Does Scout Motors Need A Challenge Coin Too?

[eddiet1212]

Does Scout Motors Need A Challenge Coin Too?


Dealers Vow To Fight Direct Sales

"...And the new chair of the National Automobile Dealers Association, Tom Castriota, made one thing clear: This aggression will not stand, man. And Castriota has help in the Senate from a key ally..."

Castriota asked dealers to carry an NADA challenge coin, which they were given on their way into the hall for his address, to symbolize their common cause. Challenge coins are a military tradition, given by commanding officers in recognition of allegiance, appreciation and respect.

As Castriota leads NADA this year as chairman, he’ll have a new advocate for dealers on Capitol Hill in Sen. Bernie Moreno, who said he’s the first auto retailer elected to the Senate. Moreno is a former car dealer from Ohio.

“The franchise model has been the most effective retail distribution network ever in the history of sales,” Moreno said. “It is something we should honor and respect.

https://insideevs.com/news/748655/nissan-trump-evs-kia-dealers/

NADA chair Tom Castriota, Sen. Bernie Moreno commit to defending franchise system

Castriota drew on his 35 years in the U.S. Marine Corps to advocate for NADA’s mission and the need for solidarity among retailers.

www.autonews.com

 

[J Alynn]

Can we down vote?
Let’s just all do our part to sign/send/support any documents SM asks us to help with to end the nonsense

 

[Chaz26]

“The franchise model has been the most effective retail distribution network ever in the history of sales,” Moreno said. “It is something we should honor and respect.

My argument to this would be, if it's the most effective and best model, then have an option to either purchase through a dealer or direct from the auto manufacturer, and then let people decide which is best. If everyone thinks dealers are better then no one would order direct from the manufacturer. I'd imagine in reality, sales at dealerships would go down significantly.

 

[R1TVT]

“The franchise model has been the most effective retail distribution network ever in the history of sales,” Moreno said. “It is something we should honor and respect.

What a quote... That's like saying to the Uber and Lyft drivers that "the taxi cab has been the most effect transportation mode for on-demand rides. It's something we should honor and respect".

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

My argument to this would be, if it's the most effective and best model, then have an option to either purchase through a dealer or direct from the auto manufacturer, and then let people decide which is best. If everyone thinks dealers are better then no one would order direct from the manufacturer. I'd imagine in reality, sales at dealerships would go down significantly.

Exactly - give everyone choice and see how it all sifts out.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

What a quote... That's like saying to the Uber and Lyft drivers that "the taxi cab has been the most effect transportation mode for on-demand rides. It's something we should honor and respect".

Yikes, no kidding. “Most effective retail distribution network ever…” Hmm, so that’s how it’s viewed I guess. All I know is given the choice to avoid the deceptive, dishonest, and fraudulent practices I have personally dealt with at many dealerships over the years - I will without a doubt continue to avoid them at all costs.

 

[Scoutsie]

Yikes, no kidding. “Most effective retail distribution network ever…” Hmm, so that’s how it’s viewed I guess. All I know is given the choice to avoid the deceptive, dishonest, and fraudulent practices I have personally dealt with at many dealerships over the years - I will without a doubt continue to avoid them at all costs.

I read that and let out the most hearty of guffaws on par with hearing “people love their health insurance” during a primary debate some years ago. The fact that you need to suggest that car dealerships are deserving of “honor” and “respect” kind of show you exactly what the problem is. They’re not your closest friends or family members. They’re not the armed forces. They’re not people suffering undue hardship. They’re people worried about losing money because they don’t make an honest living to start with, waaaaaaaaaah. Levying huge markups on cars and deploying underhanded sales tactics to push cars on consumers isn’t sending anyone to heaven. Are people being forced? No. Being legally acceptable doesn’t make it morally acceptable.

 

[oldgeeksguide]

Exactly - give everyone choice and see how it all sifts out.

Unfortunately, the way I understand it, the laws that dealers have put in place make this impossible in most states. Once you deal with dealers you’re forever stuck with them and not allowed to sell direct. That’s why direct sales are only an option for new companies. It’s ridiculous but until we get legislation changed most of us are stuck with it.

 

[Silversoul]

...I'd like a Scout challenge coin

 

[Scoutsie]

...I'd like a Scout challenge coin

I had to look up what they were, not being familiar with them. I don’t personally dig the association of these coins by car dealers with people of actual valor (maybe I’m making too much of it), but if this is just a fun way to get people to buy you drinks, evolve your childhood Pog collection, be a Scout completist, etc, then it seems like harmless fun!

 

[nolen]

I had to look up what they were, not being familiar with them. I don’t personally dig the association of these coins by car dealers with people of actual valor (maybe I’m making too much of it), but if this is just a fun way to get people to buy you drinks, evolve your childhood Pog collection, be a Scout completist, etc, then it seems like harmless fun!

we need trading cards! Gotta catch 'em all!

 

[J Alynn]

Just more things SM has to spend money on. Rather see it spent on the vehicles. They’ve already mentioned badges and maybe electronic coins for accomplishments such as running a trail or mowing down kids on a scooter, etc…. Like bitcoin but for your driving enrichment!

 

[nolen]

It would be kind of neat to get a trading card with your Scout on it when you buy it though. When we bought our Toyota Matrix (cough, cough) years ago, they took a picture of us with the car and made a little laminated card of it for us. Pretty cool for our first brand new car.

 

[J Alynn]

It would be kind of neat to get a trading card with your Scout on it when you buy it though. When we bought our Toyota Matrix (cough, cough) years ago, they took a picture of us with the car and made a little laminated card of it for us. Pretty cool for our first brand new car.

YEARS ago we got a Nissan and the did pics then sent a calendar. It was cheesy but now that my daughter is 20 and love cars I do wish we would have taken and kept photos of all the various cars we’ve had over the years.
While many here will not like this I had suggested first year members get an art print IF you take factory delivery where they provide a couple angles of vehicle, image of your vehicle on the build line, date off the line, VIN, and list of all options. Like a build sheet but with artistic images. Then also have same art build electronically attached to the vehicle as well so 40 years from now someone can see all the original info about the vehicle

 

[Scoutsie]

YEARS ago we got a Nissan and the did pics then sent a calendar. It was cheesy but now that my daughter is 20 and love cars I do wish we would have taken and kept photos of all the various cars we’ve had over the years.
While many here will not like this I had suggested first year members get an art print IF you take factory delivery where they provide a couple angles of vehicle, image of your vehicle on the build line, date off the line, VIN, and list of all options. Like a build sheet but with artistic images. Then also have same art build electronically attached to the vehicle as well so 40 years from now someone can see all the original info about the vehicle

The Saturn dealer took Polaroids: one for you, one for the dealership. It was cute. My mom kept them. Because you were family, damnit. The Saturn folks were really nice (and I think they had good candy, which is to say they had Starburst). Saturn was such a great concept. I digress. My actual point is just wanting to say “I agree with this suggestion” because it’s really cool when experiences are personalized.

I went to visit a printer handling a print job for me a bunch of years ago and they had a sign in the lobby welcoming me. I was by no means a big deal, but I can’t tell you how much that unexpected gesture made me feel like I was, in fact, a big deal. People like to be acknowledged and feel important. How about that? I think if someone is sentimental enough to want a factory pickup, they are sentimental enough to want a really beautiful, personalized art print of your Scout’s creation. I look at my stuff and think about the people who made them: I’d not mind seeing the faces or first names of the people who made my Scout (if they’re willing to share). Instead of wondering how many hands touched this thing that I own and use, I can just know. I don’t know who, if anyone, gets sentimental about their belongings like that, but I wonder about the people who make the stuff I own. They didn’t grow on a tree (unless it’s an apple… but think of how many hands brought that apple to you this is why I have insomnia)!