Tomas

Todasiracing, please try to remember that this wasn't just a party with free things for "the public" but a product training event for dealership personnel...therfore the higher expectations of the alleged experts actually being able to answer pertinent questions about the two models being introduced.

Glad you had a great time, though!

Tom

toyotatodd

I got the same vibe at the Chicago Auto Show.
The clueless people behind the desk made me happy that scionlife.com exist. Thanks to this forum I know more than the guy who will sell me my car.

It was nice to look at the future in all. I did expect more than warm bodies with there mouths open. I mean they were nice in all. They handed me a brochure and smiled.

No free food though

todasiracing

I appreciate your opinion, and everyone has one. The dealer training you are refering to is effective and like all education, you get out of it what you put in. My observation in San Diego is that the dealers were more interested in driving the vehicle and eating the food, then confirming how many airbags the new Xb has. Maybe that is a reflections of the consultants in that region, but I can't say for sure.

Have you actually attended a Backstage event yet? I would hope your honest answer is yes, as you speak strongly about your experience. Will you be attending any events during their tour? Let me know which one and maybe we can have the opportunity to discuss things further. Oh, and don't forget to ask the xB guru if you can have his owner's manual...j/k

SquallLHeart

^^ i do agree... the actual dealership people that attend the training and their general care for the event does come into play as far as the atmosphere.

i have witnessed that in two different regions at two different backstage events that i have attended.

(and i went both days for both... yea.. i'm crazy...).. if i had the time and money.... i'd follow them around the whole tour... lol.

btw.. those backstage guys know of scionlife... they're probably gonna read this sooner or later...

(and if you're reading... uhm.. HI! )

Tomas

I will be attending two BackStage events, one on 26APR, one on 19JUN in two different cities, todasiracing.

As usual I will report back my experience here as objectively as possible.

As to asking the xB guru for his xB manual, depending on how "busy" he is, I might ask if I may take a quick look through it, but I won't ask that he part with it.

(And yes, some dealers/salesman are much more 'involved' with Scion and the community than are others. I've discussed this with local Scion champions, regional Scion folks, and Scion Corporate just recently. Some are pretty sad representatives.)

Tom

OldYeller

I attended the Backstage event in Orange County and had a great time. I got the impression that the "presenters" were in fact a group that was going on tour for the length of the event. As I stated in an earlier post, I explained the TRD warranty to the guy who was showing all of the performance parts. He was unaware that Toyota warrants the product if they sell and install it and that TRD warrants if it is just sold but not installed. It did seem surprizing to me that he would not know this as he was touting the TRD supercharger, intake , and other TRD performance parts. This did not diminish my experience too much--several trips to the food bar made up for the lack of knowledge. I got to drive the car, see some friends, take home some swag, and eat at the aforementioned buffet. I also got a 72 page manual that answers most questions I would want to know about the nex xB. I say go experience it yourself and keep an open mind.

roXor_boXor

I plan to hit the event in Chicago in a couple weeks. Hopefully the SD event was an anomaly. What someone else said about getting expectations up too much is true too. We'll see how it goes in Chi-town.

The lack of knowledge and interest in their job is sad at some of the dealers. My local dealer knew absolutely nothing about the Backstage events until I brought it up. Two different Scion sales people were completely unaware of the event. So far they have had zero information. I asked about the pricing announcement about 10 days after it came out. They knew nothing. Nada. Sad.

*steps onto soapbox*
That is a dealer management problem btw. Everybody has people at work who do not care. The number who do not care is usually directly proportional to the ability of management to make it a good place for people to work and care about their jobs.
*steps off soap box*

Like others, I appreciate the information found here and the solid "Internet Citizens" like Tomas and others keeping it useful and enjoyable.

In contrast to the dealership types mentioned above, some of the dealer reps who frequent this place deserve some recognition for caring about their job and our interest in it. Obviously it is not a universal attitude.

For example, shorberg makes me want to drive 671 miles to MO to buy a 2008 xB just because he cares.

xCube

enough for twenties but I bet it will have to be 35 series(rubberband-DAMN). I like it more and more. The front is a bit off for me, but it will have to do. I like the size, power, features, and the price. I own a BCP but don't know if i I would want that what yoiu call it color, looks close to the BCP. May go with White.

shorberg

If this job were easy, anyone would do it.

How easy could it be to find a guy like me, who can work a ton of hours, that likes scion, is willing to work on the cheap, and really became an enthusiast by accident because of scion?

don't hate the guys who just do this as a job and not a lifestyle or career bla bla bla.

just be glad that some of us do get it, that some of us do respect and support you, and that you aren't driving another brand where none of your salespeople will do this for you.

<--- invested too much time in scion this year so far . . .

Rich_Manas

Rishio: sorry to hear you didn't enjoy the the show! i know i spoke to you briefly during the show but if i knew you were asking the product specialist questions i would've said, DON"T. a lot of these product specialist who work for corporate don't know much about the vehicles. most of their information comes from the backstage guide they gave us and nothing really from r&d people. that's why when they unveiled the xB and xD to us in chicago i was able to ask the lead engineer questions about mpg, performance, prototype vs production that a specialist at these events cannot answer.

wait until the actual production car comes out and test drive it on an actual freeway and roads and not a 20 second autox course. then make your final judgement what will replace your current car.

Bigfieroman

And what was his answer?

Rich_Manas

most people in the car business are not the same. not all of them are there just because of the money unlike most people in other customer service related business (ie:real estate). some people actually like helping people out. i've been in the car business for 8 years and this is one car guy that actually knows what he's talking about and i'm not the only one. there are plenty of knowledgable people at my dealership when asked a question can answer it. that's why i've always said buying a car is not like buying a cup of coffee at starbucks, there are dealers that sell more than others and there's a reason because they do it way better. when you buy a car always deal with the dealer that sells the most.

when i went to backstage i invited not just my sales staff but my scion service advisor who deal with our customers everyday, my lead technicians that installs all the parts at the dealership, retail and back counter parts who orders the parts for our customers and i sent 1600 e-mails to current scion owners and future scion owners inviting them to the event. again, not all dealers are the same.

Tomas

Sorry, Rich, please don't think I meant that all sales folk (or dealerships) are the same. In my region there are both good and bad.

Tom

rishio

Thanks for the comments Rich. My frustration basically came out of false expectations. I do think Scion Guru is a mislabel for someone who really didn't know even the basics about the car (rear seat reclining.. tilt steering wheel.. avn..etc.). And I didn't ask for his booklet.. I just asked if it was possible to obtain a copy of it somewhere.. I never got another booklet with info. I wish I knew they were handing that out.. Rich, is it still possible to get this booklet?

If anything positive came out of this thread, I just hope it helps people keep their expectations modest and not expect anyone there who knows about the car.

I also hope the pics were enjoyed.. I wanted to take an inch tape for someone who wanted the dimensions of the tailgate opening..but i left my inch tape at home :/

roXor_boXor

Scott,
Reread my previous post. I merely pointed out the lack of knowledge on the part of the local sales guys. The problem in that case is a Scion sales manager not doing his job. If he was even remotely doing his job, all of the sales people would be made aware of things like a significant event like Backstage. When you see a lack of knowledge in one person, that is no big deal. When nobody in the dealership has even heard of the Backstage event happening nearby in 2 weeks, that is a leadership problem.

If I'm "hating" on anybody, it's management. Read Rich's post in this thread. He is clearly on the opposite end of the spectrum from my local Scion Sales manager. If Rich were my local Sales Manager, my sales guy would have been calling/ emailing me instead of me telling him about the event. That was my point earlier. If I failed to get it across effectively, I apologize.

As a manager myself, I recognize the signs when management is failing to inform and motivate their people. My local dealer has a problem so I appreciate the people who work for other Scion dealers here who help everyone with the product.

Hope that was more clear.

Rich_Manas

no offense taken! i'm sorry i had to use you as a quote but its true when attending these events toyota or in this case scion use independent people to conduct the event but i'm not saying all that were there are independent. the people you rode in to test drive the xB those guys are independent and more than likely the m.c. was too.

Rich_Manas

i'm not sure if you already have this booklet but if you don't i have extras at the dealership. call me before you stop by to see if they gave it you during the show. no sense for you to waste gas if you have it at home.

Rich_Manas

when asked that question all he could say they are still conducting tests. epa had a prototype B2 as early as january and has not released their findings as of february.

CBSIMONSEZ

Wow ... all this going back and forth about a Scion Tour for the new box really makes me wonder.

I do know that most sales people are just that, there to make sales. It has been my personal experience that once you sign the dotted line, they could care less. There are those who actually get into the whole thing of what they are selling. I was way deep into the Scion scene when i made my purchase over 3 years ago now. So into the Scion scene i was offered a job selling them! I declined as i cant make up stories or lie to people on the rare occasion when it may happen. For those who are new, be glad there is such a site that you can find out more information about Scion then most sales reps and even some Scion Corp know.

I will be attending the event here on LI NY in late June. Whats the swag they are offering to those who attend?

SquallLHeart

the usual items i've seen so far are a bag full of goodies which include pens, a non-slip mat thingy, cupholder coasters (hmmm.. wierd but cool), another keychain i think uhm.. and an air freshner.. that's all i can remember.