Message To Saturn

[Rustyknight]

Who here believes that the Sky buying experience at Saturn could be improved if Saturn just made a web site available that showed all Sky order numbers in their system and the current event code?

[MidniteBlues]

Sure, but sadly it ain't gonna happen. No manufacturer currently provide this info on any vehicle currently produced that I know of over the net--It is a completely internal system on there part-But yea, great idea but--

[Rustyknight]

You are correct I don't know of any manufacturer that does, but Saturn is supposed to provide the best buying experience to its customers. And this could be something that actually shows that commitment to customer satisfaction they keep talking about.

[Robotech]

Technically those event codes are for THEIR internal business only. Normally they don't share that information with the public and for good reason. Every single minor little issue...which EVERY car maker has...would be scrutinized by the industry press and the public in general leading towards an overall decline in the public's perception of the company.

No, this will never and should never happen. The dealers are you POC and most do a great job of keeping you informed. For the short period of time when I had a Sky on order my dealer asked why I wanted the information. I told them just kind of fun to track where the car is...it let's me see there is progress even when I can see nothing. They were fine with that and had no problem giving me the information. I think they were just shocked that I knew about the information and was requesting it. LOL

[MBVette]

If you have a BMW order number you can track it online all the way through

But honestly I dont see a problem with the current system. The percentage of people who want to know whats going on is very small. So why waste time setting up a new system.

[wt2ga]

Originally Posted by MBVette

If you have a BMW order number you can track it online all the way through

But honestly I dont see a problem with the current system. The percentage of people who want to know whats going on is very small. So why waste time setting up a new system.

........................

Do you think anyone is tracking their Aura....

[Skyflare]

Clearly, tracking your purchase is highly desireable. I think you would have a lot less talk about event codes if Saturn just cleaned up their communications from plant to dealer to customer!

[marlboromike]

This was my worst buying experience of a car. I believe it was the dealership more than anything. The sales people did not want to go the extra mile after taking my order. They wouldn't give me any codes or update me on when my car would be delivered, not even an order number...taking this into consideration and of course understanding that dealerships were unprepared regarding the great success they had on their hands. Nonetheless, my dealership was horrible, yet others had a wonderful experience. In life, u have to be LUCKY

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by wt2ga

........................

Do you think anyone is tracking their Aura....

Yes, I tracked mine Got the papers to prove it!!

[MRSSKY]

Originally Posted by marlboromike

This was my worst buying experience of a car. I believe it was the dealership more than anything. The sales people did not want to go the extra mile after taking my order. They wouldn't give me any codes or update me on when my car would be delivered, not even an order number...taking this into consideration and of course understanding that dealerships were unprepared regarding the great success they had on their hands. Nonetheless, my dealership was horrible, yet others had a wonderful experience. In life, u have to be LUCKY

Mike I agree had the same experience....

[GetAboutRL]

With Fed Ex or UPS .... the system is in place for those customers that want or need to follow it. Those that choose not to ... no problem man!
I have strongly, since April, done rants on this issue. Just knowing my status made the wait more bearable ... and from the list "Deluke" and others kept handling ... it seemed the major agreed with me.



I love my Red Line!

[MBVette]

Originally Posted by GetAboutRL

it seemed the major agreed with me.

you do realize the people on this board are the vast minority of sky owners. And the people here are more interested in tracking that most.

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by GetAboutRL

With Fed Ex or UPS .... the system is in place for those customers that want or need to follow it. Those that choose not to ... no problem man!
I have strongly, since April, done rants on this issue. Just knowing my status made the wait more bearable ... and from the list "Deluke" and others kept handling ... it seemed the major agreed with me.



I love my Red Line!

The cost of putting in a system like that would be so expensive. UPS, FedEx etc - own their own equipment and they can track the trucks, planes etc. GM is in the car building business. Getting car build codes to us would not be too much to expect (sure it would cost -- but not that much, and if everyone who ordered their car from GM was told - Go to www-trackmygmcar.whatever, they'd love it!) But until GM owns the trucks and trains (fat chance there) tracking the shipping that easily is a pipedream.

[GetAboutRL]

Most of us would be happy to just get progress status from dealer to assembly plant to shipping dock. I agree with you that tracking trains, trucks and maybe a boat ... that would be currently hard. But from dealer to plant exit with computers, and product I.D.'s is doable.
Good Page Ranking sets Saturn apart from other makes. Generation 'Y' types are waiting ....

[Rustyknight]

Lots of good replies to this thread, thanks guys


A few people have said those wanting to track their orders are in the minority, my reply would be that the number of people who track their orders from ups and fedx are probably also in the minority but providing the capability is about providing the best possible service to the customer.

As for the argument that it would not be in their best interest to publish this data, just make it so the user gets a password to match their order number and they can just log in and see their status code. That would make the overall performance data invisible, but I might also note overall performance data on the sales and the factory is probably only a few google clicks away for someone who really wants it.

And having a tracking system in place would not just benefit the customer, since it would force the dealers to generate an actual sales order rather then just a slip of paper. And this would give GM and the factory actual demand information, and they could probably also direct cars to the areas with the oldest orders, and this would also improve customer satisfaction.

In alot of ways I can understand GM was not fully prepared or possibly expecting the demand these cars have generated, but everything I have ever heard about the Saturn buying experience prior to trying to buy my first Saturn is taking a big hit. I think the hardest hit is not coming from how GM and Saturn handled the initial sales demand, but from the fact that they have made no effort to improve the buying experience since then, the sales managers and saleman at the Saturn dealerships have not gotten any better at communicating then they were at the start.

Again thanks to everyone for throwing their opinion in.

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by Rustyknight

Lots of good replies to this thread, thanks guys


A few people have said those wanting to track their orders are in the minority, my reply would be that the number of people who track their orders from ups and fedx are probably also in the minority but providing the capability is about providing the best possible service to the customer.

As for the argument that it would not be in their best interest to publish this data, just make it so the user gets a password to match their order number and they can just log in and see their status code. That would make the overall performance data invisible, but I might also note overall performance data on the sales and the factory is probably only a few google clicks away for someone who really wants it.

And having a tracking system in place would not just benefit the customer, since it would force the dealers to generate an actual sales order rather then just a slip of paper. And this would give GM and the factory actual demand information, and they could probably also direct cars to the areas with the oldest orders, and this would also improve customer satisfaction.

In alot of ways I can understand GM was not fully prepared or possibly expecting the demand these cars have generated, but everything I have ever heard about the Saturn buying experience prior to trying to buy my first Saturn is taking a big hit. I think the hardest hit is not coming from how GM and Saturn handled the initial sales demand, but from the fact that they have made no effort to improve the buying experience since then, the sales managers and saleman at the Saturn dealerships have not gotten any better at communicating then they were at the start.

Again thanks to everyone for throwing their opinion in.

When you put the whole 'scenario" the way you just did--- I just cannot help myself but to AGREE with EVERY word posted-- However, I just don't beleive GM OR any other manufacturer is gonna invest the "dollars" required--to install a "tracking" system for the public for something that is really "internal if you will"--I still support the idea tho--but as I stated previously--it just ain't gonna happen--especially on perhaps a "short term issue" the inability to meet demand--

[Rustyknight]

I don't believe that the cost to implement a system would be that great.

I also believe that the customer satisfaction improvement per dollar spent would probably also work out to be relatively in-expensive as compared to other expenditures to improve customer satisfaction.

The over riding reason I believe they should implement such a system or make some visible effort to improve the process though is because at this point in time the apperance to the general public is that GM and Saturn just do not care, and every day that goes by without any visible effort on GM and Saturns part to show they are at least trying to do something usefull, Saturn's hard earned reputation for customer satisfaction is degraded a little more.

[HoldHard]

Originally Posted by Rustyknight

In alot of ways I can understand GM was not fully prepared or possibly expecting the demand these cars have generated....<snip>

Rusty,

I'll have to disagree with you on this little point..... every time GM redesigns the Corvette, the project is cloak and dagger, with chassis, powertrain and even engines all tucked under the "old" bodystyle and driven around the proving grounds in Milford Michigan.

The hype is so thick and it generates "waiting lists" at the big Chevrolet dealerships that have succeeded selling Corvettes. Their allocation is strictly based on previous sales. Believe me, even $1,000.00 would not hold your place in line a year in advance, well before the price is even known when a new Corvette is introduced. Remember, this is a car the has a member-funded museum across the street from the factory in Bowling Green that gives tours to the public. If your a 'Vette fanatic, you just have to make the trip and see for yourself. They even have a RPO (Regular Production Option) code for "Museum Delivery" so you don't have to wait for those silly car-carrier trucks...... but you still pay for the delivery charge on top of the addition Museum Delivery charge....

Corvette..... it's not just a car, it's a cult..... aahhhh, emmm.... make that it's a lifestyle....

Been there, done that, use the t-shirts as car-wash towels.....

HoldHard