Ashley Howell

My partner and I visited Kia to explore options for purchasing a new vehicle. I had identified several models on the Kia website that I was interested in viewing and test-driving. I viewed the Kia purchasing a new vehicle. I had identified several models on the Kia website that I was interested in viewing and test-driving. I viewed the Kia K4, The GT model on the lot and was informed that the particular feature I wanted was available on the EX model. While outside, I found the exact EX model on the Kia website that was advertised under the current promotion. The sales representative took a photo of the listing from my phone. We returned inside, my credit was run, and I signed initial paperwork for the car I had selected online and shown the representative. I asked the sales representative about the out-the-door pricing and whether the promotional discounts applied. She stated she did not know and that those details would be addressed with the finance department once they heard back from the bank. Approximately 45 minutes later, she returned and said she had searched the entire lot but could not locate the vehicle. She stated she would just swap it out for another K4 EX instead so I needed to sign new paperwork. At no point did she disclose that the replacement vehicle was not one of the advertised online, that it was not covered by the promotional pricing, or that its price was significantly higher. When we met with the finance manager, the numbers presented were noticeably higher than what had been initially discussed, which I thought was weird because I had agreed to put more even more money down. I asked whether any of available promotional discounts— I had seen—were applied. I was told yes some discounts were applied. My partner inquired about the interest rates and who was handling the financing. Initially I was given 3 options when we began discussing the optional packages, the finance manager did not disclose that the car packages were optional until my partner specifically asked what the monthly payment would be without them. Only then were payment options available disclosed to me. After signing the final paperwork, I went outside and immediately noticed several visible cosmetic scratches on the vehicle. I photographed the damage but was told it was fine to leave with the vehicle. Later that evening, while reviewing my paperwork, I realized significant details were inconsistent with what I had been told. How did the sale price become more than the MSRP of the car if the discounts were applied? I returned to the dealership to ask when the cosmetic damage would be repaired and to speak with a manager. I wanted clarification on why the vehicle I selected from the website—and the vehicle for which I initially signed paperwork—was nearly $3,000 more than the vehicle I was ultimately sold. None of this price difference had been disclosed, despite my asking multiple times why the cost was higher even as I increased my down payment and extended the loan term. I had been told the difference was due to interest rates, not because I had been switched to an entirely different, non-promotional vehicle at a higher price. During this conversation, the finance representative claimed he was unaware that the vehicle had been switched. I was told you just selected the vehicle and the situation was referred to it as a “simple miscommunication” between the sales representative and I. He stated that the deal could not be changed because of how far we’ve made it into the process but that he would look for what incentives he could offer to compensate for the situation. This experience has been extremely disappointing, especially as a first-time car buyer. If this is representative of how Kia allows its associates to conduct business in deception and fraudulent. I plan to file a complaint with the consumer protection agency, the DMV and also report this incident to the BBB. I recommend anyone who has a had a similar experience to the same as well. More

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Ashley was a perfect fit for helping us with our purchases. Two is a week!!! She has a very relaxed approach and is eager to provide you with answers and information. purchases. Two is a week!!! She has a very relaxed approach and is eager to provide you with answers and information. More

by Huggie Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Very poor service! They sold my car with only one key.. very disappointing. And they put my cover from my older car to the new purchase with not my authorization They sold my car with only one key.. very disappointing. And they put my cover from my older car to the new purchase with not my authorization More

by florbonita11 Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Dealership is very welcoming, however, leaving with a new vehicle, I had higher expectations. With only 11 miles on my car, there’s already issues; RUSTED rotors/brakes, ants galore, reverse camera stays on vehicle, I had higher expectations. With only 11 miles on my car, there’s already issues; RUSTED rotors/brakes, ants galore, reverse camera stays on when traveling in drive, detail scratched the crap out of my hood when removing only sap, list goes on… Will be my last Kia. More

by chevy3794 Verified Customer Verified Customer

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I was not happy with the negotiator. I will never go back or reffer someone I will never go back or reffer someone More

by cesarlunise Verified Customer Verified Customer

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We have mixed feelings about Kia of Port Charlotte. Our first impressions were good. Lots of cars to choose from, nice comfortable showroom and a nice welcome from our sales person Ashley. We told Ash Our first impressions were good. Lots of cars to choose from, nice comfortable showroom and a nice welcome from our sales person Ashley. We told Ashley we came in to see and test drive a 2025 Sorento, but also wanted to look at the Telluride. We were very particular about color and models, and she did great showing us what we wanted to see. The sales manager we worked with, Howard, seemed fine, except when we finally agreed on a price and got into Finance. We repeatedly told Howard we wanted to make a large down payment and finance a small amount with our credit Union VyStar. He said they didn’t work with VyStar, but Kia could finance us, and we could transfer the loan in 3 months. When we got into finance, we discovered they had worked the loan with no down payment, financing with Kia. The finance man acted like it would be so much trouble to change the contract, and said we could just pay it off sooner. We were very disappointed that they totally ignored our request to make a large down payment. For this reason, it would be hard to recommend Kia of Port Charlotte. More

by shopperpeggy Verified Customer Verified Customer

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service is a mess, took vehicle in for service for paint repair and dent removal. no painter for the week, dents were removed but they didn't tell me that there was no painter working due to vacation. poor repair and dent removal. no painter for the week, dents were removed but they didn't tell me that there was no painter working due to vacation. poor planning poor communication between departments or to the customer. they had the car for the whole day and didn't advise me there was no painter, very unhappy on first service experience.. More

by richido1956 Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Dealership was very busy and it took too much time for us to get answers about our offers to buy. When agreement was reached it too forever to get into the financial office and close the deal to get answers about our offers to buy. When agreement was reached it too forever to get into the financial office and close the deal More

by jmbsmith197 Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Briana is a wonderful saleswoman. Friendly, patient, kind, and ridiculously helpful. Extremely knowledgeable. If she doesnt know she says "Ill find out" and within minutes she has an Friendly, patient, kind, and ridiculously helpful. Extremely knowledgeable. If she doesnt know she says "Ill find out" and within minutes she has an answer/solution. Goes beyond expectations to ensure a comfortable and smooth deal. I would buy another car from her any day of the week. I would avoid the finance department though. More

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