Charging at Nissan Dealerships.

[mpm3710]

I found out quickly that not all Leafers are welcome to use chargers at some Nissan dealerships. I was 50 miles away from home, thinking that perhaps I should charge up for good measure to get home. I pulled into Magic Nissan in Everett, WA to ask if I could use it for about an hour. They were not thrilled to see me nor did they greet me very nicely. In fact I was accused of trying to steal their KW. I was thinking I was good avertisement for them. I was even standing there with my "I'm all charged up" leaf T-shirt. They reluctantly let me plug in but said only an hour. Well an hour was better than nothing and it would give me at least a few more miles added to my range. So I assumed to much I guess for hospitality or just selfish I guess, which is far from my nature to even try to ask, but I was a little anxious about my range to make myself that bold. I guess I should have flipped a quarter at the guy and said "Thanks" but I am not that insolent, not my nature. So for Seattle Metro area Leafers if you happen to be in the South end, Younker Nissan in Renton has a open policy to any Leafers to come in and charge up and make yourself comfortable in their lounge to watch the game on the big scrreen. I thought I would give them a plug, ha ha get it? Well, I said I wasn't insolent not funny. Just my experience to share with you.

 

[garygid]

When possibly going to a new, "unproven" dealership, I try to call first, ask to talk to their LEAF specialist, and explain my trip and ask if it would be OK with them that I would PLAN on stopping there for a charge, explaining the length of time I would need to use THEIR charging station.

If they say "yes", I verify the time I expect to arrive there, and THANK them!

When you arrive, to develop a relationship, bringing a small gift for the person who set it up for you rarely ever hurts!

So far, I have not had to deal with a "No".

But, ... if they said "No", I MIGHT ...
THANK them anyway, and tell them that I am willing to pay. If that does not work, I might ask if their charging stations are operational for their own customers, and Thank them Again (that always confuses them). Then tell them kindly, "That's OK, I can always purchase my LEAF accessories at another stop.". Thanking them for their time and consideration, I would finally hang up.

THEN ...
call Nissan Customer Service and report them!

 

[LEAFfan]

When possibly going to a new, "unproven" dealership, I try to call first, ask to talk to their LEAF specialist, and explain my trip and ask if it would be OK with them that I would PLAN on stopping there for a charge, explaining the length of time I would need to use THEIR charging station.

If they say "yes", I verify the time I expect to arrive there, and THANK them!

When you arrive, to develop a relationship, bringing a small gift for the person who set it up for you rarely ever hurts!

So far, I have not had to deal with a "No".

But, ... if they said "No", I MIGHT ...
THANK them anyway, and tell them that I am willing to pay. If that does not work, I might ask if their charging stations are operational for their own customers, and Thank them Again (that always confuses them). Then tell them kindly, "That's OK, I can always purchase my LEAF accessories at another stop.". Thanking them for their time and consideration, I would finally hang up.

THEN ...
call Nissan Customer Service and report them!

+1! Every dealership in the Phoenix area allows us to use their charging stations, but I still would call ahead. I used to carry a yellow pages book in my car, but now, with the navigator, I don't need to. It is so easy and fast to find restaurants, dealerships, etc. and is actually faster than looking them up in the book.

 

[MaryC]

If I ever had to charge at another dealer and was confronted by their staff, I have always planned to say, "Just going to the parts counter". That makes me their customer, doesn't it?

 

[tps]

Does Nissan have an official policy or statement regarding use of chargers at Nissan dealers? I originally thought Nissan's reasoning regarding chargers at Nissan dealers was to form an early charging infrastructure so they would have charge-points to put on the LEAF's nav screen until the public charging infrastructure catches up. Is this their reasoning, in which case some dealers just don't understand, or is it OK with Nissan for the dealers to be selfish?

 

[davewill]

Does Nissan have an official policy or statement regarding use of chargers at Nissan dealers? I originally thought Nissan's reasoning regarding chargers at Nissan dealers was to form an early charging infrastructure so they would have charge-points to put on the LEAF's nav screen until the public charging infrastructure catches up. Is this their reasoning, in which case some dealers just don't understand, or is it OK with Nissan for the dealers to be selfish?

Yeah, that's how Nissan sells it, but they didn't take the step of binding the dealers to a specific policy. So, now they can't enforce access.

 

[garygid]

One can just add the "difficult-charging" dealers to our Must-Miss dealer list, and refuse to buy anything there.

Or, tastefully picket the place?

 

[mpm3710]

Does Nissan have an official policy or statement regarding use of chargers at Nissan dealers? I originally thought Nissan's reasoning regarding chargers at Nissan dealers was to form an early charging infrastructure so they would have charge-points to put on the LEAF's nav screen until the public charging infrastructure catches up. Is this their reasoning, in which case some dealers just don't understand, or is it OK with Nissan for the dealers to be selfish?

My sales person at my dealership explained to me that each dealership has their own policies (different owners). As far as what the Nissan Corp. expects that it is their courtesy for their customers and not having to supply an infrastructure that is entirely up to the dealership. Infrastructure is the Ecotality EV Program's job. However my dealership thinks it is good business to have a open door policy for charging because you have to wait in the lounge where the accessories are. Drawing the bees to honey, and word of mouth of what a great dealership they are. You would want to tell your friends to buy a car from them. Did I mention that they have the best Nissan sales record in the Seattle Metro area? Also the oldest establishment. You can tell I had a good experience with them. They made me feel like a Queen. Just wish my husband did the same. Just kidding.
I will plan ahead next time when I travel outside my range to call ahead and act like a sweet old lady that doesn't have a clue and perhaps they will be sweet back to me. Well I can try. This is all new to me and I am learning as I go.

 

[mpm3710]

When possibly going to a new, "unproven" dealership, I try to call first, ask to talk to their LEAF specialist, and explain my trip and ask if it would be OK with them that I would PLAN on stopping there for a charge, explaining the length of time I would need to use THEIR charging station.

If they say "yes", I verify the time I expect to arrive there, and THANK them!

When you arrive, to develop a relationship, bringing a small gift for the person who set it up for you rarely ever hurts!

So far, I have not had to deal with a "No".

But, ... if they said "No", I MIGHT ...
THANK them anyway, and tell them that I am willing to pay. If that does not work, I might ask if their charging stations are operational for their own customers, and Thank them Again (that always confuses them). Then tell them kindly, "That's OK, I can always purchase my LEAF accessories at another stop.". Thanking them for their time and consideration, I would finally hang up.

THEN ...
call Nissan Customer Service and report them!

+1! Every dealership in the Phoenix area allows us to use their charging stations, but I still would call ahead. I used to carry a yellow pages book in my car, but now, with the navigator, I don't need to. It is so easy and fast to find restaurants, dealerships, etc. and is actually faster than looking them up in the book.

Hmmm...my nearby stations when I press it on the Nav system just shows the dealers name then all I can do it set the destination to them. No phone numbers. Did you add them to your addressbook with numbers? I haven't added anything in my addressbook yet. Don't know if their is a way to add phones numbers other than the phone system's addressbook..

 

[tps]

Infrastructure is the Ecotality EV Program's job.

I'm not sure that Ecotality and/or the EV Program will be providing a nationwide charging infrastructure; I'm thinking the Nissan dealers may be the primary public charge points at the start of LEAF sales in some areas.

The larger question in my mind is: Are dealers unhappy about some aspect of how the LEAF affects them and not "helping" Nissan to provide public charging infrastructure is the Dealer's method of protest? One possibility is that they see the price the market is commanding for orphans, and see every LEAF they sell to through the reservation process as lost profit...

 

[Lanzer]

I feel your pain. I've been denied also but lucky enough my rejection was through the phone and not in person. As a business owner myself, I believe that having a culture which turn strangers into friends will proof fruitful in the long run, but not every business subscribe to this theory. Practically is one thing, but treating another person with curtesy and respect is another. Either way the current system that Nissan and Carwings had setup require a lot of goodwill from every Nissan dealership to work smoothly, and without solid protocols and software support, it's flawed by design. Hopefully a better system will be put in place in the near future.

For now I trust the Chargepoint network (mychargepoint.net) to provide me with charging stations, and their website plus the iPhone app had been most helpful in locating available chargers. I do see that ample L2 chargers are available in your area so I suggest that you look into getting a free Chargepoint access card through their toll free number. You can also request one online but that will cost you 10 bucks.

 

[mwalsh]

and see every LEAF they sell to through the reservation process as lost profit...

No way. They make at least $1500 on every car sold at MSRP. That is an enormous amount of money for a new car sale.

 

[tps]

and see every LEAF they sell to through the reservation process as lost profit...

No way. They make at least $1500 on every car sold at MSRP. That is an enormous amount of money for a new car sale.

As opposed to the $4K or more many are making on orphans.

 

[Herm]

If you guys are getting a free charge from a dealer, would you be willing to wear a sticker from that dealer on your bumper?.. perhaps not a huge one but something discrete.. such as : "Power Up at Power Nissan".

You come up to the dealer, register your name, address and cell phone with them (for liability).. leave the keys and then get issued with the free charges bumper sticker.

 

[mwalsh]

If you guys are getting a free charge from a dealer, would you be willing to wear a sticker from that dealer on your bumper?.. perhaps not a huge one but something discrete.. such as : "Power Up at Power Nissan".

Maybe. I'm not massive on any decals/stickers on my car. But I would consider it on the rear window, not a painted surface.

 

[91040]

If you guys are getting a free charge from a dealer, would you be willing to wear a sticker from that dealer on your bumper?.. perhaps not a huge one but something discrete.. such as : "Power Up at Power Nissan".

You come up to the dealer, register your name, address and cell phone with them (for liability).. leave the keys and then get issued with the free charges bumper sticker.

Yes, it could be like those RV's with a map of the USA with all the states they visited!

I wouldn't do it. Do you have a sticker with the gas companies you buy from or their stations? The more Leafs there are and the more usable it is will help sell vehicles and improve their business. This is my first Nissan!

 

[thankyouOB]

If you guys are getting a free charge from a dealer, would you be willing to wear a sticker from that dealer on your bumper?.. perhaps not a huge one but something discrete.. such as : "Power Up at Power Nissan".

You come up to the dealer, register your name, address and cell phone with them (for liability).. leave the keys and then get issued with the free charges bumper sticker.

More from market-based philosophy.
Dealers are either part of the Nissan network and mission or not. Nissan automatically tags ALL dealers on the Nav system; are dealers denying this reality or that they are a Nissan dealer?

but to satisfy that itch, they can put a plate surround on my license plate.
and I can take it off as need be.

 

[LEAFfan]

Hmmm...my nearby stations when I press it on the Nav system just shows the dealers name then all I can do it set the destination to them. No phone numbers. Did you add them to your addressbook with numbers? I haven't added anything in my addressbook yet. Don't know if their is a way to add phones numbers other than the phone system's addressbook..

I didn't have to add them;they're already in there including addresses, phone numbers, and details like who is allowed to use them and the cost, hours, etc. Next to all of that info are bars for 'call', 'go to', and 'add to route'. I was surprised too to see all that good info.

 

[Herm]

I wouldn't do it. Do you have a sticker with the gas companies you buy from or their stations? The more Leafs there are and the more usable it is will help sell vehicles and improve their business. This my first Nissan!

I have a AAA sticker and they will bring me gas, if I call them
If Chevron gave me free gas.. I would be very happy.

 

[thankyouOB]

I wouldn't do it. Do you have a sticker with the gas companies you buy from or their stations? The more Leafs there are and the more usable it is will help sell vehicles and improve their business. This my first Nissan!

I have a AAA sticker and they will bring me gas, if I call them
If Chevron gave me free gas.. I would be very happy.

you dont need the sticker to get the gas. you just have to be a member. The way I see it, I already paid bigtime to be a Nissan member and I have the tags all over the car to prove it.