- Report: #4630
Complaint Review: Lexus of Manhattan - New York New York
-
Author Not Confirmed
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Lexus of Manhattan
829 11th Avenue New York, 10019 New York, U.S.A.
Phone:
(212)977-4400
Web:
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Lexus of Manhattan Auto Rip-off Dealer *Consumer Advocate responds ..most service advisors are burnt out car salesmen
I took my brother's, Lexus ES 250, for a tune up on Tuesday, February 13th, 2001 to Lexus of Manhattan. I told them that there is also a problem with the leaving the car and the not being able to start it again after a few hours. I mentioned that it could be the battery or the factory installed anti-theft system because after it wouldn't start, the lights starts blinking and the entire car shuts down. I told them that after I boost the battery, the car successfully starts. I mentioned some other minor things to look at; such as the antenna, the power window control module, and bulbs for the fog lights.
Later that day, I received a call at work stating that the problem is the starter motor needs replacing and that was the problem. The service person also mentioned that the car needs approx. $3,000 suspension work. I declined the suspension work and told her that I need the car not being able to start fixed. She said that the starter motor with labor and tax comes up to $584.55; and with the tune up, the total is $1481.16. The other minor things, I told them to forget for now since the cost for the starter motor was an unexpected expense.
I picked up the car on Thursday, February 15th, 2001. I used the car that evening and about three hours after parking it, it refused to start again. I got a boost and drove it home. I called Lexus of Manhattan on Friday, February 16th, 2001 reporting to them that replacing the starter motor did not fix the problem. The response that I got was that the starter motor needed replacing because the technician showed it to me and I saw that it was bent. I asked if I can bring the car in again and if they can fix the problem. I was told that the earliest appointment was Monday, February 19th, 2001. Having no other choice at the time I made the appointment for 7:00AM.
Since it was a three-day weekend and I didn't have access to a car, I bought a booster kit and boosted the car on Sunday, February 18th, 2001. I took it to Sears Automotive. They ran a $9.99 electrical diagnostic and determined it was the battery. I bought a new battery and the car is working fine.
The reason I took it to a Lexus dealer was that I assumed that the technicians working for Lexus would be a better choice for a Lexus car. I don't know if the policy is to quickly find something wrong so that the customer has to pay for part(s)/labor that is not necessary. That's how ridiculous the Lexus technician(s)' diagnosis of the starting problem was; and amazingly it cost less that ten dollars for Sears to find the problem.
I've contacted Lexus corporation (Laurie Potter @ 1800-255-3987) and they have stated that they cannot do anything because the technician said it needed replacing. I've also filed a complaint with the BBB of New York.
The car is a 1990 and any technician can argue that 90% of the car needs replacing because of normal wear and tear. It was a problem with the battery because the car would start with a boost; the same scenario after the allegedly fixed it by replacing the starter motor. They've argued that the starter motor locks up and the car would not start. I've told them that I've always gotten it to start with a boost. And to repeat myself, I still had to get boost the car more than once after they "fixed" it.
Thanks for your attention. Please feel free to contact me.
Later that day, I received a call at work stating that the problem is the starter motor needs replacing and that was the problem. The service person also mentioned that the car needs approx. $3,000 suspension work. I declined the suspension work and told her that I need the car not being able to start fixed. She said that the starter motor with labor and tax comes up to $584.55; and with the tune up, the total is $1481.16. The other minor things, I told them to forget for now since the cost for the starter motor was an unexpected expense.
I picked up the car on Thursday, February 15th, 2001. I used the car that evening and about three hours after parking it, it refused to start again. I got a boost and drove it home. I called Lexus of Manhattan on Friday, February 16th, 2001 reporting to them that replacing the starter motor did not fix the problem. The response that I got was that the starter motor needed replacing because the technician showed it to me and I saw that it was bent. I asked if I can bring the car in again and if they can fix the problem. I was told that the earliest appointment was Monday, February 19th, 2001. Having no other choice at the time I made the appointment for 7:00AM.
Since it was a three-day weekend and I didn't have access to a car, I bought a booster kit and boosted the car on Sunday, February 18th, 2001. I took it to Sears Automotive. They ran a $9.99 electrical diagnostic and determined it was the battery. I bought a new battery and the car is working fine.
The reason I took it to a Lexus dealer was that I assumed that the technicians working for Lexus would be a better choice for a Lexus car. I don't know if the policy is to quickly find something wrong so that the customer has to pay for part(s)/labor that is not necessary. That's how ridiculous the Lexus technician(s)' diagnosis of the starting problem was; and amazingly it cost less that ten dollars for Sears to find the problem.
I've contacted Lexus corporation (Laurie Potter @ 1800-255-3987) and they have stated that they cannot do anything because the technician said it needed replacing. I've also filed a complaint with the BBB of New York.
The car is a 1990 and any technician can argue that 90% of the car needs replacing because of normal wear and tear. It was a problem with the battery because the car would start with a boost; the same scenario after the allegedly fixed it by replacing the starter motor. They've argued that the starter motor locks up and the car would not start. I've told them that I've always gotten it to start with a boost. And to repeat myself, I still had to get boost the car more than once after they "fixed" it.
Thanks for your attention. Please feel free to contact me.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
....most service advisors are burnt out car salesmen
#20
Wed, March 07, 2001
Consumer Advocate Stick Bogart Replies to this report # 4630:::::::::::::::: most service advisors are burnt out car salesmen First the starter replacement of $585 is way OUT OF WACK and a tune up for 896.61 is insane. Spark plugs, distrib cap, rotor, and fuel filters and an air filter for $896.61 is a RIP OFF, all by it's self. The parts alone should cost no more then $150 for a tune up. The mentioned $3,000 dollars of suspension work is another way of the dealer to ask is the car owner a sucker, lets find out by asking if we can do $3,000 dollars worth of suspension work. Please, all car owners, understand that most service advisors are burnt out car salesmen. They never forget how to take the buyer/Owner for a ride. When this service advisor told you that your starter was bent, I would have told them that you will take your car some where else. ...A starter "BENT" How is that? Have questions Email me [email protected] or the publisher [email protected] if you have any further questions regarding the BBB. I also called Lexus 800 number and I FEEL the lady I talked to has been PROGRAMED to just pass the buck, In short they do not care. I feel that Lexus should make the dealer refund the price of the starter and the labor. I feel lexus will NOTHING !!!!!!!! [email protected] Auto Buyers Consumer Advocate
