Lexus Dealers

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I was killing some time today so I decided to look at the new IS300. I pulled up to the dealership and got out of my car. They had one sitting right outside of the showroom with the door open. I start to look at the car, and joe blow salesguy walks up to me. Before asking anything else, he says "what year is your J?" I told him that it was a '97, to which he responded, "you just get it?" I told him no, and that I bought it new back in '97. Then in a snotty manner he asked, "oh yeah, from where? because I used to work at the Infiniti dealer." I told him that I bought the car in NC to which he replied, "oh, ok then." What a jerk, he didn't even notice that I still have NC plates on my car(having just moved to Washington). I tried to blow the guy off by telling him that I was fine and did't really need any help. I climbed inside the car when he felt it necessary to tell me "I just bought one of these myself." I continued to look at the car, the interior is just plain goofy. I told him that it felt way to cramped and I walked over to a GS300. As soon as I opened the door, he again felt it necessary to tell me "I just bought one of these also." I thought to myself, "maybe I need to start selling cars again and make the huge $$$." To make a long story short, I was basically treated like crap from the moment I got out of my car. I would think that this was an isolated incident, but same thing happened back in '97 at another dealer back east before I bought my J. I won't say the name of the dealer, just that they are in TACOMA, WA.

[Max Ima]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by j30owner:
To make a long story short, I was basically treated like crap from the moment I got out of my car. I would think that this was an isolated incident, but same thing happened back in '97 at another dealer back east before I bought my J. I won't say the name of the dealer, just that they are in TACOMA, WA.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ah yes, the Toyotafication of Lexus.

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HammerMan:
Hmmmmm, I live here in Portland OR, and I really hope you find a dealer that treats you better. In regards to Lexus salesmen, I've worked for the local dealer down here and have nothing but good to say about them. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If they would discount, I might have been driving a TwinTurbo Z by now http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif Two years ago I saw a 94 one with 40K miles. They were asking $25K and did not want to go down.

j30owner, do you live in Tacoma ???

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Pt Orchard actually. Just a side note, I stopped by the Infin dealer in Renton about 2 weeks ago to look for a used G20 for my girlfriend. They didn't really have any used Infins on the lot(2). They salesman was beyond helpful and very polite. He spent about 20 or so minutes with me just bs'ign about Infin. What a difference between the two dealers. The Infin salesman knew that if he treated me right, I would come back. The Lexus salesman didn't.



[This message has been edited by j30owner (edited 08-13-2000).]

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Come to think of it, this whole thing reminds me of an editorial in Automobile Magazine I read a number of years ago. DED was asked by a friend about which car to purchase, a Lexus or an Infiniti. DED recommended the Infiniti and told the friend to revel in the dealership experience.

Without great dealerships, great cars mean nothing.

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Hmmmmm, I live here in Portland OR, and I really hope you find a dealer that treats you better. In regards to Lexus salesmen, I've worked for the local dealer down here and have nothing but good to say about them. Although they are still sales people most of them are very good at treating their customers well, without being intimidating. I just dont like the service dept, cause the dang ************** service manager fired me :P

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j30owner, you're safe then http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/grin.gif
I've just completed a contract at the US Geological Survey, and they had the chart of possible lahar flows from Mt. Rainier. It was going right towards the southeastern parts of Tacoma (that got its name from the Indian name for the Rainier, BTW).

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by j30owner:
I was killing some time today so I decided to look at the new IS300. I pulled up to the dealership and got out of my car. They had one sitting right outside of the showroom with the door open. I start to look at the car, and joe blow salesguy walks up to me. Before asking anything else, he says "what year is your J?" I told him that it was a '97, to which he responded, "you just get it?" I told him no, and that I bought it new back in '97. Then in a snotty manner he asked, "oh yeah, from where? because I used to work at the Infiniti dealer." I told him that I bought the car in NC to which he replied, "oh, ok then." What a jerk, he didn't even notice that I still have NC plates on my car(having just moved to Washington). I tried to blow the guy off by telling him that I was fine and did't really need any help. I climbed inside the car when he felt it necessary to tell me "I just bought one of these myself." I continued to look at the car, the interior is just plain goofy. I told him that it felt way to cramped and I walked over to a GS300. As soon as I opened the door, he again felt it necessary to tell me "I just bought one of these also." I thought to myself, "maybe I need to start selling cars again and make the huge $$$." To make a long story short, I was basically treated like crap from the moment I got out of my car. I would think that this was an isolated incident, but same thing happened back in '97 at another dealer back east before I bought my J. I won't say the name of the dealer, just that they are in TACOMA, WA.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Are you under 30, j30owner? From my experience, Lexus dealers only show signs of customer service unless you look like you are retired or something. They think that any young person who is coming into their dealer is not interested in buying a car, and is just "tire-kicking." Lexus still has that Toyota mentality in that they refuse to acknowledge that many young people are beginning to secure high-paying jobs, and are buying luxury cars. Until they treat their younger clientele better, Lexus will never be #1 in customer service in my book. To make a long story short, the Infiniti dealers are friendly to EVERYONE, not just people they assume will buy one of their cars.

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by carguy714:
Are you under 30, j30owner? From my experience, Lexus dealers only show signs of customer service unless you look like you are retired or something. They think that any young person who is coming into their dealer is not interested in buying a car, and is just "tire-kicking." Lexus still has that Toyota mentality in that they refuse to acknowledge that many young people are beginning to secure high-paying jobs, and are buying luxury cars. Until they treat their younger clientele better, Lexus will never be #1 in customer service in my book. To make a long story short, the Infiniti dealers are friendly to EVERYONE, not just people they assume will buy one of their cars.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You aren't right, speaking for the entire US. If it happens in Seattle, they will be more toady for a guy in jeans comparing to a guy in a suite because the first one can be from Micro$oft http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif West Coast differs a lot in this regard.

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Actually, I am 27. I do not carry myself as a "youngin", nor do I expect to be treated that way. I can honestly say that if I ever leave the Infiniti "family", I will not purchase a Lexus. I have been treated better at Jaguar dealers and almost no one my age buys Jags. I am willing to spend more $ on a luxury car to receive the treatment that premium brands offer. I usually buy a new car every 2 to 3 years, and I am VERY loyal to good service.

[Slack00]

If you look at some CR backissues, just about every year they rate Toyota as the worst dealership experience possible....basically, they pressure you like no other dealers out there.....

My mom was buying a new car a number of years back and I experienced first hand how the salespersons would hound her to no end...she ended up buying a Honda Accord, instead of the Camry, which is what she wanted (not to mention that the Camry was too expensive)..

[stonefield]

Hmmm, my family has always purchased Nissans/Datsuns. When we needed a minivan for our larger family my dad looked at the Toyota minivan, and the salesmen were extremely pushy. I was only about 12 or 13, but I remember telling my mom that she should convince my dad to leave because of the poor treatment. She told me she was trying, but they were offering such a good deal to him. Well, the car ran alright, but had many minor problems. Service was terrible, and my dad finally got rid of the Toyota nightmare and bought a new '94 Quest.

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I agree that not all Lexus dealers treat their younger clientele badly, but most of the dealers closest to me (Southern California/Orange County) aren't that great, and I can say from experience that the competing Infiniti and Mercedes dealers in the same area are much more friendly. One dealer actually kept steering me over to the Certified Used ES300s because he assumed I couldn't afford a new car....this is service? I guess if I ever buy a Lexus, I'll have to travel a bit more to find a good dealer. I am 25, and like j30owner, I carry myself professionally when looking at cars, and I expect to be treated that way. Perhaps some of these other dealers could take a few lessons from their Seattle and Silicon Valley counterparts.