I went to purchase a telluride today (03/18/2021) and... - anorton215
I went to purchase a telluride today (03/18/2021) and after my experience I will never go to a Kia nor support their store ever again. After speaking with 2 sales associates over the phone for 2 days, and emailing back and forth with a sales manager, Jazz Santos, I decided to drive the 2 hours to this dealership for the specific Telluride I was going to purchase. While waiting for the final walk out price of the vehicle, after taking note of the MSRP price on the window sticker, which was what I prepared to pay,.. a gentleman came down the stairs from his office, and started whispering and pointing about the Telluride to his sales staff at the finance counter. I overheard this gentleman tell the other sales associates that the vehicle outside (the vehicle I planned to purchase) was marked incorrectly and it was actually supposed to be $5000.00 more than what was listed Due to its Popular Color (Wolf Gray). Jazz the manager I had already spoken to me, came back to my table and started telling me what this other gentleman told him about the price being increased due to the color of the vehicle, and explained that if I chose another a vehicle that was a different color, I would not have to pay the extra $5000.00. I was quite shocked at this point, as I had spoken to 4 people at this point over the course of 2 days, and noone was going to tell me this until I was ready to see my final walkout/purchase price. I explained that this was absolutely not going to happen and quickly pointed out that this specific vehicle already has a charge of $500.00 listed on the window sticker for the specific paint color. It just did not make sense to charge me an extra $5000.00 out of the blue due to the color, when the prince clearly already reflected the paint color. When Jazz went back to this same gentleman to explain, the gentleman made a point to speak loud enough that the whole store could hear him say “I don’t care if she f’ing buys it or not”. This pricing issue was clearly either due to the fact that I was a female (who had done her research by the way), and they thought that they could take advantage me. However, this pricing issue was clearly an error on their part for not advertising the actual price of the vehicle. I argued that no one in their right mind would have the intent of purchasing something for one price, and then still purchase that item after being told at check out the item price was increased by $5000. Whoever this other gentleman was, was extremely rude, cocky, and wore his arrogance on his sleeve. He made it very clear that he wanted no parts in hearing what I had to say. In fact, he didn't even bother coming to me and answering my questions, he let his staff handle the brunt of the situation as he stood and watched in background. What a poor manager (if that is what he was), and shame on him for hindering a potential sale and screwing his sales associated out of a guaranteed sale over his own pricing error! I know dealerships want to make as much as they can off of a vehicle, and its the name of the game, HOWEVER, not disclosing a price change until the final parts of a sale is Ludacris!! He should have honored it, and fixed his pricing error on the remaining vehicles, or he should advertise that there is potential mark up on certain vehicles. While leaving empty handed (the gentleman would not even considering budging or working with me), the same gentleman was outside and made it a point to make a comment loud enough for all to hear saying "she's just mad because she could not afford the care, and we wouldn't give it to her". I lost my mind and said my peace with all of the potential customers hanging in the background. But that's another story in itself. ALL AND ALL THIS COMPANY WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE AND I HAVE NEVER FELT SO EMBARRASED OR DEGRAGED. Had they been honest with me instead of trying to pull a fast one, they may have salvaged the purchase. I have been speaking to an attorney regarding this situation, and intend on following through with their advice.
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