Good Dealer Dealings - List Your Good Dealer Experience

[2ndRoad805]

California Peeps Update: Best I could find were 3k over MSRP markups from Modesto and Garden Grove. Richmond (Hilltop Kia) was initially offering at MSRP but only for orders, which they no longer take. They charge a 5k markup now... So Hilltop to the bad dealer list for now. Anybody have any recent suggestions for California residents able to beat 3k markup?

 

[LAT]

I spoke to Chula Vista yesterday. They were asking $8k mark up for a SX AWD Prestige they have on the lot. I got the sense there might a little wiggle room off of $8k but they flat out said no for MSRP. At least it was a polite “no”.

 

[LiquidUte]

I had an amazing experience at Celebration Kia in Central Ohio. I walked on the lot back in February and was greeted by Colleen. Told her I was there to look at a Telluride (at that time I had no clue about the Telluride or the demand). She told me they sell at MSRP and she had an S trim that just came off the truck and had not been processed yet. I could look at but couldn't drive it until it was processed. Looked it over told her I was interested but wanted to test drive before committing. So I was scheduled to test drive next day after it got processed. Unfortunately the Kia system went down and it took a week before I was able to drive it. Colleen kepted me updated and made sure I was able to squeeze in a test drive before they sold it.

During that week, I found this forum and learned a lot. At the very end of February, I told Colleen I was looking for a SX and wanting it in May. She called me March 13th and said they had my dream car coming in on May 24th. Put down a deposit $1k and the waiting game began. I reached out in April and Colleen answered my questions and helped calm my anxiousness and gave ETA update of May 30th.

On May 6th, I saw my VIN on failcat and texted to ask for an update. Colleen replied and shared details including an ETA of the 20th.

On May 13th, She called to update me about the ETA. She set it up just right telling me she had an update and reminded me of the previous ETAs. I thought she was going to extend the date as SC had said the 24th. Instead she asked me what I was doing tomorrow. I was shocked and it took a second to realize my ride was here a week early.

I worked it out to pick up on my way home from work, test drive, then come back to do the paperwork. She texted throughout the day to collect any needed details ahead of time. When I arrived, she made sure I knew how things worked and off I went.

Came back with my husband and the needed additional paperwork. She went over the purchase price of MSRP, doc fees, tax, and the warranty ($2500). I told her take off the warranty and we have a deal. She immediately did as I asked. The managers encouraged her to try to get us to finance through them. They even offered a rate and term slightly lower than my credit union but I told them I was sticking with my own financing.

We did have a small wait for their finance guy. They had 4 Tellurides that came in on that truck and we all picked up after work on Friday. The wait was no big deal to me given the situation. The finance guy did offer us the standard extra packages. He accepted my no thank yous. He did offer the warranty again and also accepted my no thank you.

The store manager made sure I got copies of all my receipts including the deposit I did over the phone.

Colleen texted me Saturday to see how the family was enjoying the new ride and apologized again for the wait for finance.

I never felt pressured even when they were doing their up sales. Celebration Kia and Colleen made the process easy. I will be buying a used car from them for my teen in the next few months.

Congrats, enjoy and send pictures!

 

[Bridge4]

California Peeps Update: Best I could find were 3k over MSRP markups from Modesto and Garden Grove. Richmond (Hilltop Kia) was initially offering at MSRP but only for orders, which they no longer take. They charge a 5k markup now... So Hilltop to the bad dealer list for now. Anybody have any recent suggestions for California residents able to beat 3k markup?

I've read multiple posters having to leave Cali to get a decent deal. Try the surrounding states. It also seems like deals are dissapearing. and by deal I mean msrp.

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[Ski99]

California Peeps Update: Best I could find were 3k over MSRP markups from Modesto and Garden Grove. Richmond (Hilltop Kia) was initially offering at MSRP but only for orders, which they no longer take. They charge a 5k markup now... So Hilltop to the bad dealer list for now. Anybody have any recent suggestions for California residents able to beat 3k markup?

Maybe this is why my Hilltop order isn't getting into KFOS after 6 months, they are ordering for markups now instead.

 

[Terps2426]

Just had a good experience with Buchanan Kia in Westminster, MD. From this forum I already heard they were selling at MSRP, so pretty much stalked failcat looking for an EX Wolf Gray Nightfall. I saw one pop up about a month ago and actually gave them a call two weeks ago to see if anyone had purchased it yet. The salesman actually didn't even know they had one coming in. After I told him I had a "good source" that told me they would be getting one by end of May, he asked his manager and said I was right that one was coming in. Luckily it was not an order and they had me come in and put a deposit in for purchase. I was expecting it to come in end of May, but they gave me a call yesterday that it came in and was ready for pickup. Paid MSRP and no pushing any extras from the salesman or finance team; was in and out of the dealership in about an hour.

 

[Dlanyon]

Just had a good experience with Buchanan Kia in Westminster, MD. From this forum I already heard they were selling at MSRP, so pretty much stalked failcat looking for an EX Wolf Gray Nightfall. I saw one pop up about a month ago and actually gave them a call two weeks ago to see if anyone had purchased it yet. The salesman actually didn't even know they had one coming in. After I told him I had a "good source" that told me they would be getting one by end of May, he asked his manager and said I was right that one was coming in. Luckily it was not an order and they had me come in and put a deposit in for purchase. I was expecting it to come in end of May, but they gave me a call yesterday that it came in and was ready for pickup. Paid MSRP and no pushing any extras from the salesman or finance team; was in and out of the dealership in about an hour.

Which salesman did you work with if you don’t mind me asking? I went to test drive the 2020 telluride there yesterday and wasn’t happy with the newer guy there. I want to stalk failcat a little longer and possibly go the route you did but I also don’t wanna risk paying the up charge of the 2022 if I miss my window. Too bad they’re not allowing special orders.

 

[Terps2426]

Which salesman did you work with if you don’t mind me asking? I went to test drive the 2020 telluride there yesterday and wasn’t happy with the newer guy there. I want to stalk failcat a little longer and possibly go the route you did but I also don’t wanna risk paying the up charge of the 2022 if I miss my window. Too bad they’re not allowing special orders.

I worked with Chris Gencel, but I was the one who told him they had the exact car I wanted coming in so there wasn't much contact with him besides phone conversations and picking up the car. He was very knowledgeable on showing all the features of the car before we left.

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[joboo]

Just picked up Black/Black SXP Nightfall and Towing Package from Michael Marvin at Timbrook Kia (Cumberland, MD) at MSRP. Great experience and a nice drive from the Baltimore/Washington/NoVA area, plus not having to deal with the ADM dealers.

Kia Dealer Cumberland MD | New & Used Cars for Sale | Timbrook Kia

www.timbrookkia.com

 

[arattle]

Just picked up Black/Black SXP Nightfall and Towing Package from Michael Marvin at Timbrook Kia (Cumberland, MD) at MSRP. Great experience and a nice drive from the Baltimore/Washington/NoVA area, plus not having to deal with the ADM dealers.

Kia Dealer Cumberland MD | New & Used Cars for Sale | Timbrook Kia

www.timbrookkia.com

Did you order or was this off the lot? How long was the wait if you ordered?

 

[Tortuga07]

Just picked up our Telluride at Classic Kia in Waukegan, IL. John Plewka was out sales rep and he was excellent. The process was smooth and painless. No games in financing. Great experience.

Ordered 4/15, picked up 5/22

 

[Memphisbaby3988]

Did you order or was this off the lot? How long was the wait if you ordered?

Following. I'm in the DMV area and would love the details on this dealership.

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[joboo]

Did you order or was this off the lot? How long was the wait if you ordered?

I had been following VINs on Failcat. Came across one in early May that was what I was looking for. Got in touch with Michael Marvin who checked and said it was a customer order who backed out, so it was available with a deposit. Supposed to come late May/early June, but arrived Wednesday, May 19th.

 

[joboo]

Following. I'm in the DMV area and would love the details on this dealership.

Out in Allegany County in Western Maryland. Michael Marvin, my salesperson, was great to deal with and was very responsive. Dina Wilson, the GM, was working the finance since the regular finance person was out of the office. She too was a pleasure to deal with.

Kia Dealer Cumberland MD | New & Used Cars for Sale | Timbrook Kia

www.timbrookkia.com

 

[tellmont]

I had been following VINs on Failcat. Came across one in early May that was what I was looking for. Got in touch with Michael Marvin who checked and said it was a customer order who backed out, so it was available with a deposit. Supposed to come late May/early June, but arrived Wednesday, May 19th.

Hi joboo. When you call a dealer to ask about an incoming telly you found on failcat, what exactly do you ask? I'm going to start inquiring and I don't want to out the failcat site.

 

[joboo]

Hi joboo. When you call a dealer to ask about an incoming telly you found on failcat, what exactly do you ask? I'm going to start inquiring and I don't want to out the failcat site.

I provided the VIN with my request without mentioning where I got it from and they didn't ask. I wouldn't think they would care since in the end it could benefit them.

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[tellmont]

I provided the VIN with my request without mentioning where I got it from and they didn't ask. I wouldn't think they would care since in the end it could benefit them.

Perfect - this is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you
Cheers!

 

[Bismark]

Now that I've taken delivery, I can wrap up our experience with Ray Skillman Kia Shadeland (on the east side of Indianapolis).

Overall, quite positive. Cristian (salesman) was easy to deal with and communicative. The general manager promised me MSRP and that's what they did. They gave me a good price on my trade-in (within a few hundred $$ of Carvana, which is more than made up for on the trade-in tax break), and since Cristian knew I was pressed for time he had all the paperwork ready and was waiting by the door when I arrived. The car was prepped perfectly, exactly as I requested -- tinted front windows, no dealer decals. Cristian was polite, prepared, and accommodating.

A couple small negatives:

1. They forgot I had paid a $500 deposit when I ordered the car in February, and didn't apply it to the purchase until I reminded them. I think this was an honest mistake, they had to go dig up the receipt...I would just expect them to have a better system for tracking this.
2. The finance guy tried to slip in window etching for $250 on the very last form (the big purchase/finance form) I signed. By this time I was really in a hurry, but I caught it...I said I didn't agree to this with Shawn (general manager), finance guy said no problem and took it off. Finance guys be finance guys, I guess.

All in all a very positive experience, it was all done via email/text until today when I set foot in the dealership for the first time, and I was in and out in a little over an hour (including a quick test drive of my new car and their appraisal of my trade). Cristian (sales guy) didn't try to play any games. I made it easy on them, they made it easy on me.

I had an overall good experience with this dealership as well. The only downside was that the dealership had to Fed Ex me the paperwork 4 different times due to errors on their end (including the finance guy charging me the window etching fee AFTER I declined it). I had purchased this vehicle over the phone. In hindsight, I would have requested a Zoom meeting with the finance person and ensured that he had correctly completed all of my paperwork before sending it to me.

A positive was that I received a call from the manager the night before the car was to be shipped to me. He had discovered a very small scratch in the front bumper. He told me about it and had it repainted before the car was sent to me.

 

[dereksurfs]

Do the trip, do the trip! Great break in road trip. Did i25 to San Diego, 1,200 miles.

Yeah, I'm considering the same thing after exhausting west coast options. I have family in Denver. But that's a looooooong drive. I've done it before when we moved from CO to Monterey, CA.

 

[longironjake]

Hello, I am from the Portland in my extensive search no dealer in Portland (even Seatttle/Tacoma) area, is selling at msrp. Markups between 5k-10K. The nearest dealership is Hilltop Kia in Richmond, CA however, wait time is 6-8 months (at the time I placed my order (Jan 2021).

Sounds Encouraging! I placed an order from Carolina Kia in High Point in November and good to know they are standing by their word! I'm still waiting for my VIN to hit failcat!

I can add that Carolina Kia in High Point, NC is a good dealer to purchase your Telluride from. Just picked up my Telluride S Dark Moss/Gray yesterday. Only added $660 doc fee above MSRP. Easy to work with and good experience. Ask for Patrick.