Richie Iannotti

Okay. ..this one's going to be long...but in a bad way. In short: DON'T BUY from this Hyundai Anderson SC dealership. They may be a "brand/manufacturer" ..this one's going to be long...but in a bad way. In short: DON'T BUY from this Hyundai Anderson SC dealership. They may be a "brand/manufacturer" dealership but horrendous, untrustworthy, deceiving sales approach. @Hyundai should reconsider their relationship with them. Their focus is on sales tactics and pricing play, maximize profits than focus on customers and customer service. Typical sales hungry dealership that gives the industry a bad reputation. They do not honor what they speak of and devalue their employees (Sales Manager's Manager trumps any agreed upon communication from other employees reporting to him). No research into agreed upon verbal terms from direct employees. Now...we get into the meat of things: I've been in communication with sales at Hyundai Anderson SC (HASC) about a 2005 Mazda Miata manual transmission for sale. I was VERY excited for this car in search of a relatively reliable, high mileage, daily driver replacement. The relationship with HASC started off great! From the beginning, I shared that I'm an out of state (CA) buyer and asked for a few things like a video, any documents they may have around service records, their inspection and repair sheet. They WERE excellent in their efforts until the actual "walk the walk". FYI: I actually bought my last two recent cars (Audi) in the same manner: out of state from an Audi dealership and independent smaller dealership, both accommodated a fully refundable deposit w/ no issues after my interest was clear. One bought sight unseen but evidenced through good communication and PPI while the other was visited in-person. When I spoke with Jay R (regular Sales Manager) initially, he mentioned they couldn't hold the car until our conversation continued and eventually I was connected to Aaron (salesman and ONLY good experience in this whole mess). However, after my solid interest and willingness was proven, Jay R made a comment that if I booked my travel to visit in-person, they may be willing to hold the car, specifically mentioning they wouldn't take a deposit but willing to hold the car on a "gentleman's agreement". I specifically asked what the maximum allowed time would be and shared that I'm looking to book a flight in a week's time (because of holiday high costs) which they verbally accepted. After my communication contact switched to Aaron as a salesman, I told him I booked my travel and all ready to visit them. Then...the complete mess started... (*sales tactics/price play 101) ONLY AFTER I booked a flight from CA to SC, I spoke with Aaron again and they notified me that they had a local buyer coming for an appointment today. Aaron's hands were locked because sales guy Richy (big boss Sales Manager) comes into picture. He devalued his employees (makes them look like a joke) and eliminated all conversations I had with Jay R and Aaron around the hold ("gentleman's agreement") including the fact I booked a flight to travel across the US to visit them. In conversation with him, he kept going on about the situation: "you're out of state, I don't know if you'll buy the car, I have someone coming in today to potentially purchase the car". IN ADDITION to the sales play, the pricing play proven by photo attachments on this posting was initially set at $6,999 which is when I contacted them. After they NOW "perform an inspection" of the car (after multiple buyer interests come in) and fixed a clutch master cylinder, they INCREASED the price to $10,344. I know cars...a clutch master cylinder replacement does not warrant a ~$3K increase yet alone the fact service was already performed. FACT is this vehicle was on sale since 11/17/2025, serviced on 11/19/2025, and NOW they want to increase the pricing because there's two strong interests on the Miata. They even offered the local buyer an increased by $1K to $11,344 if they're serious to buy the car today leveraging my interest. More

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