Tweet Not your typical day at V&R HQ. Photo by Randy Stern If you are looking for a comparison of some of the vehicles reviewed here – it would probably not be considered fair. Since 2010, I had the chance to drive almost every mid-sized family sedan available right now. Despite the few that have …
TweetThere is one disadvantage in being an automotive writer. I get it. I am supposed to be the all-knowing person inside the automotive industry. I am supposed to know every damn product sold in North America. That is until you realize there are a few dozen brands selling in about a dozen market segments and …
Tweet Photo by Randy Stern Your Turn is back! And, we have a guest writer with an interest in classic and antique vehicles – Cody Belliveau. He came to V&R via one of our readers, who figured he get a shot here. From his bio, Cody "studied auto mechanics and later pursued a degree in …
Tweet Victory & Reseda proudly supports the Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League and the Twin Cities Bears – one of 153 teams competing in the 2012 Gay Softball World Series. Welcome to the Twin Cities, softballers! All photos by Randy Stern When you have 153 teams from across North America, totaling about several thousand participants, …
What is the worst thing we have to endure?
Would it be a visit to the dentist? Dealing with family members that you have little-to-no patience with? What about the after affects of a break-up with a bad ex? Bullying?
A lot of people will tell you that purchasing a new vehicle is right up there.
Does it have to be a bad experience whenever there’s tens of thousands of dollars on the line? Whenever I visit a dealer, I try to find a vibe there. Would I be able to have a conversation with a salesperson? Would this salesperson know everything about the products he or she sells? Is there respect for the entire buying experience – or, will the sales manager and the salesperson gang up on you to get the vehicle sold today?
Having worked as a salesperson at a Toyota dealer in the Pacific Northwest briefly in the mid-1990s, I understand how the process works. I may not like it, but it is what we have now. There are variations on the theme – some good, some dubious. Social media also helped in changing the perception of the automobile retailer, where some engage from everything from sales to service to being a good citizen in the community and beyond.
Lately, my social media channels have been augmented by automobile retailers near and far. I studied their engagements to see where they are going with linking the retailer with the customer. It also reflects back to the dealership itself as reputations also resonate with the transaction or service appointment. Ultimately, a customer will say something whether good or bad – giving the dealership a chance to return the engagement either to remedy the issue or add layers towards a positive long-term relationship.
Has social media changed our perception of automobile retailers? You may be surprised by how much it has.
If you use your mobile device while driving, there's some bad news for you…you're busted.
The reason for this warning has been a step-up of enforcement on the use of mobile devices – from regular cell phones to the latest smart phone devices – aimed against the elimination of distracted driving. Currently, this is the biggest campaign towards creating a safer environment on the roads.
Some might say that our public safety agencies have better things to do. In essence, they do – ensuring a safe environment for all drivers. As much as some of us would rather not deal with state, county and municipal when we're out and about, their job is to protect us from other motorists who could care less about the law.
Tweet Photo by Matthew Stern Car ownership can be a blessing and/or a curse. It can be rewarding while taxing your wallet and your patience. In this edition of "Your Turn," Orange County, California-based author, blogger…and my brother…Matthew Stern gives you his take on the real value of automobile ownership. As a Victory & Reseda …
Tweet Where do you put your hands on the steering wheel? Photo by Randy Stern Um, what's with those thumbs on the steering wheel of the photo on the top of your page? You may have noticed in the masthead photo of my hands-on-steering wheel placement. I've noticed this on a few photos. It disturbs …
Tweet All photos by Randy Stern There was once a time when luxury came in large packages. When we wanted luxury, we often went for the most ostentatious item on the showroom floor. Normally, that would mean something that dwarfed anything even remotely close to its scale. Cadillacs had fins that told the world "you …
TweetPhoto courtesy of Mercedes-Benz USA A journey by automobile can be a great adventure – in different ways. As much as we love the open road, we often find ourselves in moments when our body is telling us something different. We think we have the strength of a superhuman when covering hours of drive time …