I was in for a test drive the other week and while the - CS
I was in for a test drive the other week and while the salesperson was polite (I can't remember their name) and seemed pretty knowledgable, they very much seemed uninterested in selling me the car. I realize the RX PHEV is an in-demand vehicle right now and that its a seller's market, but its generally a good idea not to make a potential customer feel like he's just some other jerk who doesn't matter. I like the car a lot, but they didn't have one optioned how I wanted so I took a week to look around at the stock of other places and having not found what I wanted I called Lexus of Bellevue back to inquire about a custom order. Whoever it was that answered the phone didn't even let me fininsh my question before he cut me off and pretty condescendingly said "We don't take custom orders. It's a Lexus thing". It was odd to be both amused and annoyed, but that's where I was at. First of all, that's 1000% false and a ridiculous statement. Lexus USA's website has a car configuration tool just like every other manufacturer on earth. If your dealership doesn't want to take custom orders, that's one thing, but saying "it's a Lexus thing" is blatantly dishonest and a clear "Go away, there are other customers so not only do I not want to deal with you, I don't even have the sense or sack to tell you we don't want to deal with you, I'll just make up some xx to get you to go away". Even if that WERE true, there's no need to be rude and condescending.
I'm a pretty brand loyal guy. I've owned two Toyota Siennas, a Highlander and two Corollas. Now when I find myself looking to get into a luxury ride, I went to Toyota's lux arm - Lexus. I get that its a seller's market, but treating someone who is likely to bring tens (hundreds?) of thousands of dollars of business to your dealership in the coming years is the ultimate in short-sighted idiocy just because right now you can sell your cars without much effort. I've got a wife and 4 kids. There are definitely more cars in my future - guess where I'm not getting any of them from? I'm sure Lexus of Seattle will send you a thank you card for the business.
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