In for service...my dealer's Service Loaners are now "Service Rentals"
#61
Lexus Fanatic
My Corolla gets a $55 oil change at a Toyota dealer, I could probably try to save $25 by getting it done at Canadian Tire or even cheaper in Rochester on the weekends. But honestly, I have no issues paying extra, I like the dealer I go to, I am entitled to a loaner becuase of all the cars I have bought and my fmaily too but I just get a shuttle drive back to my office. Or sometimes I just browse the lot and show room and look at the cars.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-28-15 at 09:30 AM.
#62
Lexus Test Driver
There has to be some reason after 25 years of calling them "loaners", something that implies a cost free courtesy, making the change to calling them "rentals', something that someone pays to use. And to go to the trouble of scraping off all the old ones that say "loaner" and changing it to "rental". Why would they do that if there wasn't going to be some sort of change in how they view loaner cars?
I think what your SA described makes perfect sense for the change in verbiage to rental from loaner. They probably changed the name on the back of the cars to rental so they can add the rate to the sheet. You can't put a rate on a "loaner", but you can put a rate on a "rental".
The intention may not be to actually charge or even lead into future charging for the loaners, but it's just a psychological tactic to get customers to return the cars sooner, so there is quicker turnaround so more customers get access to them.
#63
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
We shall see...
#64
#65
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
In for service...my dealer's Service Loaners are now "Service Rentals"
Originally Posted by Maikerusan
You stated you don't care what they call it, as long as it is free, and it looks like it was free. So why the angst?
Now if they attempt to charge you for that, that's a whole other issue and I would get very upset over that.
Now if they attempt to charge you for that, that's a whole other issue and I would get very upset over that.
If that's not something that concerns you, you don't have to participate in the discussion.
#66
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
No angst. Just an observation shared with the group since we've discussed other members dealers beginning to charge for loaners in the past. My guess is that they're going to start charging for loaners and they're just not quite ready to make the formal policy change.
If that's not something that concerns you, you don't have to participate in the discussion.
If that's not something that concerns you, you don't have to participate in the discussion.
#67
Lexus Fanatic
This has turned into Cry Baby stuff....if they charge you for it going forward, just don't go back....you could wait for the service to be performed, take a shuttle, or just go to your independent garage. Ugh! Petty, petty, penny pinching.
#68
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Whenever you see a company that you've been a customer of for a long time and enjoy being a customer of start to devalue you as a customer by charging more and delivering less is always frustrating. I posted this because as a Lexus owner who had participated in discussions before about dealers ceasing to offer loaners, I thought it would be of interest to fellow members. To many of which it was. Again, if you don't want to participate in the discussion...don't. You don't even own a Lexus so no skin off your nose.
Like I said before, plenty of other dealers if my suspicion turns out to be right or I have a great independent mechanic.
#69
Lexus Test Driver
Perhaps
Used vehicle vs per owned
Loaner vs rental
Is the verbage sexier from a business perspective to say "rental" than loaner? Idk could they have used different terminology for Lexus owners? Just throwing that out there.
Used vehicle vs per owned
Loaner vs rental
Is the verbage sexier from a business perspective to say "rental" than loaner? Idk could they have used different terminology for Lexus owners? Just throwing that out there.
#70
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
In for service...my dealer's Service Loaners are now "Service Rentals"
Personally I would think a "loaner" gets them more credibility out on the street because a loaner is something given as a perk or a benefit for free vs a "rental" which is typically something you have to pay for.
The point of the banner on the loaner car is to advertise that if you have your Lexus serviced at Lexus of Rockville you get this loaner. "You can rent this car" is less impressive.
Like I said though, as long as it stays included with the service they can call it whatever they want.
The point of the banner on the loaner car is to advertise that if you have your Lexus serviced at Lexus of Rockville you get this loaner. "You can rent this car" is less impressive.
Like I said though, as long as it stays included with the service they can call it whatever they want.
#72
Does the owner of your Lexus dealership also own MB and Acura dealerships?
#74
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Yeah I can't think of any that are shared with other brands...
#75
Lexus Test Driver
Wonder how they decipher service codes of other vehicles? Wait....I know the Mercedes dealership that I bought my RX from can service my vehicle as they sold it to me and they "warranty" any work on it for a year. Otherwise they send the vehicle out to my local Lexus for any extensive work. In fact it's going back to the Mercedes dealership this Monday for work done on it when I bought it.