laferle

Wow. That borders on absurd but I suppose if you figure that trains move relatively slow (<50 mph in most cases i believe) and that they have to slow down every time they enter an urban area it's understandable.

Not of too dire consequence for me but that sucks if they're holding them back for simultaneous delivery.

91vert

Do they have all of the cars' port installed options done that were staying in Tacoma from the first boat? If so, why the hell are they not loading them on trucks and getting them out of there? Don't they need room on the lot for the news ones that came off of the second boat?

Anybody know what trucking company they use to ship them? Maybe it depends on where the cars are ending up?

3rotor....please get down there and be a pest! :D

Dig for some info......we're all dying here!!

IGOZMZM

3Rotor, how soon would you know that the RX-8's had been trucked out of the ports (that is when they do)?

3Rotor

Sorry to have been silent, but an "incident" involving my contacts has prompted me to quiet. Needless to say, an inquiry direct to Mazda RX8orders on this subject resulted in a chain of phone calls that ended up with the boss of my contact calling them at home. It appears that each time the comment was passed on the content of the message was distorted. I of course feel very bad and I feel that my trust was violated by Mazda and furthermore that a relationship that I value has been tainted. As such, I am letting this rest. I am thankful for the information that fubar has provided. It believe based upon everything that has been pieced together from intelligence that I have gathered, as well as those at other locations around the country, that info is 100% believable.

TO MAZDA: If you guys are truly reading this board here is my comment for you. The Mazda folks down at the Port of Tacoma truly are fantastic. They embraced the inquisitive nature of a true enthusiast without bias. They are just as excited about this car as we are. As for the senior managemant at Mazda, you have a lot to learn. I own an operate a very successful business - yes I make mistakes, but there is one thing I know - Customer Service. The information flow in the pre-order program has simply STUNK! You have taken what should have been a fun process and turned it into a nightmare because of your unwillingness to keep the most important customers you have in the loop. Really, how hard would it have been to provide an explanation as to what the process is - what is the harm in keeping an enthusiast involved in the process? We might actually learn something. I for one have gained a significant amount of respect for the work that our Port Operations folks do. I would have never guessed that they even existed, it is clearly something we all take for granted. For most of us, they are invisible. The cars are produced and them *poof* they are the dealer. As for the individual who started the chain of events as described above, shame on you, you violated my trust and you caused a new friend of mine to be called on the carpet. Mazda, next time, either scrap the pre-order program or do it right, don't do it half *** - it insults the rotary community and brings disgrace to the Mazda name. Just remember - it all started with the Rotary. Never forget your roots!
You know who I am and how to get in touch with me if you wish.

RXhusker

Thanks 3Rotor and ditto on the note to Mazda. It would have been so much easier and less stressful for everyone if Mazda would have just provided better communication to the enthusiast community. Anyone in marketing should know that the "early adopters" must be properly cared for -- they are the ones who will evangelize the product and generate interest from the masses.

I also own my own business and I don't think I would have any customers if I provided customer/sales service and communication in the manner we have seen with this pre-order program.

I hope that your contact and new friend down at the port did not get in too much trouble. If Mazda's brass had been doing their jobs we wouldn't have had to rely on getting info. from the port workers.

I would suggest that if anyone from Mazda is truely reading this forum that they make a genuine appology to the employee and recognize them for their service to the customer (us)!

vix8

I agree. I have worked in customer support before. And while sometimes it is a thankless job, I always found that customers really appreciate being informed, and will accept delays or other setbacks if you just take the time to let them know what is going on and why. They may not always like what you have to tell them, but invariably they are happy that you took the time to give them an update and/or an explanation.

To really **** customers off, just don't respond and/or give them no status. Works every time!

MAZDA: We are your most loyal and enthisiastic customers. It's the best and easiest PR you could ever get if you keep this customer segment happy!