I promise, you will want to read this!! On September 27, 2019, my mother leased a car through Visalia Kia. She worked with the sales representatives Joesph and Manny. On October 8, 2019, I went to Visalia Kia to discuss my options to getting a new vehicle. I worked with sales representative Albert Ruiz. As a first time buyer and with the rebates Kia was offering at the time, plus my 2010 Honda Civic trade-in, I thought I had a decent chance at getting a new Kia vehicle. However, with my credit age and score and financial situation, Albert was unable to make me a deal. Towards the end of my visit, he suggested looking at a 2018 Nissan Altima with 23,000 miles which may be closer to the monthly payment I was wanting. I said no thank you at the time and left that day. I called Kia and spoke with Auggie, Internet sales representative, on October 10, 2019 about getting that deal Albert had proposed on the Altima. He stated it was a definite possibility that I get my requested monthly payment. I went to Kia 20 minutes later, I was there for a total of 2 hours and still was not at the proposed deal. At this time I was working with sales representative Mike Martinez. After going back and forth with Mike and the manager about their offers, offers without a cosigner and no warranties included, I was over my budget. The last offer they suggested, price wise was doable, however I suggested that same monthly price with a warranty. Mike came back to the table after speaking with the manager and said, "we are in a bit of a pickle, I told them you were leaving and you were saying no. There was another couple looking at the vehicle and they made their offer. I'm sorry but the vehicle is no longer available". I had been at the dealership for two hours working this deal on the same vehicle. At no point was I given a heads up or best offer if there were other individuals looking at the same vehicle. I left immediately after. On October 11, 2019, I left a voicemail with a manager stating I need to speak with them about my terrible experience. I finally was able to voice my concerns with sales manager Manny. He stated he was going to look at the numbers and see what he would be able to do. I asked him to call me after 1 PM. I received a call back at 3:08 PM from Auggie who then asked me to explain my terrible experience all over again. He asked me if I was still willing to make a deal with them if he was able to give me more for my Honda, longer finance term and a warranty. I explained my hesitation but ultimately wanted to see what they could do for me. He said give me 15-20 minutes and I will give you a call back with my final offer. At 3:58 PM, Auggie calls with his final offer, I admit it was better than the offers I was given before, but it also came with the news that there was a customer currently looking at the same vehicle. I explained I was feeling pressured to take the deal and that it had felt like the night before all over again. He suggested he would go out to check on the deal and give me a call back so I was able to think about whether taking the final offer or not. At 4:14 PM, I speak with Auggie and he says the vehicle sold. Two days in a row and the vehicle was swiped right from my finger tips. I understand that I had not officially signed any papers, however, why didn't the manager say, there's another offer on the table this is the best offer we can give to you? Where was that loyalty I was promised when just two weeks ago, my mother purchased a vehicle from this dealership? They pitched that I would be treated like family and they would do their best to get me a vehicle. Where was the urgency to call me at 1:01 PM to get me a deal? Had they been more attentive to their customer who was trying to give them a chance for a second time, maybe I would have had the desired vehicle? I worked and spoke with several different individuals at this dealership and still they were unable to make a deal. Why did they lie to me about another couple purchasing the vehicle? I have so many questions about their customer service. At the end of the day, it's not about me not getting that vehicle, it is about the way they handled their business. Their lack of putting their customer first when they promised that was what they were going to do. They clearly cannot be trusted. They made too many promises that they were unable to keep. I am writing this in hopes that other first time buyers learn from my experience. I hope this story shines a different light on this dealership and those that work there. At the end of this experience, I am happy they don't have my business. They may have my moms, but she told me if she could take her car back because of my experience, she would. Good luck and I hope you have a better experience than I did. read more
