2012
Reasons to Avoid Eastside Kia on 23 Street NE, Calgary, AB
The following tactics may be used:
- increase price of vehicle and tell customers they will get a discount.
- salesperson being manipulative throughout the buying process.
- making snotty remarks about customers' appearance / sex / race.
- pressure and trick customer to sign "Bill of Sale" if they want to get the best deal.
- resist to provide hand written quotes to prevent customers from 'shopping around'.
- lied about wanting to see the credit card for credit check but would not return it to
customer unless they agree to put down a deposit.
- resist to provide "Bill of Sale" after deposit was made.
- resist to refund deposit even conditions in the contract were not met.
- the higher the authority the more disrespectful they are towards customers.
Want more examples ? Here are some reviews from various websites:
Overall 0 / 3
Went in for a casual test drive but signed up to buy two Sorentos. After leaving, we knew the numbers were too high and we were ripped off. Affter checking the internet, we were right. Very unethical sales practises. We went back to talk to the Manager and he wasn't any better. He kept a $500 deposit. We wrote to KIA Canada about our experience and we should be getting the money back. Always wanted to drive a Sportage but after this experience, I never will! Be careful with the people at Eastside. They manipulate you into believing they are throwing in extras but nothing is free. You are paying for everything! Don't rush and always ask for the base price. Very very sad about this experience.
Overall 0 / 3
I had two negative experiences with this dealership. Taken together, I've decided this business will not receive any of my money. I've had much more positive interactions with other Kia dealers in Calgary. The first was when I attempted to purchase my vehicle from this dealer. I was extremely clear on what I was looking for, and had emailed a very specific package of information to the dealer. Ultimately the sales manager was less than forthcoming in disclosing how he proposed to meet my requirements, and it wasn't until he had wasted a great deal of my time that I figured out what he was up to. He didn't lie to me, but I feel he was less communicative and a little more deceitful than I would have liked. I ended up getting exactly what I wanted, and exactly what I asked for with attentive and respectful service from another dealer. When I took my new vehicle to be serviced there, the service department tried to make me pay even though I informed them I had free service for a year through Kia. (They told me they forgot to look up the VIN). When I got to my vehicle, I noticed they had recommended the next service in 5000 km instead of the Kia recommended 8000 km. When I approached the service manager with my concerns, he started in on a well rehearsed but incorrect, in my opinion, speech about driving conditions in the city. The Kia manual states the only additional maintenance required for stop and go driving is the brakes. I will make allowances for cabin and engine air filters for "dusty conditions" if you're from the country. I feel the dealer not asking about or recommending the change to service intervals up front to be, again, less than truthful. They might not lie to your face (then again, maybe they would if they felt you were a gullible consumer) but I just feel like this dealer is out to make an extra buck on you where they can. Consumers beware!
Overall 0 / 3
I was really annoyed at the atmosphere at this store. Salespeople being loud and obnoxious, and being completely disrespectful to the female salesperson. I felt very pushed, and like I had to purchase the vehicle the day I visited, after numerous attempts to tell the salesperson I was just looking. Then once we agreed on a price the salesmanager informs me that the price doesn't include some package for $1600, and that if I want a block heater in the car I have to pay the extra money. Also the payment I was quoted did not include taxes (which I was never told). I would not reccomend this dealership. Poor disclosure, and pushy salespeople.
Overall 1 / 3
Michelle, our salesperson, was excellent. She totally sold me on my purchase. However I agree with the comment about disclosure. I was absolutely shocked when I saw the final price when I went in to sign the papers. I was so rushed through the process that now, looking back, I'm kind of mad. I feel like I got ripped off, but all in all, I love my vehicle. Next time I will be more pushy about taking my time.
Overall 0 / 3
I have been fighting with Linda in financing to have my $500 deposit returned to me, I was the cosigner on a truck for a friend, unfortunately he was injured at work and we were unable to go through the deal as it wasn't affordable. The used manager approved to have my deposit refunded to me, but after 3 weeks of constant calling and leaving multiple voice mails no one will get back to me and my money has still not been refunded. That money is needed and I feel that I need to beg now to get my money back.
Overall 0 / 3
I liked the car i test drove, however I found the salesman either uninformed or just did not want to answer my questions. I had asked if the breaks on the car were new and his response was " they would be replaced if they needed to be. " I had other questions that he beated around the bush - so to speak.
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