Smart marketing move by Audi

kent11202 · 12-06-2018, 10:29 AM

Got an email yesterday and have to say I'm impressed.

Air where we live was absolutely horrible for several days - likely exacerbated by our particular altitude.

Quote:

We at Audi [location] recognize that due to the heavy smoke caused by the wildfires in our area, most vehicles will need replacement of air filters and cabin filters. We want to help our affected customers by offering a Complimentary Engine Air Filter and Cabin Air Filter, along with a 25 Point Multi-Point Inspection.

**In order to claim this complimentary service, you must schedule an appointment. See below for details.

Flacht3 · 12-06-2018, 11:01 AM

Nice touch actually.

I'm also in the Bay Area and got a similar marketing email from BMW San Francisco...offering me 20% off new filters. All the email said was "Breathe easy - save 20% on BMW Microfilters:

IMO it rubbed me the wrong way and felt like they were trying to take advantage of the situation. Audi's sounds much more sincere and like they're actually trying to help.

kent11202 · 12-06-2018, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_DM

Nice touch actually.

I'm also in the Bay Area and got a similar marketing email from BMW San Francisco...offering me 20% off new filters. All the email said was "Breathe easy - save 20% on BMW Microfilters:

IMO it rubbed me the wrong way and felt like they were trying to take advantage of the situation. Audi's sounds much more sincere and like they're actually trying to help.

That offer would have rubbed me the wrong way as well and for the same reason. Audi is playing it VERY smart by offering the fix at NO cost. I'm sure they hope it leads to additional service requests (or sales) at some point down the road and won't push anything - relying instead on customers having a warm fuzzy "family" feeling they won't soon forget and that will lead to future business.

PshhhhhMW · 12-06-2018, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kent11202

That offer would have rubbed me the wrong way as well and for the same reason. Audi is playing it VERY smart by offering the fix at NO cost. I'm sure they hope it leads to additional service requests (or sales) at some point down the road and won't push anything - relying instead on customers having a warm fuzzy "family" feeling they won't soon forget and that will lead to future business.

Over analyze much?

c1pher · 12-06-2018, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_DM

Nice touch actually.

I'm also in the Bay Area and got a similar marketing email from BMW San Francisco...offering me 20% off new filters. All the email said was "Breathe easy - save 20% on BMW Microfilters:

IMO it rubbed me the wrong way and felt like they were trying to take advantage of the situation. Audi's sounds much more sincere and like they're actually trying to help.

Don't forget the diesel scandal......they are really concerned about the quality air you breathe.....right.

kent11202 · 12-06-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PshhhhhMW

Over analyze much?

Just a lifetime of experience dealing with humanoids on a personal level and it taught me they're actually pretty predictable overall.

kent11202 · 12-06-2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Don't forget the diesel scandal......they are really concerned about the quality air you breathe.....right.

Haven't forgotten. This offer likely falls into the "journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" process. They have to do something(s) in an effort to restore their image - just a thought.

IanMan · 12-06-2018, 02:30 PM

Complimentary Air Filters....

So we can ensure we diagnose 47 other things wrong with your car and pressure you into having us fix it.

thasuperdude · 12-06-2018, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kent11202

... along with a 25 Point Multi-Point Inspection.

Take it from someone who works in advertising, this is totally to get you in the service door so they can find 25 other things "wrong" with your car. You will be hard sold to fix shit you didn't know were issues.

Dog Face Pony Soldier · 12-07-2018, 06:35 PM

Someone in service sales deserves kudos for thinking this up.

SteveinArizona · 12-08-2018, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kent11202

Haven't forgotten. This offer likely falls into the "journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" process. They have to do something(s) in an effort to restore their image - just a thought.

Holding senior executives accountable instead of blaming middle managers would be a much bigger step IMHO.

TomHudson · 12-08-2018, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_DM

Nice touch actually.

I'm also in the Bay Area and got a similar marketing email from BMW San Francisco...offering me 20% off new filters. All the email said was "Breathe easy - save 20% on BMW Microfilters:

IMO it rubbed me the wrong way and felt like they were trying to take advantage of the situation. Audi's sounds much more sincere and like they're actually trying to help.

20% off is ridiculous.

BMW dealers are losing out on the customer service to the competition

Darth One · 12-08-2018, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomHudson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_DM

Nice touch actually.

I'm also in the Bay Area and got a similar marketing email from BMW San Francisco...offering me 20% off new filters. All the email said was "Breathe easy - save 20% on BMW Microfilters:

IMO it rubbed me the wrong way and felt like they were trying to take advantage of the situation. Audi's sounds much more sincere and like they're actually trying to help.

20% off is ridiculous.

BMW dealers are losing out on the customer service to the competition

Agreed. Those things cost literally pennies. Yeah, there's also the labor to install them, but this is not an expensive program. Plus I'm betting the full retail value of the "donation" gets claimed as a tax credit

allinon72 · 12-08-2018, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_DM

Nice touch actually.

I'm also in the Bay Area and got a similar marketing email from BMW San Francisco...offering me 20% off new filters. All the email said was "Breathe easy - save 20% on BMW Microfilters:

IMO it rubbed me the wrong way and felt like they were trying to take advantage of the situation. Audi's sounds much more sincere and like they're actually trying to help.

That is so classic BMW

Can you say TONE DEAF.

tranquility · 12-08-2018, 10:32 PM

Hey, obviously it's not totally altruistic but if you're no pushover, you get some free filters.

BMW obviously doesn't even care about these little 'nice' acts, I'm still smarting from the fuel injector nonsense. They just don't care about customer retention.

JudyEdwards · 12-09-2018, 06:59 AM

that's very nice of them, I'm very suprised

yco · 12-09-2018, 01:41 PM

its nice move though that "25 Point Multi-Point Inspection" can mean they can make some profit by finding something faulty.. but its better stick with the idea of good intentions in this mail..

positiveions · 12-09-2018, 09:17 PM

Good gesture from Audi.

allinon72 · 12-10-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yco

its nice move though that "25 Point Multi-Point Inspection" can mean they can make some profit by finding something faulty.. but its better stick with the idea of good intentions in this mail..

Both are true, that's why this is good PR. BMW should take note.

12-06-2018, 11:01 AM	#2
Flacht3 Not Enough Garage Space 1138 Rep 721 Posts Drives: STO /765LTS/ Macan Join Date: May 2016 Location: Yay Area iTrader: (0)	Nice touch actually. I'm also in the Bay Area and got a similar marketing email from BMW San Francisco...offering me 20% off new filters. All the email said was "Breathe easy - save 20% on BMW Microfilters: IMO it rubbed me the wrong way and felt like they were trying to take advantage of the situation. Audi's sounds much more sincere and like they're actually trying to help. __________________
	Appreciate 4 Ickdeep5726.00 IllSic_Design2125.00 Germanauto9843.50 Grumpy Old Man6467.00 Quote

12-06-2018, 02:30 PM	#8
IanMan First Lieutenant 390 Rep 369 Posts Drives: Alpine White M3 Sedan Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Complimentary Air Filters.... So we can ensure we diagnose 47 other things wrong with your car and pressure you into having us fix it. __________________ 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2008 BMW M3 Sedan
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12-07-2018, 06:35 PM	#10
Dog Face Pony Soldier 2006 TIME Person Of The Year 9705 Rep 6,445 Posts Drives: M Sport 335i Join Date: May 2013 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 335i [9.74]	Someone in service sales deserves kudos for thinking this up. __________________
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12-08-2018, 10:32 PM	#15
tranquility sportscars only 3473 Rep 3,268 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Hey, obviously it's not totally altruistic but if you're no pushover, you get some free filters. BMW obviously doesn't even care about these little 'nice' acts, I'm still smarting from the fuel injector nonsense. They just don't care about customer retention.
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12-09-2018, 06:59 AM	#16
JudyEdwards New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW 1 Series (E87) Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Kansas City, Missouri iTrader: (0)	that's very nice of them, I'm very suprised
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12-09-2018, 01:41 PM	#17
yco i'm just saying 6021 Rep 2,634 Posts Drives: E71 X6M '10 (sold) Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Istanbul & Kyiv iTrader: (0)	its nice move though that "25 Point Multi-Point Inspection" can mean they can make some profit by finding something faulty.. but its better stick with the idea of good intentions in this mail..
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12-09-2018, 09:17 PM	#18
positiveions Lieutenant General 976 Rep 11,725 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	Good gesture from Audi.
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