Bobby Ford | Page 2

Mixed product experience, but overall great people! I'm a firm believer in rewarding hard work, especially when it comes to helping the vitality of a business through word-of-mouth advertising and custo I'm a firm believer in rewarding hard work, especially when it comes to helping the vitality of a business through word-of-mouth advertising and customer testimonies. McKinney-Salinas Honda has had a lot of that same feedback over the years, as is evident from their excellent rating here on Dealer Rater. Now, I can see why! They have a relatively low-volume sales department, so in order for the business to thrive, they have to develop a top-notch service department, while fostering repeat sales and referrals from excellent customer service on behalf of their salesmen. At the end of the day, they do just that! Fantastic people. I recently purchased a new 2014 Accord Sport through them, and have had a poor experience with the product received, but an overall great experience with the service and sales staff. Originally, I was planning on buying a new-er used car (3 to 4 years old), and that's what initially attracted me to their dealership. Being a local Gastonian, I wanted to support a local business if they could match the prices I had been getting from other Charlotte area dealerships. I found a lightly used 2014 Accord Sport which fit my needs perfectly. Unfortunately, they couldn't come down on the price at all, However, they were able to offer me a lower price on a nearly identical new car! Sometimes year-end clearances are advantageous in that respect. Not being a high-volume dealer, I wasn't able to get them to match the prices I had been offered in Charlotte, but the fact that they were local and had invested time in me as a customer made it worthwhile. One thing that set them apart from some of the 8 or so dealerships I've worked with over the last month, was the sales manager's (Roger Hoyle) willingness to deal directly and transparently with me as a customer, instead of sending a salesman back and forth to negotiate pricing. Being able to judge his character, and his reactions during the sales process was a key element in sealing the deal for me. I felt that the deal was thoroughly explained, and that I was valued as a customer. The new car I was considering had a few on-the-lot issues with the paint, and a problem with the door closing completely. As a mechanic and engineer, I knew that the door closure issue alone, while not too uncommon, could indicate that further hidden problems existed with the car. If a shift at the Marysville, Ohio manufacturing plant was underperforming for one reason or another, issues could easily make it past quality control that would turn the car into a money pit after the warranty expires. The staff was tolerant and accommodating with my request to do a thorough inspection of the automobile, and to compare certain potential problem areas against another. I bought the car late that evening, contingent on the door being properly repaired quickly, and the staff was happy to stay past closing hours on a Friday (I would imagine some dealerships could get grumpy about it, even if they did make a sale). The finance manager, Angela, was extremely helpful and accomodating. My co-signer decided to purchase an extended warranty, which I did not support (based on the hard facts and monthly payment I'd be paying down the road), but in no way did she pressure us in making that decision. In the end, I was correct about the car, as it did have several other initial quality issues aside from the door closure. However, my initial inspection had not turned these up, and instead found them after buying the car and using it over a period of two to three weeks. Since they are still in the process in resolving these issues, and for the sake of their reputation (since this is the fault of Honda Corporate), I won't go into detail on the rest of the problems. As with all mass produced goods, cars come with certain problem areas that will need adjustment or replacement from time to time. Mine just happened to come with a few more than average, and is not what I expected from a brand like Honda. I am now in the process of sorting out those other issues, and so far my experiences with the dealership's service department have been mixed. I have also had quality issues with a few dealer installed accessories, and will need a few items replaced. Thus far, two visits were spent at the service department where the technicians could not fix items on the car, for various reasons. Also, I directly requested to speak with the 3rd party contractor doing my dealer-installed tinting 3 distinct times, but never met the man in the end. Now, I'm questioning what he did with my car! Frank, the salesman that helped us primarily, has recently become a great liaison for me with the service department, making sure they understood my needs. He has invested time in me far beyond the sales process, which means a lot. I met with the service manager earlier this week, and will be getting the issues addressed in one large go sometime next week. He is a great guy, a former detailer, and all-around quite experienced with automotive service. He seemed genuinely eager to get the issues properly fixed and to help with coordinating the process. Due to the lapses of customer service quality in the service department, I am only giving the dealership a 4/5 for overall customer service, but I would change that to 5/5 if I continue to receive good experiences in the future. Since I have had several issues with poor accessory installation and initial product quality with the vehicle, I am only giving the dealership a 2/5 for servicing, vehicle delivery and product quality. However, I would raise that to a 4/5 if all is completely resolved to my satisfaction in the coming weeks. Just to clarify, no major integrity issues, like the dealership hiding accident repairs or the like have popped up, only quality of work on repair and installed accessories. To be fair, I likely notice more quality issues than the average customer, but the fact that they were not repaired warrants the rating. Overall, the dealership deserves a 5/5 for friendliness, as everyone has been more than welcoming and friendly. You feel like you're appreciated after the sale, and that goes a long way. You won't "just be a number" at this dealership. Price receives a 3/5 (or average) rating, as the out the door price was decent, but not at all what I could have gotten by visiting dealerships in Charlotte. Their accessory and warranty prices are extremely high for the product received, but it is a major source of profit for any dealership. I would suggest going to a reputable 3rd party for Non-Honda accessories. To be fair, they were losing money on the deal, but so are all other dealerships this time of the year. Regionally, moderate sales over the months of July and August have led to a buyer's market, so I tried to take advantage of that fact. Since I am paying for the car (mentioned a co-signer earlier), and am living on a limited student income, I needed the best deal that I could get. So far, for the quality of product received, I feel that I overpaid. Overall, my experience at McKinney Salinas has been a good one. Generally speaking, the people in the sales department are hard-working, honest, friendly and transparent. They are willing to stand behind their products, and make sure that customer needs are properly addressed. They have earned my trust, so hats off to them! Based on my firsthand experience and knowledge from primary sources, the service department is average for a value-brand car moniker, but I would be willing to rate them higher if the follow-up repairs go favorably. More

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2014 Honda Pilot Touring Our purchase was friendly, quick, and easy thanks to Steven Johnson. As always, Bobby Ford is awesome to work with and gets the job done! Our purchase was friendly, quick, and easy thanks to Steven Johnson. As always, Bobby Ford is awesome to work with and gets the job done! More

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I'd really rather cut off my arm with a dull knife. Than to deal with the car buying experience. I'm serious! I have had nothing but aggravation when dealing with other dealerships. I've gotten upset.. Than to deal with the car buying experience. I'm serious! I have had nothing but aggravation when dealing with other dealerships. I've gotten upset....really upset, and ultimately walked out of more dealerships than not. I've never been able to understand why they play the stupid, childish games they play......So, imagine my surprise when I walked into this dealership (with no intention of buying anything that day since I had just started looking) and was treated with respect. No games, no xx. For me to say that I had a fabulous experience is quite a statement. They didn't try to talk me into anything I didn't want. They didn't hold my keys hostage when they took my car to appraise it. I feel they gave me a fair price for my trade in. I feel I got a fair price on the Honda Civic that I purchased and the whole process took maybe 2 hours (not the usual 3/4 of a day I'm used to). I must say that working with Roger, Bobby and Angela was a pleasure and I would do it again in a heartbeat and I recommend that anyone else go out and see them to. Oh, and did I mention I LOVE the car? Thanks guys, I will be back! More

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The dealership did not have the car I wanted in stock but found it for me and went out of their way to obtain it for me. Their thoughtfulness and professionalism is much appreciated. found it for me and went out of their way to obtain it for me. Their thoughtfulness and professionalism is much appreciated. More

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I could have not ask for a better experience when looking to purchase my new car. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful! One of the things that impressed me was the time frame it took from the begi to purchase my new car. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful! One of the things that impressed me was the time frame it took from the beginning (test drives) until the end. (car delivery) I would most definitely recommend your dealership to anyone that I know that is looking to purchase a car. Thanks! More

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Our car buying experience with Mckenney Salinas Honda was fantastic. Everyone in the dealership is very knowledgeable and friendly. Thank you all for your assistance and we look forward to working with you a fantastic. Everyone in the dealership is very knowledgeable and friendly. Thank you all for your assistance and we look forward to working with you all in the future. More

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easiest and most comfortable car dealership experience I easiest and most comfortable car dealership experience I have had 4th honda 3rd Odyssey Bobby Ford is so low key and friendly and fair shop h easiest and most comfortable car dealership experience I have had 4th honda 3rd Odyssey Bobby Ford is so low key and friendly and fair shop here with confidence More

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This was the easiest car purchase I have ever had. Mr. Welch was very helpful and nice. Mr. Ford was excellent to work with also. I would highly recommend going to McKenney Honda for your next Honda purch Welch was very helpful and nice. Mr. Ford was excellent to work with also. I would highly recommend going to McKenney Honda for your next Honda purchase! Thanks to Mr. Ford and Mr. Welch for excellent customer service. More

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I have known Jasper and Bobby for several years and they are both great to deal with. When I made my last purchase I dealt with Bobby and he was extremely helpful and did a great job putting me in a new veh are both great to deal with. When I made my last purchase I dealt with Bobby and he was extremely helpful and did a great job putting me in a new vehicle. Several times throughout the past few years I would keep in touch with Jasper and Bobby to keep up with what's new and to keep check on the right time to make a new purchase. In dealing with both guys they both seem to have my best interest in mind. Jasper was very knowledgeable and helpful with the purchase of a new car from helping me decide on the correct model from explaining how everything works. The new cars can be a little intimidating with how all the electronics work but Jasper was able to walk me right through everything. Dealing with someone like that really makes buying a new car a good experience. I appreciate everything they were able to help me with. More

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Purchased a 2014 Honda Accord Sport on 12/9/2013. Sales Manager Bobby Ford was very helpful in expediting the process which required me to take very little time away from my job and 2 month old child which Manager Bobby Ford was very helpful in expediting the process which required me to take very little time away from my job and 2 month old child which I was extremely grateful for. Mr Ford was able to work with me to get my payments where I was comfortable for such a great car. Salesman Roger Brown was also very knowledgable and helpful detailing all the great features of the vehicle and made me feel right at home during the buying process. Looking forward to doing business with Mckenney-Salinas for many years to come! More

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