My Infiniti Service Dep. is a JOKE!

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zinkie13
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Well, I took my Q into a dealership service department in louisville last sunday to have a 60,000 mile tune up and a general check up. I also had a service engine light on that needed to be addressed along with a gas pedal that sticks terribly! The car was supposed to be done on monday but it didn't really get finished until thursday.

So, when i pick it up, i am expecting it to be a bit pricey because I assumed they did good work. Turns out the service engine light is from a bad O2 sensor. That cost nearly 500 dollars to get replaced. Also, I guess they didn't really check to see what was wrong w/ the gas pedal, they just assumed it was the throttle body. So, they did unneccesary work. They rebuilt the throttle body for nearly 200 and somehow when i drove home, the original problem was worse.

The worst of it was: the main thing they emphasized when i picked the car up was that they did the most thorough suspension check up on it that could possibly be done to a car in order to ensure the smooth ride infiniti is so well known for. So I'm driving home, and notice that i had to **** the steering wheel to the right in order to drive reasonably straight. So i figured no big deal, the tire pressures are messed up. Just in case, I take it to a local tire store to get it check out.

Turns out, the front right tie rod was BROKEN! They said as soon as they lifted to car up the wheel tilted inwards. They also said the only way they could not have noticed this was if they didn't even take the time to look at it. When i brought the car in...it drove perfectly fine. No steering problems at all. Also on top of that, they UNBALANCED the tires and decreased the pressure in one of them to under 25 pounds of pressure.

The car is also a great deal slower now that I have gotten it back. the 0 to 60 time is one second slower.

What should I do and what should I ask from them and if they do not comply with my requests, then what should i do?


maxnix
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Document it and call the local area Infiniti service representative.

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PalmerWMD
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I suggest you make a detailed and accuarte write-up of what occured and bring this to the service managers attention.

He may (or may not) be aware of the screw up.Dont call fisrt just walk in with your write-up and politely but firmly go over these items and let them know you expect them addressed in short order.

Be sure to be clear what problem did <not> exist when you brought it in.

Don't say <you guys charge too much>, say "this was done and was ineffective repair" and repaired something as a result of a misdiagnosis that <they> made.

Obvisouly much was screwed up.

Step 2 if the fix that they owe you isnt done to your complete satisfaction:If the service mabager seems unable and/or unwilling to address things take it up with the GM..

Fred...:)

zinkie13
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Thanks for your help! The only problem is me getting the car there! Its a little over an hour drive. Hopefully I can get there soon.

maxnix
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zinkie13 wrote:Thanks for your help! The only problem is me getting the car there! Its a little over an hour drive. Hopefully I can get there soon.
Very soon. Tomorrow would be good. Don't procrastinate.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

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DAEDALUS
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Call them now if you haven't done so already. Hard to convince people it's really a problem if you wait...it has already been a few days. Get names of everyone you talk to and keep a log. Documentation will back you up if this gets really ugly. From now on, when you take your car in, write "Subject to owner inspection of work" right above the line you sign on the credit card slip and on the invoice. Then you have recourse legally and with your CC company should anything go wrong. Otherwise, the fine print probably says that, by signing the invoice, the work was satisfactory and you agree you got everything you paid for.

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crubio
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Also, get them to send a flatbed to tow it back to the dealer.

GEOFF
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I am hearing a lot of complaints with Infiniti Service nationwide. I took mine in for an oil leak under warranty. They replaced the valve cover gaskets with a $900 dollar exp to Warr. co. Got it home and it still leaked! Took it back and it was the oil pan. How do you miss that one? I think corporate Infiniti needs to review the service level of many of their dealer shops. I have better luck at the local tire/auto repair shop.

PtM03m45
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Yeah I think Uncle Carlo needs to go around and remove the trailer park infiniti mechanics, there's a ton of them at my dealership nearby. I took my car there on friday at 3:30 cause I had air in my refridgerant lines and the poor service manager goes outside and asks these trailer park guys "hey can anybody check this car out real quick" and they all were like "oh we leave at 4:30 we can't" and another mumbled he was going home to jump in his pool. More like his pond. LOL It was really sickening to see that type of non dedication by these mechanics. If it was me I would of been like hey man drive your car around and we'll check it out for ya. Complete double losers. So I won't bring my car there anymore, I'll fix it myself.

My M

maxnix
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Don't know where you are, but that is worth a letter to Infiniti corporate, especially when you are in warranty.

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forecast
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hey I had some experience with the Louisville infiniti people. I went there for advice when I was working on may car.

Pretty much a waste of time, but they do have a bright clean shop that looks really nice.

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90Q45blue
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I too have had problems with the Infiniti dealer in Kansas City. They were VERY rude to me on both visits and they also mis-diagnosed a stuck idler pulley for a broken power steering pump and a leaky fuel injector for a defective MAF (not the sensor mind you but the MAG itself).

Aargh! Someone needs to talk to Infiniti if they are getting reviews like this in such a faithful group.

Nick

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Jesda
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Wendle Infiniti, Spokane WA kicks BUTT!

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Mayhem_J30
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I have never had a good experience at the Louisville Infiniti dealership...with the garage at least. They can kiss my a$$

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Jesda
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I should add that the first time I went to Wendle Infiniti, I couldnt find out where the heck the service reps were. So I stuck my head in an office and said "Where's Service at?" and the guy waved a hand at me like I was annoying him. I almost left and never came back.

Left a comment card and taped it to a window that could be easily seen in the service bay and made sure it clearly said "[Name] was being a real *******. [Name] however was great!"

Never had an issue with any of the technicians.

The guys at the parts counter are the best. Theyre knowledgeable, friendly, and straightforward.

But for most repairs I have my own mechanic.

-J.

GEOFF
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I think the mechanics at Infiniti of West County St Louis all drive chevys and live in a trailer down by the river. Infiniti of Lisle IL was pretty good. I really liked the technicians. And Jesda, if you are new to St Louis, I might suggest Plaza Infiniti over Bommarito.

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AZhitman
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Midway (here in Phoenix) has always been on my poop list. The service writer there has been there for a long time, and apparently he's fairly revered by his staff. I'm not impressed, as his technical knowledge pales in comparison to some of our members. Can't wander out into the service area (the Gestapo are quite rude about this), there's usually an appointment required, and there's a 3-4 day waiting list for a loaner car - and you get what you get (no special requests). Sales staff there act like they haven't eaten in a week, they walk right out in front of your car and tell you where to park, and follow you around asking stupid questions like, "How much were you looking to spend?" "What kind of payment do you need to get into?" BEFORE you've even mentioned looking for a car.

On the flip side, Scottsdale Infiniti treats you like a king. I pull up, they know my name. I get the loaner I want (G35), usually without an appointment. The girls that work there are gorgeous :naughty, the service managers are nice, friendly, and helpful, and you can wander into the shop area without someone freaking out. The parts guys (not just Joe) are cool as hell, and the sales staff don't follow you around asking stupid-arse questions. I love it there - it feels like home.

Jberger
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I was really trying to stay out of this, but now I've just got to tell you guys about my latest AND LAST infiniti dealer experiance. Needless to say, there will NOT be an FX45 in the driveway nor another Q in the future.

I'm SURE the dealer will probably respond, and they should, they have an intrest in the topic as well.

I was asked to discontinue posting my dealer experiances on this and other infiniti related forums by my servicing dealer. In return, they would continue to service my vehicle. This is significant as they are the only dealer in town.

Since I've obviously declined to censor my thoughts on the subject, I'm no longer welcome at the dealer for sales or service.

However I do believe they'd sell me a car, THEN decide they didn't want to service it.

This was in response to my comments which the dealer viewed as deflamitory in nature regarding thier service center.

I think if any reasonable person were to review the posts I've made in the past 6 months related to dealer service, they'd find I was fair and balenced on the issue.

Just for reference, the last estimate I received was for $9,600 in repairs. I double checked the parts list/prices with Joe and found the local dealer was 165% more expensive on the identical parts.

I don't mind anyone making a fair profit, that's what is required to stay in business and prosper. But charging 165% more per part is way beyond fair. It reminds me of a monopolisic business practice since they are the only dealer in town.

In the past, my service experiance was so poor at the dealer, I looked all over to find a service dept. who was competent, fair and honest. That's how I met Dennis and learned of T3 in Atlanta. Since meeting him and the guys at T3, almost all of my service has been performed there, inspite of the long distance and overnight visits required. The service and experiance was outstanding with T3.

In short, the inifiniti dealer experiance I've had on a local basis has been dismal. My local Cadillac dealer offers a much higher degree a service, even my Mazda dealer offers a better experiance.

infiniti can produce good vehicles, but until they can offer a service experiance on par with other makes, they will continue to perform poorly in the marketplace."own one and you'll understand"- it's true, I understand now.

GEOFF
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Wow Jberger!. That is absolutely rediculous! That dealer only has something to hide when they ask you not to post! What is wrong with Infiniti service. I thought mine was bad, but it sounds like a disease of the Infiniti service industry. Is Nissan this bad?. Acura & Toyota have been good to me....even the Isuzu service owned by the same comp. as my Infiniti dealer that sucks. Isuzu is awesome because every time you get service...Corp calls a few day later to evaluate the visit. Not the dealer but CORP!

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PalmerWMD
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I have nearly always had good expereinces with various Infiniti delears.

Specifically Lupient Infiniti of Minneapolis among others.My local service dept (Sam Swope Infiniti) I also had good experiences with in the years and 3 Q's I had in there.

They <did> screw up one time, but tried <very> hard to make it right and they did, that was almost 3 years ago.I would use them more, if they weren't always so booked.

Another thing, almost always they can get me a loaner even in todays general retrenchment on his issue.

Fred...:)

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PalmerWMD
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Also one thing that was a real class act on the part of their service advisor (who is just generally a class act period, but I won't mention by name in case this collides w/ a policy)), was, when I needed something done prior to a trip but they were booked and he actually recommended a independent competitor to get it done, before the trip.Now thats keeping the customers interest in mind!

Fred...:yesnod:

maxnix
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Seems like the dealers W of the Mississippi and South of the Mason-Dixon line have a different attitude. Markets that are served by more than one dealer seem to have one that will give the extra effort to be number one.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

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zinkie13
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I called today to see what Sam Swope's would do for me. All he did was tell me I was WRONG and that the people I had looking at the car in my home town didn't know what they were talking about. He tried to use dictionary wizardry on me in order to get me to say something that was not true. He had the file in front of him and I told him that i had brought my car in for a general tune up/ check up and he asked if the main reason i brought the car in was to check the broken tie rod. Then i had to remind him that it wasn't broken when i brought it there. He then said he could have a look at it again sometime with a scheduled appointment that is usually about a month later. And for the sticky gas pedal....He straight up said that cleaning the throttle body probably released MORE carbon to gum it up and said he could work on that if i brought the car to him as well. He was very impolite. I simply told him nicely what the problem was and that i was probably going to have the tie rod replaced locally and all he could do was say that my car's pulling to the right could have been a number of problems, but probably wasn't the tie rod. He tried to tell me that the only reason the wheel could be moved around the way it was after being lifted was because there was no weight on it.

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PalmerWMD
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Hmm,

I didnt realize that Swope was your dealer.

Email me off -board if you include your number I will give you a call.

Fred...:)

maxnix
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zinkie13 wrote:He tried to use dictionary wizardry on me in order to get me to say something that was not true.
What's that?
zinkie13 wrote:All he did was tell me I was WRONG and that the people I had looking at the car in my home town didn't know what they were talking about
Did you drive an hour with a broken tie rod?

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zinkie13
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He just tried to confuse me by listing about 20 different problems that could have caused the car to pull to the right. He just kept pushing away the fact that it was diagnosed as a messed up left front outer tie rod. I would tell him what happened and that it was diagnosed in that way and then he would tell me it was probably something else. And yes, I have driven a great deal on the broken tie rod. I have no other car at the moment.

GEOFF
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That is NOT the type of repsonse that should come from a dealer serv tech. I could get a better excuse from Bob's all tune and Lube House. If you were in Missouri you could borrow my '87 Caddy, A.K.A. "The Big Brown Beast". it keeps my Q tucked away in the garage for sunny play days. Who could worry? Another beast can be replaced for $675.

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90Q45blue
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After bashing Major Infiniti in Kansas City, I will say that Steven Infiniti in Wichita, KS, is a nice place to go to. The service guys there are nice albeit expensive on parts. Henry is a pretty nice guy. Overall I have nothing bad to say about them...I just wish Infiniti of Scottsdale moved to Infiniti of Wichita. :)

Nick

maxnix
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zinkie13 wrote: He just kept pushing away the fact that it was diagnosed as a messed up left front outer tie rod.
Zinkie, I think part of the problem is your inability to describe precisely what is wrong. A "broken" tie rod would render the vehicle undrivable. Who knows what a "messed up" tie rod is? If it is merely worn out, the service writer is circumloqaciously saying it may not be the dealer's fault.

That is why you must document and articulate precisely. If we are confused, then I guarantee the service writer is also. What exactly is wrong and what did the dealership do to cause it?

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Q451990
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Jberger wrote:II was asked to discontinue posting my dealer experiances on this and other infiniti related forums by my servicing dealer. In return, they would continue to service my vehicle. This is significant as they are the only dealer in town.


I think I'd advise them that if they think they have a case against you, bring it - otherwise they'll continue to service your vehicle as requested or you'll be the one bringing legal action! That's absolutely the most outrageous thing I've ever heard! Have you called Infiniti Corporate? I've never had much success there, but in this case, even they might care...

Heath


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