Hagerstown KIA

Waste of time .... tactics galore First and foremost, I have been in finance for 15 years and understand the in’s and outs of “how” things happen and money is made. In order for a deal First and foremost, I have been in finance for 15 years and understand the in’s and outs of “how” things happen and money is made. In order for a deal to happen the customer has to be happy and the dealer has to be profitable, right? We had a clean and easy car deal, but the open carelessness, smug aggression, and lack of respect that this dealership gave me surprised even someone who has seen it all. We were actually referred to Kia of Hagerstown by a competitor (Jones Kia of Bel Air) who couldn’t accommodate a trade with the dealership to get the car we wished for. Even though they are not “sister” dealerships the Sales Manager from the original dealership placed a call to Kia of Hagerstown / Jeff Applebee for us to let them know we had interest in the vehicle and explained what we had already covered regarding our trade, Kia Financing, etc. he took the time Literally in hopes to make our transaction smooth regardless of where we buy the car from. Amazing service by Jones Kia, right? So feeling confident in the conversation we drove 2 hours to Kia of Hagerstown to purchase the vehicle at sticker price and were quickly jerked around regarding available financing terms and purchase rebates that were clearly listed on Kia’s website as available (mind you we didn’t even have our credit pulled yet either). We were told we were wrong originally and that each dealer had different rates and rebates available. We showed the sales person our phone and stated that it is directly through Kia and to please ask their manager again, as the rebates should have totaled to $2,500 that were not accounted for. The sales person came back and said the manager “remembered” one of the financing offers (60 months @ 1.9% with no rebate) and one of the other available rebates (Kia Loyalty of $1,000). Now see, my wife had been looking for this particular car for almost 3 weeks and at each dealer we were informed about the current offers and confirmed rebates. So we new explicitly what was available. I let them know at that point that I was upset and knew given my background I knew in that moment that my wife and I were being taken advantage of. That’s when everything went extremely south. The salesperson apologized and said “ I’m sorry, I am just telling you what they told me” but said that I would have to talk to their manager. The manager did not come and talk to us, they sat at their desk and let the salesman hang on the vine having to try to push through what I knew was incorrect. The salesman suggested I walk over to ask what was possibly happening. I walked to the managers desk introduced myself and thanked him for talking to the manager at Jones Kia for us and said I was hoping to make a deal given how far we drove on Mother’s Day weekend to buy the car, but felt like we were being pressured to take higher rates and terms solely based on our want of the vehicle. I reference that Kia available online rates were 1.9% and 2.9% as I had been offered at other dealers, that the the lower rate came with no rebate and the higher with an additional $1,500 from Kia for taking the rate through Kia Financing (which we wanted to do as we keep vehicles 3 years and under). I asked why they offered us 3.9% and 4.9% as compared to Kia’s advertised rates, because again they hadn’t even pulled my credit! I didn’t even get into the finance office and this was already happening..... on a car deal you agree on the price and then go to the finance office, right? This was them literally them telling me I have to pay more just to “get” the vehicle. Mr. Applebee told me that those were their dealer choice rates and that is what they have. Then said “they have 3 other appointments today to see the car.... so he apologizes but why would he do anything for me with other interest in the car”. So here I am, already traveled almost 2 hours to buy a car for my wife for mother’s day, trying to buy a $40,000 car while being told that my rebates and financing options advertised are not valid because they have other people who they can rip off if I don’t want to play their game? The reason this happened is because on a new car sale the average margin for a deal is between 2% and 5% of the vehicle. By them trying to force me to take higher financing they would be paid a yield spread premium also know as dealer finance reserve. They get anywhere between 75% to 100% of the rate interest difference back from the lender. So they make a few grand more on a customer by charging upwards of 2% or 2.5% more on a rate.... thus doubling the new car profit at my expense. All legal. All possible. This dealership will take advantage of you. They looked me in the eye and basically said if you can see though our game, someone else will not. All again, without ever pulling my credit. This isn’t a story from someone who is credit challenged who is upset they couldn’t get what they wanted.... they did this boldly upfront as they wanted to make the max amount off my willingness to drive the distance to buy the vehicle. This dealership will pray on your naivety and take advantage of you if allowed. Mr. Applebee and Kia of Hagerstown are disrespectful, unethical, and unprofessional at best. Everyone is allowed to make money... but this dealership doesn’t understand again that both parties have to win to make a deal. More

2019 Honda Civic Hatchback Kelsey did a fabulous job working with me over the course of a few days while we were looking at both used and new vehicles. Kelsey did a fabulous job working with me over the course of a few days while we were looking at both used and new vehicles. More

Great used car buying experience From the first phone conversation with Richard Koehler to set up a visit to have two CR-Vs held to look at to the final signature the whole experience From the first phone conversation with Richard Koehler to set up a visit to have two CR-Vs held to look at to the final signature the whole experience was smooth and painless. I had set up to view two other Honda's with another dealer and was recommended to check out Hagerstown Kia. I gave them a call, Richard was very accommodating and made all the arrangements for the visit. When I called back to change the day and time of the visit it was seamless. My wife and I went out from Westminster and looked at a CR-V EX-l and Touring model. Our salesman was Mike Todd, nice man, no pressure, friendly approach and a great customer service. Rich Whittington the finance man was just as professional and accommodating. Highly recommend this dealership for you next purchase. More

Won me over with GT2 Stinger Had no intention of buying a Kia. However, Scott dared me to give the GT2 Stinger a test drive and Wow! Bought it immediately! Love the car. Scott mad Had no intention of buying a Kia. However, Scott dared me to give the GT2 Stinger a test drive and Wow! Bought it immediately! Love the car. Scott made buying a car fun and this dealership treats me like royalty at every visit! They truly do care about your feedback and call occasionally to see if I'm still happy 7 months later. Definitely changed my view of the Kia brand! More

Great service My wife and I had an excellent experience working with Jim. From test drive to driving off was complete in about 1 1/2 hrs. Highly recommend this deal My wife and I had an excellent experience working with Jim. From test drive to driving off was complete in about 1 1/2 hrs. Highly recommend this dealership!! More

Great people and dealership One of the few places I visit where I wasn't being hounded about buying new. He was very helpful, patient and courteous. The next time I have to get a One of the few places I visit where I wasn't being hounded about buying new. He was very helpful, patient and courteous. The next time I have to get a car I'm going there again More

very positive shopping experience Stacy Crabtree was a tremendous help in guiding me through the process of purchasing my first vehicle. My husband has always handled this process, bu Stacy Crabtree was a tremendous help in guiding me through the process of purchasing my first vehicle. My husband has always handled this process, but with his passing I was dreading doing this on my own. My son was a great support, but Stacy was very kind, patient and understanding through the entire process. He never pushed me or pressured me, but answered every question and eased my uncertainty. Each person I spoke to was very kind and helpful. I think the other gentleman I talked with was Rick but I'm not sure, I'm bad with remembering names. I have already recommended Stacy to a friend of mine needing a new SUV. Thank you Kia for your help in this difficult task for me! More

Kia soul Great experience buying a new vehicle. Mike Todd was super😁 Love the kia soul we got 37 mpg driving home to marlinton, wv. It was a 5 hour drive t Great experience buying a new vehicle. Mike Todd was super😁 Love the kia soul we got 37 mpg driving home to marlinton, wv. It was a 5 hour drive to the dealership, but it was worth the drive. More

Overall, a great experience Nice people. Very helpful. Good prices. Frankie came in on his day off to sell me the car. It took an hour to finalize the deal with the finance m Nice people. Very helpful. Good prices. Frankie came in on his day off to sell me the car. It took an hour to finalize the deal with the finance manager, but that's only because there were two buying cars before me. They seem to be a very busy dealership, so I guess they are doing something right. More

Wonderful experience! Our second time with Hagerstown Honda Kia. Fantastic service, start to finish! Derrick and Richard are outstanding. We will come back in the future. Our second time with Hagerstown Honda Kia. Fantastic service, start to finish! Derrick and Richard are outstanding. We will come back in the future. Thank you so much! More