I wrote a post some time back about my new car, and how disappointed I was when a part of the “chrome” trim fell off of it.
After calling the dealership and having them offer me nothing more than having the part re-attached to the car, I contacted the BBB.
The dealership responded to the BBB and told them that they would re-attach the part and fill my car with gas and change the oil for me if I would let them.
I countered their offer and said that I never even wanted the chrome anyway, and would have rather have had something like a keyless remote entry. The chrome parts can’t be removed at this point because they are all in the dash and everything, so I would have the part that came off re-attached to the car.
I was informed, and after some research found it true, that car dealerships can call anything they want “chrome” as long as it is chrome plated. So in the auto industry, plastic can be chrome.
Anyway, to make up for the misunderstanding, they agreed. I went to the dealership and they actually did treat me very well. They changed the oil, filled the car with gas, fixed the part that fell off and installed a keyless remote entry for me at no charge.
So, case closed.
Except, the car has about 5,000 miles on it now and the “ESC off” light has come on for no apparent reason and will not go off. So I will have to return to the dealership for the third time for non-routine repairs since buying the car.
So far, I can’t say I have any confidence in Kia automobiles and you would not catch me in line to buy another one.
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12 responses so far ↓
1 Jack Payne // Feb 14, 2008 at 3:23 am
What’s the word play, in law? If it’s specific, be vague. And, if it’s vague, be specific. Example, landscaping is vague (like chrome, could mean just about anything improving the appearance of the outside of a house). It’s interesting, all the juxtapositions that can be construed from this flip / flop formula.
2 Gerri // Feb 14, 2008 at 7:43 am
Jack, You’ve got that right. I had no idea, prior to the part falling off my car, that chrome didn’t mean.. well, that it was chrome. The experience wasn’t all bad, at least I learned something along the way and got a keyless remote too!
3 Bill // Mar 9, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Hi
I too have made the mistake of purchasing a Kia Rio 5 years ago. Now, I do less than 6.000 miles per annum and have the vehicle serviced well. This week I had to have a lambda sensor changed that I should have bought on ebay for $18 which cost from Kia $200 and an air flow sensor that was worth less than $100 for $650. Now I understand the Korean word for robbery is Kia. I am also led to believe it also serves as a fair translation for crap.
What is up with these morons? I would have thought that a car that allegedly sells for under $12,000 would also be made from normal priced bits.
4 John Morgan // Mar 10, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Great post. Keyless remote is key.
5 new zealand tourism // Mar 21, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Kia makes some very affordable cars, but I have not heard much priase for them.
6 Gerri // Apr 15, 2008 at 2:18 am
Well, while I was initially lured in by false pricing claims, the window sticker on the car I bought said $32,000 - which is outrageous. I got $10,000 off of that and they kept any cash back incentives I would have been entitled to receive. So I didn’t consider it a cheap car.. cheaply made, yes.. now I know that is true.. but for a single mom $22,000 for a car is a lot. Well, for me it was a lot anyway. Once of my friends just got a great used car that still looks and smells new for $6,000 and I am jealous!
7 Bill // Apr 16, 2008 at 6:49 am
Again I write, as Kia do not seem to even answer coherent and polite e-mails regarding problems. What do they think they are trying to achieve?
They place crappy , stupid adverts showing morons driving cars that block out words as though they are smart or something along with CSI on channel 5 US over here. I think what they are saying, is that if you want a good deal from them, you have to use a lab or something to find one.
Ah well, I feel another rant coming on and so am signing off.
8 Marc // Aug 25, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I have extensive experience with kias because I used to own one and helped maintain a fleet of them at one point.
For the most part, they are not made real well. On a few occasions they managed to outperform a situation (3 feet of flood waters).
Another major problem is the cost of imported replacement parts. You would think you are ordering parts for a BMW when you get the bill.
9 Crick // Sep 23, 2008 at 4:38 am
I am also led to believe it also serves as a fair translation for crap.
What is up with these morons? I would have thought that a car that allegedly sells for under $12,000 would also be made from normal priced bits.
10 Perlapennylope // Oct 24, 2008 at 4:44 am
This week I had to have a lambda sensor changed that I should have bought on ebay for $18 which cost from Kia $200 and an air flow sensor that was worth less than $100 for $650. Now I understand the Korean word for robbery is Kia. I am also led to believe it also serves as a fair translation for crap.
11 car rental coupons // Feb 10, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Many car lease credit applications are altered by the finance director so that the customers will get approved. When the dealership gets caught (and they usually do) and the lender refuses to purchase the loan, they send the sales person to the customers home or office to repossess the vehicle. Several sales people have misdemeanor’s for attempting to get the cars back. When they get back with the car - they ‘High-Five’ each other and laugh about it while the poor customer is crying! I have never seen such a group of immoral, unlawful people in my life.
12 Yvonne // Feb 20, 2009 at 2:51 am
The car dealership has raise these days because they had a lot of changes made in it. I wasn’t aware of that, it is very interesting indeed.
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