Good Pacific Northwest (PNW) dealerships for Service

[dereksurfs]

Hi all,

I live in the PNW in Vancouver on the border of WA and OR. We're planning to buy a Telluride out of the area due to poor dealerships in and around the greater Portland area. None will sell at MSRP and instead give us the usual run around BS. I've heard from locals that Kia service is also pretty bad with lots of dissatisfied customers. There are many reports of problems on Yelp with canned responses from them. So, I'm wondering where some have received superior service where they have been generally happy and satisfied with the work performed and staff professionalism.

I have a hard time trusting any dealership after all the shady tricks and flakey personnel including lack of honesty and professionalism over the years. I know there are good mechanics out there. But there seems to be more bad eggs and dishonest practices overall. They don't usually live up to their 'slogan.' It may be as hard to find a good mechanic as it is a good salesman in reality. Any advice from PNW'ers would be appreciated.

BTW, we've had great experiences and fair pricing including MSRP offers from Lee Johnson and Chuck Olson. Though 3+ hours from us, we are likely buy from one of them.

Thanks,
Derek

 

[LiquidUte]

Thanks for the insight on the Washington dealers. MRSP from both? I just put a deposit down elsewhere, but I would also be willing to drive 3 hours to save $3000 I'm actually in Portland, so I'm not sure how willing they'd be to work with us with the out of state financing situation. I called one dealer in Vancouver and the guy was super nice, but said they were taking cash offers only because the Oregon DMV was a mess. Now that I type that "out loud" that doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

I've seen some of the same poor feedback regarding service from some of the Kia dealers in the area. We've been going to an indy shop called Henderson Auto in Tigard since we moved here three years ago. They are good, but not worth your drive. I don't know if we have to go to kia dealers for service to keep warranties intact?

 

[dereksurfs]

Thanks for the insight on the Washington dealers. MRSP from both? I just put a deposit down elsewhere, but I would also be willing to drive 3 hours to save $3000 I'm actually in Portland, so I'm not sure how willing they'd be to work with us with the out of state financing situation. I called one dealer in Vancouver and the guy was super nice, but said they were taking cash offers only because the Oregon DMV was a mess. Now that I type that "out loud" that doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

I've seen some of the same poor feedback regarding service from some of the Kia dealers in the area. We've been going to an indy shop called Henderson Auto in Tigard since we moved here three years ago. They are good, but not worth your drive. I don't know if we have to go to kia dealers for service to keep warranties intact?

*Update: I was planning to place my order today with Lee Johnson. Just before placing it, I asked Alex to confirm the MSRP price. He said his management requires MSRP + $2k. So, I will be going through Chuck Olsen Kia in Seattle instead.

LiquidUte, I also found a dealership in CA named Hilltop Kia that offers MSRP through orders. I was going to order from them and drive it home. However, I found out CA *requires* you to pay tax and registration there even if only in-state for one day. The only way out of that is to have it shipped to your home instead. Since you live in Oregon, you could have it shipped and avoid the tax. I'm not sure how the tax works for WA vehicle purchases from out of state. It would be worth a call to find though. It could save you $$. I also have a friend in Vancouver who bought his Telluride in CO and is having it shipped to his home. That ended up be the best option for him since they had the trim he wanted at MSRP. I think shipping was ~ $1000 for him.

 

[sharitab503]

*Update: I was planning to place my order today with Lee Johnson. Just before placing it, I asked Alex to confirm the MSRP price. He said his management requires MSRP + $2k. So, I will be going through Chuck Olsen Kia in Seattle instead.

LiquidUte, I also found a dealership in CA named Hilltop Kia that offers MSRP through orders. I was going to order from them and drive it home. However, I found out CA *requires* you to pay tax and registration there even if only in-state for one day. The only way out of that is to have it shipped to your home instead. Since you live in Oregon, you could have it shipped and avoid the tax. I'm not sure how the tax works for WA vehicle purchases from out of state. It would be worth a call to find though. It could save you $$. I also have a friend in Vancouver who bought his Telluride in CO and is having it shipped to his home. That ended up be the best option for him since they had the trim he wanted at MSRP. I think shipping was ~ $1000 for him.

With Chuck olson, make sure to check the sticker price. They advertise MSRP but also mark up 2k from my last communication with them a couple months ago. I check some of the VIN on their site against Failcat . MSRP in failcat was 2k lower than price advertised on their site.

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[LiquidUte]

With Chuck olson, make sure to check the sticker price. They advertise MSRP but also mark up 2k from my last communication with them a couple months ago. I check some of the VIN on their site against Failcat . MSRP in failcat was 2k lower than price advertised on their site.

Thanks for all this info. Sounds like some shady tactics to only let you know about the markup once the invoice has been built. Also to advertise "MSRP" but with an actual hidden 2k markup in there. Sorry about that, that's super frustrating. Let us know how Chuck Olsen works out please, derek, (or whatever you decide to do). While I don't love the mark ups, I was appreciative of those dealers that were straight forward about it from the onset, even if way high.

The guy I talked to in Eugene wouldn't even give me a yes or no about if there was a mark up. Just a "why don't we sit down and talk about it." Yeah, I'm not going to drive three hours round trip just to find out the amount of your markup in person. I guess I'm feeling a bit better here about the 3k only 30 minutes from my house. If they are 2k in Washington vs 3k here, but I have to do that drive and financing / licensing / taxes are trickier, then probably not worth it.

Please keep us updated and how nowcar goes for you!

 

[C.raygoza]

Hi all,

I live in the PNW in Vancouver on the border of WA and OR. We're planning to buy a Telluride out of the area due to poor dealerships in and around the greater Portland area. None will sell at MSRP and instead give us the usual run around BS. I've heard from locals that Kia service is also pretty bad with lots of dissatisfied customers. There are many reports of problems on Yelp with canned responses from them. So, I'm wondering where some have received superior service where they have been generally happy and satisfied with the work performed and staff professionalism.

I have a hard time trusting any dealership after all the shady tricks and flakey personnel including lack of honesty and professionalism over the years. I know there are good mechanics out there. But there seems to be more bad eggs and dishonest practices overall. They don't usually live up to their 'slogan.' It may be as hard to find a good mechanic as it is a good salesman in reality. Any advice from PNW'ers would be appreciated.

BTW, we've had great experiences and fair pricing including MSRP offers from Lee Johnson and Chuck Olson. Though 3+ hours from us, we are likely buy from one of them.

Thanks,
Derek

Hi Derek,

I bought my Telluride at MSRP at Car Pros Kia Tacoma. Andrew was a great salesperson! The sales manager Tony was also great.

Happy shopping!
Chris

 

[dereksurfs]

Hi Derek,

I bought my Telluride at MSRP at Car Pros Kia Tacoma. Andrew was a great salesperson! The sales manager Tony was also great.

Happy shopping!
Chris

I think part of the problem we're finding even on the forum is that things change over time, even for these 'Good Dealerships' on the lists. In the case of Car Pros Tacoma, they no longer accept MSRP. I actually just spoke with Tony about this. Maybe they've decided to go for the bigger profits like other dealerships? I don't really know the reasons why. But it appears they are changing their tunes.

Derek

 

[dereksurfs]

delete duplicate, please.

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[dereksurfs]

With Chuck olson, make sure to check the sticker price. They advertise MSRP but also mark up 2k from my last communication with them a couple months ago. I check some of the VIN on their site against Failcat . MSRP in failcat was 2k lower than price advertised on their site.

My guess on this difference you're seeing vs. what I recently experienced in speaking with Clint Westmoreland, their general sales manager, is that it depends on the 'trim levels' ordered. I am ordering an 'S' trim. I think for the upper trims, it may be more.

 

[LiquidUte]

My guess on this difference you're seeing vs. what I recently experienced in speaking with Clint Westmoreland, their general sales manager, is that it depends on the 'trim levels' ordered. I am ordering an 'S' trim. I think for the upper trims, it may be more.

Yes, could be. At Bend and Weston, it was +3K for all trim levels. At Beaverton and Tonkin, it was graduated like LX 3k, S 3K, EX 4/5K, SX 6/10K! But it could be a different strategy where they give you that high price then are willing to go lower to make you feel like you won.

Both those dealers with the graduated and very high markups also followed up with, "well, how much over msrp are you willing to pay?" I said maybe 1,000 or 1,500 and they're like "sorry can't" and I'm like alright, have a nice day, bye.

I appreciated the straight forward approach better than the "price it over, haggle down" strategy.

I don't like paying 3K over, but at 1.9% apr over 66 months with potential for inflation greater than that, it's not a terribly big difference on a monthly payment - considering the supply / demand situation.

 

[DarkMossJustin]

Road trip to Northern CA?

Are you looking for AWD and a top trim level?

I'm sure the line is long at Hilltop Ford/Kia, but maybe you can ask:

@Moe and @HilltopKia

Great service, great guys on the sales team and in the service/parts departments

 

[dereksurfs]

Road trip to Northern CA?

Are you looking for AWD and a top trim level?

I'm sure the line is long at Hilltop Ford/Kia, but maybe you can ask:

@Moe and @HilltopKia

Great service, great guys on the sales team and in the service/parts departments

Yeah, that was my 'first' choice actually. But as I mentioned above, when I was getting ready to place the order, I found out about having to pay CA tax and license even if only picking up a vehicle. That was a deal breaker for me since the only other option was to have it delivered for ~ $1000. Still, for some trim levels, MSRP + $1k shipping is better than anything else in the PNW.

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[DarkMossJustin]

Yeah, that was my 'first' choice actually. But as I mentioned above, when I was getting ready to place the order, I found out about having to pay CA tax and license even if only picking up a vehicle. That was a deal breaker for me since the only other option was to have it delivered for ~ $1000. Still, for some trim levels, MSRP + $1k shipping is better than anything else in the PNW.

Well that sucks for out-of-staters.

Don't get me started about California

Our Governor, Prince Gavin the tyrant, needs to squeeze every last tax dollar out of the already squeezed people here in order to do whatever he wants as he gathers maskless with his homies and enjoy $300 soup and $1,500 bottles of Napa wine while locking down everyone else and killing countless small businesses with candy-colored bureaucracy. "PURPLE!!"

Have you tried Texas? @StephenCantrelle Classic Kia Carrollton?

Colorado?

 

[K1900]

@dereksurfs
Any updates on your msrp dealer hunt in the PNW? Once I have the time and patience I may try reaching out to Boise/Spokane dealers.

 

[RobK]

@dereksurfs
Any updates on your msrp dealer hunt in the PNW? Once I have the time and patience I may try reaching out to Boise/Spokane dealers.

I bought mine from Dennis Dillon Kia in Boise last year. They had a markup at the time so I'm sure they still do, but I did it anyway since they had my choice of model coming in that met all my specs. Plus it was only a 7 hour drive home after that to north Idaho.

 

[K1900]

I bought mine from Dennis Dillon Kia in Boise last year. They had a markup at the time so I'm sure they still do, but I did it anyway since they had my choice of model coming in that met all my specs. Plus it was only a 7 hour drive home after that to north Idaho.

Thank you for the info. Dennis Dillion was where I was thinking might have decent prices. But if they had a markup last year it has probably only increased.

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[dereksurfs]

@dereksurfs
Any updates on your msrp dealer hunt in the PNW? Once I have the time and patience I may try reaching out to Boise/Spokane dealers.

Hey K1900,

I ordered through Chuck Olsen Kia in Seattle. They had the best prices on the west coast for ordering an Telluride S at the time. Overall, I am very satisfied with their professionalism during such crazy pricing times. Clint Westmoreland was great to work with.

Derek

 

[K1900]

Hey K1900,

I ordered through Chuck Olsen Kia in Seattle. They had the best prices on the west coast for ordering an Telluride S at the time. Overall, I am very satisfied with their professionalism during such crazy pricing times. Clint Westmoreland was great to work with.

Derek

They provided me a rough quote a couple days ago and said they’re price for an ordered EX is now “about $4k over” msrp.

 

[dereksurfs]

They provided me a rough quote a couple days ago and said they’re price for an ordered EX is now “about $4k over” msrp.

Wow, that's a bummer. Who did you speak with? It helps if you go to the internet manager directly since they can usually offer you a better price than their salesmen. But I've heard of other west coast dealers whose prices have gone up as well. It makes you wonder where things are going. If not, I would try heading east like a friend in WA who ordered from CO. Then, he had it shipped to his home.

 

[Bohen]

Hi all,

I live in the PNW in Vancouver on the border of WA and OR. We're planning to buy a Telluride out of the area due to poor dealerships in and around the greater Portland area. None will sell at MSRP and instead give us the usual run around BS. I've heard from locals that Kia service is also pretty bad with lots of dissatisfied customers. There are many reports of problems on Yelp with canned responses from them. So, I'm wondering where some have received superior service where they have been generally happy and satisfied with the work performed and staff professionalism.

I have a hard time trusting any dealership after all the shady tricks and flakey personnel including lack of honesty and professionalism over the years. I know there are good mechanics out there. But there seems to be more bad eggs and dishonest practices overall. They don't usually live up to their 'slogan.' It may be as hard to find a good mechanic as it is a good salesman in reality. Any advice from PNW'ers would be appreciated.

BTW, we've had great experiences and fair pricing including MSRP offers from Lee Johnson and Chuck Olson. Though 3+ hours from us, we are likely buy from one of them.

Thanks,
Derek

For service work

Vancouver Dick Hannah Kia,
I'll look for the service person's name she is awesome !
That truly sucks all the run around and BS when trying to purchase these vehicles.