BigDogJonx

iTrader: (7)

Well you read correct, after taking it there this moring for them to take a look at my completely unfigurable problem with my interior lights not working, keyless entry not working, trunk release not working, gas opener not working, when the vanity mirror is opened the door/trunk light is illuminated.

Well right off the bad he did not really want to help me when he saw all the stuff I had done to the car. But I did leave it there, at 5pm, he calls me back and tells me they worked on it for 4hrs and could not figure it out and never seen anything like this. He said he will not perform anymore work without me authorizing diagnosis which will not be covered under warranty. I got ****ed and argued with him on the phone, he started saying all this stuff about how it is most likely due to something I did and the fact he aint never seen this before, means it is something I did. I told him, just give my car back and I am going to another dealer.

I went to pick it up and went there to start a war too, Well he started telling me it is my fault, and I said I will get it done somewhere else where they respect people. He said well not if I write it on your file and cancel your warranty. I started stuttering (i do that when I am ****ed and high blood pressure) and he seriously made fun of it by imitating me like "What What What, nothing, you straight out of luck" That upset me and I I started cursing and him and 2 other guys told me to leave the premises and escorted me out with my car waiting.

I cant believe that **** tried to threaten me in cancelling my warranty. I am gonna have it out with the Service Manager and the GM tommorow along with Nissan America. He got no idea who he just messed with.

Dixit

xChungHsienx

i would kill that ****. Good luck with the battle
haha

CO2kmax

Good luck, Don't take any of there s#$t. Good work on getting kicked out of the dealership, I have a new goal.

NYC2SD

Yes, do bring it up with the GSM , and Nissan. It's one thing to have a dispute on the warranty, but another thing to attack you personally!

Maximus1000

Where in the world do you guys live that the dealers act like this????????? I'm originally from the midwest (St.Louis) and even though the south often upsets me due to its lost in time lifestyle, I thank goodness that the dealers here at least bend over backwards for you. Never had any problems here. In fact my MAF was replaced under warranty at a dealer two hours from my home when my car quit in B'ham.

Oh yeah, call the GM and tell him what happened. Tell him you nor anyone you know will buy another car there and you plan to share your experience on the internet (ala Jim Ellis VW fiasco).

IceY2K1

iTrader: (3)

What no hammer?
















Sorry to hear about it Dixit. Good luck! 4hrs. yeah RIGHT! They probably didn't even look at it. They just told you that to get you out of there. Typical, Nissan style. Your BEST weapon is to NOT get angry. You should raise a ruckus, but don't cuss and get vulgar otherwise they have an excuse to ask you to leave.

MichaelAE

iTrader: (1)

I gotta say, if you aren't ready to deal with a situation like this...don't modify your car. I'm not saying the guy at the dealership is in the right here, but once you start messing with your car, you need to be prepared to deal with pain-in-the-a$$ service people unless you have already built a relationship with them. Fact of life. I'm not saying you shouldn't be modifying your car either, BigDog...you've done some great things to that Maxima.

Good luck to you at another dealership, but I wouldn't even bother going back to that one. What's the GM going to do about it? What's Nissan NA going to do about it? You have done a significant amount of mechnical and electrical modification to your car and I would venture to guess, if you read your warranty, they probably don't have a legal obligation to do a darn thing. If you've cursed them out, they certainly aren't going to go out of their way to help you if they don't have to. It is not like you represent a demographic which makes Nissan a great deal of money.

I'd walk the hell away and find another dealer and try again. There's nothing to gain by fighting this fight.

BigDogJonx

iTrader: (7)

Alex, if I had a hammer, lets just say..............

Well I know they aint spend 4hrs, I got the 2001 Electical ESM and saw what needs to be done and would take no more than 10mins tops to troubleshoot it.

Believe me, Im going to REAM the Service Manager

Dixit

Shaydz

iTrader: (2)

BigDog,
Take a breath. Collect your thoughts and try to recall everything he said that was disparaging or demeaning and write it down.
When you have it all written down chronilogically, craft a letter to Nissan America and cc the dealership owners/partners.
That's right, craft a letter. Be very clear, consise and polite. Make sure they understand that you are a fine level-headed and educated person that was unjustifiably attacked by one of their representatives and they made fun of a medical condition, etc.

Make their behavior the issue, not the car. While yes, there are some modifications, clearly they can see that these faulty systems have nothing to do with your "upgrades". Specifically ask for some sort of remedy before your lawyer gets involved. Don't mention it initially, but once they respond with what can we do to help you, respong that actually another dealer taking care of the car and some sort of documented punitive action against the service person will suffice.

I know you're angry and felt powerless, but think it through.

My mom always said more bees with honey than vinegar.. OK doesn't apply .. no bees around.
Hey, if it doesn't work make the service guy's life miserable in other ways.

Just my 1.25 (kinda long)

Shaydz

Deac

Whatever you did to the car dosnt mater.... where talking about customer service here! If they were rude to you, teased you and theatened you, you have to make them pay for it! Call the main office, leave voice-mails and write to the Better Business Bureau. They'llbe kissing your @$$ in a few days! Good luck! Went through almost the same thing with Vortech and my Supercharger.

Deac

IceY2K1

iTrader: (3)

Just make sure you document EVERYTHING. Peoples names, dates, explanations of denial, I mean everything. Hell, I'd bring in a damn tape recorder or video camera just to make the GM or whoever nervous and know you mean business.

Did you perform the diagnosis for the SECU?

NYC2SD

Sometimes if you make a big enough stink they'll fix anything. I wouldn't go in there cussing and screaming again, but I would certainly be a big pain in the @ss!

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

WTF? That dealer is a Pr*ck! How in the @#$% could they blame your mods when they didn't even freakin' know what's wrong with the car?? Simple

SR20DEN

iTrader: (7)

Dude, im sorry to hear about your troubles with the dealer.
I was just looking through your site. Umm... you crimed a 12 volt supply on the MAF connector. You should know better than that. Thats the kinds of things they can use as excuses to give you a hard time about and void your warranty.
Folks there are several ways to skin a cat. Crimping oem wires is bad. There are alternatives.

Anywho, I hope you get it all worked out in your favor.

Good luck

BigDogJonx

iTrader: (7)

Shaydz,

I completely understand your point, you are beyond 100% right. I agree with al you about writing the events down and mailing it out/fax to the owner/gm/bbb/nissan america.

I know they will be kissing my azz in about 2days. But I am gonna play hardball.

Alex, Did not get a chance to perform it, once I got the 2k1 ESM for the electical, I saw much much more you can do also, to test each door switch, the power window switches, everything and pinpoint it down to the T. I might do that tommorow before sending the letter to PROVE they aint do shiet.

I know my cussing wasnt right, but im from NY and I just got into it when he did that cause he was a *****.

Dixit

BigDogJonx

iTrader: (7)

Yeah Yeah Yeah, I know, but it was a 100% fix and my brother who is a Electrical Engineer proved to me it wont hurt a damn thing. It is well concelled in the loom and electrical tape. I am gonna remove it and then take it to the dealer. I only used that cause it was the only "iginition" switched wire I got a hold of to do the alarm fix.

Dixit

NYC2SD

Hey, does this dealer have an e-mail address. We should all help BigDog out and e-mail blitz them to show the dealer that they are getting seriously bad publicity over this!

SR20DEN

iTrader: (7)

I use switched power from the power plug (aka cig lighter plug) to run my relays and gauges. Yes he's right, it won't hurt anything if done right. You can make intercepter wires to go in between the connectors on both ends so you don't have to crimp the oem wires.

undercvr

This is excellent advice. If you are calm and "organized" about exactly what happened and what he said, it will be even more of a stark contrast to the service a$$**le's behavior. Customer service blows everywhere unfortunately but this guy took it to a new depth. I know I'd be po'd and loaded for bear but I think when you contact them tomorrow, cool and steady is the key. I hope it all turns out for you. Best of luck!

2kSeattleMax

Good advice Shadyz. The pen can be mightier than the sword. Even though the sword is more immediately gratifying (especially when you bust it off in someones ****).

I wish I had advice like that when I was younger.

NickStam

iTrader: (3)

If the car was bone stock, I think it would really pi$$ me off if they told me it was my fault.

But it's clear that you have done alot to the car. I don't know what you do for a living, but maybe you messed something up and you just don't know it because you're not a car audio expert. Maybe they've never seen anything like this before, because you created something really messed up. What are they supposed to do? Spend 24 hours trying to figure out what's wrong, when those mechanics can be doing real work, making money for the dealership?

Creating a scene just makes you look like the typical crybaby customer that thinks if they raise their voice, they'll get what they want. If you start yelling at him, what's he supposed to do? Let you abuse him? He got you back. Big deal. Are you gonna dish it out and not take it?

How many stories have you read where people mess something up on their max, put everything back to stock, and then play dumb and get it fixed under warraty when it's clearly their fault. I'm sure Nissan knows they've been scammed many times, and when they see tons of electronics, it's the logical thing to assume maybe you ****ed something up.

Just deal with it. Maybe another dealership will help you out.


Cliff notes:

Don't be a baby, many people scam dealerships, and they're just defending themseleves.

TimW

iTrader: (6)

Did he mention trying scam them? No, he asked for a diag on his SECU, which could very well be covered.. A 2 min deal if you have a consult II. that is all he asked for.

We've all left our cars for a day, knowing full well they havent touched it.. then try to get you to pay for a diag.

You might have a promising career as service writer.

yongjun

That is messed up.
Fight it to the end Dixit.
No one should be treated that way.
Hope everything works out well.
You got my back

NickStam

iTrader: (3)

No. My point was that I'm sure they've seen or heard many stories from other dealerships where people come in w/ a modded car, have no idea what they've gotten into and then expect the dealership to fix it. That's the problem; most people can't even change a light bulb, and have modded cars. But when something goes wrong, they try and scam the dealership for a free-bee.

If I was a service tech guy, and I saw that car come in w/ those symtoms; the first thing that would come into my mind is that the owner messed this up.

Now, I would still do a diag, and if I couldn't figure out what was wrong, I would have to think that maybe the owner messed it up. And if the owner starts barking at me, I won't let them abuse me.

BigDogJonx

iTrader: (7)

There is a difference in the owner barking and the service rep making fun of me. Aint no need for that. I was talking normally until it came to that point trying to explain that one tha aint got nothing to do with another. An AMP wire from the battery aint got nothing to do with the keyless entry. Plain and simple.

Dixit

2000MaximaSE

ur sig = http://www.djsjewels.com/pics/jack.GIF

*** edit: I'll let you leave that as a link, but not an image. ***

xtantmaxima

Similar thing happened to me recently for the 30K service. Brought it in and the guy not only insulted the .org sticker but when he told me the rotors weren't covered and I presented proof otherwise he mockingly asked if I wanted to work there since I knew everything before I brought it to him.

CIRCO

iTrader: (1)

OMG dude you gotta fight them with Nissan of North America. Don't even go to another dealership. I would make it personal! Damn those fools wouldn't be able to make me leave...... I would have argued until damn cops came to take me away. You weren't doing anything wrong. They couldn't have arrested you even if they did show up. I got your back BigDogJonx!

2K1HoMax

all i have to say is that i would be locked up tonight if i were in ur shoes. i would of made em crawl on their A$$....

Tony Fernandes

Hey BigDogJonx. Follow Shaydz advice. It's very sound and is probably the best bet for you in the long run. I disagree that they "will" be kissing your azz in a few days. Ultimately, you may be outta luck here, but there's a much better chance of you walking away with a smile on your face if you just write some professional, well thought-out letters and cc the heck out of them!! I would have been just as ****ed off as you were in your shoes, if not more, but sometimes I have to remind myself that some things are out of my control. I think the way they treated you was wrong, but I also see their point about modding. Then again, you make a good argument about trying to relate a specific problem with a specific mod. I wish you the best of luck and hope you get your car fixed!!

Tony

Andrew

iTrader: (5)

Bigdog,

Follow Shadyz advice. I sent in a letter to Nissan of N.A. when I was promised something on my car (wheel locks), which were supposedly thrown in but was never on the car when I got it home. No biggie since it wasn't on the invoice. I was ****ed because the salesman was really cool with me. Guess you can't really trust anyone these days without having it on paper. Go and talk to someone in Nissan AND write that letter. They will respond quicker than you think. And one more piece of advice... stay calm dude. I know how it is to fly off the handle cause I'm like that also, but it gets you nowhere but trouble. The dealership could use your attitude against you, but I highly doubt it. Please keep us informed on what happens. I'm curious as to know what will happen. Also, is this dealership in NY? I'm from NY and would like to know which dealership this is.

Andrew

Blackgums100

and make sure you schedule a meeting with the GM. Unfortunately they will shoot you down with all your mods but make your meeting about the treatmant you recieved, not about the work. In the end it is just another example of how poorly most Nissan service shops are, and to those who have found a decent one consider yourself lucky.


PS To whoever who said they couldn't make him leave, yes they can, it's private property, and if asked to leave you must, unless you do not mind the possibility of being arrested.

NickStam

iTrader: (3)

What do you expect to get out of complaining to Nissan NA? Do you want the guy to get fired?

undercvr

That's the kind of attitude that has helped customer service go down the tubes, if you are saying you'd probably do what this butt-head did. If a customer is being an a$$ (which I don't think was the case here), the employee should have remained calm. If a customer is abusive you say that you will be happy to get your manager or have the manager call the next day to discuss it (or have the person removed if it is that serious). To make fun of or ridicule the customer totally destroys and overshadows any valid point the employee might have. The employee is being PAID to behave professionally and is representing the dealership. If he can't keep in control of himself (even if being yelled at), he's in the wrong line of business. It's one thing to tell someone that you won't take abuse, you'll put him in touch with your manager, you've done all you can, it's another to taunt and do what this guy did. Don't you think?

NickStam

iTrader: (3)

Did you read his full story here?



He said he will not perform anymore work without me authorizing diagnosis which will not be covered under warranty. I got ****ed and argued with him on the phone, he started saying all this stuff about how it is most likely due to something I did and the fact he aint never seen this before, means it is something I did. I told him, just give my car back and I am going to another dealer.

So far, the only one causing trouble here is the customer. He got pi$$ed and started arguing. The only thing the employee said is that he would have to charge to diagnose further and it's probably the customer's fault. Between all the tech guys there, i'm sure they've seen every problem in the book over the years.


I went to pick it up and went there to start a war too, Well he started telling me it is my fault, and I said I will get it done somewhere else where they respect people. He said well not if I write it on your file and cancel your warranty. I started stuttering (i do that when I am ****ed and high blood pressure) and he seriously made fun of it by imitating me like "What What What, nothing, you straight out of luck" That upset me and I I started cursing and him and 2 other guys told me to leave the premises and escorted me out with my car waiting.

He said that he goes there to start a war. Employee gives customer his opinion that's it's probably his fault. Customer comes back with wise *** remark. Employee comes back. It seems like they were both dishing it out. What are they supposed to do? Kiss his butt and spend a whole week trying to figure it out. If they don't know what's wrong, what else can they do. They told the customer what he didn't want to hear; 'it's probably your fault.'

You guys make this out to be worse than the California police getting caught on tape beating people. Worse case scenario, you don't give them your business anymore, and tell the org not to go there.

undercvr

Easy now! I did read the entire story and I agree with some of what you are saying. What I'm saying is that once the service guy started making fun of a stuttering problem the customer has and became "personal", that is where he totally crossed the line. It's one thing to say "I've never seen anything like what's going on in your car and I can't find the problem, IMO you did so much stuff to it, etc etc", it's another to act like a 9 year old. You know? We weren't there, we're getting one side's view. I realize that. I'm just tired of people treating each other with such total disrespect. I battle this at my own office. My employees are too quick to let things degrade into a "personal" thing. When that happens, like I said, any valid point the employee may have had gets totally lost.

What purpose is served by throwing gas on a fire? That's what happened here. You've got an irate customer. The mature, professional reaction would have been to stay out of a personal attack and just offer to involve someone higher up.

I think the reaction to this story has been so strong because everyone can relate to being treated like crap by a snot-nosed McD's employee or the receptionist at the dr's office or the DMV clerk . . . sorry if I came off as making a federal case out of it.

TimW

iTrader: (6)

Thing is, regardless of the circumstances, I feel for BDJ on this one. We've all been given asinine excuses for not doing their job. And we've all been ridiculed for coming in prepared and having done as much of the diag as we could. Yeah, so what, we're only getting one side of the story. All I know is that I've been totally played by the SM and NNA before. They are kinda doing it right now on my paint. It takes all your strength not to start swinging sometimes.

NickStam

iTrader: (3)

I'll stop arguing my case now The employee obviously didn't do the right thing, but it's not like he wasn't provoked. Anyway

Shaydz

iTrader: (2)

Nick,
You are correct that his attitude before and after going to the dealership was bad and it could only have one outcome. I don't think that the Employee was actually wrong up until he took the "low road" and reacted to his attitude in an un-professional manner (threatening cancellation of warranty, making fun of the stuttering, etc.). He could mave maintained his position w/o reacting and let his Supervisor / Manager handle it if he couldn't. NEVER TAUNT THE CUSTOMER (even if he lights your service manuals up), just state the official position, lay out the customers options (take it somewhere else, pay for further diagnoses, offer to help - with hourly charge of course - rewire the electrical upgrades , whatever) and let the customer decide what action he feels he needs to take. If the customer gets too belligerent then call the cops.
I made a point earlier of the best way to handle things from this point forward given the scenario. He obviously can't change what he did (just like the employee)- that is merely history that he can use.
In fact, BigDog's mods may have very well caused these irregularities and if (when?) he finds that out, he may can iron them out w/o Nissan, but given the current state, he can either make it more difficult to work with Nissan in the future or can gracefully come to a resolution that may not void his warranty. Certainly anyone in the area on the forum should take heed that this dealership may have yet one more reason to look hard at mods before doing warranty service, though. I'd avoid them for that reason alone.

Big Dog, I truly hope that you get through this with your Max straightened out, your warrany intact, and a better understanding of how to deal with a service area. Calmly taking your car back and producing proof of the non-issue of your mods (even if it's only diagrams of where you wired what and what parts of the harness you attached to) would not only change their view of you as someone who knows what he is doing on his Max, but probably make them not look so hard at your mods the next time.

Sorry so long and as always, my humble opinion...

Edit - Tim, absolutely correct. I think everyone enters the Service area withthe same feel of dread that they'll get dismissed because of a mod (except Kloogy - he takes his writer to lunch - smart man). IT is frustrating that you want to place a personal touch and bring the best out in your 30K vehicle, but have to fear that you can't keep the manufacturers guarantees of quality in check via warranty because of a decision of someone that might have a "no Way" day. That ****es me off.

Shaydz

BigDogJonx

iTrader: (7)

Well I do admit that I played a roll in this here. But still, I do not believe he spend 4hrs on the car. Me, TimW, Alex we all know the electrical system and how to diagnose things very easily with or without a Consult II.

And if you have the ESM like we all do, you know it was about a 10min job. Its goes through about 15steps. Each one knocks out which was is wrong, eventually, it would be the SECU. Well if he did do the diagnoses, he wouldve known that he needed to replace something, a door switch, or a SECU. He aint want to do nothing. He said he worked on it for 4hrs, yeah sure, he probably worked on it for 4mins that it took him to replace the broken floor mat clip I also told him about.

Dixit