Dont kick me off here, but......

[szh]

Another example of Infiniti service beyond the call of duty.

Back in 1992, I was heading back to California from Mobile, AL (have posted about the speeding stories on that trip too ). I wanted to get an oil change along the way, since I had driven many miles out from California, so while driving in Louisiana, I called Infiniti corporate on my car phone (Infiniti phone in the car, BTW) and asked them to make arrangements at any Infiniti dealer to do the oil change. The service rep contacted the closest Infiniti dealer on my route, in Houston, and made the appointment for me - for 4:00pm on a Friday evening! And called me back on my car phone and let me know how to get there, etc.!

Just before I got there, I got pulled over for a speeding ticket (cause I was running late due to rush hour traffic). I was now gonna be really late! After dealing with the officer, I called the dealership and talked to the service manager. He said that he would keep a guy there late for me! I showed up at about 5:15pm, and they changed the oil and filter for me while I waited and then I went on my way!

That is outstanding service, IMO.

Z

P.S. In the showroom, they had a yellow Lamborghini Diablo VT sitting there! I got a chance to check it out thoroughly. No test drive, though!

[elwesso]

:drooling

[rydwhite]

Another post about service. I have had superb service from my Infiniti dealer here in Indy. Dreyer & Reinboldt has tremendous customer service in my opinion. The only problem I have ever ran into is that they are a bit on the snobish end at times, but they have bent over backwards to make dealing with them pleasurable.

[zinkie13]

I am not tryin to support the wrong....but i did find a site that said somethin about someone putting a mercedes tranmission in a q45 and getting a 0 to 60 of 5.2 exactly. However, i cannot bring up the entire site....All i could find was a small cache of it that happened to have that data in it. So MAYBE there was one q....just one that went 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds

[Jesda]

3)My opinion doesn't matter anyway. The public has spoken, the verdict is in and just looking at the numbers alone, the LS400 wipes its arse with the new Q.

.....OH WOW! Youre right! Sales results DO make a car better! Since so many Chevy Cavaliers are sold, we should dump our Nissans and Infinitis and buy a fleet of Cavaliers with the money we have left!!!!!

Quanity = Quality!

(bite me)

-Jesda

[Jesda]

JD Powers rankings for customer service at dealerships:

1Saturn2 Infiniti3 Lexus4 Cadillac5 Volvo6 Buick7 Acura8 Saab9 BMW10 Lincoln

Aztek, I think youre lying or being very loose with the truth.

-Jesda

[Chally]

Aztek, with great respect, by the seems of all these satisfied posts above, I think you could be a perpetual winger. (winer)

We've had customers like this & the only thing that satisfies them is to bow & scrape to them, but I just tell them to go elsewhere nowdays, I really don't need the hassles.

When you said it Didn't matter if the 5.2secs was correct or not, you exposed yourself. If you go & get up a dealer every time you speak to them,& can't accept you may be wrong, they & everyone else will automatically have an attitude towards you, so maybe it's how you treated them first that has caused your problems.

I too had that problem, but thankfully I had a wife with enough guts to tell me I was acting like a prick, & I have now mended my ways, most of the time, & now I get better service from everyone.(geeeez, when did I become Frasier...? I'd better give myself an uppercut & get back to reality)

[Sopdadope]

I really wanted to stay away from this but I'm a bit disappointed with how this thread's turned out. It seems like everyone's unfairly jumping on Tom.

The fact of the matter is, Infiniti services here in the Northeast usually leaves something to be desired and has sometimes been downright insulting. I've spoke with other members like Tom (aztek72) and Chad (Qship) and the general consensus is that the service here has much to be desired. For instance, I once dropped off my Q45 at Kelly Infiniti in Danvers to get the door hinges replaced, hood shocks and transmission mounts (could've done it myself but figured o what the heck). The mechanics patronized me, talking to me as if I were a two-year old child, but I let that slide. I wasn't offer a loaner car as I had usually been because they scheduling was screwed up and the minor fixes on my car didn't warrant a loaner. I bit my lip and just said "that's not problem" and subsequently waited for over two hours before a friend mine 40 miles away picked me up.

I had a similar experience to Tom at Herb Infiniti in Boston. I had given the parts guy a list of parts labeled by numbers. The parts guy however didn't agree with me and told me numerous times "You ain't gonna do it," "Can't be done," "It's not gonna work." And despite my most earnest attempts to be friendly to the guy he whispered some not too pleasant things about me to his coworker when I was on my way out. If memory serves me correct, Chad and Todd have also had sour experiences. I don't know whether to attribute to the bad treatment our owning first gen Q's or because we're all men of color but I usually give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe that parts guy just had a death in the family or is going through a bad divorce? That's me, I'm forgiving like that. To be honest bad service is probably one of the reasons I sold my Q.

Fred, just curious but care to elaborate on what "that one incident" was? I'm just curious because as long as I've known Tom he's never said anything offensive at the old Yahoo forum. I hate to see inner turmoil here at NICO.

BTW, happy late 4th of July everyone! I'll keep you posted from the land of ancient ruins and water buffalos!

[Sopdadope]

BTW, speaking of all this bad service, I'd like to point out the sole shining star that is Scottsdale. The receptionists there are always pleasant and Joe, you're the greatest man! Wish we had an operation like that our way, we'd still have a lot Q45 guys.

[szh]

I called the dealership and talked to the service manager. He said that he would keep a guy there late for me! I showed up at about 5:15pm, and they changed the oil and filter for me while I waited and then I went on my way!

That is outstanding service, IMO.

Oh, yeah! I forgot to mention that the service manager was upset that I would not wait to let him wash the car. I pointed out that I was driving to Austin and was gonna get more dirt on the car anyway and that I would wash it when I got back to California.

This from a dealership who I had not purchased the car from, and a service manager who knew he was not likely to ever see me again!

Z

[PalmerWMD]

I think from what we have collected here, we can generally agree that there is a large contrast in service level, friendlyness and just plain respect of customers between dealerships.

Fred...

[Jesda]

Wendle Infiniti, parts counter especially, has been good. The two guys in parts are knowledgeable, friendly, and more than willing to assist. I havent had many chances to deal with their service department however, but they have been acceptable so far.

For such an old car, I prefer my own mechanics.

For what its worth, let me also add that I'm a brown guy in a 98% white town. (People like to say that the inland northwest is Klan territory)

-Jesda

[MattB]

Infiniti of Norwood (MA) has been decent for service. They've been willing to diagnose problems over the phone and give possible DIY solutions, and their parts department is very friendly. Their service charges are outrageous though. $92/hr for service?

[elwesso]

Usually (not always), but I have observed that dealers in smaller town areas are more likely to give better service..... IE the cadillac dealer here in my town of 60k people has probably the best service I have ever heard of from a cadillac dealer.... Hell, I drove in there IN MY INFINITI to get some stuff...... Ill tell you one thing, that felt pretty weird going to a cadillac dealer in a Q!

[G8R45]

Just my $.02 but I much prefer Infiniti to Lexus. The LX 470 in my sig is the wifes and I will go out of the way to avoid driving it ( I hate SUV's ).Atlantic Infiniti here in Jax has always been top notch to me ( sales and service ). As a matter of interest we went to the Lexus dealer ( Lexus of Jax ) when we were shopping for the LX and I must say I have been treated better at Chevy, Dodge & Ford dealers. They completely ignored my wife ( who was making the decision ) and put on the full court press ( I despise high pressure sales of any sort ). We ended up driving to Orlando and buying an LX on the spot from them. We still take it down there for service ( 140 miles ).While l at Lexus I took a good look at the LS and could never see my self in that car. I feel like their styling department rips off Mercedes on a number of there cars. Everybody I see driving one here in Jax is over 60. It seems to have replaced Cadilac and Lincoln with the Geritol for lunch bunch. I have owned my current Q for 6 monthes and have been stopped a number of times and asked about the car and been complimented on her. My vote and $$ will go to Infiniti when it's time to replace my Q!

[Jesda]

When the RX330 came out, I put next to it a photo of the Buick Rendezvous that came out a year earlier and said to my friend "Holy crap! Its an asian Buick!"

[Q451990]

I think Infiniti service (and really anywhere else you go) is so dependent on your service advisor. I basically had my car rebuilt under the extended warranty. My service advisor had ways around every "no" answer Infiniti gave... two or three warranty transmissions, new rear window moulding, new ignition switch at 99K, etc. It may have helped that he was there from the beginning in 1989, so the original theory of "keep them happy at any cost" probably stuck.

It's important to establish a relationship with people that you're working with too... I always had a gift certificate to a golf shop or steak house after major repairs or at Christmas. I think that kind of thing goes a long way.

Heath

[maxnix]

Once again, I think it's a regional thing. South of the Mason-Dixon line and west of the Mississippi seems to be pretty solid. Most of the midwest seems OK. NE England seems to be a real crapshoot, with the odds stacked against the client. Canada seems to be abysmal.

By the way, if Tom thinks Infiniti made a vow on the 5.2 to 5.7 0-60 - mph time, that's fine by me. It doesn't change the reality one bit. We, including myself, all have illusions we hold dear.

[GEOFF]

On a lighter note...if a mag said 5.2 0-60 they forgot to mention the WOT neutral drop!

[garyb]

I too can attest to the great service I've received from Infiniti of Scottsdale. My advisor Eric is the best and always makes sure my '92 Q45 gets taken care of. All the guys and gals at that store treat people with respect and that comes from the GM who insists on taking care of customers. I find the best dealerships have the best GM's.

[szh]

Their service charges are outrageous though. $92/hr for service?

I'd hate to tell you what it is in the Bay Area at almost all the dealers - let alone Infiniti!

Cost of living plays a major part. It is very expensive to live here, and if they techs were not paid decently, they couldn't afford to be here. In a reasonable neighborhood, not the ritziest, two bedroom apartments can cost you over $1200 - $1400 per month. Add the cost of gasoline (CA rips you off - premium is at $2.10 to $2.20 a gallon this week), and commuting from outside the Bay Area (which a lot of professionals do) is not in the card for the service technicians.

Z

[AZhitman]

Hey Gary! Long time no see!

I wish i had known you had the aftermarket exhaust - I would have taken a closer look... And when did you get the rims?

(maybe i'm just confused here - it happens)

Eric is a great guy - he takes real good care of his customers.

[garyb]

I've had the Stillen stuff for over five years and the G35 rims and Goodyear tires I got off a new G35 that put on aftermarkets, about six-months ago. They look great and fill the wheel well nicely and since they are Infiniti OEM, they look like they belong on the car and they bolted right up with no midifications. Very sweet!!

[jEzTeR]

I've had the Stillen stuff for over five years and the G35 rims and Goodyear tires I got off a new G35 that put on aftermarkets, about six-months ago. They look great and fill the wheel well nicely and since they are Infiniti OEM, they look like they belong on the car and they bolted right up with no midifications. Very sweet!!

Off topic but where are the pics???I really want to see those rims on your car.

[MattB]

I'd hate to tell you what it is in the Bay Area at almost all the dealers - let alone Infiniti!

Cost of living plays a major part. It is very expensive to live here, and if they techs were not paid decently, they couldn't afford to be here. In a reasonable neighborhood, not the ritziest, two bedroom apartments can cost you over $1200 - $1400 per month. Add the cost of gasoline (CA rips you off - premium is at $2.10 to $2.20 a gallon this week), and commuting from outside the Bay Area (which a lot of professionals do) is not in the card for the service technicians.

Z

However, the mechanic I usually take my G20 to charges $35/hr.

[elwesso]

The cost of living in San Jose is one of the most expensive in the country..... So everything is going to be more expensive there!

[I30T]

i'll tell you what it is. How many rappers do you see driving an Infiniti?

i'd say after the multiple Car of the Year awards the G35 got, their verbal value will go up. Infiniti will become more well-known.

[SmithSR]

A VERY good point there.

The only celeb/athlete/popular person I know of that does drive an Infiniti is Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners....wish I knew which model... he'd be lookin good in a new Q.

[szh]

For the definitive argument as to what the automotive experts thought of Infiniti and Lexus and Nissan and Toyota, I refer you to my other post:

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....27909

Z

[maxnix]

The only celeb/athlete/popular person I know of that does drive an Infiniti is Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners....wish I knew which model... he'd be lookin good in a new Q.

It is a Q45. I think he gets a new one every year and a letter from Carlos Ghosn thanking him for supporting Infiniti.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

Discover the power of the button!