Eric Gates | Page 19
General Manager
Columbia Ford Kia
234 Willimantic Road, Route 6
Columbia, CT 06237
Eric is happily married to his wife, Katharine and lives in Stonington with their 2 children Ollie and Bella. His motivation to help people buy, trade, sell, fix, repair, maintain and improve their automotive situations shines through and is proven by the thousands of people he has affected. He is an avid athlete and sports fan. Eric is a hometown fan of the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox, and he will certainly let you know about it. Eric has been around the business for his entire life, and he has been playing with cars since he could touch the pedals. He has been certified in 8 different car manufacturers, so he certainly knows his stuff. Come in and meet him, he will always go above and beyond, no matter who you are!
Read moreDealership Experience
11 yrs, 5 mos
Industry Experience
41 yrs, 4 mos
Specialties & Trainings
NADA Graduate
579 Reviews
Write a Review579 Reviews of Eric Gates
November 20, 2019
purchase of 2019 F150 truck As always my experience buying a new ford F150 truck was excellent. All personnel most helpful especially Ed Carpenter who spent several hours working As always my experience buying a new ford F150 truck was excellent. All personnel most helpful especially Ed Carpenter who spent several hours working on my purchase. I have purchased a vehicle from Columbia before and as usual everything went smoothly. Eric Gates went through the pricing, identifying my best economical purchase very well. Jake Gurzier made the finance process painless. All well done More
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler , Edward Carpenter
November 19, 2019
Best Dealership They were extremely helpful in finding the right vehicle to fit our needs as well as our budget. No high pressure at all. Thank you. They were extremely helpful in finding the right vehicle to fit our needs as well as our budget. No high pressure at all. Thank you. More
Other Employees Tagged: Andy Caldwell
November 13, 2019
Excellent dealership. Diligent in meeting our needs and not quick to rush you out the door. Kids had plenty to keep them busy with the waterfalls and coy fish area. So happy we decided to go there. not quick to rush you out the door. Kids had plenty to keep them busy with the waterfalls and coy fish area. So happy we decided to go there. More
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler , Matt Milici
November 09, 2019
John Sennick a great Salesperson very profesional, If you need a New or Used Vehicle i reccomend John Sennick and the team at Columbia ford ALWAYS !!!!! you need a New or Used Vehicle i reccomend John Sennick and the team at Columbia ford ALWAYS !!!!! More
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Jimmie Bletsch , John Senick
November 08, 2019
Exceeded my expectations. Service department exceeded my expectations for speed, quality, politeness, and caring of your staff. Everyone greeted me as if I was a family member Service department exceeded my expectations for speed, quality, politeness, and caring of your staff. Everyone greeted me as if I was a family member. I am please to give a great review for going above and beyond as a dealership. Many people stopped by to greet me as I waited in your lounge with my silky terrier Harley, it was an awesome experience for just an oil change and tire rotation. Job well done. I have bought three vehicles at Columbia Ford two F 150's and a Mustang all were great vehicles at a good price. People like Bobby Eskey in your service department keep me happy to come back. I also want to thank Timothy Bassett and Eric Gates for putting me behind the wheel of my F- 150. I look forward to trading up in a few years. Thanks, Steve Johnson More
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Bobby Eskey, Jimmie Bletsch , Timothy Bassett, Brianne Gallagher, Henry Gregoire
November 06, 2019
I had A nice visit to that this dealership I would give them 5 stars Tim was my salesman he was waesome Eric gates is a nice man to talk to as well he helped me very much both of them were great them 5 stars Tim was my salesman he was waesome Eric gates is a nice man to talk to as well he helped me very much both of them were great More
Other Employees Tagged: Timothy Bassett
November 05, 2019
Have bought many vehicles from this dealership, have never had any problem with sales Service or parts from this dealership, would highly recommend for family and friends. never had any problem with sales Service or parts from this dealership, would highly recommend for family and friends. More
Other Employees Tagged: Joe Berube, Joe Brochu , Edward Carpenter, Brianne Gallagher
October 30, 2019
Best vehicle sale I have experienced, hands down! I was Best vehicle sale I have experienced, hands down! I was able to drive through the lot and see every vehicle, thanks to the exacting detail by lot ma Best vehicle sale I have experienced, hands down! I was able to drive through the lot and see every vehicle, thanks to the exacting detail by lot manager Henrie Gregoire! Walked the lot to look closely at vehicles of interest without sales pressure. Walked in to the impressive showroom and was professionally greeted and taken care of at the reception area, great customer service Gail! She introduced me to the very knowledgeable and respectful Tim Bassett. After determining how destiny placed me at Columbia Ford, we got right to work. We went for a test drive and he showcased all the features of the 2019 F-150s. He masterfully explained the options in an efficiently well-organized mannert and let me have an opportunity to spend ample time with another truck so my family could experience it. Tim’s polished approach definitely set the bar for others to emulate, BZ. When I returned Tim had a day off and the other sales mangers were busy so the General Manager, Eric Bates stepped right in and personally handled the no-hassle sale. Since I was in the right place at the right time I received an all-inclusive stay in Eric’s office and he didn’t leave except to give me a tour of the dealership and make sure the rest of the team was running smoothly(a sign of quality deck-plate leadership.) He gave me a number and then I gave him a number and he asked why and I was able to substantiate the why, and the deal was done with my substantiated number. His deal was over $8000 better than another dealership’s “best deal.” The entire process was frictionless!!! Eric Gates is the epitome of professionalism and explained every detail as we went. Prior to working with Eric’s team at Columbia Ford I was very jaded, now I found a extremely professional, respectful, knowledgeable, courteous and honest dealer that also has chocolate chip cookies!!!! Zero stress purchasing a beautiful 2019 Silver Spruce 3.5L Lariat, awesome truck, not quite as fun as restoring a shutdown reactor and engine room while submerged on a submarine, but definitely a pleasure to drive. Thank you for what you do Columbia Ford. P.S. Simoniz coating offered at your dealership is looking awesome. Very Respectfully, Rick Scarpa More
Other Employees Tagged: Timothy Bassett, Henry Gregoire, Matt Milici, Gail at reception area(near cookies)
October 28, 2019
Friendly and well informed Matt Milici was very friendly and helpful. He took the time to find out exactly what we were looking for. When we picked up the car everyone was very Matt Milici was very friendly and helpful. He took the time to find out exactly what we were looking for. When we picked up the car everyone was very helpful and willing to go over the car with us and to make sure the vehicle was to our satisfaction and to be sure we would know how a good percentage of the options worked. Matt spent a considerable amount of time with us going over everything and answering all of our questions. More
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler , Henry Gregoire, Matt Milici
October 25, 2019
First car lease We had our first experience leasing a vehicle and everything went incredibly smoothly.. Everyone was a pleasure to work with and we were able to come We had our first experience leasing a vehicle and everything went incredibly smoothly.. Everyone was a pleasure to work with and we were able to come to an agreement that worked for everyone! More
Other Employees Tagged: Jimmie Bletsch, Andy Caldwell, Ryan McLeod
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