Maritz Research survey

[waxhaw]

Before beginning my rant, let me stipulate that I am more than satisfied (nay, ecstatic) over my 2004 330Ci in every respect, and that my dealer (Hendrick BMW in Charlotte) has been exemplary.

Now, then...

What's the deal with the eight-page survey I received from Maritz Research of Toledo, Ohio? Did BMWNA give them my name and address? Does BMWNA actually expect to receive useful information from Maritz Research as a result of this? Because, let me tell you, I was absolutely offended by many of the questions, and I'd be shocked if any intelligent person would complete and submit the form. Any completed forms Maritz does receive must be strongly biased toward blithering idiots.

In addition to the expected questions about the vehicle itself and the decision-making process, Maritz Research wishes to know whether I leased, financed, or paid cash; they wish to know the amount of my payment if financed; they wish to know my age; they wish to know my race; they wish to know whether I am married, single, or "in a committed relationship/living together"; they wish to know my annual income "including all sources"; and they wish to know my e-mail address and my phone number.

Would any reasonably intelligent person answer such questions?

Hey, Maritz Research (and, by extension, BMWNA), it's NONE OF YOUR GODDAM BUSINESS! I understand the necessity of market research, but please, try to get a clue. Have you learned nothing from the telemarketer controversy? People like their privacy! And if they feel their privacy is being violated, they'll take their business elsewhere.

[BradATL]

I think you bring up some valid concerns. Many folks don't feel comfortable sharing this type of information, and I can fully understand that. However, there are some valid reasons to conduct market research. Market research, if properly done, benefits the marketer as well as the consumer. By gaining a better understanding of its customers, the marketer can more efficiently target prospective customers and can tailor its products to better meet the needs of its current and future customers.

Of course, you always have the option of simply ignoring the form and not sending it back.

[waxhaw]

Market research, if properly done, benefits the marketer as well as the consumer.

Yes, and the key words here are "properly done." Asking invasive questions is counterproductive.

Of course, you always have the option of simply ignoring the form and not sending it back.

Which is exactly what I did. I was tempted to fill out bogus answers (age, 97; other vehicles considered, Bentley Turbo and a used Kia, and so forth), but I decided that would be childish. Not being a marketing expert, I have no idea what the return rate of such surveys is -- maybe 10%? But I'll bet the return rate on this one will be lower than average, and the accuracy of the information provided less reliable.

I can only assume that BMWNA was behind this. If anyone can demonstrate otherwise, I'll gladly apologize. But if that is in fact the case, they can count me as very annoyed.

[LmtdSlip]

What were the invasive questions?

Could be just your preception of invasivness... :dunno:

[waxhaw]

What were the invasive questions?

Could be just your preception of invasivness... :dunno:

Well, sure, it could be "just me," but I'd bet a tidy sum I'm not the only one who not only declined to answer the questions, but was offended by them. And if that's the case, logic tells me that the completed surveys they do receive will be skewed in the direction of exceedingly stupid (or, at the very least, naive) buyers.

As to what I consider invasive, keep in mind the survey senders, as well as BMWNA, already know my mailing address, and therefore my phone number, as it is listed in the directory, and therefore my name (via any number of "backwards phone books" available on the net). If I supply them my annual income; information as to whether I paid cash, leased, or financed, and if either of the latter two, what my payments are; and my marital status (one of the options was "in a committed relationship/living together"), I'll be building up quite a file for them. A file they could sell to other marketing outfits. Not to mention a file that could be accessed, under some circumstances, by the IRS (paranoid, you say? OK, but better that than naive).

There is NO reason to provide PRIVATE information to BMWNA. And I am p!ssed off that they evidently believe I'm stupid enough to do so.

[Clarke]

Don't discount the possibility that it was your states DMV, insurance company,bank,etc that hooked them up to you.You will get extended warranty offers and such as well.in many ways I would put BMWNA fairly far down the list of suspects. As to the survey itself answer only what you want or not at all. Congrats on the car! enjoy!

[LmtdSlip]

Again, we have no idea of what you mean by "invasive questions". :dunno:

[waxhaw]

Again, we have now idea of what you mean by "invasive questions". :dunno:

"Now" idea?

Honestly, I don't know how I could have been clearer. Invasive questions included, but were not limited to, my financing data, my income, my phone number, my e-mail address, and not least, my living arrangements (whether or not I'm in a "committed rlationship/living together").

[LmtdSlip]

"Now" idea?

Honestly, I don't know how I could have been clearer. Invasive questions included, but were not limited to, my financing data, my income, my phone number, my e-mail address, and not least, my living arrangements (whether or not I'm in a "committed rlationship/living together").

Thanks for catching my typo.

Those are pretty standard demographic questions that are asked on surveys at this level of the customer relationship. It is of course your option whether or not to answer the questions. However, most of this "invasive" information could be gleaned from other sources without your knowledge or extrapolated from databases like Axciom.

Very little of your "personal" information is actually private or legally protected anymore. :mad:

[jw]

I just got an invitation to take part in a Maritz Research project studying purchasing and service experiences at the dealership level and from the customer perspective. It's a round table discussion next month and they're giving an "honorarium" of $100 paid to each qualifying participant. WTF is this all about??