A Visit to Bellevue Lexus

Whenever I visit other cities, I make a point of checking out dealerships there. On a recent trip to Seattle I chose Bellevue Lexus. Driving up to the large site, it is difficult to differentiate it from other dealerships. Large stucco facade, the requisite Lexus logos and a ship's load of cars parked out front.

But as soon as you enter the dealership, a different feel is immediately apparent. Gone are the garish promotion posters, cheap faux-leather furniture and utilitarian porcelain tiles. Instead, comfortable, elegant lounges, natural stone floors and friendly smiles at the concierge-style front desk greet you.



Further into the dealership there are a number of different areas. One lounge features a large fireplace (here the fake gas fired logs will have to do), another has viewing chairs for a few minutes of CNN, while a third offers a large acquarium. There's also a pretty nice kid's play area.

One really neat feature, perhaps Apple inspired, is the 'genius' bar. A staffer that is entirely focused on addressing the technical and product questions of Lexus owners. Queries come via email and telephone from soccer moms and NAV-frustrated dads all day long.

For service, the immense driveway is probably the largest in the country. I lost count after fifty parking spots. The Seattle weather won't harry these Lexus customers!

The shop is equally impressive with stainless steel benches and near silent overhead doors throughout. A small convex mirror at each station allows technicians to work at the benches while still keeping an eye out on the shop.

But a dealership visit is not complete without a quick tour of the 'facilities'. Nicely equipped washrooms with natural stone and piped in 'Enya' worked for me.

Well done Bellevue Lexus!

Mr. OpenRoad