I'd like to relate my experiences with two Nissan dealers here in central Arkansas.
In January 2002, I went to Jones Nissan in North Little Rock shopping for a Frontier pickup.
The salesman showed me some trucks, none of which really interested me. He refused to talk numbers on what I wanted, and was
only interested in selling me something that night, on the spot. I left the showroom, and told him I would shop elsewhere.
A few days later, I received a very insulting and profance email from the salesman. I'll skip quoting.
I forwarded the email to the manager, and was informed the next day the salesman was terminated.
In April of 2002, I returned to Jones Nissan (in my 1987 Nissan Hardbody). I purchased a 2002 model. After the deal was made,
I asked the salesman if he could follow me home in it (I live less than five minutes away.) I had no other way to get both
trucks home.
However, it was closing time, and he said couldn't do it. I left the old truck at the dealer and made arrangements three days
later to pick it up.
Soon, my "sales tax paid" check arived from Jones Nissan. I went to license my new truck, and after a very lengthy wait, got
up to the counter, where the clerk noticed the check hadn't been endorsed by the business manager at Jones. She suggested I
call to see if the office manager could come to the license department, and it was a common mistake and others had often done
so, a matter of courtesy to help new cutomers.
I called her to see if she could help. (Again, I was less than five minutes away.) She said she couldn't.
After three more trips (she wasn't in) to Jones Nissan, I finally got the check endorsed.
In December 2002, my girlfriend wanted to surprise me with side door moldings for my truck for Christmas. She ordered them,
and set an appointment for installation.
We waited in the waiting room, and when they brought the truck out, the wrong part was installed (vertical bumper gaurds that
run along the edge of the doors.) They said they couldn't be removed.
Later, the correct part was ordered, and after installation, they tried to charge my girlfriend AGAIN for labor, saying it
was her mistake and claiming I was never with her at the dealership the first time. In fact, I was there, and saw the service
man write the correct part on the ticket, but whover installed it put the wrong part on. The parts man was extremely rude
and insulting to both of us.
Leaving that day, I swore I would never ever return to Jones Nissan after this, my FOURTH negative experience with Jones. I
was more digusted with that business than I have ever been with any in my lifetime.
This past summer, my CD player-stereo malfunctioned, and would not take a CD. Then it began to emit a high-pitched beep when
I tried to listen to radio.
The truck was still well under warranty, and not wanting to deal with Jones Nissan, I called North Point Nissan in Little
Rock. They told me to drive it in so they could get a faceplate number. "We can get a new one in 2 to 3 days," the service
guy said.
I made the 25 mile trip, and when I saw where the faceplate number was, I wondered why I couldn't give that information over
the phone. That would have saved me 50 miles and an hour's worth of time.
A week passed,and I called North Point. No stereo. A month, then six weeks, then two months passed, still no stereo. Calls to
North Point's service department yielded no answers. "I really don't know, sir, I'm sorry," was the best I ever got.
About three months later,I gave up completely and I ordered (from Crutchfield) and installed my own stereo. Nothing fancy,
grand total $166.
So in conclusion, I must say that while I love Nissan products, I have completely lost faith in Nissan people. I am paying
for a new truck-- with a warranty--that could not be honored. I am keeping my part of the deal, but Nissan cannot, and this
is a breach of contract.
Do dealers not keep a couple of seemingly common items (like stereos) in stock? Is it that difficult to get one? Why should
it be such a hassle for a customer to get a warranty honored, and as importantly, to be treated with a fair amount of respect
after the deal?
I have--and will continue--to tell about my experiences with Nissan to anyone who will lend an ear. In fact, I am part of a
500+ member media online discussion group (I'm an associate editor of one of the largest newsapers in the state) and have
shared my story with everyone online. If I discover an even larger such forum, I will continue.
I'll never buy nother Nissan product--ever. Losing one customer won't amount to a hill of beans to Nissan, but be assured I
will do my best to sway anyone else I can away as well. Your customers deserve better.
Sincerely, Dan Limke