Last Monday, we took the day off from work to take our car for her major service. Our appointment with the Toyota service center was at 8:30a.m. and since we knew that if we dropped Ethan off at the baby sitter’s before that, we would be late, we decided that Ethan got to come along too. So off we drove towards Farquhar Street, where the service center is located…or so we thought. Normally there would be hordes of Toyota cars lining up outside the center, but incredulously that day, the road was totally empty! The showroom was devoid of life, and all the cars in it were gone! Where once there was a center that bustled with activity, now there was only an empty building space. Can’t be that robbers stole the cars… :O We drove round the block and stopped in front of the entrance where there was a plain piece of paper informing us that the center had been relocated to Jalan Sungai Pinang about a week ago. A simple map showed us the location of the new service center but we were not familiar with the area at all! Nevertheless we had to go there anyway, so we decided to try looking for it.
When we arrived in the vicinity of Jalan Sungai Pinang, and found that there was no Toyota service center in sight, I gave the center a call. The receptionist tried her very best to direct us to the new center, and trust me, it was difficult, because all the landmarks she mentioned were not familiar to us at all! After some driving round and round, we finally saw that big Toyota signage. Hallelujah! The new showroom and service center was humongous! And there were plenty of car parking lots available too! We were rather upset that we were given the run around because we were not informed of the change in location prior to our service date though, but that was soon forgotten after we dropped our car off and took a look-see round the new premises.
In addition to a bigger space for servicing cars that would equal a faster service completion, this new center boasts an impressive showroom out front. The waiting area comprised many many tables and chairs and they also extended into a lounge with a water fountained wall and TV for entertainment. Of course, customers could also have a cuppa and read the papers while waiting. I also noticed three PCs which I think are internet-ready, but it wasn’t switched on when I tried. Nevertheless, I found out that the lounge area is free wi-fi activated, which means that the next time we service our car, we can bring our laptops and work there, without having to apply for leave!
We didn’t wait around for our car to complete its service though. We took a cab to Queensbay Mall instead. But all in all, the Toyota service experience is excellent. Certainly makes us think twice about getting a car OTHER than a Toyota the next time we do!
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Our Journey of Love
Yeah, looks real neat from here too! Looks better than the Mini Cooper Service Center in KL for sure!
The Giddy Tigress says: Mini Cooper??!! Is that the car you drive WHEN you are in KL?
Wuah! So posh one.
The last time I serviced my car I had to sit on a plastic stool next to a stack of tyres.
The Giddy Tigress says: What workshop is this? Tell me so I can steer clear of it 🙂
I can see Ethan boy enjoying himself exploring the new place huh! haha!
The Giddy Tigress says: Yeah he had a field time…he also enjoyed the rotating chair!
phwoar!! that is seriously damn good service man!! can beat MAS’ golden lounge!
The Giddy Tigress says: Cannot leh… but I wouldn’t know because I have only been in the SIA lounge…
Toyota’s really stepping up in the service, yea? I’m thinking of buying a Toyota Yaris here… maybe next year!
The Giddy Tigress says: Can I ride in your Yaris? 🙂
That new service centre is so posh! Now if only I had that Toyota to bring there…
The Giddy Tigress says: You will, eventually! Then we both go yum-cha together? Can?
wow. top class service centre.
since i don’t drive i will talk about my computer printer then! the HP centre had all those drink machines, and.. pizzas! and sandwiches and finger food, many varieties! goodness! makes you want to wait longer, haha
The Giddy Tigress says: They have pizza for you?? Wahh…. *pengsans*
u are so lucky that u r still able to work while away from work, as long as u have your pc 🙂
hope all car centers are going to be like that soon!
The Giddy Tigress says: Well, really…it depends on your boss 😛
What a coincident! I took Monday off from work to get my car serviced too. haha I wish the car dealer I used was just as nice. Oh well. I did have my laptop with iTunes to entertain me. 🙂
The Giddy Tigress says: That IS a freaky coincidence indeed! Okay, what am I thinking of now?
i agree that Toyota has one of the best service around.unfortunately i’ve sold mine 🙁
The Giddy Tigress says: You sold yours and bought a…. beemer? A mini???
i love going to their service center too hehe..although i don’t like the queuing
The Giddy Tigress says: So you drive a Toyota as well?
Oh..I saw u at Queensbay the other day leh..forgot which day liao..but recently nia..u were going up the escalator and I was this mad woman staring at u ..hehe..I was sitting at Pastasia..remember?
The Giddy Tigress says: That was YOU??!! I knew it was some blogger, but I didn’t know who.. we were on our way to Toys ‘R’ Us. How long will you be in Penang?
Haha…I am leaving tomorrow ler…trying to meet up with Alice today..
The Giddy Tigress says: You should have called out to me the other day… haha..
Impressive!
The Giddy Tigress says: Yeah, I was pretty amazed too!
Honda service center have the same service but we have to bring our own notebook. They even have movie for the customer to watch.
The Giddy Tigress says: Oh, that’s good to know. So it is advantageous to get a Honda too huh?