Not happy - hitch, carpet, no call

[tenmin]

Frustrated with Kia and salesperson today.

1) I found my car got picked up by using Failcat. My salesperson told me not to worry about making anything final as he would call me before anything would be finalized. That never happened and there are no changes I can make now. Shame on me for trusting the salesperson.
2) I was told that Kia is not adding hitches to any cars other than the SX. Now I need to deal with that after the fact and pay more and not look as clean.
3) I also saw that carpet was added to the order for $210 and there is nothing I can do about it. I was told that Kia orders it for most orders, even if you don't want it. Just put it in a garbage bag and have it sit in your garage, I was told.

The worst of all of this is in any interaction with Kia salespeople, that nothing is apologetic or trying to understand or help.....instead it is just the annoying, "CONGRATS, you almost got one." After spending so much money on a new car, I really wanted to just get what I ordered and now I'm pretty close to saying...no thanks.

Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[staypuppy]

Are you sure that’s your VIN? You mentioned you found it on Failcat, but unless your dealer confirmed, that may be for someone else. <edited> - Just realized you wanted towing, and it wasn’t on sticker you are looking at.

At the end of the day, it’s a lot of money to spend and it sucks to feel disappointed about something that should be exciting.

 

[Tellmeride]

Hitch, if you get the OEM one, even if installed by yourself… how would it not look clean?

 

[SC300ES]

Are you sure the dealer didn't match you with an incoming vehicle and not really order one for you?

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[PittPa]

A big SUV should have a hitch. GM doesn't even give that an option for theirs. If you are not paying a crazy markup and getting it in a reasonable time, I would consider myself fortunate.

 

[2020Telly]

Not sure the hitch situation is as bad as you describe. You can still get an OEM look if the tow hitch option doesn’t come from the factory. The parts are available to do it after the purchase and you might be able to avoid a markup on the option.

The towing configs for the SX are:
- delivered from the factory with tow package
- delivered from the factory with tow option
- delivered with neither, dealer adds the Kia tow option parts
- delivered with neither, you buy the Kia parts on your own and pay someone to install it
- delivered with neither, you buy the Kia parts on your own and DIY install
- you avoid the Kia version and go with 4-5 aftermarket options for the non OEM look

Honestly if you were looking for the towing package you might be happy that you didn’t get the self leveling shocks after you do some reading on this forum.

As for the other add ons, I think it’s just the Kia ordering system doesn’t allow for removing stuff and the carpets appear to be the one of the most common things that you can’t take off. Mine are still brand new in my garage and unused. Someday when I trade in or sell I’ll take them out of the bag or hopefully inflation will make them an option for me to sell new online at a higher price I also ended up with what I felt was an overpriced cargo tray and a cargo net I didn't ask for but over time have found them useful enough to be happy I got stuck with them.

If a hitch and carpets are your biggest worry, you are likely way better off than most if everything else is what you wanted. At least you didn’t get stuck with the rear entertainment system. That could have been a $1,500+ surprise that you couldn't do much about.

 

[2020Telly]

A big SUV should have a hitch. GM doesn't even give that an option for theirs. If you are not paying a crazy markup and getting it in a reasonable time, I would consider myself fortunate.

I agree with you but, the Telluride is a not a big SUV. It's technically a large mid-sized CUV. I agree that the GM truck based frame SUV typically should have hitches but they also have a higher towing capacity. But as you said when you compare GM large mid-sized "SUVs" from GM on unibody frames to the Telluride you might find the options are similarly available or lacking. The GMC Acadia offers a tow hitch option or a trailering package. Chevy Traverse offers nothing on their lowest priced trim and a trailering package on the others. The Buick Enclave only offers a trailering package. So you have to go aftermarket on some of their models if you just want a tow hitch to haul bikes or small towing.

I would agree that if you aren't paying a huge markup and the biggest problem is carpets and there is a solution to the tow option, you are very fortunate.

If Kia starts selling the EV9, a truck based variant of the Telluride, or a Mohave based US SUV, then I think a hitch may be standard. But not everyone needs a tow hitch so why add something that not everyone needs on a midsized SUV.

To the OP, given the constraints of the Kia ordering system and economic times, I would personally go easy on your salesperson. They may have done better than you are giving them credit.

 

[tenmin]

Are you sure that’s your VIN? You mentioned you found it on Failcat, but unless your dealer confirmed, that may be for someone else. <edited> - Just realized you wanted towing, and it wasn’t on sticker you are looking at.

At the end of the day, it’s a lot of money to spend and it sucks to feel disappointed about something that should be exciting.

Yes. I went into the dealership and the salesperson was on vacation. The manager let me know it was my car that was ordered and too late to change anything, but..."CONGRATULATIONS!" Thanks for the empathy. Tough, as I've never bought a new car before and taught my kids it is a crime to do so. However, used cars cost more than new right now and thought, what a treat to reward myself. Luckily, the things I'm frustrated by are very minor and not a big deal with the car. Just tough as I thought they were easy to get right.

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[tenmin]

Hitch, if you get the OEM one, even if installed by yourself… how would it not look clean?

Good question. Maybe I'm wrong, but from what i researched, the OEM hitch sits higher and looks more apart of the car. The salesperson told me he can't even sell me the hitch for less than what it costs to but it factory installed. He said the dealer cost to sell me the part is above what it would cost just for the part.

 

[tenmin]

Hitch, if you get the OEM one, even if installed by yourself… how would it not look clean?

You are right. If I get the OEM one it will look just as clean. It would just cost more money and take up a Saturday.

 

[tenmin]

A big SUV should have a hitch. GM doesn't even give that an option for theirs. If you are not paying a crazy markup and getting it in a reasonable time, I would consider myself fortunate.

You are right. It really isn't a big deal, just annoyed by the situation.

 

[tenmin]

Not sure the hitch situation is as bad as you describe. You can still get an OEM look if the tow hitch option doesn’t come from the factory. The parts are available to do it after the purchase and you might be able to avoid a markup on the option.

The towing configs for the SX are:
- delivered from the factory with tow package
- delivered from the factory with tow option
- delivered with neither, dealer adds the Kia tow option parts
- delivered with neither, you buy the Kia parts on your own and pay someone to install it
- delivered with neither, you buy the Kia parts on your own and DIY install
- you avoid the Kia version and go with 4-5 aftermarket options for the non OEM look

Honestly if you were looking for the towing package you might be happy that you didn’t get the self leveling shocks after you do some reading on this forum.

As for the other add ons, I think it’s just the Kia ordering system doesn’t allow for removing stuff and the carpets appear to be the one of the most common things that you can’t take off. Mine are still brand new in my garage and unused. Someday when I trade in or sell I’ll take them out of the bag or hopefully inflation will make them an option for me to sell new online at a higher price I also ended up with what I felt was an overpriced cargo tray and a cargo net I didn't ask for but over time have found them useful enough to be happy I got stuck with them.

If a hitch and carpets are your biggest worry, you are likely way better off than most if everything else is what you wanted. At least you didn’t get stuck with the rear entertainment system. That could have been a $1,500+ surprise that you couldn't do much about.

Yes, the carpet I never ordered. The salesperson said 8/10 times when people don't add carpet, Kia adds it anyway (not sure if that is true). He just tells everyone to put it in a garbage bag and store it in your garage and that they never sell them. You are right, my grievances are quite minor. And hey, I'm getting a Telluride!

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[staypuppy]

Yes. I went into the dealership and the salesperson was on vacation. The manager let me know it was my car that was ordered and too late to change anything, but..."CONGRATULATIONS!" Thanks for the empathy. Tough, as I've never bought a new car before and taught my kids it is a crime to do so. However, used cars cost more than new right now and thought, what a treat to reward myself. Luckily, the things I'm frustrated by are very minor and not a big deal with the car. Just tough as I thought they were easy to get right.

Interesting that they matched you with a car with a package change. I’ve seen many posts about add-ons missing or added, but not packages (tow, nightfall or prestige).

For what it’s worth, there are a lot of posts on here about problems with the shocks that add self leveling that come with factory installed tow. You might be better off installing tow later. It’ll look the same from the outside.

Hope it ends up all being a great experience once it arrives and you drive home your very first brand new car!

 

[Ferg42995]

I've heard a lot of people talking about the carpeted mats being added whether they want them or not. I'm not sure if this is KIA just adding a little more profit, or if this is KIA protecting the dealers in the case that some of these are going on lots to sell or might end up canceled orders or end up being test drive "sample" cars so people can test before ordering, etc. and the carpets will help in these instances.

 

[DarkMossButterScotch]

Frustrated with Kia and salesperson today.

1) I found my car got picked up by using Failcat. My salesperson told me not to worry about making anything final as he would call me before anything would be finalized. That never happened and there are no changes I can make now. Shame on me for trusting the salesperson.
2) I was told that Kia is not adding hitches to any cars other than the SX. Now I need to deal with that after the fact and pay more and not look as clean.
3) I also saw that carpet was added to the order for $210 and there is nothing I can do about it. I was told that Kia orders it for most orders, even if you don't want it. Just put it in a garbage bag and have it sit in your garage, I was told.

The worst of all of this is in any interaction with Kia salespeople, that nothing is apologetic or trying to understand or help.....instead it is just the annoying, "CONGRATS, you almost got one." After spending so much money on a new car, I really wanted to just get what I ordered and now I'm pretty close to saying...no thanks.

Thanks for letting me vent!

I feel it’s really the dealerships management that sets apart. My dealer removed all the extra accessories (600$) Kia added without our consent and also honored last years price as there was a slight price increase on 01/01. Unfortunately not all dealerships work in that fashion and we have to live with it.

 

[tenmin]

I feel it’s really the dealerships management that sets apart. My dealer removed all the extra accessories (600$) Kia added without our consent and also honored last years price as there was a slight price increase in 01/01. Unfortunately not all dealerships work in that fashion and we have to live with it.

Thanks for sharing and I’m impressed.

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