Sconda

Sconda Hoodies Across America - NH

The Granite State has been claimed by the aggressive, camera-loving Zach "ZZ" Zimmerman. At 1:53 p.m. Eastern Standard Time an email dropped in my inbox stating simply, "NH. Check it off."  The words were few, but the message was powerful, with the first two states in Sconda Hoodies Across America (SHAA) going to ZZ, this could be a one horse race.

Zach is Assistant Director of Admission at the prestigious New Hampton School, an independent, college preparatory school for boarding and day students, grades 9-12 and postgraduate, located in New Hampton, NH.  He took a couple minutes from his day, grabbed a friend and a camera and added New Hampshire to his SHAA list.

Interested parties who lack the proper attire to participate in this nationwide event have been inquiring as to how they too can get their hands on a Sconda hoodie.  I have just put in a new order for 70 hoodies that should be here in the next 3 weeks and I have a huge supply of crew neck sweatshirts (that still count in the contest despite their obvious deficiency) and long sleeve T-shirt's.  The hoodie costs $25, the crew sweatshirts go for $20, long sleeves t's are $15 and all prices include free shipping and handling.  Send a check or cash, your size (sweats run small, go up a size) and preferred style to the address at the bottom of the post.

As soon as your sweatshirt arrives you'll have your chance to win an iPod Nano, 8gb, by either getting your photo taken while wearing the sweatshirt in the most states, or taking the most creative picture.  The most creative picture can be taken in a state that has already been captured.  So travelers and residents in Maine and New Hampshire have no fear, you're still in the game.

Send your photo's to dougscott@scotthonda.com or post them on our Facebook Fan page.

Pa residents add 6% sales tax.

Sconda Hoodies Across America
c/o Douglas P. Scott
706 Autopark Blvd.
West Chester, PA 19382

Sconda Hoodies Across America - Maine

Welcome to the first of 50 installments of "Sconda Hoodies Across America."  Our ambitious plan is, as you may have guessed, to have a photo taken of someone wearing a Scott Honda hooded sweatshirt in every state of this fair country.

The contest has been kicked off in great fashion by Sconda fan, Zach Zimmerman, who received his coveted sweatshirt by becoming one of our first "Fans" on Facebook.  A resident of New Hampshire, ZZ, as he's known by his friends, was given one challenge with his sweatshirt, "to get his photo taken in front of a New England landmark while wearing it."

The Green Monster, Mount Washington and the Ben and Jerry's Factory have nothing on the Giant L.L. Bean boot in front of their flagship store in Freeport, Maine.  Beneath the boot with Zach is his sister Jacquie and friends Morgan and Tommy.

So now you know what you are tasked with.  Earn, find or buy a Sconda Hoodie, get your picture taken in a new state, in front of a really sweet landmark and you'll get your moment to shine on Sconda Blog and the best picture will win a new iPod Nano 8gb and even more Sconda gear.  Scott Honda employees are not excluded and you may have your picture taken in more than one state, it's not just one and done.

Send your photo's to dougscott@scotthonda.com or post them on our Facebook Fan page.

Athina Wins December Artist of the Month

With the winter school break upon us there was a bevy of sailboat beauties to choose from for this December's artist of the month.  There were easily five very well done and creative boats, but Athina's creation, named "funbolya" came out as the big winner.

Her stripped Scott sailboat had a unique patterned design that was a first in the well over 1000 colorings that we have received thus far.  Athina's attention to detail and clean lines really allowed her boat to stand out above all others.

Some other boats in contention were holiday themed, colored in florescent markers and one even added a spinnaker, which was a great touch.

While you and your kids are in for sales or service, make sure they grab one of the free coloring books and crayon 4-packs at the receptionist desk or in the Scott Kids Spot.  It will help them pass the time and they could win the much sought after Sconda Artist of the Month Award.

Snow Slams Scott Honda over Weekend

Scott Honda got hit hard over the weekend with at least 16 inches of snow, forcing Vice President, Duke Scott close the dealership early on Saturday to ensure the safety of all employees that still had to drive home.

Before the dealership closed the doors for the weekend, the sales, service and parts departments worked in concert to squeeze as much inventory as possible into the service bays (see photo below) before the bulk of the storm hit.  This allowed the plows to move more freely and prevented another 100 cars from having to be cleaned off.

This is the largest snow event the dealership has had to deal with in years and it came at an inopportune time for year-end sales.

"Saturday is our busiest day of the sales week, but there's not much you can do when the snow starts falling," Duke said.  "It was a nice opportunity for people from different departments to work together to prepare for this huge storm and they did a great job."

Luckily it's against Pennsylvania law to sell cars on Sunday's, so that allowed our plowing crew to get to work without having to avoid employees and their cars for a whole day.  It remains to be seen whether this will be our one big storm for the year, or just the beginning of a very snowy winter.

Scott Sailboat Logo gets Facelift for 2010

For over 80 years a family selling cars has been represented by a sailboat.  It makes no sense, but it's worked like a charm for four generations of Scott's.

It is often said that good logos must consist of five characteristics.  They must be simple, memorable, timeless, appropriate and versatile.  So often logos trend more towards cheesy, ugly, forced, complicated and confusing.

"Should a logo be self-explanatory? It is only by association with a product, a service, a business, or a corporation that a logo takes on any real meaning. A logo derives its meaning and usefulness from the quality of that which it symbolizes. If a company is second rate, the logo will eventually be perceived as second rate." 

     -Paul Rand, designer the logos for IBM, ABC, UPS, Enron and more

The evolution of the sailboat has been slow, subtle and simple and this enhancement falls in the same boat (pun intended).  The change revolved around the word "SCOTT" under the boat.  The previous font, called Textile (I'm told, never actually found it), appeared to be nothing more than a emboldened version of its predecessor had no connection to other fonts in the Sconda lineup.  The improvement centered around the use of the "SCOTT" font from the front of our license plates in place of the old "SCOTT".

The update, besides adding consistency to our logo marketing imagery, is easier to read on the backs of our cars, which is paramount in the end.

With logos on the brain, look for the new logo for our new, used car superstore.  Name, new logo and details surrounding this exciting news will be coming soon.  Stay tuned!

Freshly Squeezed Old School Ad

Ah yes the lemon, official fruit of bad cars across the United States. 

According to the always trusty Yahoo Answers the term comes from the "sour taste a bad car leaves in your mouth".  What I found even more interesting was that in Scotland they call bad cars "scrappie-dodgers" (that is a way better term and should be adopted in the U.S.).

The truth is there are about 20 different stories about where the term "lemon" comes from when referring to bad vehicles.  Here a couple of my favorite explanations:

1. To hand someone a lemon was British slang (1906) for "passing off a sub-standard article as a good one."

2. The Citroen 2CV was considered an ugly, slow, French-made car from the 1940s. Since "lemon" in french is "citron", some figure it was just way too much of a coincidence.

3. In 1979 a woman named Rosemary Shahan from Lemon Grove, California bought a car that still wasn’t working after 3 months in the repair shop. She then picketed the shop for 5 months, which created a public outcry against the treatment customers received from mechanics and car dealers. This public outrage became the basis for a citizen movement for "lemon laws".

The highlights in our lemon-filled commercial from the 1992 way-back machine include, real lemons (that you eat, not that you drive), laser music, running footage of old Hondas and a $20 bill being squeezed right out of a lemon (don't waste your time it doesn't work, I tried for hours).

Santa Brings Smiles and Gifts to Scondaland

This past Sunday everyone's pal Saint Nick made his annual visit to spread some early holiday cheer to the children and grandchildren of the Scott Honda family.

Over 40 future Scondateers were treated to cookies, juice, music and gifts from the big man in what has become a wonderful tradition at the dealership.

"For over 15 years we have worked out a deal with Santa to visit us on the first Sunday of December," says Vice President, Duke Scott.  "The kids absolutely love it and while he's here we give his sleigh a safety inspection to make sure it's safe for his big night."

As in year's past the musical entertainment was provided by local favorite Makin' Music, who came equipped with their library of Holiday songs and enough instruments for all the kids. 

The overwhelming favorite request for Santa this year was the Nintendo DSi, followed closely by pet ponies and Transformers.

"I asked Santa for a Nintendo DSi because my cousin Meressa has one and I want to play it with her," said, Bella, 7-years-old.

Scott Honda wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a quick note to Santa, the sleigh looks great, you should have no flight issues on Christmas Eve.

Plates Held for Ransom, Salesmen Dismayed

In a story that can only make Tiger Woods happy, breaking news has taken over Scott Honda and pushed the golf phenom's "transgressions" to the back page.

As many as three Dealer License Plates, also known as "Dealer Tags" were pictured blindfolded and gagged with a threat of further harm if demands by the unnamed kidnappers were not met.  The news spread like wild fire as some of Scott's best salesmen were among those who had their plates held by these crazed abductors.

Greg Cole, whose scared and lonely plate is pictured above initially accused Marketing Manager and Sconda Blogger, Douglas P. Scott (a.k.a. me) of the kidnapping due to the creative nature of the ordeal.  While flattering, Scott had to repeatedly deny the accusation as a heated Cole was preparing for a hockey style take down.  Cooler heads prevailed as a dismayed Cole searched further for his lost friend.

Sconda Blog has exclusive TMZ-like access to the ransom letter, posted this morning on the sales board.

"Gentlemen, you were warned about your careless actions and now you will be reminded that your actions have consequences. Your disregard will now cost you. You have until tomorrow to provide DUNKIN DONUTS MUNCHKINS or your plate will be lost forever. If the Munchkins aren’t on the managers desk by morning, accounting will be calling for the $100 fee. tick tock gentlemen....."

The motivation of the assailants appears to be the importance of "personal responsibility".  A lost or stolen Dealer License Plate can be used by unlawful drivers, who can become a serious danger to the public.

"Please keep my license plate in your thoughts and prayers," said a remorseful Salesperson, Bernie Hughes.  He didn't even recall where he left his tag.  One has to wonder if the plate is in safer hands with the kidnappers, at least they know where the poor, little plate is located.

Stay tuned to Sconda Blog for more breaking news of this developing story.

Andy Scott's 1st TV Ad in 1987: 80's Gold

Did you ever wonder what your parents really looked and sounded like when you were young?  Were they "cool"?  Did they dress with style?  Did they have to try to sell an overstock of 1987 Chrysler LeBarons?

For Andy Scott the answers were "Yes, Yes and Yes!"

When I stumbled upon this piece of pure 80's gold I wanted to immediately show it to all my brothers and sisters (and the entire interweb).  I announced to our family during Thanksgiving to check in on Sconda Blog in the coming week for this little piece history to make it's debut.  The whole table was a buzz as my Dad just smiled, blushed a bit (family trait) and immediately recalled the over order of 100 LeBerons that year that was the focus of his very first commercial.

My Dad has been writing and appearing in his own commercials for his Scott Family of Dealerships for over 20 years.  I remember when I was in elementary school, listening to him read his scripts out loud from his yellow legal pad at the breakfast table.

If you want to know what your parental units were really like back in the day, go into their attic, grab that box of VHS tapes or 8mm film get it digitized asap.  It's fast, cheap and makes the perfect Holiday gift.