How’d the car dealer figure out it was I who stopped by?

hank

Yesterday I drove to the dealership I’d bought my Honda Accord from 6 years ago - about 20 miles from home. Parked a half block away. Walked in and told a couple guys out on the sales floor I’d like to look at any of the three 23/24 Ridgeline pickups displayed on their website as “current inventory”. No intent to buy. Just wanted to take a look. The salesmen explained they didn’t really have any Ridgelines on their lot. “Current inventory” (on their website) only indicates the vehicle is “on a train somewhere” headed their way.

Now - since I’d never previously met either, and since I didn’t give them my name or other identifying information, and since I’d parked out of sight and hadn’t been in their adjacent “service center” for over a year … How in hell did they figure out my identity enough to email me a “special offer” on a new Ridgeline pickup today?

I can only speculate my Honda Accord must be equipped with some type of GPS “always on” tracking so they knew I had parked nearby - or else they have some kind of voice or facial recognition hardware at the dealership and could identify me by voice or facial imaging from service appointments over a year ago.. One might first think I haven’t “covered my tracks” enough after looking at their “inventory” online. However, I’ve been watching for over a year and am careful not to leave footprints. Never before received such a specific offer. It’s highly unlikely online searches played a part.

Edit - I should have added that the dealer has my email both from the car purchase transaction in 2018 and my contact with their service dept. Still trying to figure out how they connected my “anonymous” 2-3 minute minute appearance on the showroom floor to my identity & email. Nuts.

Crash

Yes, I'd be angry. I have no answers, though.

hank

Crash said:

Yes, I'd be angry. I have no answers, though.

Not angry. Just curious. Geez - With AI the thought of using facial rec. or voice patterns to identify one would seem easy to accomplish. Maybe “voice” based on past recorded calls to their service department? The first guy did send me over to the office of another salesman who “knows more about it.” Voice is especially suspect, as I was told 25 years or more ago mutual fund houses were using it to identify callers. In fact, Fido allows you to confirm your identity when calling based solely on your voice ID.

Car dealers used to have a bad reputation. Modern day political figures have made them look much better by comparison. Good news is that I was honest when I told the guy I only wanted to take a look and would not consider a purchase for at least 3 months.

The next closest Honda dealership is 2-3 hours farther away - but from their online website they appear to have better pricing.

Derf

@hank : " Car dealers used to have a bad reputation." They still have ,my opinion.
Gal pal went to pick up new vehicle & when she went for test drive I happen to take a peek at billing left on desk. Dealer applied pricing, Nitrogen $495 !! Probably $70 to $130. Other add on total around $2500 to $3000
Told the gopher to check with his boss. Gal pal ask me what to do & I told her to get in her SUV & drive away if she couldn't make a deal. I had to leave for luncheon with retirees. Later I found all the dealer applied goodies disappeared , but they had sold her a warranty for ten years or 100k miles ! Non transferable. New vehicle came with 5 year 50k mile warranty on drive-train & 3 year 30k bumper to bumper .

In August I purchased a new vehicle & the dealer add on showed about the same. $2500.
After returning from test drive we sat at his desk & he dropped the price $1K. After another $1K drop in price I said okay.
$$$ for outside treatment to extend paint , inside for seat protection from stains,nitrogen for tires, $$ for Federal papers to be filled out. All BS I told him add on were worth a dime on the dollar.
Then before leaving dealer I had to hear their sales pitch for a warranty.
Have a nice day , Derf

Old_Joe

The way that things seem to be heading over at Boeing they may need to hire a lot of those car salesmen. Lessee now, maybe something like this ...

• "Door Plugs: Included- No Additional Charge"

• "Door Plugs, Inspected and Guaranteed to have All Required Fastening Hardware: Optional- $50,000."

hank

Yeah @Derf - I love the Accord Hybrid. First foreign vehicle I ever owned. Top quality. I started taking it to the Honda dealer for regular maintenance. But after a few years I realized they were padding the bill with unnecessary “needed” work. New brakes at 20,000 miles. A wheel alignment based on a lasar beam pointed at the wheels as the car rolled into the service bay. I balked when they wanted to replace the tranny fluid at under 30,000 miles. According to the manual it’s good for 100,000 miles - unless the vehicle is operated under “severe conditions”. For past couple years I’ve had the locally owned neighborhood shop do all the work.

Boeing’s repair shop don’t sound too great either!

BenWP

@hank: we have two Hondas, recent enough to be equipped with HondaLink and a way to call for roadside service. I suspect the dealership knew your Accord was nearby, even though you tried to arrive incognito. The only thing that has sidelined our several Hondas over nearly 25 years has been tire problems, not requiring an assistance call. Hope I have not just jinxed myself…

hank

Thanks @BenWP. I hope that’s the case. I’m not aware of having HondaLink. But the gear might be aboard. Hope you’re more satisfied with the dealer service than I am.

Derf

@BenWP : Just a suggestion. If tire wear is the problem , go to a shop that specialize in alignment. Many years back I had problem with tire wear on my Ford truck. I was told it was with in specs at dealership. With that I took it to alignment specialist & problem was solved.

BenWP

@Derf: I meant a couple of puncture flats have been the only times our Hondas ever went out of commission. I changed the tires myself, even though my back protested. Tire wear has been great. Right now, with a steep driveway and MI weather, I have found the Michelin CrossTreks to have great traction.