Dealership Charge Station Availability & Pacific Nissan

[sdbonez]

When I arrived at the Clairemont Mesa Mossy Nissan with less than 10 miles left - completely different story. I was treated well by their GM Leon and had people offering me water and making sure I was happy with the car. They were happy to see someone come in and take advantage of the service.

...and now you see why Leon gets the majority of the San Diego Leaf business

 

[derkraut]

When I arrived at the Clairemont Mesa Mossy Nissan with less than 10 miles left - completely different story. I was treated well by their GM Leon and had people offering me water and making sure I was happy with the car. They were happy to see someone come in and take advantage of the service.

...and now you see why Leon gets the majority of the San Diego Leaf business

I agree 100%; and I hope the GM at Pacific Nissan reads this forum. BAAAAD publicity for them. :roll:

 

[davewill]

Damn! And I almost ordered from them. I'll remember not to do any service there.

 

[walterbays]

I agree 100%; and I hope the GM at Pacific Nissan reads this forum. BAAAAD publicity for them. :roll:

More importantly let's hope the GM's at hundreds of other Nissan dealers read this. Right now they're about the only public charging stations that exist and Nissan has got to keep them open.

And maybe this will turn out to be just a bad day at Pacific Nissan, not to be repeated. From the little bit I talked with Brian there they seem better than average as car dealers go. It's just that Leon at Mossy gave me more confidence I could deal with them without any of the usual car dealer tricks and games, so I ordered there.

 

[thankyouOB]

My Pacific Nissan story indicates the same level of public spirit.

They refused to discount MSRP in January. I found two dealers -- one about as far from my house and another perhaps 10 miles farther -- who would deal at -1k.
I spoke with the manager, who said: "It is crazy to discount these cars a grand. Why would I do that?"
Recently, they called me to say they had an orphan. They are selling it at 4k more than I am paying for an SL with QC; which is 3k above sticker.

The sales guy said I could charge there, if I visited, but I think the manager story is prolly correct.

The manager's perspective, which is shown here and on the thread about gouging, is not the type of reputation you want with a roll-out vehicle such as this. He should be glad and understand that it is a SELLING point, that folks can charge their cars at dealerships around the region. Are we supposed to push the cars when they run out of EV. That will help sell these things.
What a dolt. I don't think he gets the karmic part of the EV experience. We are trying to make the world a better place.
Nissan should broil his ass.

 

[Jimmydreams]

Well today I came back to town after a delayed flight and hours of travel. I wanted to stop by a Nissan dealer and charge for 1 hour just to be confident I could get home. I have driven to the airport and back before, but on the way I gave 2 other people a ride so I had more weight and used more power.

I called the dealer and asked about the location of the charger. But when I arrived, long story short, Pacific Nissan would not let me charge. The manager explained to me that "not anyone" can charge. Let's just say I was treated poorly when I mentioned that since we are early adopters we were told until the ecotality charging went in we were allowed to do this. The manager basically told me that since I bought my car at a different dealer, I should just "take yourself" over to them and let them pay. I even offered to pay $10 to charge. nope. I received a lecture about how he was a for profit company.

When I arrived at the Clairemont Mesa Mossy Nissan with less than 10 miles left - completely different story. I was treated well by their GM Leon and had people offering me water and making sure I was happy with the car. They were happy to see someone come in and take advantage of the service. How can the treatment be so different? Is it simply because it was La Jolla and I wasn't dressed well enough?

Because I had to go so far out of my way, I will need to charge for 3 hours before I can go home. After my more than 12 hour travel day, this is as you can imagine not what I wanted to be doing right now. I would rather be seeing my spouse and kid.

Thanks for the comments. I bought my Leaf at Pacific Nissan and have used their chargers twice. Seeing them turn away other Leafers is pathetic. I will call them tomorrow, speak to the manager and kindly inform him that due to that kind of behavior, I will not recommend them as a dealer, I will not charge there again, NOR will I bring my car to them for service.

Seriously. A car plugged into the charger at peak rates costs...what? about $.50/hour? They're going to drive business away because of that? That's just sad....

edit: I think I'll just send and email and CC Nissan USA Customer Service. The manager can blow off my phone call, but he might have a harder time if corporate calls him.

edit II: The issue with me is that the Leaf is 51% car, 49% idea. If I see a dealer like this that says "screw the idea behind the car", then I don't want to have anything to do with them.

 

[thankyouOB]

Well today I came back to town after a delayed flight and hours of travel. I wanted to stop by a Nissan dealer and charge for 1 hour just to be confident I could get home. I have driven to the airport and back before, but on the way I gave 2 other people a ride so I had more weight and used more power.

I called the dealer and asked about the location of the charger. But when I arrived, long story short, Pacific Nissan would not let me charge. The manager explained to me that "not anyone" can charge. Let's just say I was treated poorly when I mentioned that since we are early adopters we were told until the ecotality charging went in we were allowed to do this. The manager basically told me that since I bought my car at a diffeent dealer, I should just "take yourself" over to them and let them pay. I even offered to pay $10 to charge. nope. I received a lecture about how he was a for profit company.

When I arrived at the Clairemont Mesa Mossy Nissan with less than 10 miles left - completely different story. I was treated well by their GM Leon and had people offering me water and making sure I was happy with the car. They were happy to see someone come in and take advantage of the service. How can the treatment be so different? Is it simply because it was La Jolla and I wasn't dressed well enough?

Because I had to go so far out of my way, I will need to charge for 3 hours before I can go home. After my more than 12 hour travel day, this is as you can imagine not what I wanted to be doing right now. I would rather be seeing my spouse and kid.

Thanks for the comments. I bought my Leaf at Pacific Nissan and have used their chargers twice. Seeing them turn away other Leafers is pathetic. I will call them tomorrow, speak to the manager and kindly inform him that due to that kind of behavior, I will not recommend them as a dealer, I will not charge there again, NOR will I bring my car to them for service.

Seriously. A car plugged into the charger at peak rates costs...what? about $.50/hour? They're going to drive business away because of that? That's just sad....

edit: I think I'll just send and email and CC Nissan USA Customer Service. The manager can blow off my phone call, but he might have a harder time if corporate calls him.

edit II: The issue with me is that the Leaf is 51% car, 49% idea. If I see a dealer like this that says "screw the idea behind the car", then I don't want to have anything to do with them.

Right on, brother. Though I dont think you need forego charging their, just service. Gardena got my business.

You would think they would want to be able to tell customers: "You can charge up at any dealership. It helps extend the range."

 

[mwalsh]

This is a poor show. I have always had the impression that one of the requirements of becoming a LEAF specialist is that a dealer was to have publicly available EVSEs to all comers, purchase customers or not. I think this needs to go on our question list for Nissan.

 

[DaveEV]

But when I arrived, long story short, Pacific Nissan would not let me charge. The manager explained to me that "not anyone" can charge. Let's just say I was treated poorly when I mentioned that since we are early adopters we were told until the ecotality charging went in we were allowed to do this. The manager basically told me that since I bought my car at a different dealer, I should just "take yourself" over to them and let them pay. I even offered to pay $10 to charge. nope. I received a lecture about how he was a for profit company.

OUCH. Makes me very happy to have bought my Leaf from Leon @ Mossy Kearny Mesa - Brian @ Pacific were my 2nd choice over the "local" Mossy in Oceanside.

We should consider a specific thread for dealerships which restrict charging to only "their" customers so we know to avoid them at all costs.

I know that Pacific holds a grudge against Mossy being the only non-Mossy Nissan dealership in San Diego County - but that kind of attitude does nothing to improve their business.

 

[davewill]

I know that Pacific holds a grudge against Mossy being the only non-Mossy Nissan dealership in San Diego County - but that kind of attitude does nothing to improve their business.

To me, that only makes giving good service only more important. Since it's so easy to lose customers to the bigger fish...

 

[ENIAC]

In numerous interviews, Mark Perry has stated that dealers who sell the Nissan LEAF first must attain zero-emission certification. The zero-emission certification includes personnel training and an investment in the tools as well as charging to support the sale and service of the Nissan LEAF. All zero-emission certified dealerships must have at least four Level 2 EVSEs. Two EVSEs in the service bay and two EVSEs available to the public.

If a dealership, such as Pacific Nissan, decides to block public access to their two public EVSEs it seems to me they risk loosing their zero-emission certification.

 

[Jimmydreams]

Right on, brother. Though I dont think you need forego charging their, just service. Gardena got my business.

I won't charge there because I don't want to give Pacific Nissan the opportunity to show off MY Leaf to potential customers while it's charging. :evil:

 

[garygid]

The LEAF: "More Car than Idea.",
I like that (there are so many "concept" cars, mostly "useless").

 

[Rake]

Pacific Nissan would not let me charge. The manager explained to me that "not anyone" can charge. Let's just say I was treated poorly when I mentioned that since we are early adopters we were told until the ecotality charging went in we were allowed to do this. The manager basically told me that since I bought my car at a different dealer, I should just "take yourself" over to them and let them pay. I even offered to pay $10 to charge. nope. I received a lecture about how he was a for profit company.

Reminds me of a dimwit manager that refused to sell me printer ink because he wasn't officially open for another 15 minutes. I offered cash. I offered twice the sticker price. I even offered to buy him lunch. Finally I told him where to apply his ink, walked across the street and bought $150 dollars worth. Some people are managers even though they have no management skills; beyond managing to get my french frys a nice golden brown.

Good customer service is simply good business.

If I was in the area (and had my Leaf ... soon), I would go and request to charge up at Pacific Nissan. You all should. When and if refused, raise hell at corporate. Lets see how well he profits.

 

[leafme]

When I arrived at the Clairemont Mesa Mossy Nissan with less than 10 miles left - completely different story. I was treated well by their GM Leon and had people offering me water and making sure I was happy with the car. They were happy to see someone come in and take advantage of the service.

...and now you see why Leon gets the majority of the San Diego Leaf business

Let's face it. Leon at Mossy Nissan, Joanna at Fontana Nissan and Mark at Quality Nissan all know customer service and have something Pacific Nissan is sorely lacking... vision. It was Pacific that tried to guilt me into buying from them after they sent me away saying they would not offer below MSRP. Then they called me days later saying they'd match the Fontana discount. In that interim period I ended up doing even better and they cried when I said, "Hey, you sent me away first... I found an even better deal."

Pacific Nissan... does not even exist on the planet in my book. I'd rather get towed to ANY other Nissan dealer than give Pacific any of my business.

Malcolm

 

[ranchleaf]

As an FYI for those that don't know, we have every nissan leaf dealer in the U.S. and the U.k. mapped(we think) @ carstations. Help us update with photos, info and comments, like about this dealer: http://electric.carstations.com

Our experience is most dealers are happy to have people come by and charge. (that's not to say it won't change if some dealer location becomes super popular). Heck, we have dealers adding their own photos and info on the site. Sorry to hear that this dealer acted like that. Guess they want their EVSE units for their cool green lights I would call the owner to see if that is really their policy.

 

[davewill]

Thanks for the comments. I bought my Leaf at Pacific Nissan and have used their chargers twice. Seeing them turn away other Leafers is pathetic. I will call them tomorrow, speak to the manager and kindly inform him that due to that kind of behavior, I will not recommend them as a dealer, I will not charge there again, NOR will I bring my car to them for service.

...

edit: I think I'll just send and email and CC Nissan USA Customer Service. The manager can blow off my phone call, but he might have a harder time if corporate calls him.

Did you ever do either of these and get any response?

 

[evnow]

Title change to make this more specific ?

 

[TRONZ]

I think Pacific Nissan is selecting themselves for extinction in the EV business. So be it!

I have charged at a couple of dealers and they were generally friendly but sales people/sales manager types are definitely more abrasive. Your in their house and they did not/will not make a sale off of you for a very long time. It kinda pisses them off. While charging at OC Nissan Irvine, the sales manager gave me a terse lecture about why he doesn't discount LEAFs (no money in it according to him). I asked how many he had sold so far and he said "zero". Then he walked off. I guess he had never heard of investing for long term growth, future service relationships, etc. These concepts are lost on the "smash and grab" sales forces of your typical car dealer. At Weseloh, the service manager came out, gave me his card, and hoped we would use them for our service needs. He was genuinely interested in the LEAF and wanted our business. Between these two dealers I will be picking Weseloh for our service needs. It is no contest.

 

[davewill]

Your in their house and they did not/will not make a sale off of you for a very long time.

Stupid assumption on their part. In my case, my wife is quite serious about getting a car next year. Also, anything good OR bad is going to end up here, and in the ears of my coworkers.