Is this a typical KIA dealer experience?

[Jimmer]

When I bought my Stinger at my local dealership, I had told them ahead of time (on Friday) what I would be willing to spend. I showed up Saturday morning right when they opened. I told them that I had a deal in place at a dealership in Idaho (which was true) but if they could meet or beat that deal I would buy from them rather than take the 4 hour drive. I gave them one hour (and that included the test drive). They beat it and then I got it for even less cause when they presented the numbers, they had calculated my monthly payment based on a finance rate of .09 instead of 0.9. When I pointed out their oops, they started to say, well, that will increase your payments, and I was like, 'No, it won't That was your guys' mistake. We made our deal on the payment amount and I won't pay more.' So they ended up having to lower the price to keep the payment the same. Their oops ended up saving me a bit over a grand over the course of the loan.

 

[jatleson]

I'll tack one more on to my G75 statement above (who do I need to talk to at corporate headquarters about this positioning, it is genius). They finally have Genesis G70's near me, I'll have to check one out. For the same money as a Stinger, a G70 gets 3 years /36k miles complimentary scheduled maintenance, 3 years Navigation system updates, 3/36k Valet Service (pick car up, leave a loner). The valet and complimentary maintenance is a lot of value.

 

[Jimmer]

I'll tack one more on to my G75 statement above (who do I need to talk to at corporate headquarters about this positioning, it is genius). They finally have Genesis G70's near me, I'll have to check one out. For the same money as a Stinger, a G70 gets 3 years /36k miles complimentary scheduled maintenance, 3 years Navigation system updates, 3/36k Valet Service (pick car up, leave a loner). The valet and complimentary maintenance is a lot of value.

I got two years complimentary maintenance and my dealership will also come pick up my car and drop off a loaner if I wanted someone else to drive my car. And that is for all service related issues

 

[nhcowboy28]

I'll tack one more on to my G75 statement above (who do I need to talk to at corporate headquarters about this positioning, it is genius). They finally have Genesis G70's near me, I'll have to check one out. For the same money as a Stinger, a G70 gets 3 years /36k miles complimentary scheduled maintenance, 3 years Navigation system updates, 3/36k Valet Service (pick car up, leave a loner). The valet and complimentary maintenance is a lot of value.

And you get to look at this beauty every morning!!!

 

[jatleson]

I got two years complimentary maintenance and my dealership will also come pick up my car and drop off a loaner if I wanted someone else to drive my car. And that is for all service related issues

That was great negotiating. Pure speculation on my part but that is the exception and not the rule.

 

[Jimmer]

That was great negotiating. Pure speculation on my part but that is the exception and not the rule.

2 years maintenance is standard at my dealership. It's standard at all Young dealerships in my area, not just Young KIA. And I didn't know they would come get my car and drop one off till recently.

 

[jatleson]

2 years maintenance is standard at my dealership. It's standard at all Young dealerships in my area, not just KIA. And I didn't know they would come get my car and drop one off till recently.

One more reason for me to get out of Illinois.

 

[jatleson]

View attachment 17486
And you get to look at this beauty every morning!!!

no argument there

 

[MerlintheMad]

Yup. I once had a salesman (not KIA) refuse to even give me a price unless I committed to buying that day.

How does that go? You say, "I commit", and he states a price, and you say, "Just kidding"?

 

[MerlintheMad]

@Jmiracle - Miata's are great cars.

This could start a bit of a war, but what the hey, let's end 2018 with a bang. Everybody has different likes/desires and everybody has different means of getting said likes/desires. Let's call 'everybody' the market. In the USA, Kia's majority market is minimal car desire and minimal means (they are using the Stinger, Cadenza and K900, kind of, to change that). The car is a necessity, Kia requires the least means to meet the need. That market does frequently purchase on impulse. My current car died, I need a car now, what is on the lot is likely the common story a Kia salesperson hears. My current car is nice, I like it, it is getting older or my lease is coming due and I am researching what I will get in the next couple of months, is not what a Kia salesperson typically hears.

What salespeople pitch and listen for are based on two things, typical buyers and compensation plan. No idea how Kia dealerships comp their sales people. Maybe some of the Kia reps can help here. But, I believe, a typical Kia buyer is a buy now/impulse buyer not a doing research, I'm a car guy and have the means buyer.

The above will be Kia's biggest challenge - the sales and overall ownership experience. Brand stigma is an issue, not a small one, but a true car person, with the means to buy a Stinger (or more) will get over the brand because of the quality of the car. Lower price, better warranty, same or better performance, great looks, every option you could want, build quality to match will make anyone who asks 'You bought a Kia?" bite their tongue. And the crowd that asks the question will want to start buying Kia's (Stingers, Cadenza + K900) because that is the market that has means but could care less about cars, but care about the ownership experience.

Cards on the table, I haven't bought a Stinger yet, but I'm 95% sure when I get a car in the next couple of months, it will be a Stinger. I drive a loaded BMW AWD 3 series now and love the car, but the upkeep is getting a bit out of hand. The 5% that keeps rattling in my head is the ownership experience. If I take my 9 year old car to a _____ (BMW/Audi/MB/Lexus/Infinity/Acura/Cadillac) dealer, I leave said dealer in a loaner, no questions asked. What happens when the Kia goes in? I (majority of this market) don't want the hassle of planning my day around service. Bring in car, get loaner, leave is a big deal to this market. Genesis and G70 have the ownership experience figured out, but don't have any owners because they haven't figured out how to sell cars. Make the Stinger a Genesis, call it a G75 and then my 5% changes from ownership experience to how do I actually buy the car when I am ready?

It was really simple for me. I went to test drive, after reading about the Stinger all winter. The test drive was the deal breaker. Got in the car and sniffed and looked around and touched interior details; just sat there for a few minutes. Then after the sales guy answered my few questions we rolled. Half hour later I was gone. Thought about it over the weekend and decided I was going to buy, unless obstacles appeared that should not appear if the decision was right. Smooth sailing. By Monday afternoon I was driving away in my Stinger. I didn't haggle or price shop. They knocked off c. 3K from MSRP and that seemed reasonable for a MY18 in March. Is that typical behavior? I don't know. I've never bought a brand new car before this one. It was as exactly what I want as there is available; in a price range that has never existed before. That is why I have the car.

 

[Jimmer]

It was really simple for me. I went to test drive, after reading about the Stinger all winter. The test drive was the deal breaker. Got in the car and sniffed and looked around and touched interior details; just sat there for a few minutes. Then after the sales guy answered my few questions we rolled. Half hour later I was gone. Thought about it over the weekend and decided I was going to buy, unless obstacles appeared that should not appear if the decision was right. Smooth sailing. By Monday afternoon I was driving away in my Stinger. I didn't haggle or price shop. They knocked off c. 3K from MSRP and that seemed reasonable for a MY18 in March. Is that typical behavior? I don't know. I've never bought a brand new car before this one. It was as exactly what I want as there is available; in a price range that has never existed before. That is why I have the car.

In the end, the price has to work for the individual buying it. Yeah, sometimes it's hard to see your car sell for 3-4K less just 3 months later, but if you love the car and it fits your budget at the time, you move on and have the car sooner and enjoy it sooner.

 

[OliverNuther]

How does that go? You say, "I commit", and he states a price, and you say, "Just kidding"?

Told him what I was looking for and asked his best price. He asked if I was prepared to buy today. I said yes if I get the price I want to pay. Told him I was going to be visiting a few other dealers beside him to see what deals they were prepared to do. He says well you come back with their prices and I’ll beat them. Flat out wouldn’t quote me a price. I left and bought the car I wanted at another dealer.

 

[Jimmer]

Told him what I was looking for and asked his best price. He asked if I was prepared to buy today. I said yes if I get the price I want to pay. Told him I was going to be visiting a few other dealers beside him to see what deals they were prepared to do. He says well you come back with their prices and I’ll beat them. Flat out wouldn’t quote me a price. I left and bought the car I wanted at another dealer.

Exactly the right move.