Notices
Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

Lexus Customer Service my experience

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 04:05 PM
  #1  
LovetheLex's Avatar
LovetheLex
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 17
From: Ca
Default Lexus Customer Service my experience

I have always heard Lexus customer service was second to none. I can now say beyond a doubt this is true after my recent experience. On July 13th I bought a 2005 ES330. This is my first Lexus and I love it to pieces. The gentleman who sold it to me listed in his add that it was still covered by the 4 year 50k mile bumper to bumper warranty. Problem is, when I printed the car fax I saw that the vehicle was purchased July 13th 2005. This meant my warranty expired the day I purchased it! My new car had one mechanical flaw. The right side mirror would not move up and down. I pointed this out to the seller and he claimed he had never noticed. Well I didn't think too much of it at the time. I felt I got a great deal on the car and I couldn't have been more happy to be driving my shiny new ride.
After getting my car home and parked comfortably in the garage it dawned on me. Calling my local Lexus dealership and asking if they would take care of it two days after the warranty expired couldn't hurt so I did just that. The friendly service rep I spoke with regretfully informed me that there was nothing he could do. He told me the cost of replacing the mirror was over five hundred dollars. I was not upset by this. After all four years had past and it certainly wasn't Lexus' fault I hadn't purchased the vehicle a week before. Well just when I had all but decided to deal with having a near perfect car I decided to call Lexus corporate to ask one more time. I spoke with a very friendly young lady who said she would take up my concern with her higher ups and get back to me within two business days. Just a couple days later I heard back from her. She said they might as a "good will gesture" be able to cover part of the repair costs. All I needed to do was make an appointment and take my car to the dealer to have the exact problem diagnosed. The next day I took my car in and dropped it off. They were very quick to offer a loaner vehicle which is something my last dealer (Chevy) never did even if I was having a thousand dollars worth of work done. Well I just heard back from them and Lexus has agreed to cover the ENTIRE cost of the replacement mirror! I was floored. If they had just offered to help with part of it I would have been thrilled. I never felt they were obligated to do a thing. It turns out everyone saying Lexus customer service is the best in the business are right. I am thrilled to be able to say the same and to own such a great car!

Last edited by LovetheLex; Jul 23, 2009 at 04:28 PM. Reason: spelling
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 04:09 PM
  #2  
PhilipMSPT's Avatar
PhilipMSPT
Cycle Savant
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 21,528
Likes: 9
From: In rehab...
Default

That is an excellent story.

I hope you enjoy not only your new-to-you Lexus, but also it's services and privileges as well...


By the way, welcome to the Club!
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 04:12 PM
  #3  
LexFather
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Originally Posted by LovetheLex
I have always heard Lexus customer service was second to none. I can now say beyond a doubt this is true after my recent experience. On July 13th I bought a 2005 ES330. This is my first Lexus and I love it to pieces. The gentleman who sold it to me listed in his add that it was still covered by the 4 year 50k mile bumper to bumper warranty. Problem is, when I printed the car fax I saw that the vehicle was purchased July 13th 2005. This meant my warranty expired the day I purchased it! My new car had one mechanical flaw. The right side mirror would not moved up and down. I pointed this out to the seller and he claimed he had never noticed. Well I didn't think too much of it at the time. I felt I got a great deal on the car and I couldn't have been more happy to be driving my shiny new ride.
After getting my car home and parked comfortably in the garage it dawned on me. Calling my local Lexus dealership and asking if they would take care of it two days after the warranty expired couldn't hurt so I did just that. The friendly service rep I spoke with regretfully informed me that there was nothing he could do. He told me the cost of replacing the mirror was over five hundred dollars. I was not upset by this. After all four years had past and it certainly wasn't Lexus' fault I hadn't purchased the vehicle a week before. Well just when I had all but decided to deal with having a near perfect car I decided to call Lexus corporate to ask one more time. I spoke with a very friendly young lady who said she would take up my concern with her higher ups and get back to me within two business days. Just a couple days later I heard back from her. She said they might as a "good will gesture" be able to cover part of the repair costs. All I needed to do was make an appointment and take my car to the dealer to have the exact problem diagnosed. The next day I took my car in and dropped it off. They were very quick to offer a loaner vehicle which is something my last dealer (Chevy) never did even if I was having a thousand dollars worth of work done. Well I just heard back from them and Lexus has agreed to cover the ENTIRE cost of the replacement mirror! I was floored. If they had just offered to help with part of it I would have been thrilled. I never felt they were obligated to do a thing. It turns out everyone saying Lexus customer service is the best in the business are right. I am thrilled to be able to say the same and to own such a great car!
Congrats and excellent story! THanks for sharing!!
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 04:26 PM
  #4  
GSteg's Avatar
GSteg
Rookie
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16,018
Likes: 81
From: CA
Default

That's awesome. I'm currently dealing with the same problem (left mirror). 05 ES330 also, however, with 98k miles



Glad lexus took care of the problem.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 04:29 PM
  #5  
LovetheLex's Avatar
LovetheLex
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 17
From: Ca
Default

Originally Posted by GSteg
That's awesome. I'm currently dealing with the same problem (left mirror). 05 ES330 also, however, with 98k miles



Glad lexus took care of the problem.

Good luck to you. I was pretty surprised to hear how expensive they are to replace.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 04:46 PM
  #6  
rominl's Avatar
rominl
exclusive matchup
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 81,854
Likes: 445
From: Lovely OC
Default

wow good story, congrats on having it repaired!
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 05:02 PM
  #7  
RXSF's Avatar
RXSF
CL Community Team
15 Year Member
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Community Builder
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,549
Likes: 230
From: San Francisco, CA
Default

i have had a lot of things repaired under "goodwill" even though im at 98 thousand miles thats lexus for ya
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 05:10 PM
  #8  
encore888's Avatar
encore888
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
Likes: 2
From: CA
Default

Props to you for doing your due diligence and also to that Lexus customer service lady who did follow up and call back within 2 days, with GREAT news! Glad they got the mirror fixed and were willing to bend the rules, only 2 days out of warranty.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 06:12 PM
  #9  
IS-SV's Avatar
IS-SV
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
Default

Today they gave me a IS350 with 25K miles for a loaner. That car was beatup but fortunately it still ran strong.

The service experience was very good btw (30K service and free low dust front brake pads).
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 07:42 PM
  #10  
LovetheLex's Avatar
LovetheLex
Thread Starter
Rookie
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 17
From: Ca
Default

They give out Camrys for loaners at my dealership. A 350 would have been great.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 09:43 PM
  #11  
lex's Avatar
lex
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From: Europe
Default

gotta love Lexus!
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2009 | 10:12 PM
  #12  
IS-SV's Avatar
IS-SV
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
Default

Originally Posted by LovetheLex
They give out Camrys for loaners at my dealership. A 350 would have been great.
I was also offered the choice of a 08 RX, I declined.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2009 | 01:07 AM
  #13  
Fizzboy7's Avatar
Fizzboy7
Lexus Test Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,994
Likes: 248
From: California
Default

That's a great story no doubt. However most premium car makes are doing similar gestures. It's pretty common these days if you are just out of warranty and something (minor) breaks.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2009 | 04:07 AM
  #14  
IS350jet's Avatar
IS350jet
Pole Position
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,883
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs, Fl
Default

I'm glad you got your mirror fixed. I'm a bit surprised that you had to take it to corporate, though. I'm pretty certain if you had asked to speak with the service manager at the dealer, it would have been taken care of. One day out of warranty? To ANY Lexus dealer, it's still under warranty.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2009 | 05:31 AM
  #15  
dunnojack's Avatar
dunnojack
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,806
Likes: 7
From: californication
Default

Originally Posted by IS-SV
Today they gave me a IS350 with 25K miles for a loaner. That car was beatup but fortunately it still ran strong.
.

did it have a lot of rattles?
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:18 PM.