Israel Santiago | Page 3
E-Commerce Specialist
Kia of Wesley Chapel
28555 State Rd 54
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
Dealership Experience
11 yrs, 2 mos
Industry Experience
11 yrs, 2 mos
Languages Spoken
English
Spanish
126 Reviews
Write a Review126 Reviews of Israel Santiago
September 13, 2022
We came to Kia of Wesley Chapel after talking with a few other Kia dealerships in the area. Some laughed in our faces and others wanted a $900/ mth payment. I knew exactly what I wanted and I knew from the other Kia dealerships in the area. Some laughed in our faces and others wanted a $900/ mth payment. I knew exactly what I wanted and I knew from the beginning I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time after the other talks with Kia dealerships, one in our neighborhood too. I called and don’t expect anything, I was Paired with Nelson Bou. Nelson worked diligently that day putting numbers together for me. We got where we needed to be if we put a significant amount down. Originally we had someone to help, they backed out when it was time to bring the trade (a negative equity trade) for them to see. I called embarrassed I wasted Nelson’s time and let them know I couldn’t come up with almost half of the down payment. Nelson called me the next day he was working and said let me see what I can do for you, he came back with a number too high for us and again thanked him for his time. A few days passed and then I get a call from the manager Israel asking me to call back. I reluctantly called back and told Israel the same thing I told Nelson, but persisted I come down to see the trade. So we loaded us and the kids up to drive and hour and twenty minutes to see Israel and Nelson. We arrived and disappointed to find the Telluride we were coming in for was sold in the midst of us driving there. So before we left, they had a few used tellurides and Nelson asked us to take a look. We looked at one and there wasn’t much we liked about it, but it was in our price range. So they found out my husband really wanted the white Telluride they had, but it was significantly more and we knew we couldn’t afford it. They asked my husband if he really wanted the white Telluride and he did so they went to work trying to see where they can cut expenses to get us where we needed to be. We got a deal worked up, but then when our credit came back, it wasn’t where we needed to be for the payment we were looking at. Nelson and Starrin in finance (I believe was his name) worked tirelessly on Saturday to try and get us where we needed to be, but couldn’t. Embarrassed again, I thanked them for their time and said no need to keep trying I understand we can’t make it work, we had the odds stacked very high against us. Monday morning Nelson, Israel, Starrin, Nelson, and Tim (the GM) went to work figuring out a loan that would work with us at the payment we could afford. Tim called later morning and told me he found a credit union and the payment is where we needed to be. It was a rollercoaster ride, but we finally were able to trade our Sorento for another telluride. I am a mom with three kids, two with Autism, my husband is the only one who could work because of the boys therapies. Our situation isn’t ideal by any means, but everyone at Kia of Wesley Chapel went above and beyond to make our dreams come true. I couldn’t even express the gratitude I have for Nelson and everyone there because they saw us as humans, not as numbers, they saw our struggle and in turn did something wonderful for us. The kindness from everyone we encountered there is what sets them apart from other Kia Dealerships. They are not there to make the most money, they are there to help their clients dreams come true. Thank you Nelson and thank you to the managers and finance managers who stepped in and stepped up. More
Other Employees Tagged: Nelson Bou, Starlin Montero, Mike Good , Tim Ousley
August 29, 2022
Great staff! Very helpful and extremely nice. Best prices around. Bought 3 cars from then now. Very helpful and extremely nice. Best prices around. Bought 3 cars from then now. More
Other Employees Tagged: Jonathan Vidal, Emily Brun , Clara Casalins, Luis Castellanos, Jay Nigro, Perry Richter
August 27, 2022
It is the best Kia dealer around. From St. Pete. To Crystal River! I keep going back to them because they are Not pushy and Very polite and helpful. From St. Pete. To Crystal River! I keep going back to them because they are Not pushy and Very polite and helpful. More
Other Employees Tagged: Jonathan Vidal, Emily Brun , Clara Casalins, Luis Castellanos, Jay Nigro, Perry Richter
June 17, 2022
Walking into the dealership was a bit intimidating, but Israel and the gang were nothing but respectful, helpful, and kind. I highly recommend them! Thank you! Israel and the gang were nothing but respectful, helpful, and kind. I highly recommend them! Thank you! More
Other Employees Tagged: Luis Castellanos
May 09, 2022
I have been a customer for service at this Kia dealership since 2013. I have always received great service by those behind the desk. Today was my first experience at buying a car from this dealership. Bot since 2013. I have always received great service by those behind the desk. Today was my first experience at buying a car from this dealership. Both Noah Greez and Charles Horne made my experience exceptional. I was checked on regularly by Israel and the department manager while Charles was dealing with another customer prior to my arrival. Overall the best experience I have had with a dealership in years. More
Other Employees Tagged: Clarissa Diaz, Noah Greez, Willie "Charles" Horne
February 05, 2022
Kia of Wesley Chapel is definitely the place to go! I have been working on my credit and I thought there is no point to even try a car dealership! I called and I spoke with Carlos. He was so awesome he c have been working on my credit and I thought there is no point to even try a car dealership! I called and I spoke with Carlos. He was so awesome he called me to talk with me to see what I was interested in. I set my appointment up for Thursday! Carlos personally called me and said he would be out that day and told me that he would have a colleague reach out to me. ISRAEL SANTIAGO... is AMAZING! He called me talked with me about what I was interested in. He keep in touch with me via email until the day I arrived! ISRAEL went above and beyond for me the entire time that I was there. The customer service from him was more then exceptional. I am very thankful that I had the chance to work with him. When I go to trade in my car I will not work with anyone other then him. Thank you ISRAEL for being the most kind and pleasant sales person I have ever meet! Thank you Kia of wesley chapel for getting (ME) the most impossible person in a car! When I tell you this is the dealership that can make it happen! Please go to them for all of your car needs they will go above and beyond for you!!! If you want the BEST finance manager Perry Richter is the person to talk too!!! More
Other Employees Tagged: Perry Richter, Jan Carlos Rivera
August 29, 2021
Both Israel and Savir were excellent as we decided to go forward with the purchase of our cars! Savir walked us through everything and was willing to answer every question we had. Super friendly service, ve forward with the purchase of our cars! Savir walked us through everything and was willing to answer every question we had. Super friendly service, very pleased :) More
Other Employees Tagged: Savir Diclo
June 26, 2021
Peter is always super helpful and realty cares about customer satisfaction customer satisfaction More
Other Employees Tagged: Shawn Visconte , Peter McCabe

