How to piss off your customers.

[Annoyed]

I would have expected Toyota to have more class than this.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-01-07-lexus-talking-car_N.htm

Ya know, I think I see a decline in market share for Lexus coming up.

 

[KimoSan]

Note that the article states "participating owners." If you don't want it, don't sign up for it.

Although, I do agree that it is a little shameless on the part of Toyota/Lexus.

 

[techno]

That system would more useful if it was reversed, so the customer can send a message to the maker whenever he/she wants.... I would sign up for that!

 

[SubSonic]

I personally don't see the big deal: We get texts and phone calls from our wireless providers to our cell phones now...and I can mash the "OnStar" button in my GMs and ask the nice lady that answers where the nearest Italian place is...so this is more "push technology" than OnStar, so what? Blackberry "pushes" email to our phones...this is just the next logical step.

Besides, it sounds optional, just opt-out if you don't like it.

 

[toto]

Oh wow. We already have to tolerate harassing phone calls (despite the do not call list), spam e-mail, and pop-up ads from marketing campaigns. Now verbal spam in your car?!

We get texts and phone calls from our wireless providers to our cell phones now

Yet another example. And why do we as consumers accept that?

I think it's very arrogant that every company thinks that they're the most important people in your life and therefore they get to find new ways to bother you constantly.

 

[Annoyed]

And how long before you aren't given the choice of opting out of the "service" ?

It's an attitude thing. Marketing types have forgotten that we purchase things to fill our needs, not theirs.

Like I said in the topic to this thread, this attitude is one of the fastest ways that any company can piss me, the customer, off.

 

[hulk311]

That system would more useful if it was reversed, so the customer can send a message to the maker whenever he/she wants.... I would sign up for that!

I agree on that, I think it would be more helpful that way.