When is a SCAM not quite a scam?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205316)
Walnut Creek, California
March 17, 2018 12:55pm CST
I recently received a "letter" from the dealership where I bought my 2008 Nissan Xterra automobile almost 10 years ago.
The letter is actually an ostensible email from the General Sales Manager to a sales guy, saying that my vehicle (a dark grey Nissan Xterra 4x4 with a stick shift, in reality) is one of those "high demand vehicles we discussed in our meeting."
The General Sales Manager would be willing to pay me "top dollar on a trade for a new vehicle!"
Attached is a sticky note from the sales guy, asking me if I'm interested.
Of course, this contrived communication is designed to make me think my vehicle is "special," and that I'll get "more than usual" if I trade it in on a new car.
It's not really a scam, as I could call the dealership, trade in my Xterra, and buy a new one. But the "fake email" method of trying to lure me in is kind of insulting, and makes me LESS inclined to do business with that dealership.
Have you received similar "you're special" snail mail or email offerings?
18 people like this
17 responses
@thislittlepennyearns (58113)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
17 Mar 18
@TheHorse you're supposed to say short bus special. And that's a very American thing I think.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
17 Mar 18
I don't drive. I wish I'd get a letter offering to trade my old set of feet for a new one!
:-)
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
17 Mar 18
goes to show how there are always people some that live up to the slurs about salesmen. i no longer drive and still get e-mails similar and no longer even have a car
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
17 Mar 18
@TheHorse yes i get it. i get e-mails for meeting sexy women from other countries and male enhancement etc. too. they obviously don't even check their genders.
yes i get it. i get e-mails for meeting sexy women from other countries and male enhancement etc. too. they obviously don't even check their genders.1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205316)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Mar 18
@bunnybon7 Well, if you got some significant male enhancement, I'm sure there'd be new job possibilities for you. Especially since they're banning elephants from circuses, and bearded ladies are fashionable and no longer "freakish."
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
19 Mar 18
Nope! I give out my information in the real world much less than I do online and even online I give fake email addresses, when I can get away with it. Pretty does the same.
You know, I really should find out if anyone uses the email addresses I fake into different things, and apologize for all the spam they receive because of me! 
In actuality, my spam filter is very good! Anything that I agree is spam is blocked from sending me anything else...
In my snail mail, if I didn't order it or ask for it to be sent to me, I don't even open it. It goes straight into the recyclables.
In actuality, my spam filter is very good! Anything that I agree is spam is blocked from sending me anything else...
In my snail mail, if I didn't order it or ask for it to be sent to me, I don't even open it. It goes straight into the recyclables.1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205316)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Mar 18
@DaddyEvil Well, sometimes it's just a prelude to a symphony. But for the most case, yes.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
17 Mar 18
Yes I have gotten these exact letters.In a way its a scam but not as you said, more a manipulation and you would not believe the people that fall for that!
I feel this way about my rides, they run and I can get to where I am going, I will keep it. If I want a new car I will buy one and keep the old one.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205316)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Mar 18
@andriaperry If it works, it's a good thing to have.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Mar 18
@TheHorse I am giving my sister a car this coming week, a 95 Subaru Legacy that my dad gave me years ago.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169664)
• United States
18 Mar 18
I am sure I have from time to time, but none spring readily to mind. A more straighforward communication is usually appreciated though.
1 person likes this
@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
18 Mar 18
yes these kind of persuasion never gets what they want in the end.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
18 Mar 18
Oh yes I have and they never work on me.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
17 Mar 18
Amen, but is really how they teach it. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
Yup, I had gotten one about my 2000 Saturn a few years ago; saying it was worth quite a bit. Well considering over all these years, I only had 1 minor mechanical incident, you can bet your sweet bippy that I ain't trading it in for a car which will probably be in the shop monthly for mechanical problems @TheHorse .
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73241)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Mar 18
No, I haven't. Guess anyone would want to try to get more business. You should have the final say.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
17 Mar 18
Yes I do. Each time we buy a new vehicle within a year we start getting calls and mail asking to sell it for top dollar. We always ignore them.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Apr 18
No, but I haven't purchased a vehicle from an actual dealership since the 80's.
