Why is it This Way?

[PlasmaBomb]

Dealerships don't set the option packages, the manufacturer does. The dealer just tells you what the different options are available in the different packages. When someone goes to a dealership to buy a brand new car, I doubt the dealership cares if a customer choose one option package, or a different one, or none at all. I am quite certain the dealership would be happy to just sell a new car, even if it is a new car with just the standard equipment. Obviously the dealership would like to sell the most expensive cars they have, but I am sure they will be glad to sell a new car with "no frills" too.

As far as I am aware the dealership will make a profit on the extras the customer chooses...

 

[rcpratt]

I didn't read the whole thread and I'm sure someone has said this already...

Offering fewer combinations of options simplifies the manufacturing process. Which makes it less expensive.

I recently went through the same thing when I got my car last month, but it turns out that I actually like some of the packaged featured that were forced upon me.

 

[krylon]

blah blah blah but it turns out that I actually like some of the packaged featured that were forced upon me.

That's what she said

 

[DominionSeraph]

As for a la carte cable/satellite TV, it just works out better with packages.
With a la carte, only the channels with the most vulgar entertainment will be consistently picked. The niche channels will never gain any casual viewers for any of their shows and will not be able to stay in business with just dedicated subscribers. With only the visual equivalent of pop music on TV, people will start dropping out of the system entirely. This will leave the cost of the entire infrastructure on the remaining, and as service for some is not much of any cheaper to provide than service for all (no cheaper in the case of satellite), the costs for each will go up. This will result in even more dropping out. Now you start losing economies of scale for cable. (Satellite should just be a linear increase)

 

[rcpratt]

That's what she said

Ooh baby baby.

 

[Capt Caveman]

As everyone has already said, it simplifies the manufacturing process. I'm in the same boat as I look at a new vehicle. However, he and I always have the option to go into the aftermarket and add/customize the vehicle after purchase.