I was OVER car shopping by the time I inquired about a - Megan O
I was OVER car shopping by the time I inquired about a new Soul at Bob Moore Kia. I’d been to six other dealerships and was short-tempered but ready to buy immediately from whomever finally stopped fudging numbers and playing games.
Darien was the first friendly voice to respond to my inquiry. She remained friendly and helpful, even as I impatiently told her I just wanted to know what the actual price out the door was on a minimally-equipped Kia Soul. We chatted briefly about my needs. The only thing I couldn’t live without that the base model lacked was heated seats, so I also asked about having seat heaters installed.
Timeline was one issue discussed, as they had more inventory coming in that would meet my needs if I didn’t need the car immediately. I had some wiggle room on timing, so Darien put sales manager Don Hill on the line with me.
Don talked to me about what I needed, what I wanted, and any preferences that would be added bonuses. I detailed my dealmakers and breakers and told him was willing to wait for the right car at the right price.
He had a 2024 Soul EX (top trim package) already on the lot. It was my favourite of the available colours (Neptune Blue, I’d seen very few even in ads and hadn’t seen one in person), exceeded my needs and wants, and was just gorgeous. But out of my price range.
Don asked what was wrong with that one.and I told him it was beyond perfect…except for the price! I kinda laughed him off, thinking he was doing that salesman upwelling thing. I couldn’t get other dealerships to sell me a base model for the advertised MSRP of $21,670, so I didn’t even want to know the real price on the EX with an MSRP of almost $27k!
Then Don quoted me an all-in number on the phone for that gorgeous blue EX. I didn’t really believe him. It was under MSRP and getting very close to what I thought I’d end up paying for a base model with seat heaters installed at another dealership. I adored the colour. And I loved the extras the EX had, things I really wanted but would sacrifice for price.
It was more than I’d hoped to spend, but it was the first car I’d actually loved. It was the Soul I’d design if I could order it. I told Don (reminding myself not to get my hopes up) that if he’d honour that price and get to a certain number on trade for my car, I was coming in immediately to sign paperwork.
Less than an hour later, Darien greeted me immediately at the door and was a lovely hostess as I waded through the buying process. Don was friendly and a man of his word, honouring the nearly unbelievable figure he quoted me *without further discussion* and getting me what I needed on my complicated trade-in.
Hands shaken and deal made, I was off to finance. Robert Ali worked with me tirelessly to get to a final package and financing I could live with (my credit is complicated by living abroad for 9 years, no car note or large loan in the US in over a decade). And Robert and Darien have continued to be warm and happily available as I go back to them with questions.
I was somewhat defensive and ready to be mislead throughout this process, probably short or snappish at times when I didn’t understand something and worried the game playing was about to start. My prior experiences made me gun shy and quick to become adversarial. Darien, Don, and Robert sold me a good car (did a lot of research before deciding on a new Soul) at a great price and have been honest and transparent throughout. Even when I was quick to question things and distrustful.
Thank you, Bob Moore Team! I’ll be back for service on my fancy new blue car. And I hope the service team are as excellent as you’ve been.
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