Jenkins Kia of Crystal River

Disregarded and Pushed aside I initially contacted Citrus Kia, in November of 2015 in search of a vehicle. Based on many commercials and other reviews I read I thought that based I initially contacted Citrus Kia, in November of 2015 in search of a vehicle. Based on many commercials and other reviews I read I thought that based on my previous credit history that they would be able to help me get into a vehicle in a finance situation. I initially spoke with Adam Mercado, which whom I established somewhat of a relationship with during this process. Due to finances and based on his findings it took a while for me to get the "Down payment", needed to get me into a vehicle but he stated that I was approved with one of their lenders so there was an upside. The stipulation was that I would have to purchase on of their "trade-in" type of vehicle due to my credit and to re-establish the level of my credit, which I understood. He continued to stay in contact with me each month to check in on me regarding my search for a car. In January, 2016, the search for a vehicle was in full force and I explained to Adam that I had a down payment for a vehicle, but I also wanted the deal to make sense for me as well as for the dealership. At this point I had the help of my employer (Kevin) to help me with this search, meaning, knowing the right questions to ask, what to look for, etc. I explained this to Adam as well as the other sales staff that this was the deal, and everyone was in agreeance to this. On January 19, I figured I would stop in to the dealership to speak with Adam because I had been dealing with him all this time and he introduced me to Nikki Jones, which I thought was kind of strange due to the fact that I had been dealing with him all this time. I proceeded and thought that if Adam entrusted in her then I would also, so we did look at a couple of vehicles and I was VERY upfront with her in what the deal was in regard to the finance situation and she insisted that she has seen worse credit and that she could get me into a newer/used vehicle. Again, I entrusted that she would be able to do so, while there she had me fill out a credit app which I had filled out one previously with Adam, so I would assume that there would be one on file already, but again I did it anyway thinking, well this is apart of the process. After a day or so, she contacted me and stated that based on my credit score I would have to have at least $3000 -$3500 in order to obtain financing. At this point, when I would have conversations with the dealership I would have Kevin, join in to discuss the deals, so that again, I would ask the right questions and make sure that the deal made sense. On one of the conversations we spoke with a "Pat", whom is/was a finance manager and he stated the same things that Nikki was in regards to the financing, its the banks that are requiring the down payment and that there was nothing that they could do. I received a call two weeks ago from Nikki stating that she had a vehicle for me that someone had brought in for trade-in, that I would be able to get financing for. It was a 1995 Saturn SE, with high mileage for $4000, now to be clear, I knew that I would not get the most expensive car nor the newest, but I thought that they would at least filter a little bit based on what I was looking for. Then once I had wanted to go look at it I received a message that the vehicle was a no go. I asked why but no answer. When I started this process I thought I was clear as to was the requirements were, I needed a vehicle that I would not have to invest $1500 into it to make it reliable or safe. Now a week ago I received a call from Nikki that there was a vehicle that was just used for trade in, it was a 2005 Chevy Malibu with 180,000, granted it fit the financial guidelines, but now the question was how does it run? Where has this vehicle been? I told Nikki that I would need to come and take a look at it before making a decision. I need a vehicle but, i need to make sure that again, I will not have issues as soon as I drive off the lot. On Wednesday, February 10, 2016, I went there to look at the car and Nikki had stated that she had other clients she was dealing with and that I would have to give her some time so she could deal with them. I had not taken the keys at this point just went a looked at the vehicle, I went inside and she had clients in her office space so I sat in the waiting area with a friend of mine. In the duration of sitting her for an hour or so NOBODY came up to me to ask if I needed help or nothing, I thought she would come back to me but she was busy with others that I did not matter. I eventually stopped a gentleman to ask if he could help, and as soon as I did that she walked up, then proceeded to tell me that she needed a $100 deposit to hold the vehicle because there was another gentleman who wants to purchase the vehicle. I asked for a inspection report for the vehicle and wanted more information but I felt that I was not allowed to ask any questions about the car, yet I was continually asked how I was going to pay! I gave her my debit card, because she stated in order for her to hold the vehicle they would need that on file. I knew she was busy and I had to leave due to my ride situation. Honestly, I NEVER felt so pushed out the door from a dealership in my life! Again, I know that I am not purchasing the most expensive vehicle but I am a customer, and I have never felt so ignored and pushed aside like I did there, not with just her, but with EVERYONE there. The second day I went back thinking maybe the experience would get better, WRONG, actually there was a gentleman at the door with white hair and a yellow shirt, whom opened the door and greeted me. That was the first time I felt a hair of customer service there. I went in looking for Nikki and the first thing that comes out her mouth was, "So, how are you going to pay the down payment"? Not, how are you doing? Hello? or even Good to you see you again? This time I brought my husband with me so that he could look at the car a bit closer and listen to it for noises and issues. I asked her for the keys so that we could turn it on and asked her if we could take it for a test drive and she stated that she would have to come with me for a test drive. We took the keys and went outside turned the car on and initially there were some noises coming from the car. I had done a Carfax on the vehicle and found that it had driven up north due to the clear salt damage, it had a miss in it, meaning cars are supposed to sound clear and there was an apparent clog somewhere in the intake, and we could not find the transmission fluid stick either, so that was a bit questioning. Unfortunately I could not ask anyone for help because there was nobody around to ask and the only people I saw were these two guys watching us to make sure that we did not steal the vehicle. At that point we were done and I knew that was not the right vehicle for me, based on the experience, the service and what I have been shown. I went inside and looked for Nikki to give the keys back but she was helping others and could not be found so I just stopped anyone I saw, which seemed like that was an issue to even do that, to give the keys back and I saw her. I told her that that is not the vehicle for me and then I had a gentleman "Tony Meador", come up to me and ask what the problem was and at that point I was so FRUSTRATED at the entire situation that I was just ready to leave. He stated that based on my financial situation I did not qualify for any other deal and that the used car manager was out purchasing vehicles and should be back either Friday or Saturday and they could have him give me a call then. It is not Sunday and nothing! My point in writing this to hope that others will not be treated as I was, disregarded, devalued and underappreciated. I know that I may not be purchasing the most expensive vehicle or have the best credit but to be treated as if I am a hassle to you or a bother is not the way to go. More