Special offer
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker (Fred Griffin Real Estate)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Out here most dealerships are concerned with their reputation.  Something like that would lead to a bad review which would be really bad for the Lexus brand overall.  Have her talk to the service department manager or the regional manager (may need to call another dealership to get them if the first won't give it to her).

 

But yes, I've known some great repair shops and some real slimebags.

May 11, 2021 07:29 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I think it's a stereotype. I've always had my cars serviced at my dealerships (Honda and Infiniti) and I've had fantastic service and work. I've usually heard about more problems from private repair shops.

Good warning that one should read something before they sign it.

May 12, 2021 04:52 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I've been fortunate.  I do read the contracts ... and ask a lot of questions. 

Never accept a verbal estimate.  Get it ALL IN WRITING and make sure no additional repairs can be done without prior approval, in writing!

I am sorry that happened to your friend.  

May 11, 2021 06:09 PM
Rainmaker
289,719
Dario Ferreira
Attleboro, MA
Internet Marketing & SEO

That's terrible.
Time to crank out the bad reviews online. Yelp, BBB, etc.

Search for "xyz dealership reviews", then enter a few yourself.

Fun fact: You can run Google ads targeting a business name, even if you do not own it.
Do with this info what you wish. I know what I would do ;)

May 11, 2021 07:47 PM
Rainer
195,422
Karen Climer
Demetree School of Real Estate - Orlando, FL
Teaching people to pass the real estate exam

Are there people who have bad experiences at car dealerships?  Of course there are.

Does that make car dealers as a broad group terrible people or terrible businesses?  If you believe it does, than you must also think that the worst experience that Joe Citizen has had with a real estate agent is representative of you or our entire profession?

May 11, 2021 06:52 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,364
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Generally, I believe generalizations are a concern to anyone who truly thinks.  I understand that people who have been harmed in some way often are quite vocal.  Some for good reason and some just because they can.  

May 11, 2021 06:21 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,509
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Sold my Acura because the city owned dealer always wanted you to have services you did not need.

Bought a Ford and used a city dealership and they were excellent. Have used them twice now and no up charges suggested.

Different deaerships have different policies.

May 12, 2021 04:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Like Real Estate car repair shops have a bad rep but its the bad minority that gives the majority good ones the blackeye.

May 12, 2021 07:16 AM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Not really, I've been pretty fortunate to have most things taken care of all these years.  If they gave me a quote for 1300 and it turned up 4000 they'd be some words spoken  and written out etc etc.

May 11, 2021 10:17 PM
Rainmaker
901,535
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Wow! That's just bad business. What a shame. Lexus usually has a good reputation. I have a Honda and they call us to give us a quote outside of anything we request. Sometimes we do it and sometimes we take it somewhere cheaper. We have a great relationship with our dealership.

May 12, 2021 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

That doesn't seem right even if she signed their BS mandatory service agreement. Mercedes & BMW has the same nonsense. 

They are always told not to fix anything without talking to me first. They always have a litany list of what they 'need' to fix which is just nuts.

You know like 'bug hit windshield - windshield replacement $1200."

May 12, 2021 05:46 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

My 2013 Honda Pilot sounded like it was about to throw a rod through the block. New engind plus installation $4,378 + miscellenous. I like my Pilot.
So they start the work THEN.......
it is the belt tensioning pully causing the noise. $1,200 including new timing belt.
I know what the bill owuld have been at a place like Firestone. (Note: in the old days, maybe still current, these folks worded on commission)
ALL dealerships are criminals when it comes to warranty work, They screw the manufacturer not the citizen.
Same is true with HVAC. If it is stil under warrenty, whatever is wrong is fixed with a new compressor.
Todate I have been very statisfied with dealer service through Honda and Toyota. 
Do I broadcast that on social medaia? My vote is FOR SALE not given freely. Ohhh...is AR social meda?

May 12, 2021 04:23 AM
Rainmaker
2,241,554
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

How much is this going to cost BEFORE the big bill that was a sucker punch. Big shops, something missed in the he said she said in the chain of command. It happens. Smaller personal shops in rural Maine... everyone is frugal and no surprises and communication on how the operation is going... setting expectations happens. 9 year old car is going to require repairs after it loses the new car smell too.

May 12, 2021 07:15 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have taken my Lexus into the local dealer, and have not had a problem.   That would be AWFUL.

May 12, 2021 06:24 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Perspective will be a great help here. When you take your car in at some dealers, its like a medical check-up for the car. Consequently, they review all that is not up to snuff and what may need looking into soon in addition to your current ailment. Dealers have factory standards, their own parts and training and it is expensive where as your local trustworthy mechanic can repair but is not an expert or approved technician for your brand car. Lets face it. Owning a car is expensive. In the 30, 40 and 50's, Taxi's ruled New York (big cities) as owning a car was not practical. Commuting from the suburbs by train was the norm. Today, its uber and its practical. It all adds up to location in Real Estate where one is close to everything. Retirees have an eye on all this

May 12, 2021 06:13 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

We have never ever had a problem with a Mercedes Dealership.  They always give an estimate, and if for some reason, it is higher than they call for a OK!  And that has not happened since we owned the same brand since 1980.  We have moved three times, and each dealer repair experience was the same.  A

May 12, 2021 12:51 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Know what you're doing and READ what you sign; that would be number one. It pays to know what actually really needs to be done and by them. Some "fixes" or replacements are either not necessary, or not due as yet and some can be done by the owners easily (if you know what you're doing, like my hubby). Have to find a place that you trust.

May 12, 2021 11:25 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Some are concerned with reputation, others are not.

You do pay premium for those with a good rep.

May 12, 2021 10:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,262
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Slow Service, high prices  yup.  If you want to play you gotta pay.  

May 12, 2021 08:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

They always seem to have a reputation. Some really good, some awful. I drive 60 min to Lake Havasu City to get my truck serviced at the dealer there even though the local dealer is 5 min away. They gave me a bad clicker, said I broke it and that will be 400. Bye bitches!

May 12, 2021 07:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I take our two cars to their respective brand dealerships. I get written estimates from each for work to be done. If more is done, it is not done until I get a phone call telling me about the need for same and getting my approval.

The upcharge to to you friend was quite large. I think there may be more to the story.

May 13, 2021 06:39 AM
Ambassador
3,125,842
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

They overcharge for repairs, my advice is to find a reliable, local garage. I saved over $500 doing that.

May 12, 2021 03:44 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,716
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I was just at my lincoln dear just for a oil change yesterday and ended paying $159 for one

 

May 12, 2021 09:51 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I try to be very careful with dealership shops. They tend to overcharge.

May 12, 2021 09:14 AM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

If you don't read the contract, it's on you.  In Monterey, Lexus is fabulous.  They tell me what they think something will cost when I take it in, but they always call for approval of the actual findings and charge.  PS. They always give me a new car to drive while it's in the shop, no matter how many days it takes.  LOVE tHEM!

May 13, 2021 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,090,922
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

That stinks and yes, I've had so many bad experiences I could write a book. I think car dealerships are like any other industry, there are good ones and bad ones. I think it depends on the owner and management how good or bad the experience will be. And it seems there are more bad than good these days.

May 12, 2021 06:41 PM