Super Piston Slap: <3 for Nissan Canada?

TTAC commentator SpeedJebus writes:

Hi Sajeev,

You may remember that I wrote in before about my 2007 Honda Civic, and it’s haunted DBW system. That ordeal is over, but apparently I’m a sucker for automobile drama. Here’s the tale of my Juke: an ordeal that has been going on for over three months now. I’d like to share this cautionary tale. Here we go!

In February 2011, I decided to get a 2011 Nissan Juke as a replacement for my Civic. I did the test drive, decided it was pretty cool, and ordered one. I understood at the time that it was going to be at least 4 months, since there was only one factory turning out LHD Juke’s for the world. A month went by (bringing us to March). Then Godzilla attacked Japan, which the media covered up as a earthquake and tsunami.

With all of the factories idled, and everything up in the air, I entertained the idea of looking at different autos. Well, I have family ties with Chrysler, and started looking at Jeeps. It was love at first sight, and a much sooner delivery date. I contacted the dealer to terminate my order, since (A) it hadn’t even been built yet, and (B) we’d be looking at a MUCH delayed delivery. The sales manager (total twat) told me that I’d have to sign a form, and they’d have their legal department decide if I would get any of my deposit back, etc.

This *right* pissed me off, since we had verbally agreed that I’d have final say on accepting the ordered vehicle, since my previous vehicle had DBW issues. Unfortunately for me, I never got that in writing. (My bad.) Anyway, I had no choice but to sign the request to rescind the lease, and await word back. That was March 22, 2011. I confirmed that the dealership received my fax, and I waiting patiently for word. In the meantime, I ordered my Jeep. On April 14, 2011, I *STILL* had not received any word back. I sent a registered letter again requesting the termination of the lease contract, and refund of my deposit. I sent the same copy of the registered letter to OMVIC as well. (I should point out that I talked to them already, and they said that the dealership so far is in the right, blah blah blah…more on that after.)

After even more time without any response from the dealer at all, I authorized OMVIC to begin making inquiries on my behalf, and to attempt to get results for me. The dealership basically ignored OMVIC for a few weeks. Then I finally received an email from OMVIC stating that it was the dealerships intent to obtain the vehicle, sell it, and go after me financially for any losses incurred in them having to sell this vehicle. This pushed me over the edge.

I called Nissan Canada as a last ditch effort, and laid it all out for them, and they say they’ll look into it. I had no expectations of any results, but it was worth a shot. Long story short, the dealership emails me to say that they will agree to terminate my lease contract, and they will hold my deposit if I should choose to get another vehicle from them in the next year. At this point, I’ve already got my new Jeep, and I’m so sick of dealing with this shit, I just want it done. So I email them back and agree to this. It may cost me my deposit, but it’s over and done with. I have other things going on that I need to get a handle on. This was yesterday. HERE’S THE SURPRISE.

I got a phone call today from Nissan Canada. It turns out that they are incredibly sorry for how everything unfolded. They deeply apologized for the delays, for the mistreatment, and for the entire situation from day one. They are sending me a cheque for my deposit in full.

I was speechless. Still am.

GREAT customer service from Nissan Canada. Unnamed out-of-town dealership, and their stupid ape of a Sales Manager can kiss the fattest part of my white ass. Thanks to the actions of the Nissan Canada Customer Service team, I can say that I would honestly consider buying a Nissan in the future. Just not from that dealership. I can say that I never anticipated these things that can happen during the course of a new vehicle purchase. Huge lesson learned, that’s for sure.

Sajeev adds:

What else can I possibly add to this one? Sometimes the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease. Perhaps not every bad deal needs to pursue legal action. My hats off to you, good sir, for remaining composed in your actions and most importantly…being patient! You’ve come a long way from that misbehaving Civic, baby!

And without researching the finer points of Canadian Dealership/Consumer Laws, kudos are certainly in order for Nissan Canada. You folks obviously did the right thing for a potential customer, which is always a great long term strategy. If you don’t get ’em now, you probably will later. This is the first time I’ve been able to use Piston Slap for a positive manufacturer experience, quite a happy moment for me, personally. If I had a set of Motor Trend’s tarnished Golden Calipers (or one of them 1980’s almost-a-clock desk ornaments given out by JD Powers) here at TTAC central, I’d surely give them to you all. Respect.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna dream about sippin’ a Tim Horton’s coffee and munching on an Aero chocolate bar while doing wicked burnouts around the CN Tower in a 1990 Pontiac Tempest with an LS4-FTW swap.

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry.