Reviews
We showed up this past Saturday 07/13/13 to purchase a...
We showed up this past Saturday 07/13/13 to purchase a new Kia SXL. Marcel the salesman came out and introduced himself. I told him I've seen the online ad showing the car priced at $30,800. He instantly tells me thats only if I qualify for all the rebates. I said ok can we see if we qualify and basically had to push myself in the door because the salesman didn't want to do anything and seemed like a zombie. He kept telling Nathan that this is his deparment because we saw prices online. Nathan instructs him to go in the office and take our info. Nathan then comes back and says since im not military we have to add $500 to online price. I begin to negotiate telling them im not here to waste time just give me the bottom line. Nathan comes back and says that is the bottom line. We got up and drove to Brandon Ford where you can verify we purchased a 2013 Kia Optima EX from salesman Otis with all the upgrades like double panoramic sunroof, cooled/ heated seats, backup cam etc. We are so happy we didn't buy from that dealership. I have owned atleast 15 vehicles in my 28 years of life and never had a bad experience as I did with Nathan and Marcel. I felt unwanted and disrespected. I will never return to that dealership for service, sales or parts. Thanks, Ryan
- Customer service 1.0
- Buying process —
- Quality of repair 1.0
- Overall facilities —
- Overall experience 1.0
- Does not recommend this dealer
- Shopped for a new car
Ryan, Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry to hear you had such a disappointing experience with us at Courtesy Kia. However, I am happy to hear you stayed with the Kia family. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you regarding your experience with us and work to restore your trust in us. Please contact me at your earliest convenience at (813)621-5757. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Christina Barone General Sales Manager
Disappointed and Lied To
I purchased a Kia Sportage 2007 from this dealer about a year ago. I had been searching for a car for about three months. A friend from work recommended that I go to this dealership; which I agreed, after all of the different dealers I had been too. The initial sales process was awkward due to my sales person being new. The sales manager and I finally were able to strike a deal. However, he wanted to charge me and insane price, although the car was in a previous accident. They assured me it was minor and the car looked and ran fine. This should have been my first warning indicator. Also the sales person who sold me my car is no longer there. That is no surprise. The only issues initially found was the radio, which they replaced. I drove the car off the lot and two weeks later the issues started. The plastic panel of the car kept coming loose; the check engine light kept coming on. It took me about three to four trips before they said that the transmission would need to be replaced. This was covered under the warranty at the time. I work odd hours and could not conform to the times they had. I have spent a lot of hours at this dealership for various issues. Recently my AC has stopped working. I took the car in the dealer and was told that the control unit and blower box needed to be replaced. I was told that it would be covered and even a rental. I was relieved to say the least, but my bubble was quickly burst by the service technician. He came back and told me that the package I had would actually not cover it. The total cost estimate was $715. I live pay check to pay check as it is, $715 is like $3000 right now. How does an AC unit go bad only after having it for a year and the car being only about 5 years old. Since I left the service department my car appears to be overheating now. I mean this does not make sense to me. Having no AC in the state of FL and during rainy season is not a good combination. The service technician was like I could work with you on the price, I am sure that means taking off $25. There are two lesson I learned one, all dealerships (new/used) are filled with scam artist out to sale pieces of junk, two, always get the platinum package when buying from Courtesy Kia of Brandon. I was their biggest promoter, but now I am their biggest detractors. I am going to make sure to tell everyone to stay away from the Courtesy group especially the one in Brandon. I realize that cars needs maintenance, but I have never had an issue with the AC unit going out in any of the cars I have owned. I have owned a car that was almost 11 years old and the AC was in perfect condition. Shockingly it was a Kia Sportage 01. I guess they do not build cars like they used to.
- Customer service 1.0
- Buying process 2.0
- Quality of repair 1.0
- Overall facilities 4.0
- Overall experience 1.0
- Does not recommend this dealer
- Came in for service or repair
- Did make a purchase
Michael, I am so sorry to hear about all of your frustrations. I would really appreciate the opportunity to speak with you regarding these frustrations as soon as possible so that we may work to resolve them and restore your trust in Courtesy Kia. Please call me at your earliest convenience at (813)621-5757. I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards,Bob O'Neill, General Manager
Great service, felt I was treated very fairly. The Soul...
Great service, felt I was treated very fairly. The Soul I test-drove had a dent on the hood so they got another alien green one delivered for me the next day:) very happy with my Soul.
- Customer service 5.0
- Buying process —
- Quality of repair 5.0
- Overall facilities —
- Overall experience 5.0
- Does recommend this dealer
- Shopped for a new car
Bev, Thank you so much for the 5 star review! Enjoy your new Kia Soul and please let me know if you have any questions! Best, Bob O'Neill General Manager
This rating was directed specifically to Sam Rager, as...
This rating was directed specifically to Sam Rager, as noted, we feel he did a great job as our sales rep. This is our 3rd leased Kia from Courtsey Kia of Brandon, and it seems we always have "contract" related issues. They do eventually get worked out, but it requires return trips to the dealership, taking our time and fuel.
- Customer service 5.0
- Buying process —
- Quality of repair 5.0
- Overall facilities —
- Overall experience 5.0
- Does recommend this dealer
- Shopped for a new car
Let me start off by telling you briefly, my story. Been...
Let me start off by telling you briefly, my story. Been overseas for almost 7 yrs. (serving & then raising child there) Came back to find the USA has changed quite a bit.. to get a job, you must pass the sentinels on the computer.. (no one wishes to talk to you.. shame) The Social Security office had my acct suspended.. they didn't know if I was alive? Seriously?? ok.. Cant get any credit as MY OWN bank, in which I have put money in all these years??!!!! Even tried for a store card like Sears.. no good Talk about being treated as an outsider?? I needed a car to get on the road, find work, start over. (not easy considering whats going on in the world today huh??) So considering I only have cash in my bank, I had a specific budget to work with, yet I didn't want to buy a shell + 4 tires! I did the usual rounds.. mostly did massive research and found that the only car that had a blend of lots of "toys" for a decent price was Kia. I spent most of my time in England looking at all the cool city car designs I found out that the 2013 Soul + caught my eye & xxxx Its not a sports car but how can ya not love it.. Peter Schreyer should get a stinkin raise!!!! Figures, I love the design as I love Porsches the best & this guy is german! The car does connect to me, emotionally at first & then when ya drive it.. the journey the the dark side is complete! lmao! Ok back to the dealers now.. I was in contact with 6 or 7 dealers on line to find the right + , 6M model.. I did have the vins of everyone swithin a 200 mile radius! Some of the salesman from other dealers looked at me as a number, or a thing because he asked me " so is was a rio you were looking at?" when all my original contact emails wer specific about a 2013 Kia Soul + , 6m.. loaded. Then Forrest Harper from the dealership in Brandon emailed me.. the exchange was wonderful & refreshing. I felt connected & Forrest made me feel welcome. We did exchange a few emails & then I finally wanted to see one up close & in the flesh. (never drove one but I do my research & know what I want sight unseen!) I decided to visit Forrest Harper @ Courtesy Kia. He's a real gentle guy, went over all the basics of the vehicle & because he didn't have a + with a manny, he let me drove 2 models : base w/1.6 gdi & 5 speed & an + with auto. Gotta admit, the 1.6 (mainly because of the gdi) was peppy & good enough for most peoples needs.. (providing their europeans because yanks, somehow, always want more!!) but i see plenty of base models on the road so Im happy thats out there! & the 2.0l was more so but I felt disconnected (the reason why I love sticks to begin with, Im not a part of the driving process & for my tastes, Id prefer stick!) I decided on a 2013 Kia Soul + , 6m, in Alien (BTW love that color!) with most accessories available (no options cause its stick remember??) They were able to get it for me, with my accessories (few had to be ordered) and we agreed upon a price that I was able to purchase .. in cash of course as I had no choice but its mine! Josh Sheppard, the Inventory Specialist is to be commended as he was able to get the right one for me and is a real down to earth guy! When I went to get my car, Forrest emailed me saying that Rachel Purington was to get all my paperwork sorted & hand me the keys as he was to be away for his daughters indoc class. (great DAD huh??) Rachel was a pisser! (New York slang for a very witty & energetic young lady who made sure I was entertained for several hours as the dealership was backed up in the prep dept.(I always hope you will be! sign of prosperity?!) She went over everything & made me feel like part of the family! I did the tour of the dealership.. was treated very well! I even met the detailers who work very hard & should be given praise accordingly as well!!!!!!!! I really enjoyed the overall experience! The F & I guy.. Rodney Zeller was awesome as well.. AND I was able to entertain HIM for about 15 minutes while we did business.. (I'm sure he's off the floor now & he never pushed me into anything.. btw everyone was like that!) So from the bottom of my heart I wish to congratulate your company & ALL the people Ive met at Courtesy Kia of Brandon! Most professional, & yet down to earth family Ive had the pleasure to enjoy! I also want to thank Forrest, Josh, Rachel & Rodney and those hard workers behind the scenes there for all their hard work in making this possible! Thank You so much for being there for me & Please feel free to use this letter for any learning , training, promotional etc etc etc ! Hey Ill even do a commercial for ya! (yep, Im nuts!) So as far as ratings are concerned.. the overall experience was .. ""can I buy another from these guys????""" They were all wonderful, made the buying experience fun & was treated with respect at every stage.. prices are good, no hassle approach & the quality of the work = the best customer experience one can have!!! Very Respectfully & Sincerely...... Freddy Neve Proud owner of a 2013 Kia Soul +, 6M, Alien! (seriously, If i could Id buy 6 more of them, I would AND ONLY from Courtesy Kia of Brandon!!!!! Holy crap on a cracker they are soo cool & awesome! ...maybe a bank robbery is in order!!!???)
- Customer service 5.0
- Buying process —
- Quality of repair 5.0
- Overall facilities —
- Overall experience 5.0
- Does recommend this dealer
- Shopped for a new car
I don't know where to start. My experience from the...
I don't know where to start. My experience from the time I arrived and till the time I left was fantastic. When I arrived at 8 am the sales rep Gary Linder met me at my vehicle. I explained to him I had to have new car picked out and the sale completed no later than 12 noon as my son was playing in his first championship game at 1pm and I couldn't be late. With that in mind Gary and the whole crew got to work and before you know it I was leaving in my new car by 11am. I can't say enough about how friendly and helpful they all were. Gary never left my side and he made sure that everything stayed on track to make sure I could be out in time to make my sons game. It didn't end there though. Later that evening I had to return to have my wife sign some papers and to provide the title for my trade in. (yes they let me take the new car and come back later to finish the paper work in order to make sure I wasn't late) Not only was everyone genuinely interested in the out come of my sons game, they worked just as hard to get me and my wife out quickly and painlessly. Gary and the rest of the team went above and beyond the call of duty and My family and I couldn't be happier with our new car. Thank you to everyone at Courtesy KIA in Brandon. You are all truly the best in the business. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a new car to see Gary and the folks at Courtesy Kia in Brandon.
- Customer service 5.0
- Buying process —
- Quality of repair 5.0
- Overall facilities —
- Overall experience 5.0
- Does recommend this dealer
- Shopped for a used car
Mr. Sam Grossman, Was very knowledgable about the KIA...
Mr. Sam Grossman, Was very knowledgable about the KIA product line. He was very patient about anwersing questions regarding the car. We test drove several cars. And I loved his knowlege of the car and about KIA. And I love my Kia Forte. That's why I call Mr. Sam Grossman, Mr. Kia. Sincerely, Ms. Love
- Customer service 5.0
- Buying process —
- Quality of repair 5.0
- Overall facilities —
- Overall experience 5.0
- Does recommend this dealer
- Shopped for a new car
I want to thank Tommy Whelan for his outstanding customer...
I want to thank Tommy Whelan for his outstanding customer service. Tommy listened to what I was looking for and he delivered. He is an exceptional salesman and a kind person. I also want to thank John Williams III for also helping me with my purchase and for his outstanding customer service. I highly recommend Courtesy Kia of Brandon.
- Customer service 5.0
- Buying process —
- Quality of repair 5.0
- Overall facilities —
- Overall experience 5.0
- Does recommend this dealer
- Shopped for a new car
Everyone at Brandon Kia was extremely friendly and...
Everyone at Brandon Kia was extremely friendly and helpful, doing what they could to make my experience quick and stress-free. My new vehicle is absolutely wonderful and I am extremely satisfied with the payment arrangements I was able to work out with the financing center. This was my first time buying a new car and I would definitely recommend Brandon Kia to anyone and everyone! I am happy to be a "Customer for Life."
- Customer service 5.0
- Buying process —
- Quality of repair 5.0
- Overall facilities —
- Overall experience 5.0
- Does recommend this dealer
- Shopped for a new car
My husband and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out...
My husband and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out which car was best for us. We originally saw the Sportage and the Optima and Lakeland Regal Kia (right by our home) but were not incredibly fond of the typical "Car Salesman" that approached us. We decided to look at other options and wound up at Courtesy Kia in Brandon. Instead of being approached by a car salesman, we were approached by an incredibly personable man, Sam Rager. From the moment we walked in there until the following week when we bought our car and even the day after, Sam (and his managers) was more helpful then sales-y and that is the main reason that we drove all the way back out to Brandon to purchase our vehicle. I never felt like I was being pressured or being sold a car. Instead I felt as if I was being given the information that I needed and Sam's personal satisfaction of the Optima's. I must say, I am aware that I probably wasnt the easiest customer as I called Sam multiple times a day for a week with questions, and he handled it like a Champ!!! Thanks Sam for a great experience. I will be reccomending you and Courtesy Kia to everyone I know looking for a vehicle!
- Customer service 5.0
- Buying process —
- Quality of repair —
- Overall facilities —
- Overall experience 5.0
- Does recommend this dealer
- Shopped for a new car
