business with the vendor. Now when they start drinking $40 scotches I admit, the rule is supposed to be don't do anything you would do differently when you are out with your family.

I did a $100 gift card for Audi, and I had no intention either of buying an A6. $100 gift card with BMW, no intention of buying a 750. I took a 750 home for a weekend to try it out, no intention of buying it. For those of you out there who think I am unethical, well, again jmo, you really don't have a good feel for how marketing and business is won.

Free dinner and reception on BMW. This is what the product manager said. "There are those of you in this room, who drive a 7 series. And those of you who will." Well, 10 yrs. later, I still have no intention of stepping into a 7.

My rhetorical question to you, would be if you interface with external clients, or not, in your line of work.

Gall, lol

 

The GM told me he was in Dubai for a Lexus event, and it was absolutely sick what they demonstrated using the LX. He described some steep ascent where they turned the LX around a tree (do they have trees there lol), and it felt as if the vehicle would tip over, but it did not. He was saying out there, when BMWs, Range Rovers, MBs are having trouble due to 120F temps, the LXs are just cruising around comfortably. Not sure if I've ever experienced 120F. Even at 114F, many normal electronics have reached the max temp of their operating range...

 

My thing is it lists at 57k, and they're willing to take 5k off, just like that. imho that's going to cause the depreciation to look steeper than otherwise.

There was a time when that would be considered a lot--it is, %-wise. But there was that saying that Porsche told me long ago, "I cannot pay you more for your car, than it would cost for me to get a new one." I had immediate buyer's remorse, heck I was 19. So I wanted to get rid of the car with under 2k miles. No CarMax back then haha

That was the only vehicle with which I had the MSO, and the only time I've ever seen one. Was reading a lot of Robb Report back then and insisted on it.

 

 

Let me ask you this. Why would the GM have me sit in his office, then, and discuss Lexus as a whole, his experience, thoughts, where I live, what I do for a living, how many kids I have, what I think about BMW, etc.? They must have plenty of certificates that they have processed, because he stated good thing you came in now they expire on Wednesday. Imagine if you were running the dealership, do you think sales would go up? Heaven help Doug D if he set foot

I just don't agree with your opinion, it's pretty harsh and one sided. Another rhetorical question, do you manage people? It's rhetorical--I mean that.

 

I think the key is for the person doing the so called "review" to be up front about it so this way the dealer can just allow the "reviewer" to go out with the car alone and by themselves an not waste anyone's time. Furthermore, the "reviewer" should at least give the dealer some free advertising for doing the review. (I think Doug Demuro always plugs the dealer giving him a car" I have always felt bad for salespersons as almost everyone loathes them by they do not know they don't have to. For me, I don't generally drive too many vehicles as its a big waste of the dealer personnel's time, money, and efforts. I would usually just go and look at the cars from interior perspective and when asked if need help I politely say I am just waiting for the parts or service department and they usually leave me alone.

 

I just got a response from my buddy in NC, he went to Duke Law. I told him about this thread and he laughed. He said as far as he is concerned, he would NEVER drive a car for a gift card. One, not worth his while for $100 or so, and two, he hates car dealerships. Why would he put himself in that scenario where he is there for an hour? He thought that I really didn't have a case for suing the forum but as far as ethics and taking Lexus up on the offer, there is no violation there, that's the entire purpose of the promotion, to draw people in, and the program although targeted, already knows the hit ratio is small as far as a sale being made. Those were my buddy Jeff's thoughts. Dang, he won't take my case (he hates to lose)

I'm 100% straight goods, I've never heard of only going to a car dealership when you are intending to purchase. If anything, sales people encourage customers to drive cars, and I've turned them down before when there isn't a promo and I was just looking. Even BMW.

 

I'm going to go against the grain and say I actually don't have an issue with what Johnhav430 is doing. If they are going to send out these mass marketing materials/emails than they have to deal with people like Johnhav430. I am so tired of being inundated with junk mail/emails that I say screw them if they are going to do that. I am actually happy that some time is being wasted by them because I am tired of them wasting my time deleting emails and throwing out mailers, etc. If you are going to market that way, you have to deal with the issues that go along with it. I look at it the same way as if I accepted a "free" vacation as long as I sit through a 30 minute time share presentation knowing that I am not going to buy a time share. They know not everyone is going to buy one but they still use those same marketing tactics because someone will buy one. They should know what casting such a large net will produce so I have no sympathy for them or their employees.

 

The feeling I get is that the new LS500 is a flop. I said earlier in another thread, if there was ever a longstanding Lexus to be cancelled, the new LS would be it. That said, one needs to consider the worldwide sales of the LS to know for sure as it appears it was designed for the world markets over the US market. In addition, it is built off the GA-L platform with the LC and I assume others future models so it needs to be looked at as a whole to determine if it is a success story.