Well once again we are back to "the rest of the story" as Paul Harvey says, the complete truth. It is as salesman know, when their head is nodding in agreement CLOSE! Never say more then you have to and avoid when necessary. So here it goes as to my opinion of a Five Star rating. To me and based on experiences, it means nothing, nada, zero in real terms. It is a measure that we can at least look at but it is not a complete measure. Yes, just like the statistics the government gives us. It tells a story, but what story? Yes the story they want us to accept. In my opinion just a marketing ploy to in influence you into using their service or product. Ok, here we go again, I have to spell it out. Yes like the cattle [bovine] walking up the ramp at the slaughter house, just follow the rear in front.
Now I suspect we have all heard of that 5 star hotel rating and we got there and checked in it just wasn't up to snuff. How about that 5 star car dealer who provides repair and maintenance and then there is the ever popular five star crash rating.
Yes it is that which is supposed to entice you as I said into making that decision to use them or buy. Yes like the ever so small fine porint in a car add, let the buyer beware. Now why is that necessary when so many profess?
So lets start with the hotels. A famous named hotel chain was selected on recent trip north. The pictures on the web looked great [probably taken when it was just built] the ratings were 5 star, who gave them who knows and when, another matter. Yes in the end we left after spending about 1 hour finding out the five stars was evidently not that location. Need I go into what we found. Let me just say we opened the door only to find people in the bed. Yes don't believe it, a simple error they said. We won't go into other examples we experienced. So check out just how old that rating is and who gave it before you book. False advertising, please give me a break, read the fine print as they say.
Now lets go to auto repairs. Ok when you find one that lives up to their rating please let me know. Perhaps oil and tire changes but that sign saying certified whatever, in my opinion is useless. Rhetorically did they sit in a class for a week and were handed a piece of paper? Now certainly not all but hey many. Once again where the tire meets the road, you shall know them by their works. What they do or didn't do. Rhetorically one might suppose it means one can wonder hither and dither taking their time, getting another cup of coffee and extending the repair time. As for fixing any problems, well I'll give you this advice, in my opinion make a reservation for the return trip before leaving because you will need it for that new problem that never existed until after you brought your car in for service. Call the manufacturer you say? Ok send me what you are taking I need a real trip. Oh, and by the way, if you happen to be buying a car, check on the drivers door where it was made. If it says made in Mexico, leave it. No just fact and another opinion based on hard experience.
Now these dealers do sell cars as well. The term dealer I question these days. It is more take it or leave it for average types wwhile the haves really do not care as long as they are told they are slick negotiators. Yes "you stole that car" works wonders. So what about those 5 star rated crash tested cars? Well another Paul Harvey here. What they don't tell you is that little gas and fuel efficient 5 star car better not get plowed into by anything larger. They don't explain it is a controlled and limited test. Yes just like tire warranties. Is it good information?. Certainly, but it means nothing in real life. Go back to the tire dealers and see what they tell you. For the most part outside of about 10 vehicles out of the multiple hundreds actually have rear seat or side ratings anywhere near that 5 star. There are a few but not many. You would be shocked at some of those $40,000 sedans that have a one rating or three rating and the haves driving them are totally oblivious to it. Think not then check your out on the NHTSA site.
I will say those $40,00 cars have all the bells and whistles to protect the occupant. The air bags, brakes and other safety features one gets to have because they have. Why, they can afford the safety like everything else. So in reality if you are a have the hell with fuel prices. It really does not impact them. All a write off on the ledger of life. We average Joe types well we get to perhaps buy that sized, if you can ever get financed. You know that they advertise for about $16,000 but actually will cost you about $3000,00 more if you want to add safety and security features. Yes and they fail to tell you that it still won't help if hit by one of those large SUV types or trucks. Yes the simple truth if you do your homework.. Everyone driving around "thinking" differently while the facts and the truth are the truth. Sadly you don't know until you need to know and then it just may be too late?
So don't think Mr and Mrs average America that because they are forcing you into smaller and smaller cars and all the while blaming us for the fuel crisis, [leaving China and the rest of the world out that they helped expand. China a major growing market for BIG SUV's] with supposedly better gas milage, another one you should check into, that the 5 star and milage rating is no more then marketing. It is just the plain and simple law of physics, matter, inertia. Yes and they never dare speak much to profits. Only when they have to.
Now one would think that is one car company could design a car with a 5 star rating others could as well? You would think this is a priority? You would think fuel efficiency is a must these days? Well think again, stop and then think again. Yes and know this, if you decide to go around the block and trade that same car you just purchased in for a different one, they will be happy to give you auction price. Hey aren't they there to help and after all they are that 5 star dealers, aren't they?
Now I would be remiss if I didn't say there are dealers who live up to that rating or even exceed it. But please don't kid yourself into thinking all. Come on down to the West Coast of Florida and I can point out quite a few right here in my local neighborhood. Yes and they even say they are your friendly local dealer. Local maybe by nature of location. The owners far removed in most cases and even if local far removed from the average Joe's.
So how does this all translate into the economy. Well frankly it is a microcosm in my opinion of our society today. We accept mediocrity, do not dare threaten the powers that be, after all, "who do we think we are, don't they know he is a nobody and how big we are? I changed a quote somewhat from a large company who sells so called services.
Well now for all of you who say "thats life and there isn't much you can do about it" you are absolutely right. There is nothing we can or even more importantly, will. Yes, you average working poor Americans think about this as you are closing that deal. Remember that cow walking up the plank and don't forget to Moo one last time.
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright 2008 Robert Melaccio
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