Agree with @max_g. There’s no rule against posting bad experiences, but depending on the context, it could make sense to consolidate them.
From a lease hacking perspective, I try to keep my mind open about dealers, even those that others have reported bad experiences with, as often it’s more about the staff member you’re dealing with, rather than the institution as a whole. Also, management changes over time.
Just as an example, I’ve worked with the dealer @Warbeast called out and had a great experience back in 2019. My cousin walked out with a sub-$300/month 430i GC loaner.
My buddy just used @cody few weeks ago, little over msrp, but prior many people have(i have), Simple no BS deals. You know before you get there what the price is. Nothing changes unless you add miles etc.
I had an awful experience when I looked at a new vehicle at one particular dealership, and returned some months later to the same dealership and bought a CPO from a different employee.
I was also really happy with the dealership where I got my current lease in 2019. I worked with the sales manager, who is no longer there, and the dealership has since been sold to Lithia.
May still be a solid place, or it could be a awful now. Who knows?
This is an important point. People have vastly different experiences at the same dealer depending on who they actually deal with. It would be unfair to paint one dealer in a particular light since people here might avoid a particular dealer based on someone’s single interaction with them.
But I can see the argument on the other side. Maybe the dealer is really crap, but I would rather people find out on their own, rather than this place turning into a dealer review forum. Although I’m fairly surprised given how much interaction everyone here has had with dealers, that this forum has been very careful about actually morphing into a bunch of posts complaining about specific dealers.
I’m my opinion, based on recent searches, the worst dealerships tend to be Hyundai and Kia dealerships who are adding on those idiotic $2-3k “protection” packages to everything including used vehicles.
I think that because they tend to attract lower income customers that this also translates into less educated customers and therefore are able to tack on fees after fees and blame it all on market conditions and too many times they get away with it.
Not to say that other brand dealerships don’t do it as well but it seems prevalent in Hyundai and Kia dealerships.
Honestly, after leasing a few Hyundais, the dealership experience left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I had trouble returning a lease before COVID. I literally called 20 dealerships in my area that wanted nothing to do with grounding my lease - even the damn dealer I leased the car didn’t take it back. Called HMF and all I got was - sorry, we can’t force a dealer to ground a lease.
Had to drive 50 miles from my house after I found a dealer that finally took my lease return.
Yeah I called a Hyundai dealership last week asking about a 2018 Mustang Convertible they had on their lot listed for $25k. So they sent me an out the door package which included their $1,199 dealer fee and a $2,999 protection package.
Seriously? What exactly are you, a Hyundai dealership, protecting a Mustang on for $3k? Not to mention that even for Florida that $1,199 is crazy high. Most dealers are at $799-999.
I called them out on it and they basically said there’s no way of taking off the protection package and that there’s several people interested in the car. I also pointed out that it’s been sitting on their lot for 2 months and at that point the call basically ended.
I’ve pretty much given up dealing with non-luxury brands now. Kinda tired of their shitty service. Luxury brands typically on average are a lot better but YMMV
Kia and Hyundai dealerships are the worst…but i’ve had some interesting exchanges with CDJR dealerships as well but not quite as bad as K/H. By far the best treatment i’ve received is from a GMC dealership who was totally upfront with everything and didn’t add any protection packages or other bullsh!t.
Even myself I keep getting different experiences when I go to same dealer, same salesperson again.
One guy gave me a good deal, everything is done on the phone even offered to drop my new car to my house. I recommended him to several people, they had great experience as well. Basically I made him lease 4 cars with my referals.
One year later for my second car. Terrible experience, didnt do business with him and won’t call him again.
It’s kind of frustrating on the sales side. I’m sure you gave him 4 deals but they were probably 4 flats. In April I personally sold 30 cars. A dozen were through this forum and all were below msrp deals. It required working everyday but Easter.
Meanwhile my best friend in the industry sold 6 cars. SIX. All at 5 figure over msrp deals. He made more than me.
I dont know if they were flat or profitable deals.
Personally I dont call a dealer/salesman bad experience based on the discount they offer. The reason he lost my business and will never get is:
When I told him what another dealer offers. He didnt belive me and said
" I know the numbers they cant offer what you say. If they offer you that price why do you even call me just go get it."
This is rude in my opinion and not right language to talk to a customer. If he just said i can’t give you that price I would be still checking with him next time I need a car.
He didn’t believe you because most buyers, not all, lie about the numbers they are given.
EX: last week I had a customer walk in I offered him $3800 below msrp on my xc60. He told me that he found a poster on leasehakr named “the volvo guy” who was pm’ed him offering 5000 below msrp.
I showed him the exact pm I sent him because surprise I am the volvo guy.
He is entitled to his own opinion but he shouldn’t tell it to customer and accuse a customer lying unless there is proof (like you have in your case).
As i said the professional response should be i cant give you that price or dont miss that price it is good. I wouldn’t have a problem with either. I dont do business with people who mix their emotions to business and lose their professionalism.
Customers can lie, salesman lie too. You keep negotiating or quit negotiating no need to be rude.
Stumbled upon an old thread that relates to this topic. It prompted me to think that perhaps a better approach is for the customer to invite good dealer reps to join LH so the community can benefit from their good services ad leave good reviews, which in terms bolster the dealer’s business.
