Galpin Honda

Here’s the very short and sweet version of my review: Go see Ricky Pennington at Galpin Honda. The … Best. Dealership. Ever. Now if you have the time please read the more detailed thoughts about my expe see Ricky Pennington at Galpin Honda. The … Best. Dealership. Ever. Now if you have the time please read the more detailed thoughts about my experience. I have never written a review about anything but feel so strongly about this dealership and Ricky that I’m putting hands to keyboard. First let me start by saying that I leased my 2009 Honda CR-V at Galpin three years ago and Sean Harrison was my sales person. He was great and I was very pleased with the car. But the three years were almost up and it was time to move on. I figured since I had no problems the first time I would return to Galpin and Sean. Well lo and behold Sean had been promoted! Congrats to him but now I was without my sales contact. Sean said it wouldn’t be a problem and set me up with Ricky. Now before I go on I want to explain that I’m a single female car shopping alone. At most places this fact would make me appear to be an easy “mark.” Thankfully Galpin is not like most places. So to continue . . . I explained right away to Ricky that I was not looking to buy but wanted to test drive a few cars and then go home and research. This didn’t faze him at all and we proceeded to test drive the 2012 CR-V, Civic and Insight. During the test drive Ricky made sure the process was fun but informative. He taught me how to use the back-up camera on the CR-V, explained how the Insight worked (I’m not familiar with hybrids) and gave me the details/trims on the different Civics. It was a relaxed and pressure free experience. It was Presidents Day weekend and the dealership was jam packed with customers because of a huge sale. So you would expect that Ricky would rush to move on since I was upfront about not buying. But instead he asked if I wanted to see some numbers and I agreed. I figured it wouldn’t hurt and I needed ideas of pricing, payments etc. for my research anyway. Oh and Sean made sure to stop by to say hi and check in at least three to four times if not more during my visit. Now that’s what I call good customer service! So Ricky and I went over the numbers and chatted about life. It was again relaxed and pressure free (something that I will probably mention often in this review). I decided to move on for the day and said my goodbyes. But not before being offered a slice of pizza!! Someone had brought it in for the sales people since they were all too busy to take lunch. Seems kindness and respect is not only reserved for the customers but also for the people who work at Galpin. I decided to head to the Toyota dealer to test drive the Prius. But on my way I happened to pass another Honda dealer and decided to stop in. Big mistake. Because Miller Honda of Van Nuys is everything that Galpin Honda is not. Rude, disrespectful and conniving. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me explain . . . I pull into Miller and tell the sales person that I do not need to test drive any cars but I want numbers on the Civic. A man named Victor intervenes and says he’s a manager. He asks me some questions (about what I’m looking for etc.) and I find out that they have one 2011 Honda CR-V left. I ask to see it and while the original sales person takes me on a test drive Victor says he will run the numbers on the 2011 CR-V and the Civic. He also takes the key to my current car (the 2009 Honda CR-V) so he can get the assessment done by his used car guy. Though the sales person seemed fairly new to his job he was nice and the test drive was fine. We return and Victor gives me the numbers on the Civic and 2011 CR-V. I’m not at all impressed with the price of the 2011 CR-V (which has 100 miles) but he says he’ll do a deal on the 2012 because he wants to earn my business (I had told him I had just come from Galpin). We go back and forth a lot on numbers and what I want in the car. During this time Victor is very nice and complimentary but he just makes the original sales person sit there and watch/wait. I thought it was a little rude but decided this must be how they train. So after I make a phone call (I had dinner plans that I needed to cancel :) I confirm with Victor that we are talking about the EX-L. He gives me a look (not necessarily a bad one), says he will have to see what he can do and that he’ll have to pressure his used car guy. He suggests that in the meantime we do a test drive of the 2012 CR-V. I tell the original sales person that it’s not necessary since I just test drove the car. But he says it’s best if we take the drive since it will kill time while Victor figures out the numbers. I agree. Again the test drive is fine although I do have to explain to him how the back-up camera on the car works. I thought it was funny and didn’t see it as a problem since he had already admitted to being a sort of new sales person. We return and Victor says he can do the deal as long as my credit score is good. I know I have excellent credit and tell him it shouldn’t be a problem. I’m right and the deal is mine for the taking. Now I fully admit that up until this point everything had been pretty respectful and nice (though not as good as Galpin). But . . . I decide to call Ricky at Galpin to see if he can give me a better deal and he says he can. It’s when I tell Victor and ask him if he can do better that things go rapidly downhill. He says (half yells) that I wasted his time and his salespersons time. That Ricky is lying to me and telling me whatever I want to hear so I’ll go back. And that once I’m back at Galpin he won’t honor the deal. He proceeds to say that if someone called him and says $250 a month (FYI - NOT the amount we were discussing) and zero down he would say yes to get the person to come into the dealership but wouldn’t honor it. He asks why I would go back there when I was there earlier in the day and they weren’t willing to deal. Finally, he says that if I drive off the lot the deal is gone and he won’t offer it again. Once he’s finished sort of yelling I proceed to tell him that this is the way it’s done and that I want the best deal for myself (after all no one is looking out for me but me!). I tell him he is wrong about Galpin that they are honorable and would never go back on what they say. I say that he may do business that way but Ricky/Galpin isn’t dishonest and doesn’t play games. He says fine, gives me a slightly better deal and asks what I’m going to do now. I of course tell him I’m going to call Galpin and see if they can do better. He is not happy but says fine and walks away. Ricky says he will match the most recent deal and that he doesn’t want to lose me as a customer. By this point it’s late (maybe around 6:30p), I’m tired, hungry and very cold. I decide that if it came down to it sometimes respect, kindness and good customer service is better than saving five or ten dollars. I pull out of Miller Honda without saying goodbye or giving them a piece of my mind (which is what I really wanted to do). I felt that Victor would have never acted the way that he did if I had been a man or I had brought a male with me shopping that day. I return to Galpin Honda where I happily meet back up with Ricky. I have never been so glad to see a sales person!! We test drive the 2012 CR-V again and start making sure the deal I requested is in place. Everything is good to go on the money side (I never had ANY doubts!!) when we discover that the car has already been sold! The funny thing is that this doesn’t faze me in the least. I trust Ricky and Galpin and let him know that if they honor the deal I promise to come back when they have my particular CR-V in stock. But Ricky (and Sean) are determined!! They find me another CR-V that has one extra minor accessory and keep my deal the same. By the time everything is all said and done it’s 12:30a (I told you they were BUSY) when I finally climb inside my new car. But Ricky doesn’t just send me on my way. Even after a very long and tiring day he goes above and beyond. He sits with me in the car and makes sure I understand every piece of equipment and helps me set up the clock, radio etc.. I honestly didn’t expect it and couldn’t believe it!! If I was exhausted, hungry and cold then he must have been all that times three (plus he had to work the next morning!). Yet you would never have known by his demeanor and attitude. A truly stand-out class act all the way. I may not have originally gone in to buy a car but I got a great deal and had a wonderful experience. And that’s all that matters. See ya in three years Ricky (and Sean)!! :) More

I really enjoyed working with Rick Pennington. My husband and I have never experienced such a salesman like Rick that is so willing to work with you and have the patients to answer any questions you may have and I have never experienced such a salesman like Rick that is so willing to work with you and have the patients to answer any questions you may have. He was always available to talk to you at any time. This is our first Honda car and we love it. I’m so glad that Rick Pennington was referred to us. He would always keep in touch with us on the status of our car. Our next car that we purchase will be with Rick of course!!! I'd definitely recommend Galpin…. AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!! We are extremely happy with our purchase and our experience at Galpin. It is like you are buying a car from a person who actually cares about you as a person and not just getting a sale. We were comfortable throughout the whole process and it was all thanks to Rick. This was hands down the BEST, car buying experience we have EVER had (and I have leased and purchased many cars over the years). We drove off the lot in our new Honda Pilot, after receiving the most detailed instructions on how to use all the amazing features inside the vehicle (Thank You Rick So Much!) More

the reason i gave my rating was because i truly believe Rick Pennington did an excellent job in helping me purchase my first dealership car!!! Hes friendly and helpful and awesome at his job. Id recommend Rick Pennington did an excellent job in helping me purchase my first dealership car!!! Hes friendly and helpful and awesome at his job. Id recommend hi and galpin honda any day! More

I recently went to Galpin Honda just to look around I was hoping that I wouldn't get hassled and bothered. Then I met David Fuentes and I went from just looking around to a very happy, satisfied customer. He hoping that I wouldn't get hassled and bothered. Then I met David Fuentes and I went from just looking around to a very happy, satisfied customer. He made it seem so easy and effortless. Next time I need a car or know someone who needs one I am definitely sending them to him. Thank you David Fuentes and thank you Galpin Honda. More

Your A- Team had what I want when I wanted , I went to San Fernando High , just 2 blocks away and I learn the meanig of always give 110 % in what you do,,the quality of your Cars are shown in your People. San Fernando High , just 2 blocks away and I learn the meanig of always give 110 % in what you do,,the quality of your Cars are shown in your People. More

Went in to check out the Honda Pilot. Armen Bandari was our sales rep and he took great care of us. He took the time to understand our situation and make the right decision for our family. Its a huge purch our sales rep and he took great care of us. He took the time to understand our situation and make the right decision for our family. Its a huge purchase and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Armen Bandari even took the time to explain how the xm radio, navigation and other futures work. More

Alexander is amazing! I have been shopping for a great car and great financing for months. I got more than I bargined for at Galpin Honda. Alexander was patient, kind and honest. The service was great! No car and great financing for months. I got more than I bargined for at Galpin Honda. Alexander was patient, kind and honest. The service was great! No hidden cost or gimmicks just honest professional people. I have to say my overall experience was “MAGICAL" literally. Thank you Alexander you're the best! More

Went in to check out the Honda Pilot. David Godina was our sales rep and he took great care of us. He took the time to understand our situation and helped us make the right decision for our family. Its a our sales rep and he took great care of us. He took the time to understand our situation and helped us make the right decision for our family. Its a huge purchase and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. More

Awesome process, incredible service, professional, and extremely knowledgeable — thank you Joe Uphoff! This is the first time I have bought a car from Galpin and I was referred to Joe by a friend. I can't extremely knowledgeable — thank you Joe Uphoff! This is the first time I have bought a car from Galpin and I was referred to Joe by a friend. I can't believe how thankful I am I found Joe and Galpin ... I picked the car out and they quoted me the best price first time out. There was no negotiating or hassling ... What’s more, Joe delivered the car to my house without hesitation -- spending an hour going over all the features with me. This place is the REAL DEAL. I can’t recommend Joe Uphoff and Galpin to friends, family, and others fast enough. More

My family has been a buyer of Galpin for over 15 years now and we're extremely loyal to them! I just recently bought a car from Galpin and i have to say I felt so comfortable because of one mans easy goin now and we're extremely loyal to them! I just recently bought a car from Galpin and i have to say I felt so comfortable because of one mans easy going attitude which made my experience unforgettable! I owe it all to Mr. MARTIN TEYMOURI for his wonderful service! He worked with my family in a non pushy way and could not have been nicer to me. I THANK Glapin Honda and would HIGHLY recommend Mr. Martin Teymouri! More