I posted a similar note on the MSRP thread - but certainly fitting to this thread as well...
It’s via a post from Chris Imler of Freedom Kia of Morgantown that I found him! Glad to see Chris is reaching out again. The timing was perfect for me. It was mid-April 2022 and my 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee was coming off lease in September. Given the environment, I knew I had to start planning for my next vehicle as early as possible. I had just visited a Kia dealer in my area to see what all the fuss was about this Telluride that I’d been hearing about. I never owned a Kia. I found a 2022 SXP
Nightfall at a local dealer and fell in love. Rather than go with the new 2022 Jeep as I was planning, I decided to pursue the Kia Telluride! I live in Long Island, NY and at the time found that all the dealers I contacted in my area wanted a 16-17% markup. No chance in the world I would do that, my backup plan would just go back to the Jeep which was selling at MSRP.
That’s when I found this forum. I found one recommendation for a dealership in Ohio selling at MSRP. Had a great conversation with them and the sales person was very honest. Bottomline, it was going to take about 2 years to get my Telly based on their waiting list and their current rate of allocation. I’m so glad he was honest and recommended that I not place an order with them.
Then I came upon Chris’ post. Had a great conversation with Chris. He told me that they had about 85-90 people on the waiting list and they were looking at 5-7 months to fulfill those and get to me. The 2023’s were announced at that time, so I really wanted a 2023 and not a 2022. Given the 5-7 months expected time frame, I felt that the timing would work for the 2023. Chris recommended that I place an order for the 2022 rather than go on a waiting list for the 2023 which would ensure my place in line. We finalized the deal on 4/21/22. Freedom required a $1,000 non-refundable deposit. Not ideal, but to help them weed out people that place orders with multiple dealers and guard their precious allocations, I felt that was fair. I’m serious – so what did it matter?
I’m so happy I’m working with Chris and Freedom. I’ve purchased and leased over two dozen vehicles in my day and have to say this is the best dealer experience I've had so far! I especially feel this way based on so many complaints I see on this forum and on Facebook about dealers not responding or keeping people in the dark about their orders. Freedom is the complete opposite. Chris keeps in regular touch with me and provides all the status he has access to. Anytime I reach out to Chris, he responds usually within a couple of hours and a couple of times, even on his day off.
Freedom’s time frame was right on track. I got a call from Chris I believe in late August telling me my 2022 SXP
Nightfall was scheduled to arrive on 10/5/22 (would have been 5 ½ months from ordering). Believe it or not, my heart sunk. No!!! I didn’t really want a 2022, I wanted the 2023. My fear came to fruition that Kia’s delayed release of the 2023 was going to ruin my plans!!! Chris and Freedom were awesome! He stood by his words and said, no problem. We can easily sell this to another customer and keep you in line for the 2023’s. That’s exactly what happened!
I placed my 2023 order on 9/29, two days after they finally announced them. My Telly has taken longer because I've ordered the SX-Prestige X-Line which Kia is not making as many of vs the other trims. Furthermore, based on failcat, my color of Everlasting Silver combined with Terracotta interior seem to number less than 20 being made since the 2023's have come out (that's as of about 2 weeks ago - but that's recently changed for the better). I've been stubborn and want what I want - willing to wait.
The first week in January, Chris reached out to me to confirm that my order/allocation was picked up by Kia and I have an ETA of 2/15 (now it's 2/22). He also provided a scheduled rundown of Kia's current plan to build the Telly. Starting with production on 1/25, paint on 1/27, completion on 2/3 and shipping on 2/7. Clearly this is all subject to change by Kia and Freedom Kia has no control. Also - something may happen during the inspection process that delays the Telly. But the transparency and proactive communication by Chris and Freedom has been nothing short of Outstanding.
I look forward to meeting Chris and the Freedom Kia crew next month (hopefully). They are going to pick me up from the airport as part of the process! I'm going to make a nice little weekend! Pick up the Telly on Saturday, take a nice drive to get acquainted with it - stop at Baltimore Inner Harbor for the night to break up the drive home. Return on Sunday. A hopefully nice Telly adventure!!!
So while my journey isn't complete with Freedom Kia yet, it's been an outstanding experience and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a Telly at MSRP!
