Michele Benjamin | Page 10

Outright deception during recent purchase My husband and I had a 2010 Honda Odyssey EX-L minivan we had bought new from this dealership (previously Fletcher Honda). My husband is 79 years old My husband and I had a 2010 Honda Odyssey EX-L minivan we had bought new from this dealership (previously Fletcher Honda). My husband is 79 years old and has neurological problems including Parkinson's and I am also elderly and disabled. Our 2010 Honda Odyssey was in pristine condition with only 23,200 miles on the odometer and top quality Michelin tires rated to last another 27,000 miles. We were interested in upgrading to a 2016 Honda Odyssey only because of the latest safety features. I phoned Columbia Honda for a rough estimate of the trade-in value of our vehicle. I gave sales manager Trent Custard the VIN (vehicle identification number) and odometer reading so he would know exactly what features this vehicle had. He phoned me back and said our trade-in was worth "$16,000-$17,500 and even more depending on the condition". He also said if we bought a new vehicle NOW, we would get a great deal because of end-of-the-month incentives. I phoned the dealership on October 31 and said we would stop in just to see if we were even interested in a 2016 Odyssey because out-of-town friends with a 2013 Odyssey told us that getting in and out of the front seats was not easy for someone with disabilities. We did not research reasonable prices because we had no intention of buying a vehicle because of this possibility. However, we got into the front seats of a 2016 Odyssey at Columbia Honda, took a test drive, and liked the new van. Columbia Honda's website advertises no high pressure sales tactics and fair prices. Trent Custard had assured us we would get a great deal because it was the end of the month, so we believed him and traded in our 2010 van for $17,500 towards the new van on the spot, paying $1902.50 off MSRP without going home to check sites like Edmunds.com regarding average price paid for this vehicle. When I checked Edmunds.com I learned that average price paid for the new vehicle is $3,429.00 off MSRP. I phoned our previous saleslady now working with Trent and told her we had been misled regarding a fair price for our new vehicle. She said she would discuss my displeasure with Trent and to come in the next day. When we met with Trent the next day, I told him we had paid $1526.50 plus tax over the average price paid and I asked for some concessions from the dealership. He essentially said, "Tough luck. Average selling prices listed at Edmunds.com are nationwide and not applicable to Columbia, MO." Also, he said we should not have waited almost three weeks to ask for any of the things I suggested I would like to receive: Extra key programmed for the driver side door because I kept dropping the key between the front seat and the useless nuisance to me center console and could not get it out without going into my house for an object like a butter knife to help: "No Way! Those keys are expensive!"(We gave them three remote keys with our trade-in.) How about a Honda extended warranty? "Forget it! Too expensive!" How about full service for three years? "No! I already gave you one free oil change!" (Wow! How generous!) My husband and I are elderly so he knows this will probably be the last vehicle we buy, plus it will be driven even less than our 2010 trade-in, so we would not need much servicing. By the way, our 2010 van for which we paid $34,000 plus tax new from this dealership and traded in for $17,500 was driven home that very day by a new buyer. Basically, all it needed was light vacuuming and a fill-up of the gas tank. (We later found out it was sold for $20,298, which is $2,798 more than the $17,500 we received.) I find it hard to believe persons from Columbia Honda did not deal with me fairly. I know I was stupid for thinking they were being honest with me, but I am not favorably impressed after I later found out I had paid over $1500 more than average selling price and they refused to give me anything at all in the interest in customer good will. In addition, my husband is biased towards Michelin tires, which we had always had on previous vehicles, so he discussed the matter with Trent on the day of our sale and we were told we would be able to switch to Michelin tires as soon they got in a vehicle with Michelins. When we then went in and asked when we could expect to receive our Michelin tires, we found out we would get them as soon as they got in a USED vehicle with Michelins. What? We are going to be stupid enough to trade our low-mileage (121 miles on the odometer at that time) Continental tires for used Michelin tires if/when they become available? More

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Columbia Columbia Honda for fun, not stressful, experience. Michelle Benjamin excellent car salesman, not pushy or aggressive. Very personable and makes your car buying experience fun. Will never buy a car from Michelle Benjamin excellent car salesman, not pushy or aggressive. Very personable and makes your car buying experience fun. Will never buy a car from any other dealership, and gave me over $1000 more than my old car was worth. More

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Michele Benjamin This is the 5th vehicle we have bought from Michele beginning when she was at Albert Buick Honda then Frank Fletcher Honda - she is amazing and the re This is the 5th vehicle we have bought from Michele beginning when she was at Albert Buick Honda then Frank Fletcher Honda - she is amazing and the reason we keep coming back. Several others helped when Michele was unavailable, Ray, Josh and Trent and Patrick. Thanks to everyone! Did not care for tactics of financing department. More

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Service Department is Awesome! Columbia Honda's service department is like no other. TJ always greets me with a smile and he is very professional. TJ keeps me updated on what is Columbia Honda's service department is like no other. TJ always greets me with a smile and he is very professional. TJ keeps me updated on what is going on with my Honda and how long I can expect to be at the dealership. They value my time and treat me with great respect. I do not trust anyone else to work on my car. I highly recommend Columbia Honda's service department. More

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Highly Recommend This was my first time purchasing a Honda. The sales people and management were extremely helpful in answering all my questions and making sure I kne This was my first time purchasing a Honda. The sales people and management were extremely helpful in answering all my questions and making sure I knew all about the vehicle I was wanting. I drove away with a nearly new Honda Odyssey van and cant be happier. I felt like I was treated fair and came away with a good deal. I would not hesitate to go back to Columbia Honda for my future needs. More

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Painless Car Deal!! I have leased Hondas for several years. Michele Benjamin is my "go to" salesperson. She is very pleasant to work with and very helpful in making dec I have leased Hondas for several years. Michele Benjamin is my "go to" salesperson. She is very pleasant to work with and very helpful in making decisions and helping my transition to the new car. I also took my car back for window tinting and a protective sealant called Perma Plate. The service department was very accommodating. I highly recommend COLUMBIA HONDA! More

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