Concern About Unjust Fees and Unprofessional Behavior by - Altan M.
Concern About Unjust Fees and Unprofessional Behavior by Sales Manager
I'm writing to express my deep frustration with the sales manager (Mr. Hussein H.) at Donnelly Kia. This has been one of the worst dealership experiences I've had since I started driving in 2000. I'm extremely disappointed and strongly recommend that anyone considering a lease buy-out do their research and reach out to other dealerships or contact Kia Canada/Kia Finance before proceeding.
I initially visited Donnelly Kia to lease a new vehicle, as my current lease was ending. However, for reasons unrelated to my frustration, I decided to buy out my leased vehicle instead. I was informed that a safety certification was required for the buy-out, which I obtained through the dealership. (Side note: since the replacement of my rear brakes at the safety inspection, my previously smooth brakes are now pulsating. I'm currently in touch with the service department to resolve this, as I paid for new brakes.)
Once the car was certified, I was invited into the sales manager’s office to finalize the lease buy-out. This was my first experience with a lease buy-out, so I was unfamiliar with the process. The sales manager began calculating the buy-out amount and added several charges, including:
- A $599 admin fee
- Two auction fees: $400 and $265
- Licensing fees
I questioned the auction fees, as my lease contract clearly stated a $325 buy-out administration fee. The sales manager insisted the fees were standard and justified them by claiming that Kia Canada doesn’t allow them to sell leased vehicles directly to customers. According to him, the car had to go to auction, which required those fees.
Skeptical, I asked for the exact amount needed for a bank draft and explained that I intended to contact Kia Finance for clarification. This triggered a heated reaction from the sales manager, who said, “Call wherever you want; this is how it is.” He then handed me the total amount scribbled on a Post-it note, explaining that his computer couldn’t print it.
After obtaining the draft from my bank, I contacted Kia Finance. They confirmed that the auction fees were unusual and advised me to consult other dealerships. They also mentioned they would follow up with Donnelly Kia directly. Kia Finance suggested that either I misunderstood the situation or the sales manager was inexperienced.
I reached out to other dealerships and found that *none* charged auction fees. Some did attempt to increase the buy-out admin fee above the $325 specified in my contract, but no one else added auction-related charges.
Soon after Kia Finance contacted Donnelly, I received a call from the same sales manager. He was clearly agitated and raised his voice, saying, “Come get your registration papers. I won’t do your job. Go wherever you want.” I calmly explained that I hadn't filed a complaint but had simply asked Kia Finance for information. Despite this, he repeated his demand in an unprofessional manner.
When I went to the dealership to collect my registration documents, the sales manager ignored me entirely. I then spoke with the general manager, Mr. Dave, and expressed my concerns about the sales manager’s conduct. I emphasized that while mistakes can happen, professionalism should never be compromised. Mr. Dave agreed to investigate and took down my contact information.
The following day, Mr. Dave called to inform me that Kia Finance had confirmed the auction fees were not valid and should not have been charged. This made me wonder how many other customers may have unknowingly paid unnecessary fees.
Thankfully, this negative experience led me to Andre at ‘Turpin Kia in Carleton Place’. Andre provided exceptional, transparent service. He processed the lease buy-out without adding any bogus fees, honored the original lease agreement.
Finally, I wish I could say I had a positive experience at Donnelly; one person's attitude can shape the entire situation. This should be taught in textbooks.
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