KIA test drive attitudes
Discussion
I went to one of those big industrial estates with dozens of dealerships today with the intention of test-driving and choosing my next family wagon.
The KIA dealer had one 2024 Sorento on the lot, so I asked the sales assistant if I could drive it. She straight away asked me what my budget was and I said "around £25,000" (because I know that is about what they cost). She then said that she was busy all afternoon and so we couldn't drive it. I asked if she had a colleage who could help with a test drive and she said "everyone is busy today".
I pressed a bit harder and said I just want to drive the car, surely someone could help and she then replied with words to the effect of "you can't afford it" and walked off.
My wife asked if we could sit in it to see the interior and she reluctantly got the keys and opened it up but then just walked off back into the showroom, the car was beeping becasue it saw the keys had gone whilst still open. When she didn't return after about 10 minutes (with my wife and I sitting in the car listening to it beeping feeling stupid), we went back inside and found her making coffee (for herself).
I again asked for a test drive and she repeated that we couldn't afford the new Sorento and suggested that we "look at an older model diesel which would be more suited to us".
What is so frustrating about this is that the KIA UK website lists about 12 'Approved Used' new-shape Sorentos around my £25k budget.
It left a really bad impression on my wife who walked off the lot saying "F*** KIA, I'm not buying one of their cars.
We then went to Lexus where the saleman was amazing, he threw us the keys to 2 cars and said "go and drive them as long as you want".
The KIA dealer had one 2024 Sorento on the lot, so I asked the sales assistant if I could drive it. She straight away asked me what my budget was and I said "around £25,000" (because I know that is about what they cost). She then said that she was busy all afternoon and so we couldn't drive it. I asked if she had a colleage who could help with a test drive and she said "everyone is busy today".
I pressed a bit harder and said I just want to drive the car, surely someone could help and she then replied with words to the effect of "you can't afford it" and walked off.
My wife asked if we could sit in it to see the interior and she reluctantly got the keys and opened it up but then just walked off back into the showroom, the car was beeping becasue it saw the keys had gone whilst still open. When she didn't return after about 10 minutes (with my wife and I sitting in the car listening to it beeping feeling stupid), we went back inside and found her making coffee (for herself).
I again asked for a test drive and she repeated that we couldn't afford the new Sorento and suggested that we "look at an older model diesel which would be more suited to us".
What is so frustrating about this is that the KIA UK website lists about 12 'Approved Used' new-shape Sorentos around my £25k budget.
It left a really bad impression on my wife who walked off the lot saying "F*** KIA, I'm not buying one of their cars.
We then went to Lexus where the saleman was amazing, he threw us the keys to 2 cars and said "go and drive them as long as you want".
Edited by Matt_T on Monday 13th April 20:44
said:
The fact that this sales representative treated you that way is unacceptable as I have been in many situations where a customer told me their budget and after spending some time with them, they would spend a lot more.
I wouldn't blame Kia or that dealer, sometimes people give their brands a bad name
Matt_T said:
I went to one of those big industrial estates with dozens of dealerships today with the intention of test-driving and choosing my next family wagon.
The KIA dealer had one 2024 Sorento on the lot, so I asked the sales assistant if I could drive it. She straight away asked me what my budget was and I said "around £25,000" (because I know that is what about what they cost). She then said that she was busy all afternoon and so we couldn't drive it. I asked if she had a colleage who could help with a test drive and she said "everyone is busy today".
I pressed a bit harder and said I just want to drive the car, surely someone could help and she then replied with words to the effect of "you can't afford it" and walked off.
My wife asked if we could sit in it to see the interior and she reluctantly got the keys and opened it up but then just walked off back into the showroom, the car was beeping becasue it saw the keys had gone whilst still open. When she didn't return after about 10 minutes (with my wife and I sitting in the car listening to it beeping feeling stupid), we went back inside and found her making coffee (for herself).
I again asked for a test drive and she repeated that we couldn't afford the new Sorento and suggested that we "look at an older model diesel which would be more suited to us".
What is so frustrating about this is that the KIA UK website lists about 12 'Approved Used' new-shape Sorentos around my £25k budget.
It left a really bad impression on my wife who walked off the lot saying "F*** KIA, I'm not buying one of their cars.
We then went to Lexus where the saleman was amazing, he threw us the keys to 2 cars and said "go and drive them as long as you want".
What was the list price of the car you were looking at?The KIA dealer had one 2024 Sorento on the lot, so I asked the sales assistant if I could drive it. She straight away asked me what my budget was and I said "around £25,000" (because I know that is what about what they cost). She then said that she was busy all afternoon and so we couldn't drive it. I asked if she had a colleage who could help with a test drive and she said "everyone is busy today".
I pressed a bit harder and said I just want to drive the car, surely someone could help and she then replied with words to the effect of "you can't afford it" and walked off.
My wife asked if we could sit in it to see the interior and she reluctantly got the keys and opened it up but then just walked off back into the showroom, the car was beeping becasue it saw the keys had gone whilst still open. When she didn't return after about 10 minutes (with my wife and I sitting in the car listening to it beeping feeling stupid), we went back inside and found her making coffee (for herself).
I again asked for a test drive and she repeated that we couldn't afford the new Sorento and suggested that we "look at an older model diesel which would be more suited to us".
What is so frustrating about this is that the KIA UK website lists about 12 'Approved Used' new-shape Sorentos around my £25k budget.
It left a really bad impression on my wife who walked off the lot saying "F*** KIA, I'm not buying one of their cars.
We then went to Lexus where the saleman was amazing, he threw us the keys to 2 cars and said "go and drive them as long as you want".
Edited by Matt_T on Friday 10th April 22:20
A quick search suggests the cheapest listed 2024 Sorento is 10k more than your budget...
JungTheForeman said:
Matt_T said:
A quick search suggests the cheapest listed 2024 Sorento is 10k more than your budget...
Something like this would work for me... with a little effort she could have found this and tried to sell it to me...
https://used-uk.kia.com/used-car-details/used-kia-...
Edited by Matt_T on Saturday 11th April 00:38
Book a test drive through Kia.co.uk
Test driving cars off the used 'lot' is highly discouraged unless you've come in looking at that specific car (which you haven't)
Sales person has done their job and tbh, if you're switching between Kia and Lexus, you ain't done any research before heading out.
Test driving cars off the used 'lot' is highly discouraged unless you've come in looking at that specific car (which you haven't)
Sales person has done their job and tbh, if you're switching between Kia and Lexus, you ain't done any research before heading out.
andrew-6xade said:
Book a test drive through Kia.co.uk
Test driving cars off the used 'lot' is highly discouraged unless you've come in looking at that specific car (which you haven't)
Sales person has done their job and tbh, if you're switching between Kia and Lexus, you ain't done any research before heading out.
Well, I had come in specifically looking for a Sorento. I thought the idea of lots is that you turn up, nosey around cars and do a test drive?Test driving cars off the used 'lot' is highly discouraged unless you've come in looking at that specific car (which you haven't)
Sales person has done their job and tbh, if you're switching between Kia and Lexus, you ain't done any research before heading out.
Regarding switching between KIA and Lexus, KIA Sorentos and Lexus RX450s are about the same size and price, £25k will get me into a 2021 / 60,000 mile Sorento or a 2020 / 65,000 mile RX450h.
Sales person was right, she could've handled it better (probably a bit of creative licence on your part) but in the grand scheme of things she was correct, you were never buying the car you wanted to test drive and they didn't have anything more suited to you.
Test driving a car 3 years newer than what you could afford is ultimately a bit pointless, there would have been a fair few changes in those years from engines, to gearboxes, to the interior, to little model adjustments here and there, even general wear on an older car, it wouldn't have been representative, find a car in your budget then test drive that one.
She may have had an appointment due or other things on which are far more important to her than wasting her time with you as you weren't ever going to be buying that car. Many people don't realise "a quick test drive" isn't really that; taking your details, logging everything, putting you on the insurance, digging the car out, explaining what is what, going with you, talking to you afterwards etc.
Test driving a car 3 years newer than what you could afford is ultimately a bit pointless, there would have been a fair few changes in those years from engines, to gearboxes, to the interior, to little model adjustments here and there, even general wear on an older car, it wouldn't have been representative, find a car in your budget then test drive that one.
She may have had an appointment due or other things on which are far more important to her than wasting her time with you as you weren't ever going to be buying that car. Many people don't realise "a quick test drive" isn't really that; taking your details, logging everything, putting you on the insurance, digging the car out, explaining what is what, going with you, talking to you afterwards etc.
Matt_T said:
andrew-6xade said:
Book a test drive through Kia.co.uk
Test driving cars off the used 'lot' is highly discouraged unless you've come in looking at that specific car (which you haven't)
Sales person has done their job and tbh, if you're switching between Kia and Lexus, you ain't done any research before heading out.
Well, I had come in specifically looking for a Sorento. I thought the idea of lots is that you turn up, nosey around cars and do a test drive?Test driving cars off the used 'lot' is highly discouraged unless you've come in looking at that specific car (which you haven't)
Sales person has done their job and tbh, if you're switching between Kia and Lexus, you ain't done any research before heading out.
Regarding switching between KIA and Lexus, KIA Sorentos and Lexus RX450s are about the same size and price, £25k will get me into a 2021 / 60,000 mile Sorento or a 2020 / 65,000 mile RX450h.
Matt_T said:
andrew-6xade said:
Book a test drive through Kia.co.uk
Test driving cars off the used 'lot' is highly discouraged unless you've come in looking at that specific car (which you haven't)
Sales person has done their job and tbh, if you're switching between Kia and Lexus, you ain't done any research before heading out.
Well, I had come in specifically looking for a Sorento. I thought the idea of lots is that you turn up, nosey around cars and do a test drive?Test driving cars off the used 'lot' is highly discouraged unless you've come in looking at that specific car (which you haven't)
Sales person has done their job and tbh, if you're switching between Kia and Lexus, you ain't done any research before heading out.
Regarding switching between KIA and Lexus, KIA Sorentos and Lexus RX450s are about the same size and price, £25k will get me into a 2021 / 60,000 mile Sorento or a 2020 / 65,000 mile RX450h.
Customer service today is a very different thing .
I would leave feedback on the dealer or Kia UK website.
That sounds like dreadful customer service and a very bad attitude that gives Kia and the dealership a bad reputation. Like you say has put you off the brand, therefore reducing the possibility of future sales.
By contrast on my son's 18th birthday we popped into Meridien modena Ferrari dealership with clearly no intention of buying and they were happy to show us round and sit in some of the cars. The sales guy even took my son out for a 30 minute drive in an 812SF whilst his colleague got me a coffee and passed the time of day.
That sounds like dreadful customer service and a very bad attitude that gives Kia and the dealership a bad reputation. Like you say has put you off the brand, therefore reducing the possibility of future sales.
By contrast on my son's 18th birthday we popped into Meridien modena Ferrari dealership with clearly no intention of buying and they were happy to show us round and sit in some of the cars. The sales guy even took my son out for a 30 minute drive in an 812SF whilst his colleague got me a coffee and passed the time of day.
GlynV8 said:
I would leave feedback on the dealer or Kia UK website.
That sounds like dreadful customer service and a very bad attitude that gives Kia and the dealership a bad reputation. Like you say has put you off the brand, therefore reducing the possibility of future sales.
By contrast on my son's 18th birthday we popped into Meridien modena Ferrari dealership with clearly no intention of buying and they were happy to show us round and sit in some of the cars. The sales guy even took my son out for a 30 minute drive in an 812SF whilst his colleague got me a coffee and passed the time of day.
Yeah that's right, and this is why dealers and all customer facing industries hate being so beholden to Google reviews, it's easy to leave a crap one without the context, what should the OP put: "diabolical service, came in to test drive a car I couldn't afford and they refused." 1 star, because that is what actually happened?That sounds like dreadful customer service and a very bad attitude that gives Kia and the dealership a bad reputation. Like you say has put you off the brand, therefore reducing the possibility of future sales.
By contrast on my son's 18th birthday we popped into Meridien modena Ferrari dealership with clearly no intention of buying and they were happy to show us round and sit in some of the cars. The sales guy even took my son out for a 30 minute drive in an 812SF whilst his colleague got me a coffee and passed the time of day.
Like the guy who left the following comment on Autotrader as to why he cancelled an online reservation "poor customer service" it wasn't poor customer service, we genuinely couldn't accommodate him at the time he wanted, we offered within 30 minutes of what he wanted, he agreed and then never showed, in the meantime my colleague turned away a walk in as she was expecting this guy......
Or the guy who stormed out last week shouting and swearing because we wouldn't drop everything for him, I wonder who he wanted us to cancel to accommodate him as he was far more important. Easy for him to leave a poor Google review and shafting us when in fact he was the unreasonable one.
GlynV8 said:
.
By contrast on my son's 18th birthday we popped into Meridien modena Ferrari dealership with clearly no intention of buying and they were happy to show us round and sit in some of the cars. The sales guy even took my son out for a 30 minute drive in an 812SF whilst his colleague got me a coffee and passed the time of day.
Whilst not particularly relevant to the thread, this caught my eye.By contrast on my son's 18th birthday we popped into Meridien modena Ferrari dealership with clearly no intention of buying and they were happy to show us round and sit in some of the cars. The sales guy even took my son out for a 30 minute drive in an 812SF whilst his colleague got me a coffee and passed the time of day.
Has Gyln by any chance purchased cars from this ferrari dealer before?
I can see zero chance of a random Ferrari dealer entertaining a random 18 yo unless they are riding on the coat tails of their parents wealth.
Its the polar opposite of this kia dealer vetting someone for not having a big enough budget, though is good customer service I suppose.
I went to see a 2nd hand Boxster in the Belfast branch of Porsche, sales guy asked if I wanted to take out a new 3.2s too, even though I told him I was on a budget and the new car was too expensive he encouraged me to go for a spin in it and told me to push on when I was going too carefully aswell.
I definitely would have upped my budget if it were possible and I still have a very good opinion on Porsche.
I asked for a test drive of a pug 207gti when they were new and was basically told that no 19 year old is gonna buy a 150hp hatchback, I went into Alfa Romeo dealer next, test drove and bought a 147. I dont think I'll ever own a peugeot.
I definitely would have upped my budget if it were possible and I still have a very good opinion on Porsche.
I asked for a test drive of a pug 207gti when they were new and was basically told that no 19 year old is gonna buy a 150hp hatchback, I went into Alfa Romeo dealer next, test drove and bought a 147. I dont think I'll ever own a peugeot.
VW Manchester wanted to know if I could afford the car and if I d be buying before a test ride.
They wanted to know how I d be funding it and the question was repeated twice not to sell finance but to check my ability.
I walked away. I really would think twice before buying from a main dealer and would much prefer an online business model only direct from a manufacturer. The resellers are awful in my experience for the main
Although Tesla gave me a car asap and Dacia again couldn t do more to help recently.
You d think indies would be more risk adverse but then tend to be the decision maker/the good judge of character
Edit maybe it was my birkenstocks?
They wanted to know how I d be funding it and the question was repeated twice not to sell finance but to check my ability.
I walked away. I really would think twice before buying from a main dealer and would much prefer an online business model only direct from a manufacturer. The resellers are awful in my experience for the main
Although Tesla gave me a car asap and Dacia again couldn t do more to help recently.
You d think indies would be more risk adverse but then tend to be the decision maker/the good judge of character
Edit maybe it was my birkenstocks?
Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Saturday 11th April 10:31
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