Dealer visit. Well that didn't go so well.

[garygid]

Same with one of my two closest dealers.

Just because they should have (or will get) a Specialist does not mean anybody at the dealer has any training yet.

 

[mwalsh]

I'm 0/2 on Nissan dealers in my area. I went to one in 90621 today and, though I couldn't hear what was going on, I could see everybody start laughing the moment the guy I initially talked to went into the sales manager's office and (presumably) brought the Leaf up in conversation. TBH, I felt like a bit like Rodney Dangerfield...getting no respect.

 

[javan]

I've gone in three times to my dealer (Mcrea Nissan) in Eureka, and on one visit the sales manager was telling me that his wife wanted a Leaf. He suggested that the dealership would sponsor a trip down to Santa Rosa or the Bay area when a Leaf was available to test drive for customers who had put down their deposits. They are even putting ads for the Leaf in the daily and weekly papers. I'm happy with the dealer thus far, and the designated Leaf specialist seems enthusiastic about it. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good experience, Jim

 

[julievojo]

I work at a Nissan dealership in Minnesota. We didn't get any more Leaf info than what the general public was getting, until about early April Then we were asked to choose who would be the Leaf Sale Specialist (had to be a Sales Manager) and a Leaf Sales Lead (that'll be me) . We were also told to pick a Leaf Service Advisor and 2 Service Techs. The little bit of training we've had so far has been online and been very minimal. None of us has seen a Leaf or had the opportunity to ask questions. We probably won't get them until next spring in this part of the country.

The problem is that the general public has just as much info as we do, which makes it kind of hard for us to ask any questions beyond what is already generally available. I'm hoping that when our Nissan Rep comes to our store in the coming weeks we can get some more information out of him. Some brochures and other info to hand out would be great too. We're starting to get people asking about them and asking to see one - then getting ticked off with us when we don't have anything available.

Earlier today we were told that letters/emails will start going out next week to persons in the initial delivery areas who reserved a Leaf last month. So, watch your mail and email (and let me know what they tell you!)

JV

 

[garygid]

JV,
Welcome to the Forum.

 

[evnow]

I work at a Nissan dealership in Minnesota.

Yes, welcome.

"Good" thing about being in a non-initial area is that you will be a lot better prepared (and a lot more info) when Leaf comes your way.

I'm sure in this forum we will figure out and learn a lot more before December and beyond.

 

[mwalsh]

The problem is that the general public has just as much info as we do, which makes it kind of hard for us to ask any questions beyond what is already generally available. I'm hoping that when our Nissan Rep comes to our store in the coming weeks we can get some more information out of him. Some brochures and other info to hand out would be great too. We're starting to get people asking about them and asking to see one - then getting ticked off with us when we don't have anything available.

Welcome Julie!

I cannot imagine people who are clued in asking to see one. At least no-one who has done any homework beyond seeing the Nissan commercials on TV.

The problem I'm having with the dealerships I've visited thus far is the reception I'm getting when I just go in to say "Hi!" and introduce myself. As you may have seen, the two responses I've gotten so far range from indifference to derision.

 

[Azrich]

Yes! I too would like to welcome you, Julie.

I received a phone call from the LEAF Sales Specialist from one of the dealerships in my city on April 21, the day after I had made my reservation. He wanted to introduce himself and answer questions, however, he couldn't answer many questions because, as you know, Nissan had given him little information. I really appreciated that early contact from him because it said he was interested in my business. Two weeks ago I made an appointment to see him.

He had not heard that Nissan would be bringing some LEAFs around to dealers in August for test drives of those with reservations, before their final orders are submitted. I was a little surprised he had never heard of Mark Perry, Nissan's North America Director of Product Planning and Strategy. I suggested that he do a search on You Tube and listen to some of his interviews. That is where I've gotten a lot of my information.

I told the Sales Specialist about this forum which he looked up while I was there and he was excited that he had somewhere to refer people to besides the Nissan site. I had made him business cards with info about MyNissanLeaf for him to give people. I would like to connect with other Tucson LEAF buyers.
By the end of our 30 minute visit, he said he was going to put in his own reservation for a LEAF.

If you would like me to email the Word or pdf file of these business cards, send me a PM with your email address. I could also send you my dealer's email address if you would like to contact him.

Good to have you here!

 

[garygid]

I sent the "Forum-Card" file to wxxyz and he said that he would host the file here, but I have not seen it yet.

I will send it to him again.

 

[LEAFfan]

Continued testing in Arizona throughout the summer should tell them more about the high-temperature end. The very low end is a totally different matter.

Arizona testing was extensive and during last summer. I am not sure whether it is continuing. I wish I had more information about the effect of high temperatures on battery life. Most people in Phoenix have to get a new battery (lead-acid) every 3 years no matter what the battery warranty. I buy 8 year batteries that last 3 years.

You've been lucky! LOL I've been in AZ for almost 13 years and have had 5 batteries! I buy the 8yr/3yr.-free replacement and have yet to have one last 3 years. The longest so far has been 2 1/2 yrs.

 

[garygid]

I met a 2nd time with one of my two closest dealer "leaf-reps", and he did not know that he should have a "list" of Reservations. He went looking and came back with a list of 5, but all were marked "do not call". I explained that there should be others (myself included). I answered his questions about the Leaf.

Less than an hour later, he called to thank me and to say that he had found a new (new part of a website?) list of people to contact, but it still did not include me. Perhaps these were just the people that selected his dealership as "preferred"?

 

[evnow]

This shows how the best intentions of Nissan can get side tracked & ignored at retail level ...

 

[mwalsh]

With the exception of the dealers hanging out here, who have been proactive about growing their knowledge of both product and customer, I must say that I am not optimistic about how this is all going to play out. The way it looks to me as of now.....we're going to be begging for mostly indifferent dealers to take our money!

 

[garygid]

The dealer explained that "sales" is mostly a day-to-day thing.

Apparently, what IS for sale (probably what IS on the lot) gets (almost) ALL the attention, and what MIGHT BE for sale ... gets very little attention.

But, I think "order-taking" in August will get some attention. We shall see.

 

[rawhog]

I contacted my local dealer (Vacaville Nissan). The internet sales manager esponded. He tells me that they will not have a demo model at he dealership unti spring 2011. How is a person supposed to know if the car will work for them if there is no way to see and sit in one? Let alone test drive it.

 

[Bicster]

I contacted my local dealer (Vacaville Nissan). The internet sales manager esponded. He tells me that they will not have a demo model at he dealership unti spring 2011. How is a person supposed to know if the car will work for them if there is no way to see and sit in one? Let alone test drive it.

Nissan will be organizing test drives for reservation holders this summer or fall. I don't think the dealers will be involved much with that. We should get a chance to see, touch, and drive the actual product -- not the EV-11.

I don't know if the test drives will be on public roads but I'm not holding my breath for that.