Cruel Joke or Savvy Business Practices? You be the Judge - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-23-2010, 09:03 PM

About a month or so ago I entered a contest for a Nintendo Wii sponsored by the Ford dealership in my hometown. The rules were basic, No purchase necessary, One entry per-person, 18 years or older, etc... Entry forms were available in the local paper in both the print and online editions. I submitted my entry using the online form and didn't give it much thought because I never have any luck when it comes to drawings.

I knew the drawing was today but wasn't expecting to win. At 1:30 this afternoon I got a call and the caller I.D. showed that it was the Ford dealership so my first obvious thought was that I had won. I answered and this man said is this Mr. Hunt? and I said yes. He said, You recently entered our contest for a Nintendo Wii, I said that's right. He said, Well I'm sorry to tell you that you didn't win but can we put you in a new or used car today?

I was literally flabbergasted! I asked him how many entrants there were? and he said several hundred. I said do you mean to tell me that you're going to call all those that didn't win and try to get them to buy a new or used car? Don't you think that all those that entered like I did are going to think they've also won once they see your name on their caller I.D.'s?

I can understand the dealership wanting to sell cars but I thought this was an extremely poor way to go about doing it. I'm ok with the fact that I didn't win the Nintendo Wii but why bother calling me just to tell me I didn't win? I told him that I could use another car but that I sure as hell wouldn't be doing any business with their company.

OH Nuts! · 01-23-2010, 09:37 PM

I think it was very tacky but more importantly VERY STUPID on their part: what a wonderful way to alienate customers. I don't blame you - I wouldn't buy from them either!

HuntingtonM15 · 01-23-2010, 09:49 PM

What a stupid attempt at getting new customers. I'd be pissed, too.

Zebra 3 · 01-24-2010, 01:09 AM

Get on the US do not call list in case the spammer decides to call you again to wish you a Merry Christmas or a Happy Halloween.

Zoneboy · 01-24-2010, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebra 3

Get on the US do not call list in case the spammer decides to call you again to wish you a Merry Christmas or a Happy Halloween.

This wasn't a spammer nor a telemarketer, I gave them my number to contact me if I won. Nowhere in the contest rules did it state that my number or anyone elses would be used for marketing purposes. I'm seriously considering calling the Ford Motor Co. Monday morning about this situation. I doubt anything will be done but I can at least let them know how one of their dealers is conducting business

70s show watcher · 01-24-2010, 02:22 AM

very tacky

Schmoopie · 01-24-2010, 03:17 AM

Sorry to hear you didn't win and reading about how they treated you makes me respect Ford even less. Didn't think that was possible! So much for "no purchase required". I would definitely contact Ford, even write them a letter in addition to calling or e-mailing. Sounds like this contest was just a ploy to get more names on their prospective sales list. Good for you for telling the caller that you won't buy from their dealership! And actually you've done a good thing by posting your experience on this board. Word of mouth is the best way to advertise bad service. Believe me, it works!

80sTrivia · 01-24-2010, 09:41 AM

That's definitely not the way to go about getting people to purchase a vehicle...

bandito · 01-24-2010, 10:21 AM

I don't see a problem with it. I think it was a clever way of generating business. Sounds like you're just bitter with the Ford place cause you didn't win the Wii. JMO

Tubehead · 01-24-2010, 11:57 PM

i always think their rip off.s i rember one time if you went and test drive a car you get two free moives. they just wont to sell you stuff. its just agimmick.

Zoneboy · 01-25-2010, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandito

I don't see a problem with it. I think it was a clever way of generating business. Sounds like you're just bitter with the Ford place cause you didn't win the Wii. JMO

I'm bitter because of the way they went about trying to get new customers. I've already stated that I was ok with not winning the Wii, I've won a hell of a lot more than a Wii so I can live without winning it plus I have one anyway. Not winning is fine, Calling me to let me know I didn't win and then trying to sell me a car is not.

Schmoopie · 01-25-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I'm bitter because of the way they went about trying to get new customers. I've already stated that I was ok with not winning the Wii, I've won a hell of a lot more than a Wii so I can live without winning it plus I have one anyway. Not winning is fine, Calling me to let me know I didn't win and then trying to sell me a car is not.

I don't blame you. I'd be ticked too. I bet all the other people who got phone calls thinking they had won feel the same way.

HuntingtonM15 · 01-25-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I don't blame you. I'd be ticked too. I bet all the other people who got phone calls thinking they had won feel the same way.

And I bet not too many of them were interested in a car at that point. Nothing about it was clever.

Zoneboy · 01-27-2010, 07:47 PM

Who needs a Wii?

01-23-2010, 09:03 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,470	Cruel Joke or Savvy Business Practices? You be the Judge About a month or so ago I entered a contest for a Nintendo Wii sponsored by the Ford dealership in my hometown. The rules were basic, No purchase necessary, One entry per-person, 18 years or older, etc... Entry forms were available in the local paper in both the print and online editions. I submitted my entry using the online form and didn't give it much thought because I never have any luck when it comes to drawings. I knew the drawing was today but wasn't expecting to win. At 1:30 this afternoon I got a call and the caller I.D. showed that it was the Ford dealership so my first obvious thought was that I had won. I answered and this man said is this Mr. Hunt? and I said yes. He said, You recently entered our contest for a Nintendo Wii, I said that's right. He said, Well I'm sorry to tell you that you didn't win but can we put you in a new or used car today? I was literally flabbergasted! I asked him how many entrants there were? and he said several hundred. I said do you mean to tell me that you're going to call all those that didn't win and try to get them to buy a new or used car? Don't you think that all those that entered like I did are going to think they've also won once they see your name on their caller I.D.'s? I can understand the dealership wanting to sell cars but I thought this was an extremely poor way to go about doing it. I'm ok with the fact that I didn't win the Nintendo Wii but why bother calling me just to tell me I didn't win? I told him that I could use another car but that I sure as hell wouldn't be doing any business with their company.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

01-24-2010, 01:09 AM	#4
Zebra 3 Striped Tomato Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 26, 2002 Location: Bay City Posts: 5,812	Get on the US do not call list in case the spammer decides to call you again to wish you a Merry Christmas or a Happy Halloween.
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01-24-2010, 03:17 AM	#7
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Sorry to hear you didn't win and reading about how they treated you makes me respect Ford even less. Didn't think that was possible! So much for "no purchase required". I would definitely contact Ford, even write them a letter in addition to calling or e-mailing. Sounds like this contest was just a ploy to get more names on their prospective sales list. Good for you for telling the caller that you won't buy from their dealership! And actually you've done a good thing by posting your experience on this board. Word of mouth is the best way to advertise bad service. Believe me, it works!
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

01-24-2010, 09:41 AM	#8
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	That's definitely not the way to go about getting people to purchase a vehicle...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

01-24-2010, 10:21 AM	#9
bandito Going Topless Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Location: The Steel City Posts: 6,320	I don't see a problem with it. I think it was a clever way of generating business. Sounds like you're just bitter with the Ford place cause you didn't win the Wii. JMO
	__________________ bandito

01-23-2010, 09:37 PM	#2
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I think it was very tacky but more importantly VERY STUPID on their part: what a wonderful way to alienate customers. I don't blame you - I wouldn't buy from them either!

01-23-2010, 09:49 PM	#3
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	What a stupid attempt at getting new customers. I'd be pissed, too.

01-24-2010, 02:22 AM	#6
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	very tacky

01-24-2010, 11:57 PM	#10
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	JUST gimmick i always think their rip off.s i rember one time if you went and test drive a car you get two free moives. they just wont to sell you stuff. its just agimmick.

01-27-2010, 07:47 PM	#14
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,470	Who needs a Wii?