Dealership - A Different Story

Kinja'd!!! "FrankAtlanta" (frankatlanta)
01/11/2020 at 10:55 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!2 Kinja'd!!! 9

TLDR : Had a great car purchasing experience 600 miles from home; would do it again.

There are plenty of discussions re: the silliness we experience at dealerships - here’s a different story.

Background: this isn’t my first rodeo; I’ve bought 14+ new cars over the last 30+ years. I needed a solid, inexpensive daily runabout that I’d be confident handing down to one of my kids to carry them through school and perhaps get started in their first job.

I started my search last year and purchased in December. I experienced the usual silliness and, as I wasn’t shopping a premium brand, found a greater degree of gamesmanship than usual.

It was so bad that I was about to put my search on hold or move to another make - maybe start anew in 2020 and do something different. Early/mid-Dec, however, I found a car that ticked the boxes (this make doesn’t encourage ordering).

This car and dealership, however, were 600 miles away. Amazingly, though, they were easier to deal with and provided better customer responsiveness remotely than the plethora of local dealers.

As I’d been searching for some time, I knew market price, cost, trunk money, etc. and we sorted the deal quickly. So we landed an agreement on a Fri night and I flew up the following morning. The salesman offered to pick me up - a 4-to-5 hr round trip - and bring me back to the dealership (no cost in a dealership loaner). When I landed, it was starting to sleet and we jumped on the road immediately. Great conversation and lunch on the way to the dealership.

The experience continued at the dealership. It was getting late and weather was moving in, so the salesman and the finance guy worked to get me out quickly as they knew I had a long drive home. No push for undercoating, paint protection or the extended warranty. Just sign 4 pieces of paper and that was it. Fastest time in/out of any of my purchases.

I’ll call on these folks for my next purchase and I’m sure I’ll tell this tale many times to others whether they’re in the market or not. This experience, in short, is how a car purchasing engagement should progress.


DISCUSSION (9)


Kinja'd!!! shop-teacher > FrankAtlanta
01/11/2020 at 11:37

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That's awesome! What did you get, and where did you get it from?


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > FrankAtlanta
01/11/2020 at 11:49

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I had a similar experience in 2018 with the Terrain. Most of the local dealers were difficult at best and scum at worst. I ended up driving to a dealership 3-4 hours away and got a great deal and was in and out in about 10 minutes.

Now the important questions - what did you get and whe re?


Kinja'd!!! FrankAtlanta > FrankAtlanta
01/11/2020 at 12:16

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Hi Snuze & Shop -

The car: Hyundai Kona Limited 1.6 AWD. I know the Oppo-verse  finds the looks to be , ah, polarizing; however, I’m enjoying it as a fun runabout (I choose the color Lime Twist because: why not; I’ve never had anything quite so bright!).

Dealership: I didn’t include it originally as I didn’t want folks thinking I was ‘shilling’ a dealership, but since 2 folks have asked - I had a great experience with Keith McKenzie at Jenkins Hyundai in Bridgeport, WV.

Mods - if the above violates any rules, I’ll remove it/the name.

I’m amazed a dealer 600 miles away was more engaging and provided better customer service than local dealers (some of which wouldn’t even quote me unless I came into the store). While Keith/Jenkins were great, how does a local dealer lose on a customer service basis? That’s the 1 advantage they have...

Thanks!


Kinja'd!!! Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > FrankAtlanta
01/11/2020 at 12:32

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Awesome! Glad to hear it was easy!

I had a pretty good experience with my last purchase as well. They were only about an hour and a half away from me though . I think making sure they were aware that you are educated on the purchase/trade/financing values (maybe even more educated than the salesperson) really helps.

Being willing to walk away at the first sign of an issue helps a lot as well.

You took a bigger risk traveling so far, so it’s great they didn’t try to pull any tricks on you.

Pics of the Kona?? Awesome you got a real color. I’ve had two red cars in a row, and with what I was looking at, red was the only real color option for me.  S o I went with a gray this time. I like the gray but do miss having some color sometimes haha


Kinja'd!!! MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > FrankAtlanta
01/11/2020 at 12:42

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Thanks for this added info this is what I wanted to see in your original post. Personally I think the Kona did right what the Juke tried to do, and that they’re oddly good looking cars. They don’t look too aggressive yet, to me the ride height, stance and body work are reminiscent of modern rally cars imo. 


Kinja'd!!! VincentMalamute-Kim > FrankAtlanta
01/11/2020 at 13:37

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Nice to know those kinda people exist. From your description, I thought you bought a Transit from Matt Ford in Kansas City. People nationwide who bought from them write in the Transit forum and their buying experience including the flying in and getting picked up at the airport sounds identical.

No, I didn’t buy my Transit from them but would have if I had known. I bought local, Griffen Ford in Waukesha, WI. The experience was nearly as good. The salesguy picked me up from my house for the 45 min drive out to the dealership to pick up the van. Griffen didn’t know as much about the Transit as Matt Ford is the demerit.

A national list of dealerships like that - wouldn’t that be amazing?


Kinja'd!!! Thisismydisplayname > FrankAtlanta
01/11/2020 at 16:20

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I’ve had similar experiences here in metro Detroit. I’ve bought the last two Chrysler’s in Toledo because the dealers have their shit together.

Now I search, email and email and work a deal over email or texts and schedule a time to pickup. If they can’t figure out how to do it, on to the next one. Amazes me how many of those stupid canned responses I get back from the email requests. “Come On in to get the best deal, blah blah blah”

G ive me your best price and we can talk, or piss off.  Glad you found a good place to work with.


Kinja'd!!! Chariotoflove > FrankAtlanta
01/11/2020 at 16:46

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When I bought my Kias, I found that dealerships in the county over were very responsive and willing to give me a reason to make the trip. I think they realize that it’s a sale they wouldn’t normally get to make, and they can’t screw around or they lose it. 


Kinja'd!!! FrankAtlanta > FrankAtlanta
01/12/2020 at 14:05

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Thanks for the comments - pic for fun; unfortunately, it doesn’t do the green color justice. I think there’s some pearl or something else in the paint as the hue changes a good bit.

Danimalk - what car did you pick-up? I had a signed sales agreement with my ability to walk if the car didn’t pass my inspection, so risk was mitigated. Given the dealership, however, there were no issues at all.

Vincent - Do you have a Transit? I really like these vans - was thinking about one of these at one point, as well (just didn’t fit what I needed at the time). A nationwide listing of good dealerships is an excellent idea - curated by Opponauts!