Comments on: Out of Touch – Subaru don't ever do this again!!! http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/ The 2009 WRX 265 experience from WRX 265 owner. Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:23:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: denrusso http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-402 denrusso Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:10:19 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-402 I understand your feelings, believe me - I work in Market Research for a financial institution. The truth is, my company provides financial services and Subaru makes cars. I (and Subaru) hire such organizations to conduct these surveys on our behalf as we simply do not have the resources to do it ourselves. They did NOT sell your information as, quite frankly, it's illegal to do so, unless Martiz is a subsidiary of Subaru (it isn't). In fact, Subaru is paying them to conduct this survey (and it's a good amount)! Now generally speaking, it is a good idea to send an advance letter out to inform candidates they would be receiving the survey and to encourage them to complete it and mail it back. Something like this will increase response as it can legitimize the survey (I do this whenever the budget allows and it is a tremendous help). Were there any open-ended questions on the questionnaire? If so, that's your ticket to express everything you don't like about the product. Believe me - they are reading these and they do listen! Some companies are hiring research firms to read blogs to get a sense of what the online community is talking about with respect to a given product. Truth is though that this type of research is new and not exactly accurate. Bottom line, complete the survey, tell Subaru how you feel about the car and hopefully, with enough responses, changes will be made in time for when you trade you '09 in for '14!! Enjoy the ride! dr I understand your feelings, believe me – I work in Market Research for a financial institution. The truth is, my company provides financial services and Subaru makes cars. I (and Subaru) hire such organizations to conduct these surveys on our behalf as we simply do not have the resources to do it ourselves. They did NOT sell your information as, quite frankly, it’s illegal to do so, unless Martiz is a subsidiary of Subaru (it isn’t). In fact, Subaru is paying them to conduct this survey (and it’s a good amount)! Now generally speaking, it is a good idea to send an advance letter out to inform candidates they would be receiving the survey and to encourage them to complete it and mail it back. Something like this will increase response as it can legitimize the survey (I do this whenever the budget allows and it is a tremendous help).

Were there any open-ended questions on the questionnaire? If so, that’s your ticket to express everything you don’t like about the product. Believe me – they are reading these and they do listen!

Some companies are hiring research firms to read blogs to get a sense of what the online community is talking about with respect to a given product. Truth is though that this type of research is new and not exactly accurate.

Bottom line, complete the survey, tell Subaru how you feel about the car and hopefully, with enough responses, changes will be made in time for when you trade you ’09 in for ’14!!

Enjoy the ride!

dr

]]> By: Samer Forzley http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-401 Samer Forzley Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:29:17 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-401 Hi dr Thanks for reading the blog and leaving the comment. I really appreciate it, even though I totally disagree. I never dealt with Martiz, its an organization I do not know and one that I did not give my personal information, Subaru did and the unfortunate part is the survey is mostly unrelated to the car or the purchase. I should actually end every blog post with Subaru are you listening, not because I want them to read my blog, but because they absolutely should read my blog, and not because of my posts, but because of the many comments left by folks who come to this blog and engage about this car. Hi dr

Thanks for reading the blog and leaving the comment. I really appreciate it, even though I totally disagree.

I never dealt with Martiz, its an organization I do not know and one that I did not give my personal information, Subaru did and the unfortunate part is the survey is mostly unrelated to the car or the purchase.

I should actually end every blog post with Subaru are you listening, not because I want them to read my blog, but because they absolutely should read my blog, and not because of my posts, but because of the many comments left by folks who come to this blog and engage about this car.

]]> By: denrusso http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-400 denrusso Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:01:18 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-400 This is standard market research. No one sold your info, they're actually reaching out to you asking for your feedback. I read your 1 and 2 week reviews and you had some complaints all of which were followed with 'Subaru, are you listening?' Well they are through this survey. Sorry they're not going to read your blog but they will read the survey you complete. Complete it and mail it back and everyone benefits... dr This is standard market research. No one sold your info, they’re actually reaching out to you asking for your feedback. I read your 1 and 2 week reviews and you had some complaints all of which were followed with ‘Subaru, are you listening?’ Well they are through this survey. Sorry they’re not going to read your blog but they will read the survey you complete.

Complete it and mail it back and everyone benefits…

dr

]]> By: JD http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-399 JD Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:17:01 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-399 I bought a new Subaru a couple of years ago but never received the Maritz survey. I just got one today, though (with the cheesy two dollar cheque) after purchasing a new Ford Pickup. You're right that it's ridiculously long. I started to fill it out, then realized: wait a second! Half an hour of my time is not worth $2. I bill at $60 minimum, so a cheque for $30 would just about start to cover it. Screw it. I binned the whole thing. I bought a new Subaru a couple of years ago but never received the Maritz survey. I just got one today, though (with the cheesy two dollar cheque) after purchasing a new Ford Pickup. You’re right that it’s ridiculously long. I started to fill it out, then realized: wait a second! Half an hour of my time is not worth $2. I bill at $60 minimum, so a cheque for $30 would just about start to cover it.
Screw it. I binned the whole thing.

]]> By: JT http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-195 JT Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:58:13 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-195 I am not sure about Maritz, but I agree with Alex. SOA and SOC make cars. That is their business, not market research. They subcontract that out to companies like Marits which specialize in market research. The 2 dollars. Yes it is common practice for a true survey to offer a reward for your participation. A guilt offer if you will. I wouldn't take offence. I'd fill out the survey and cash the check. If magazines and junk mail show up from SOA /SOC selling your info, then I would become a little peeved. I am not sure about Maritz, but I agree with Alex.
SOA and SOC make cars. That is their business, not market research. They subcontract that out to companies like Marits which specialize in market research. The 2 dollars. Yes it is common practice for a true survey to offer a reward for your participation. A guilt offer if you will.

I wouldn’t take offence. I’d fill out the survey and cash the check. If magazines and junk mail show up from SOA /SOC selling your info, then I would become a little peeved.

]]> By: Carole http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-194 Carole Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:41:15 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-194 Interesting...I was planning on filling out the Maritz survey, but after reading the comments, I have decided not. Yes I got a check for $2, having trouble finding the proper place to fill in the survey, and I have a new Toyota. So, who is giving out the info? I think the companies of the vehicles... Not impressed. Interesting…I was planning on filling out the Maritz survey, but after reading the comments, I have decided not. Yes I got a check for $2, having trouble finding the proper place to fill in the survey, and I have a new Toyota. So, who is giving out the info? I think the companies of the vehicles… Not impressed.

]]> By: Alex http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-193 Alex Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:52:48 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-193 I am a market researcher and will contribute a few thoughts (which you can take or leave). The $2 check you received was based on the concept of reciprocity... basically they want you to complete the survey and feel by giving you some money they think that you will think you "owe them something" (i.e. completing the survey). They send a check because they know not everyone will cash it. I doubt Subaru "sold" your data, but rather paid a hefty amount to get your opinion about their cars so they could make them better (I'm guessing with incentive this cost Subaru in the hundreds of thousands of dollars...). CAVEAT: You need a password to take the survey and without seeing the questions it is hard for me to analyze the ulterior motive. And the comment about J.D. Powers... They are biased research at its best. I believe you have to PAY J.D. in order to claim you were the winner of their surveys. If you don't pay them, they move on to 2nd place (and will disqualify your first place finish, awarding the 2nd place finisher a 1st place price if THEY pay J.D.). It seems all too shady to me. I am a market researcher and will contribute a few thoughts (which you can take or leave). The $2 check you received was based on the concept of reciprocity… basically they want you to complete the survey and feel by giving you some money they think that you will think you “owe them something” (i.e. completing the survey). They send a check because they know not everyone will cash it. I doubt Subaru “sold” your data, but rather paid a hefty amount to get your opinion about their cars so they could make them better (I’m guessing with incentive this cost Subaru in the hundreds of thousands of dollars…).

CAVEAT: You need a password to take the survey and without seeing the questions it is hard for me to analyze the ulterior motive.

And the comment about J.D. Powers… They are biased research at its best. I believe you have to PAY J.D. in order to claim you were the winner of their surveys. If you don’t pay them, they move on to 2nd place (and will disqualify your first place finish, awarding the 2nd place finisher a 1st place price if THEY pay J.D.). It seems all too shady to me.

]]> By: duane http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-192 duane Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:22:05 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-192 I have been getting these surveys too. Mine is coming from J.D. Powers which is an American company that gives car reviews. They sent me two of which I threw in the garbage. I got one the other day that had a dollar in it. I kept the dollar and trew out the survey. I agree with you 100%. I don't want to be bothered with some survey. I'm not sure where they got my information at from the dealer or Subaru. I haven't had any problems with my WRX yet. I have been getting these surveys too. Mine is coming from J.D. Powers which is an American company that gives car reviews. They sent me two of which I threw in the garbage. I got one the other day that had a dollar in it. I kept the dollar and trew out the survey. I agree with you 100%. I don’t want to be bothered with some survey. I’m not sure where they got my information at from the dealer or Subaru. I haven’t had any problems with my WRX yet.

]]> By: Gollum http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-191 Gollum Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:21:45 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-191 *** Subaru are not*** sorry for the error... *** Subaru are not*** sorry for the error…

]]> By: Gollum http://www.wrx265.com/2009/03/09/out-of-touch-subaru-dont-ever-do-this-again/comment-page-1/#comment-190 Gollum Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:20:24 +0000 http://wrx265.com/?p=144#comment-190 Subaru have are not perfect, like any other car maker, but in this case I think that the problem is your dealer, not subaru. You see I did purchase a WRX265 in montreal and I never got that survey thing. So I dont think that SOC is selling your personal info but I may be wrong because I dont think I own my car for as long as you do. If I ever recive that survey thing I will keep you informed. In the meanwhile, enjoy that great car :) Subaru have are not perfect, like any other car maker, but in this case I think that the problem is your dealer, not subaru. You see I did purchase a WRX265 in montreal and I never got that survey thing. So I dont think that SOC is selling your personal info but I may be wrong because I dont think I own my car for as long as you do. If I ever recive that survey thing I will keep you informed.

In the meanwhile, enjoy that great car :)

]]>