[TusharK]

MG has introduced a reward scheme for existing customers who are waiting for their cars to be delivered.



Under the new scheme, customers who have already booked a Hector will receive 1,000 reward points per week, till the time of delivery. Customers can redeem them for accessories. The reward points can also be spent on the prepaid maintenance package.

In July 2019, MG had temporarily stopped taking bookings for the Hector after it received 28,000 orders. The average waiting period for the Hector is said to be around 6 months.

The MG Hector was launched in June 2019. It is powered by a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 141 BHP and 250 Nm and a 2.0-litre diesel with 168 BHP and 350 Nm. It also comes in a petrol hybrid variant.

Source: NDTV

Link to Team-BHP News

[rajvardhanraje]

What needs to be checked is how these reward points would actually translate into usable discounts for redeeming accessories or maintenance packages. They have not mentioned what the value of 1000 reward points would be. Although the initiative is good to keep customers engaged and dissuade them from cancelling the bookings due to long waiting periods.

[GearHeadGarage]

Another question I have is when does the counting start? Is it from the date of booking to the delivery date? My SA did not have an answer to this as well. He just switched topics and said they are expecting a lot of DCT dispatches in Sep & Oct. July & Aug dispatches prioritized the Diesel Manual apparently.

[anshumandun]

The excellent marketing before the launch, the deliberate announcement of bookings closed and now this reward scheme: MG has some real good marketing people in their stable.

Next we should expect an announcement that the introductory pricing will continue for few more months and production has been increased so new bookings are open. That would be a good blow to the Seltos.

[vinair]

Who ever is at the marketing helm, deserves a good pat on the back! This is the most creative thought I have come across in recent times. When there are reports of breakdowns (deliberate or not) and niggles cropping up on the social circles, this is one way to keep the bookings intact without worrying about a potential cancellation! Kudos!

However, I for one would be double sure of the terms and conditions that apply to this offer!

[Thermodynamics]

6 months is very long and consumers change mind. But this is not unusual to our market. For example, despite market slowdown and MSIL struggling to run full, the new Ertiga has a waiting period of 6 Months. I had a discussion with SA and asked do people really wait that long, what is a typical cancellation rate. He says 20-25% of bookings will not wait.

If that is the case for Maruti who are exceptional in marketing, the cancellation rate for Hector could be even higher. Given the market situation, skeptical new brand and aggressive new launches such as Kia Seltos, MG is feeling the heat and may this clever marketing strategy holds the bookings. IMO, they should have started with a minimum inventory before launch.

[Rajeevraj]

Recall reading in the Hector thread that the rewards points start accumulating only if the car is not delivered in the promised time window committed during booking. So if a customer was told delivery in 3 months, then the reward points start getting added only from 4th month.

Edit: Looks like I was wrong. Seems to be from the day of booking as per this post

[Abhinav_2502]

Must say it is a clever move by MG! Anything given for "Free" can help secure a lot of bookings in our market which may otherwise get bagged by the Seltos, for which the buyer doesn't have to supposedly wait as long.

Another reason why I feel this has been done is to prevent this:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post4624249

While it is free publicity, when looked at in one way, I am not sure if MG want this happening.

[The_Motorist]

Would say a great move by MG to hold on to the bookings earned so far.

Being a devil's advocate here:
Is it also because, MG may take more than usual or committed time to deliver the cars & therefore have initiated this reward program? (Since this is just the beginning for them in India, & may niggling issues etc in terms of processes)

Any Bhpian's here who have booked MG?
What is the state of their booking?
Is it happening as per commitment or getting delayed?

[VijayAnand1]

On a lighter note.

Plot Twist: 6 months worth points equates to Rs. 500. We give you a free car wash, anytime and completely redeemable for additional accessories. Internet Inside, Sinister Outside.

[dadu]

I am not sure if I would like to wait for 6 months for a booked vehicle. I have actually shy'ed away from booking a vehicle with huge waiting time. Points or No points.

In 6 months a lot can change in the market and if I can wait for Six months, I would like to wait and watch before booking. Just my perspective.

[bigron]

6 months of waiting is indeed a very long time.
The reward points system is a good marketing move but what is important is the actual value that a customer earns during the waiting period.

If they are giving points for every week of waiting, the points themselves cant be of much value.

[ajay_satpute]

This is nothing but a desperate attempt to keep the customers on the MG side, before they run to Kia. In my personal opinion, this is not at all a great marketing plan, it is a 'desperate times call for desperate measures' plan.

Seltos and Hector have a lot of overlap in terms of pricing and features. So an average customer who is sitting on the fence, can easily go to Kia and book a Seltos.

Also, as someone has mentioned, these points do not add up to much and you cannot really get any major accessory with those points, except car wash, interior cleaning/polishing, wiper blades and so on, unless I am proven completely wrong.

[libranof1987]

I've got to admit, I'm amused by this move; it is pretty creative and a win-win for both customers and MG.

While it may not necessarily convince a lot of customers to stay with their booking until a car is allotted to them, it will definitely make those who did feel good with the reward. Who doesn't like a freebie.

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute

Also, as someone has mentioned, these points do not add up to much and you cannot really get any major accessory with those points, except car wash, interior cleaning/polishing, wiper blades and so on, unless I am proven completely wrong.

Whatever may be the worth of these points in monetary terms, it is still something. When most of us haggle for freebies/discounts down to floor mats, car fresheners and what not (that don't cost more than a few hundred bucks), a car wash, interior cleaning etc. are a decent deal.

[FrodoOfTheShire]

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute

Also, as someone has mentioned, these points do not add up to much and you cannot really get any major accessory with those points, except car wash, interior cleaning/polishing, wiper blades and so on, unless I am proven completely wrong.

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Whatever may be the worth of these points in monetary terms, it is still something. When most of us haggle for freebies/discounts down to floor mats, car fresheners and what not (that don't cost more than a few hundred bucks), a car wash, interior cleaning etc. are a decent deal.

Below comment taken from the Hector thread from a BHPian who has booked the Hector.

Originally Posted by AGwagon

Let me also share an update!
My DCT sharp is now further delayed owing to the floods in Gujarat and the timelines have been pushed again by at least 10 days. While that is true, MG has come up with a very nice solution to at least ease the pain of the people who are waiting. According to their customer care, if you have waited for more than 8 weeks since your booking date, you will be entitled to 1000 reward points per week, so if the car is delivered to you in say the 10th week you will get 10,000 reward points, however if your car is delivered on the 7th week you will not get any, so past the 8th week is the cliff.

Each reward point is equivalent to INR1. You have the option to use this points to pay for any genuine MG accessories or merchandise, or for every 2000 points you can chose to sponsor the education for one girl child through their partnered NGO.