Jim Coleman Honda

Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
I was given the old pressure sales pitch: This car won't be here tomorrow. I have someone already looking at it. I was given 2 keys and discovered that one of the keys did not work. Upon taking it back and mentioning the key problem I was told that the dealer only supplies a second key, if one is not available, to vehicles made by Honda. Since this was a Toyota they would not supply a second key. I had to go to the Toyota dealer just down the street to have a second key made. The keys are very expensive because of the computer chip that is part of the security system. But that's not the end of the story. Because the vehicles computer was programed to allow only 2 keys for this car, a new computer had to be ordered and programed to allow an additional key. Fortunately the vehicle was still under the manufactures warranty and the computer was covered.
My wife attempted to call the dealership manager several times and was given the run around. This was an unacceptable experience and my wife and I have told everyone who would listen. I know there has been more than one potential customer who has been dissuaded from going to this dealership.
The thing that has prompted me to write this is the letter I recently received from the sales person stating that it had been 6 months and he would appreciate any referrals from satisfied customers such as myself.
I love the vehicle, but will never go back to that dealership.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
I knew I wanted to purchase a 2009 CR-V EX-L with navigation, and was pretty particular about the color combination I wanted. I was corresponding with a few local dealers and one of them offered me a ridiculously low price, which quickly turned out to be too good to be true upon arrival to the dealership. Carl had emailed me previously with a quote and invited me to send him any lower quotes I received from other dealers. He was not pushy at all and offered really sound advice, even with regard to dealing with the other dealerships. When the deal fell through at the other dealer, I talked to him and he offered to match the rock bottom price the other dealer had offered and failed to follow through on. I drove straight from the other dealership to Jim Coleman, met up with Carl, and a couple of hours later drove the new car off the lot at the ridiculously low price of $28,200 on the road (including freight, tax, tags, and a roof rack). Everyone I dealt with at Jim Coleman was extremely helpful and really went out of their way to make sure I had a pleasant purchasing experience. Carl went above and beyond to negotiate the best deal for me, and I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to purchase a great car in a no-pressure environment.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
I was surprised to see such negative reviews for this dealership. I went into Jim Coleman Honda today to purchase a new 2009 Honda Civic LX. I was greeted warmly by the internet sales manager, Larry Snyder. He referred me over to Carl Jensen, who assisted me in choosing out a vehicle that was suitable for my needs and test driving it. During this process, he didn't try to oversell the car or pressure me into buying it. When it was time to discuss financials, I told him that another Honda dealership had offered me a better deal then they were offering me. Jim Coleman eventually managed to beat out the already rock-bottom quote I had. I was able to drive away for less than $17k including the car, destination charge (freight), title/tags, sales tax, and the $99 dealer processing fee. The negotiation process wasn't stressful like I had encountered at some other dealers. The paperwork process went relatively smoothly. The only person I found to be unpleasant was Michael King, the financial services manager. He was a bit short when I caught a mistake in my address (which he should have copied straight from my driver's license) and didn't sound happy when I asked him to break down the costs (they were hard to understand on all the forms). The dealership was able to offer me great financing on an already good price at 2.9% APR for 36 months. As an added bonus for buying memorial day weekend, the dealership threw in a $100 gift card to Home Depot, Ruby Tuesday, or Giant Food. While the buying process took large chunk of time (3.5 hours), Larry Snyder and Carl Jensen were able to thoroughly answer all of my questions. Carl even agreed to have my Enterprise rental car picked up and taken back to Rockville. All in all, a good car buying experience.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
I am a complete moron for doing so, but I have been going to Jim Coleman Honda for all major services ever since I bought my car there almost 10 years ago. I have had bad luck with a lot of mechanics in the Columbia area so I grudgingly paid the extra money to have the work done at the dealership. The only decent person that I dealt with there is Cliff the service advisor. I dealt with two cashiers who were both rude and unable to answer basic questions about the service I was getting and the one guy was downright creepy (if you've dealt with him you will know who I'm talking about). I once waited over 3 hours to get an oil change and was told about 4 times that it would just be a half hour more. At the end after watching many people come and go I was told that they performed the oil change on the wrong car which was there for a different service. And to top it all off they scrapped up my bumper. Between all of the other services I've had done there they have also punctured my leather seat with a Philips head screwdriver, broke my coin tray, forgot to tighten bolts in my seat and my oil pan, and scratched up my lower dash panels. I was "compensated" for the seat puncture with an oil change what a bargain... Don't waste your time and money. Go to O'donnell or something.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
Their sales guys was good but the F & I guy (Rolando) is rude, unfriendly, very unhelpful and does not even know how to complete a simple transaction. I had make a trip back to the dealership just because he did not know that I had to sign on the back of the check I gave him. He needs a career change.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
Jim Coleman Honda will [and has] purposely rip off a senior citizen on a limited & fixed income when they can tell she doesn't know what she's doing in terms of buying a car. They lied, they padded the purchase price and when questioned about their sales tactics they were rude, unmerciful and uncompromsing. Maybe that's the tactics and behavior of all car sales persons, but in case it's not, shop around and don't patronize Jim Coleman Honda in Clarksville, MD. You can also look at how others have rated them to determine that my review is honest and on-target.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
The below quote was taken from an email sent to me from Carl Jensen at Jim Coleman Honda. I was also specifically told this by Carl and other sales staff members when I was on-site to test drive a 2008 Odyssey EX-L.

"NOBODY CAN BUY A HONDA FOR LESS THAN JIM COLEMAN CAN. WE WILL NOT LOSE A DEAL OVER PRICE...."

When I shared a quote from a local competitor I was told they couldn't sell the vehicle to me for that because they'd be losing money. I reminded them of their guarantee, "Nobody can buy a Honda for less..." I was again reminded that they will not lose a sale over price. I offered them the opportunity to match the deal but they refused. No one would reply to my emails or return my phone calls after that.

I purchased the 2008 Odyssey EX-L from Ourisman Honda of Laurel for less than $25k.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
When I first purchased my Honda I was pleased with the service but no longer so. Typically service isn't done in the time promised so the wait is longer. I typically end up calling (from the waiting area) to see if my car is finished--I don't get paged or have someone let me know it is done.

And what's with calling everyone "Miss"--If I'm grown up enough to buy a car at least have the manners to call me Ms. I'm not a child nor an "old maid".

Some of the employees are friendly and pleasant to interact with. My sense is that they get lost in the overall organizational management that is no longer as supportive of customer service and quality. That seems especially disappointing since I like the car and initially selected the dealership based on my perception of their service department.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
Went looking for a used Pilot. Test drove and then sat down to negotiate. The salesman, Francesco, was friendly and refreshingly laid-back. Then the sales manager (middle-aged African-American man, didn't catch his name) comes over and everything went downhill fast.

In stark contrast to Francesco, he was pushy, condescending, and full of attitude. At one point, he orders my mother to look at him when he was speaking. What kind of customer service school teaches you to say that to your customer? I am trying to get things done fast to go somewhere else and he says that I should have scheduled some 2 hours after a sit-down to complete the transaction and snidely asks me if I ever bought a car before (doh). I am getting more irritated more he speaks and he quickly leaves saying he is done here.

After he is gone, I voiced my displeasure to Francesco and I guess he overheard me and he walks slowly toward me (glaring at me the whole time) stopping within a couple of feet and stares down at me (he was taller than me). What the hell is this? I felt like I was in a Western shootout? He acted so much like a thug, I ask him if he is going to beat me up. He replied it isn't worthwhile. Speechless. So a sales manager at Jim Coleman has no trouble voicing doing violence to a customer.

His boss comes over to mollify me and while he is doing his best, this sales manager finally has some sense to disappear from my sight. Needless to say, I left Jim Coleman Honda without buying anything.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Jim Coleman Honda:
If only Saturn sold Hondas, I'd buy one in a second.

I HATED the experience I had when visiting the dealership for an introductory look at the Odyssey. The salesman (who proudly told me he'd previously done mortgages (sub-prime I'm sure), and prior to that sold used cars) was a sleazeball who pushed about 3 times harder than he should have, though I told him a) I was not interested in buying today, b) had 10 minutes and c) ONLY wanted to check out the inside of the vehicle. Seriously, if they'd had one on the showroom floor I would have preferred to walk in, look at it, and walk out all without talking to anyone, besides possibly getting a business card.

Now I'm inclined to buy from a different dealership, just on principle.

PS! The dealership actually has a "Market Value Adjustment" line item on their vehicle stickers. A clueless buyer would be roped into paying the dealer over $1000 for nothing more than a line of ink and unbelievable gall.

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