A month ago I bought a 2003 G35 sedan from Major Infiniti In Kansas City. While in the process of doing the paperwork the salesman informed me that they had to declare some damage to the right rear quarter panel. He said they had fixed it and all was fine. I did point out a six inch crease in the rear bumper skin. "He hadn't noticed that." The sales mgr came out and said the best he could do was pay half to replace it. I agreed to pay $200.00. They called me after the skin came in and we arranged for the repair. When I talked to them I stated that the repair they did to the fender was not done very well could they fix it at the same time. Told no problem. I picked the car up after four days. It was in a driving rain storm. The sales mgr pointed out where he had "someone" repair the fender. Two days later after it quit raining I washed the car and got a close look at the "repair". It was the absolute worse job I have ever see. Lumpy, rough bondo with obvious voids and scratches from rough sandpaper. The paint was orange peeled with several runs and bubbles. I was furious and called them immediately. I was told that they would make it right. I took it in today. Four hours later they said it was finished. When I saw it I almost came unglued. They had hired an independent "body shop on wheels". He did the repair in the back parking lot! The sharp crease shadow line was now a rounded wavy hand sanded bump. The wheel well crease missed meeting the lower valance crease by 1/4". Still lumpy and apoor paint job. I pointed out all of this to the sales mgr and he basically told me that he had done the repair "out of the goodness of his heart" and that was what I was getting. I asked him if that was the kind of work his dealership produced and asked to see the GM. I saw the mgr and GM walk out to the car. When they came back in the sales mgr finally came and lead me to the GM. To end this long tirade. I finally got the GM to tell me that that was the best work his dealership was going to do and he walked away. I am beside myself over this. This was work that was supposedly done prior to the car being placed for sale. Repaired twice by independent hacks working in a parking lot from the back of a van. And this is the absolute best I can expect from Major Infiniti of Kansas City.




321282-car repair small.jpg

It would have been better to settle this to your satisfaction before you made payment. However, you're not without some recourse. What you need to do is to convince the folks at Major Infiniti that you can make it in their business interest to make a repair to your satisfaction. Look at what they value. Their satisfaction rating with Infiniti corporate? You could complain in writing to Infiniti USA and copy them on the letter. Their standing with the local better business bureau? You could write a formal complaint to them and again, copy the GM at the dealership on this letter. If you want this to be resolved to your satisfaction, make it clear to Major that you're not going away with the brush off they've offered you.

If and when you write these letters make certain to include all the details; names, times, details of what was said, etc. There shouldn't be a big fight over this issue. The damage is not major. If you have their word that it would be fixed, make them live up to this word. Sorry, there's no easy solution.

Good luck!

04 G35X

remember... Infiniti Dealerships get about $4k in "goodwill" allowances or each vehicle sold.

They have the budget to make you happy. Slip the words "good will" in to a conversation with them when you get a chance.

-T

'03.5 Sedan 5a: BS/G, Prem, Aero/Body, Sport, Nav
Click for MODS - www.teamtransport.org

Call your local new station and let them know about these
yahoos. Contact the Better Business Bureau, bad publicity
will get these assh0les moving! Don't accept their lousy
work!

03 5AT Sedan, sunroof, splashguards, HKS muffler,
14 wire Grounding kit, Z Duct, Stillen HF/AB
Underbody rear diffusers, Drilled alum pedals,
Stillen sway bars H/H

Indeed as everyone said, write, complain and even consider talking to your local news channels (if you have one that does those kinds of reports). The last thing they want is their poor service being reported on the 6 pm news. If you were in Houston, Marvin Zindler would be all over that dealership.

But most importantly, write IN DETAIL to everyone that would be affected by your negative reviews including Infiniti USA. Inifiniti is trying really hard to become the no 1 customer service car maker there is, but pulling stunts like this will never get them past Lexus.

GL

Another caveat is to be firm in your needs but nice. you always get more with sugar than you do with salt.

I had a mitsubishi dealer scrape my eclipse when I took it in for service. Then denied it was done by them. I was firm on them fixing the problem. eventually they agreed after it escalated to the general manager of the dealership. I sent a letter to mitsubishi corporate about the incident and they sent me a certificate for a free oil change.

Jim

Jim
'03.5 Sedan
Brilliant Silver/Graphite
6MT/ Premium package
Sport tuned suspension
Nismo Body Kit
Navigation and Satellite Radio
Z-Tube/JDM battery cover

i e-mailed Infiniti Consumer Affairs. I got a response back stated that they regret and are concerned to learn of my experience. They are forwarding it on to the regional office and the dealership. Well, the dealership certainly already knows of my "unpleasent experience" as I dealt directly with the general manager. We'll see what happens now I guess. Hell, I even joked to my girlfriend that maybe that part of the car will get hit so it can be fixed correctly. Not funny, huh?

Mark

I guess I am lucky since I have yet to have a bad experience with Major. Maybe it's different that you got the car used but I wouldn't think so since it's still most likely a car that originally came from them. Def. stay consistent with everything if you want to see something come of the "repair."

Best ET: 14.730 @ 96.14mph(stock)
2003 Black 5AT sedan

Well, in NM, they have to post a sign on the car that states it is being "sold as is" "no warranty, either expressed or implied" (that by the way has nothing to do with the manuf. warranty, just means the dealer itself isn't warrantying anything), so I would doubt a dealer here would do anything, other than call the damage to your attention. But it seems to me if they told you they would repair it, they should have done it correctly, that's my opinion anyway. Funny thing is, I am sure they knocked that off the last owners trade, or nailed them on the lease return. That's one reason I haven't bought a used car is some time though, you never know! Good luck with this!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Chrome Wheels '04 Sedan/5AT

Well that will teach you to buy a used car in the dark, with your eyes closed. Since u say it is a 2003, I take it that it is used. Next time get it in wrining

F.Y.A.

Now that's GREAT advice SoCal! WOW! Thank you.

This "repair" was done out of goodwill says the dealer. If out of goodwill I decide your house needs painting and paint it orange....?

After an e-mail and phone call to Infiniti Consumer Affairs I got a call from the dealership GM. Said to bring it back in and they will fix it again.

Thanks for all the good advice. And even the not so good.

Thanks again
Mark

2003 Sedan AT. Ivory Pearl/ Willow
20% tint. Z-tube. Clear Corners w/ PIAA.
Aluminum Pedals

It's good that they're going to "fix" it again. If I was you, I would insist on having the repair done at a proper body shop, don't let them get the bodyshop-on-wheels guy again. Your car needs to be sanded down, fixed, and then painted with primer, base coat, and clear coat. This should take at least two days. If they tell you that your car will be ready in a day or a couple of hours, be very skeptical of what they're doing.

2003.5 6MT Sedan. Caribbean Blue / Graphite