This was the first time in my life I've had to tak...

This was the first time in my life I've had to take my car to a dealership to be fixed and I hope it'll be the last. I brought my 2005 Lexus ES330 in because the mechanic I usually take it to was not able to fix because the part needed is only sold at Lexus dealerships.

Dennis in the service department ensured "we'll get this fixed, we're the experts". After promising one hour of diagnostic work at $145 I ended up needing twelve but they "did me a favor" and only charged me for three.

After twelve hours of diagnostic work which was supposedly done in one day by the same "lead technician" Ira Lexus still couldn't figure it exactly what the problem was and recommended I "start with replacing the computer and we'll go from there". This would cost, including the three hours of diagnostic work I was being charged, $1880. Unfortunately they did not know if this would fix the problem and if the new computer did not fix the problem I'd obviously still have to pay for it. Paying for parts you don't need - classic car dealership move.

Paying the $1880 was too big of a gamble for me so decided to cut my losses and start looking for a new car. I still had to pay $496 for three hours of diagnostic work in which i recieved absolutely nothing. The mechanic I take my car to does not and did not charge if they can't figure it out.
No one wants to be in this position especially when you receive zero value in return.

It was pretty comical when Dennis was explaining to me how they're the experts and "not some random Joe Shmoe mechanic down the street" when in reality they couldn't figure it out either but the difference between the two parties is that one is ethical and the other isn't. I told them if they were smart they would give me a little bit of a break because I am now in a position to buy a new car and chances are it's going to be a Lexus - but I didn't expect them to understand that. I'd actually rather pay more for a car elsewhere than buy there just out of principal.

If the Ira Lexus sales manager is reading this you literally just lost out on somewhere between $40,000 - $50,000. Maybe I'll go to Herb Chambers, I bought a Mercedes E350 there five years ago and service has been great year over year.

***UPDATE***

Rich in service and Margaret made my experience more digestible. Worked with me on coming up with a fair cost for the diagnostic work done and put my car back together. They made it right.