Enjoy the Infiniti service, its miles better than Nissan

[PalmerWMD]

This would have not happened if I was driving a 04.5 G35C to Swope Infinitihttp://www.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=91590

Fred..

[JoshIsSciFi]

Time to trade it in for a G35 WAYYYY better looking, lower drag coefficient.... just all around better

[gniknave]

Sure wouldn't have happened at Infiniti...and guess who just rejoined the Infiniti sales staff today! <-----------------

[squeefoo]

Boy, that sux! Would it help to call other dealerships and "pre-interview" the service dept.? -after explaining the "service" you received? They may see this as an opportunity to switch your allegiances.

Hopefully, it's something stupid. If you poke around will it void the warranty?

[maxhopper]

Fred, I know a couple of locals take their Nissans to Glenn in Lexington. I have heard nothing but great praise from Fezzik when he takes his 2k2 Max there for service - even gets a loaner. Just something to consider next go-round.

[driverdriver]

Now that I own an Acura, I find the Acura dealership up here treats me better than the Infiniti dealership, I strongly suspect it is because they've seen me in my J and are trying to convert me.

[Jesda]

This partially explains why so many folks bought a smaller G20 over a larger and equally equipped Altima back in the 90s.

Gnikave: Congrats on the job!

[PalmerWMD]

Sure wouldn't have happened at Infiniti...and guess who just rejoined the Infiniti sales staff today! <-----------------

Yayy!

Fred..

[Q45tech]

Hopefully members understand the best way to get premiun services at any car or other services dealer/company is to bribe the staff. Someone who can help you. Not necessarily the service writers because they come and go [and are often in rehab when you need them] .........Very high stress job since most are paid partially/mostly on commission.You must differentiate yourself from the 300 other owners that come in every week [crying and whinning looking to not spend a nickel].

The service manager is the one who has to juggle the monthly warranty budget........always come in at the first part [2 week] of the month when the pot is fuller!!!!!!!!!!!! Before the factory beats up his manager over warranty costs but after last months has been resolved or forgotten.

It's amazing that people forget how it works in their own companies when the go somewhere else to buy a repair service............guess many work for government or big companies where direct customer interfaces are rare except sales. But in the small world of dealerships knowlege is king!

Whether just doughnuts or cash or just a good buddy employee or just being nice and complimentary or all of the above mix and match to the situation.

Always get to know the workers and demand the same [always know 2] master techs who will find the goodies you leave.

These guys get the $15-$20 a shop hour and a $20 bill goes a long way as their time is their time, on piece work. They decide when they are finished with what and what short cuts they take within bounds.

You may find this practice offensive but it works once you get to know who.

I demand extraordinary service and expect to pay for it even when under warranty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! because warranty work is the lowest return work [low profit] for the dealers. The techs hate it because the job takes money from their pocket for every hour they do warranty.Warranty hours are much fewer than customer paid hours for the exact same job, so to feed family they must take short cuts and skip some details.Not too much and risk a free comeback just enough to get by for 90 days.

Please read this over at least 3 times and once every month or two.

[PalmerWMD]

Dennis,

I was being really nice and complimentary of the nice facility, when I came in the one saturday at 8 am and they felt satruday was too short a day to hook up a consult.

since I was told the minute I walked in, that nothing beyond oil changes and tire rotations wpould be done I didnt give any tip.

When my appointment finally came in, I happend to not have any cash on me when I came in and when I got the car back I felt a tip of any kind would not be justified at that point.

Fred..

[Q45tech]

Remember the CUSTOMER is the one WHO PAYS and with warranty work you are NOT the customer.......the FACTORY is! Make yourself the customer in the mind of the dealer employees even in warranty!

Saves yourself a lot of frustration and cost what...... $100 per year in gifts.

[mersidoe]

I like the service department at my dealership, but the service manager does such a good job of isolating us from the mechanics, how would you get them a "tip" in the first place?

[PalmerWMD]

Remember the CUSTOMER is the one WHO PAYS and with warranty work you are NOT the customer.......the FACTORY is! Make yourself the customer in the mind of the dealer employees even in warranty!

Saves yourself a lot of frustration and cost what...... $100 per year in gifts.

True,

Either way, it does appear I wont put a lot of energy into cultivating a relationship with the local service dept ,as I will almost certainly move to a new job in next 5-6 weeks.

I was just told after a successful interview and some salary negotiations an offical job offer for a job I been wanting for along time will come along shortly as soon as the background check is done.

Also the guys I interviewed against got a "Thanks but no thanks" email.

Details in The Moderator forum.

Fred..

[maxnix]

Usually the service manager will let you talk to the service provider (technician) if you have a specific question about the work performed or the condition or performance of a particular component. All the more reasons to read Dennis' posts so one can ask the correct pertinent questions that only the service technician can answer.

[Jesda]

While I understand how it works, this whole situation sounds a little screwy.

When's the last time you had to buy your contractor, babysitter, or plumber a box of doughnuts to get good service? Imagine if your sitter allowed your child to play in a pile of his own feces, all because you forgot to leave a dozen Krispy Kremes on the table.

You generally expect businesses to perform services at the price agreed to in the time frame expected -- anything less should mean they lose your business. The beauty of capitalism! I sometimes feel like digging up Adam Smith's coffin and giving him a hug.

Additionally, at my dealership (and every Infiniti dealer I've visited), I have no direct access to the techs. Its me, the service writer, and a big glass wall. The only people I could give anything to are the sales guy, the receptionist, and service writer. The receptionist is hot, so obviously bribing her would be for other purposes.

Fortunately, I'm treated well by Bommarito Infiniti anyway. My letters of praise should be good enough for them.

-Jesda

[squeefoo]

Bakhshish : A tip or gratuity; Friends of mine from Pakistan and Jordan/Egypt pronounced it BAH - SHEE.

Common in the restaurant industry, in my limited experience taking anything to a dealership -I can't see how to do it. I used to get an occasional tip on a Saturday or Holidays when wrenching and doing bodywork (usually emergencies).

It seems to have more of a third-world connotation; hence the latest birdcage liner stories about Halliburton and the CIA, sometimes the rest of the world operates in ways that the "elites" don't comprehend. I'm all for greasing palms, but in the U.S. it seems counterintuitive since as a meritocracy (what merit is there in using a mode of employment to expect/extract tips?) we don't think in those terms. Whereas in other countries they do, as a nearly foremost thought.

P.S. Happy BD: WFB -79 (!?)

[Q45tech]

YOU YOU YOU have to go out of your way to make friends!

No wonder there are so many compliants about dealerships and the service they provide.

Why do you think they don't want you to deal with or talk with the HELP......you break up their carefulfully crafted isolated world designed to not let you get special treatment.Best to deal with the Service Manager first ANYWAY.

Everyone should live in a South/Central American/African/ Mid East/Asian/European country for a year.............nothing gets done without the bribe. Only US and Canada/UK have these strange ideas.

[maxnix]

It is only the manner of presentation and expectation that distinguishes a lagniappe or a gratuity from a bribe. Displaying genuine appreciation always helps. It is a lost social courtesy in what passes as culture today.

[squeefoo]

It is only the manner of presentation and expectation that distinguishes a lagniappe or a gratuity from a bribe.

Well stated.

[Q451990]

As unsavory as it seems, Dennis is right. It's definately counter-intuitive to me. I'm very frugal (that's what we cheap people like to be called) - but in many cases the return far exceeds the effort and $$ expended. I am absolutely convinced that I received two (or was it three?) transmissions for Q1 under the extended warranty in a 20,000 mile period as a result of a steak house gift certificate and another gift certificate to the local golf shop. Another gift certificate to the tech scored me a better exhaust system from a newer, lower mileage guide failure donor while mine was off. With the holidays upon us - you have a very good opportunity to make this work seemlessly.

Of course, you need to work your way in to a good working relationship first. Some sort of rapport... You'll look like a jackass waving a $20 bill under someone's nose on your first visit!

Heath

[Q45tech]

I assume everyone goes in every 90 days for their oil changes that way you get to know people. You are labeled as someone who likes the dealer, not just someone who needs them for free warranty.

They look at how much you've spent when it comes to going the extra mile.Just like most companies -------YIELD MANAGEMENT.

[PoorManQ45]

Does that mean that they "like" to screw the people that do most of their own work?

I mean, is there going to be a "punishment" for someone who wants to save money, by not taking it to the dealer who ripes you off on basic jobs, ie.. oil change, transmission pan drop, spark plug change.

[squeefoo]

I think it means they don't want people bothering everybody back there, or "slip and falling", or walking into something. Negligence is king out there.It means there ways around it by getting to know everybody for awhile.

Does that mean that they "like" to screw the people that do most of their own work?

They like to screw the people who bring them in, because they have alot of overhead and try to make a certain amount on each car for the time spent.

[HeavyDuty]

I've always attempted to ingratiate myself to my service writer, the parts guy & the tech assigned the job.

Even years ago when going to a tire/suspension place (Firestone, etc) I would go to the same place unless my favorite tech would move, then I would move to the new shop with him.

Of course this was a long time ago & I knew the guy well, but a big fat Tater in the ashtray worked miracles on my vehicle.

It is about understanding that these people work hard & rarely get even a simple compliment from end users, nevertheless service writers or the service manager, ergo, apathy and indifference thrive in that environment.

Even offering a Coke while standing there talking to the tech, parts guy or writer goes a long way.

Everyone complains, NO ONE offers, or if they DO offer, they never follow thorugh on letters of commendation. That's worked well for me too.

[PalmerWMD]

AT ym Firestone I always give a tip to the tech even if its just an oil change,

When I go to Walmart I ask everyone if they want a Soda or something.

Just like to be respectful so PPL feel like valued professionals not like the "hired help"

Fred..

[Jeff Williams]

Trade that under powered Nissan, for a 2005 G35 Coupe.

295 HP, & Infiniti service!