Factory tours now £800!
Discussion
When it all used to be free, including the knowledgeable Steve Waddingham, tours were probably considered a beneficial part of good marketing and a way of building customer relations.
At Morgan, you used to simply turn up at Reception, ask for a tour and be told, "Certainly, just follow the arrows on the floor".
We will have to wait until 2113 for the Anniversary Celebration Free Open Day. -
Increase prices and demand reduces. All very simple. Happens with most things, including cars and tours.
Interestingly, there have been a few examples where it has worked the other way round, but that was because potential customers thought a product must be inferior, because it was so cheap.
It is all rather absurd, a bit like car manufacturers only allowing "special" customers the privilege of buying particular models. It is cultish baloney that inverts the basic power relationship between manufacturer and customer. The manufacturer is supposed to serve the customer, not deign to bestow favours on them in return for tribute.
Jon39 said:
Increase prices and demand reduces. All very simple. Happens with most things, including cars and tours.
Interestingly, there have been a few examples where it has worked the other way round, but that was because potential customers thought a product must be inferior, because it was so cheap.
Equally I think there are cases where people think a product must be better because it's expensive.Interestingly, there have been a few examples where it has worked the other way round, but that was because potential customers thought a product must be inferior, because it was so cheap.
I won't be spending £800 to walk round a factory, it will pay for the next garage visit to get some warning lights and random window drop issue sorted out!
I don’t recall Adrian Hallmark mentioning this as one his business efficiency measures in his recent interview
Seriously though, as a nice gesture to anyone who buys a brand new car I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a free tour as part of the deal. But £800 (is it that per person?) in other circumstances seems a bit top heavy to me. I think it’s an odd thing to do given the current company circumstances and I don’t think it’s a great move from a PR point of view but I guess the margin must be quite high.
BRM.
Seriously though, as a nice gesture to anyone who buys a brand new car I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a free tour as part of the deal. But £800 (is it that per person?) in other circumstances seems a bit top heavy to me. I think it’s an odd thing to do given the current company circumstances and I don’t think it’s a great move from a PR point of view but I guess the margin must be quite high.
BRM.
Simpo Two said:
Equally I think there are cases where people think a product must be better because it's expensive.
What a fantastic idea, John
Exclusive, Ultra-Luxury Aston Martin Factory Tour
You will be carried around in supreme comfort by Mr Lawrence Stroll (lead carry)and Mr Adrian Hallmark (secondary carry).
They will carefully explain everything to you.
You might even be told a little secret, about how positive cashflow
This is an extremely rare, limited opportunity, which is available from £800,000.
Special at additional cost Q options can be specified for your enjoyment.
I think Morgan now include Factory Tours as a business segment in their published account.
Incidentally, you can visit Morgan's excellent cafe and also view their museum, without any entrance charges.
Edited by Jon39 on Friday 4th July 14:22
Surely not £800 per person ?
I think the F1 Factory tour is about £300 the same as the Redbull one but both through the likes of Eventbrite who take commission too presumably.
Joining AMOC would see you able to tour for far less including the cost of membership.
I think as part of buying new it should be ( and maybe still is ) free especially if said tour allows you to see your car in build.
I’ve lost count of how many tours I’ve had for free although given the depreciation perhaps free is completely the opposite of reality.
From memory the cost of the photo book was “ only “ about £500 for a new owner too.
I think the F1 Factory tour is about £300 the same as the Redbull one but both through the likes of Eventbrite who take commission too presumably.
Joining AMOC would see you able to tour for far less including the cost of membership.
I think as part of buying new it should be ( and maybe still is ) free especially if said tour allows you to see your car in build.
I’ve lost count of how many tours I’ve had for free although given the depreciation perhaps free is completely the opposite of reality.
From memory the cost of the photo book was “ only “ about £500 for a new owner too.
I had a tour of the factory with a friend back in 2016 I think it was.
I simply emailed the factory who replied “sure and would you like to have a tour of Newport Pagnell too?”
So we combined a full day Performance Driving Course with Aston Martin at Millbrook (can’t remember what they charged but it was extremely reasonable and well worth it) with both Gaydon and Newport Pagnell factory tours on the second day which were free of charge.
Steve Waddingham welcomed us and lead us round explaining everything in detail, you could feel his passion for the brand.
It was a great experience and we returned home thinking Aston Martin is really a world apart from more mainstream car manufacturers like Porsche for instance.
Maybe they have a lot of demand for factory tours now and decided to charge people who aren’t customers.
Not sure they would be charging their customers but who knows?
I simply emailed the factory who replied “sure and would you like to have a tour of Newport Pagnell too?”
So we combined a full day Performance Driving Course with Aston Martin at Millbrook (can’t remember what they charged but it was extremely reasonable and well worth it) with both Gaydon and Newport Pagnell factory tours on the second day which were free of charge.
Steve Waddingham welcomed us and lead us round explaining everything in detail, you could feel his passion for the brand.
It was a great experience and we returned home thinking Aston Martin is really a world apart from more mainstream car manufacturers like Porsche for instance.
Maybe they have a lot of demand for factory tours now and decided to charge people who aren’t customers.
Not sure they would be charging their customers but who knows?
Blitzuk said:
I just purchased a tour for later this year for my self and 2 others at the Morgan factory, that's only £97... For 3. 800 is a bit much for a tour of a factory.
You will enjoy each single minute. Ask me how I know it 
When I called them I asked: "Hi, I own a secon hand Aero Supersports. I'd like to see how it is built". Their answer: "Lovely. Just let me know when you wanna join. The tour will be hosted by one of our ex-employee here".
Edited by Ale_72 on Friday 4th July 19:14
alscar said:
Joining AMOC would see you able to tour for far less including the cost of membership.
I had forgotten about that.
Although I had a couple of tours many years ago, I was booked in for a fresh visit with AMOC, but the pandemic intervened and that trip was cancelled. Even after those germs had gone, AML were reluctant to restart tours.
Must investigate the current situation.
Dewi 2 said:
I had forgotten about that.
Although I had a couple of tours many years ago, I was booked in for a fresh visit with AMOC, but the pandemic intervened and that trip was cancelled. Even after those germs had gone, AML were reluctant to restart tours.
Must investigate the current situation.
Might be more beneficial if Lance is a guide and does them every Sunday
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