What if People Bought Cars Like They Buy Computers?

Help Line: "General Motors Help Line, how can I help you?"

Customer: "I got in my car and closed the door and nothing happened!"

Help Line: "Did you put the key in the ignition slot and turn it?"

Customer: "What's an ignition?"

Help Line: "It's a starter motor that draws current from your battery and turns over the engine."

Customer: "Ignition? Motor? Battery? Engine? How come I have to know all these technical terms just to use my car?"

Customer: "My car ran fine for a week and now it won't go anywhere."

Help Line: "Is the gas tank empty?"

Customer: "Huh? How do I know?"

Help Line: "There's a little gauge on the front panel with a needle and markings from 'E' to 'F'. Where is the needle pointing?"

Customer: "It's pointing to 'E'. What does that mean?"

Help Line: "It means you have to visit a gasoline vendor and purchase some more gasoline. You can install it yourself or pay the vendor to install it for you."

Customer: "What? I paid $12,000 for this car! Now you tell me that I have to keep buying more components? I want a car that comes with everything built in!"

Customer: Your cars suck!"

Help Line: "What's wrong?"

Customer: "It crashed, that's what's wrong!"

Help Line: "What were you doing?"

Customer: "I wanted to run faster so I pushed the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. It worked for a while and then it crashed and it won't start now."

Help Line: "It's your responsibility if you misuse the product. What do you expect us to do about it?"

Customer: "I want you to send me one of the latest version that doesn't crash any more."

Customer: "Hi, I just bought my first car, and I chose your car because it has automatic transmission, cruise control, power steering, power brakes and power door locks."

Help Line: "Thanks for buying our car. How can I help you?"

Customer: "How do I work it?"

Help Line: "Do you know how to drive?"

Customer: "Do I know how to what?"

Help Line: "Do you know how to drive?"

Customer: "I'm not a technical person. I just want to go places in my car!"