Toys4RJill

Not sure if should or am supposed to report what dealer is not doing this. But, a Lexus dealer close to me also owns the Toyota dealer located on the other side of the Auto park. The Lexus dealer went under a huge renovation where they effectively deleted the service bays, and garage and simply drive the Lexus cars over to the Toyota dealer for the service. The customer has no idea this is happening as the Lexus dealer has the service advisors on the premises. No work is being done on site, and the customer really has no idea that their Lexus is being serviced at the Toyota dealer about a 1/2 mile away.

I would assume the Lexus sevice rates is higher than the Toyota rates.

Any thoughts?

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

Toyota service is definitely cheaper, so the customers are being ripped off in this case.

oldcajun

I don't see a problem with this so long as your car is worked on by Lexus certified technicians. I bought a BMW from a dealer that also sold Mazda. They had common service bays but only certain mechanics worked on BMW's. They did, however, have 2 different hourly rates for the 2 cars.
Steve

LexTriton

iTrader: (1)

Is it possible that some of those bays at the Toyota dealership have been allocated to the Lexus dealership? If it's the same techs that were at the Lexus dealership using the same parts they used to while they were housed in the Lexus dealership, I don't necessarily see this as an issue. It would be no different than if the Lexus dealership had its actual service bays at a separate facility ½ down the road.

If the dealership is taking responsibility of the car and the service is still being provided by Lexus techs, while using Genuine Lexus parts, then I don't see this as being a huge issue. I would hope that this dealership's service rates would be a little less than other local Lexus dealerships, just based on the fact that they clearly have less overhead than they would if each dealership had a fully functioning shop.

LexBob2

If this is a permanent move by the dealership, I'm sure there was corporate buy off and approval on it. If it's just temporary while the Lexus building is being renovated, not a big deal.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

genius.

Toys4RJill

It's a permanent move. The dealer doubled the size of the showroom.

My0gr81

If it's Erin Mills you refer to, they sent the cars to the Toyota bays while they built another service facility across the street on the other side of the parking lot. They did the full tour during grand opening and can take you on a tour of the service bays if you ask. It's not shared with the Toyota service bays.

Huge monitors in the waiting area also show the bays, so you can see your car being worked on. The viewing angle shift every couple minutes. So you get different perspective.

tex2670

You are assuming that all of the same technicians work on all the cars. If the Lexus techs all moved to the single service facility, and only work on the Lexus cars, and customers still get their free coffee and cookies and loaners, I'm not seeing the rip off.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

they just change uniforms when switching between toyota and lexus.

Aron9000

Actually that's a brilliant move on the dealership's part to save money. I don't see a problem with it if they still have the same certified Lexus techs using factory parts and they're running a tight ship, ie doing the job right the first time.

Not only do you have one big garage, so less space is taken up by two garages. If business is slow in the Lexus world, I'm sure one of those certified Lexus techs can just as easily change a timing belt on a V6 Camry or do any work on other Toyotas. Of course you might get into some nasty politics if you pay your Lexus guys a different rate than your Toyota guys, or if Lexus guys get a lesser rate when working on a Toyota, etc.

LexBob2

A couple of years ago the Audi dealership where we bought one of our cars underwent a big renovation. While the service bays were out of commission cars in for service/repairs went right next door to their Volvo store. It was temporary and then they moved back into the new facility.

SW17LS

Doesn't bother me at all.

What you pay for in the labor rate has nothing to do with quality of service. There is no seniority or training or accreditation difference between being a Toyota tech and a Lexus tech. What you pay for are the amenities of the dealership, the quality of the service you get from the people you interact with, the loaners, and the other frills. As long as you still get all that...no skin off my nose.

This just goes to show you though, the quality of the actual work done to your car is no better at the dealership than anywhere else. I've said that for years, as have others.

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

I don't see why not? I've taken my Lexus to Toyota dealership for service numerous times. They have the same equipment / tools, database, parts as Lexus techs.

oldcajun

They don't have the free loan cars nor do they usually have comparable waiting areas. Toyota techs would probably be alright in training to work on an ES, but there are no comperable Toyota models to your GS, nor LS or RC. Toyota service is indeed a cheaper alternative, but there are reasons it is cheaper.
Steve