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Eric Gates
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Eric Gates | Page 3
General Manager
Columbia Ford Kia
234 Willimantic Road, Route 6
Columbia, CT 06237
552 Reviews
Eric is happily married to his wife, Katharine and lives in Stonington with their 2 children Ollie and Bella. His motivation to help people buy, trade, sell, fix, repair, maintain and improve their automotive situations shines through and is proven by the thousands of people he has affected. He is an avid athlete and sports fan. Eric is a hometown fan of the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox, and he will certainly let you know about it. Eric has been around the business for his entire life, and he has been playing with cars since he could touch the pedals. He has been certified in 8 different car manufacturers, so he certainly knows his stuff. Come in and meet him, he will always go above and beyond, no matter who you are!
Read moreDealership Experience
9 yrs, 5 mos
Industry Experience
39 yrs, 4 mos
Specialties & Trainings
NADA Graduate
552 Reviews
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552 Reviews of Eric Gates
April 28, 2023
I was happy to return to Columbia Kia as my first Sportage lease was about to end. I did plenty of research on the new 2023 Kia Sportage and knew what I wanted. Even though I live about 45 minutes a Sportage lease was about to end. I did plenty of research on the new 2023 Kia Sportage and knew what I wanted. Even though I live about 45 minutes away, I knew I wanted the same experience I had the first time. Sure enough, Eric, Jimmy, Fran and Jake were super helpful and got me into exactly what I wanted. The whole experience was smooth and seamless and the staff reminded me why I chose to come back to them. Thank you to all the staff for such a pleasant experience. More
by ctop70
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Jimmie Bletsch , Francis Drake
Helpful 
April 15, 2023
Columbia Kia was fair with my trade-in & provided timely service to make my car buying experience a pleasure. service to make my car buying experience a pleasure. More
by Hoosierdaddy
Other Employees Tagged: Alisa Velasquez, Fernando Cruz, Jay Roderick
April 12, 2023
Very friendly and professional to deal with. It was a speedy process. Would definitely recommend Columbia Ford to anyone looking to purchase a vehicle. It was a speedy process. Would definitely recommend Columbia Ford to anyone looking to purchase a vehicle. More
by Karen Lavallee
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Joe Brochu, Andy Caldwell
April 05, 2023
We could not have been happier with our experience at Columbia Ford/KIA. They made the whole process easy from start to finish! Well worth the trip from New York and will happily buy from them again! Columbia Ford/KIA. They made the whole process easy from start to finish! Well worth the trip from New York and will happily buy from them again! More
by Laurenpraino
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Jay Roderick
March 29, 2023
Great experience! Extremely easy purchasing process! Highly recommend Tony for anyone purchasing a new vehicle. Extremely easy purchasing process! Highly recommend Tony for anyone purchasing a new vehicle. More
by Joe
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Alisa Velasquez , Tony Mauro
March 06, 2023
Great dealership, they truly care about their customers. I’ve been a loyal customer for over a decade and plan to get my future vehicles from there as well I’ve been a loyal customer for over a decade and plan to get my future vehicles from there as well More
by mark.rogerson
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Joe Berube, Bobby Eskey, Mike Pahlas, Nicole Mooney, Fernando Cruz
December 30, 2022
Great sales crew and an excellent dealership! Made my buying experience effortless and enjoyable. Will buy here again Made my buying experience effortless and enjoyable. Will buy here again More
by Tdalexander93
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, John Senick, Bobby Eskey, Jimmie Bletsch, Mike Pahlas, Noah Calovis
December 18, 2022
Easy to work with. Know what you're supposed to be getting and make sure they know too because they are still salesman at heart. Know what you're supposed to be getting and make sure they know too because they are still salesman at heart. More
by tamcrss
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, John Senick, Jimmie Bletsch, Ilya "Eli" Belyi
December 14, 2022
The process with Columbia Ford and especially Dave Munkelt was quick and painless. Columbia and Dave updated me at every status change with the vehicle. Paperwork and terms were completed quickly. Munkelt was quick and painless. Columbia and Dave updated me at every status change with the vehicle. Paperwork and terms were completed quickly. Service department and overall facility and staff are exceptional. I highly recommend Columbia Ford. More
by lake_tom
Other Employees Tagged: Joe Brochu, Ryan McLeod, Dave Munkelt
November 29, 2022
While the sales department experience was pleasant, the service department experience was something all-together different. Multiple long trips back and forth to the shop for things that should have been t service department experience was something all-together different. Multiple long trips back and forth to the shop for things that should have been taken care of before the truck was delivered. Mike, the service manager, doesn't seem to know the day to day operations, as he stated to me one thing and the repair paperwork showed something totally different. It seems a lot of the negative reviews are generated based on the service department experience. Whether it be lack of competence or lack of supervision, this should not be the case for such a large group of dealerships........Unfortunate. More
by speedyj302
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Dale Thompson, Denny Gates, Craig Gates, Jimmie Bletsch, Mike Pahlas, Nicole Mooney, Ilya "Eli" Belyi
