Heather Gearhart

Review of Vandergriff Hyundai

2 stars. Some parts were great, the important ones...

2 stars. Some parts were great, the important ones - not so much.

Car buying is stressful. Most people fear the dentist. I fear car dealerships. Which is why I was pro-active and obtained my Pre-Qualification and 100% approval from Capital One BEFORE even reaching out to a dealership. I found one that had a car I was interested in with a advertised price and payment showing on Auto Navigator that was in my budget goals, and thankfully due to my schedule, we were able to work everything out between calls, texts, and emails.

I was supposed to just go in, sign and drive away, as all the details (I thought) had been hammered out prior to my visit since I was on a STRICT schedule due to work. Got there, signed papers, and midway through the F&I guy sits down and tells me Capital One did not approve me because I listed both my jobs and if I wanted to do that, I had to be at both for 6 months before they d approve me. But the only lender they thought that might would be Santander. Time wasted? Ok. I was told all was approved and good to go before I even came in which is the ONLY reason I came in. Still got the text message from the sales gal.

I was almost out the door to freedom before I was stopped by a Sales Manager. Kept trying to shove Santander down my throat again when I knew I already 100% had an approval from Capital One (even had the letter in my hand). Had to call Capital One on my own from my vehicle. Learned that the dealership put incorrect #s on the submission to them resulting in the denial (showing I made less, putting the car as not the advertised price on Auto Navigator, blah blah blah). Capital One also said I qualified with one of the 2 jobs and did not need to have both as was submitted. Good thing I had already sent all the EXACT documentation to validate to Capital One prior to going to the dealership. Capital One didn t understand why they advertised the car for $12,500 but put $18,900 on the paperwork. They don t tell you that you have to qualify for the Hyundai rebates up front to GET that $12,500 price. And they also DON T tell you that you didn t qualify for it until you look at the paperwork and demand answers for why the numbers don t add up. Capital One reviewed and corrected the dealerships submission errors over the phone with me and said if I wanted the car, I could go back in and get it, OR walk away. I should have walked away at that point. I was 30 minutes from needing to be at work. By then, it started pouring rain. 6-7 sales agents standing around watching with umbrellas inside waiting for customers, not one stepped out so I ended up soaked, including being soaked again after I bought the car and left. Thanks guys. Real gentlemen!

I will say the gentleman who crunched the numbers with me up in the box worked hard to make the deal happen. I m pretty sure due to the shady practices he had to lose money on this deal which is a shame. The F&I guy also met the challenge when I said if they could get me out the door in 20 minutes I d buy the car. They made it happen. Went into the F&I office not even 10-15 minutes of signing papers, came out and the car was fully gassed up, paper tags ready, and a guy waiting to give me a crash course in the cars features, and I was on my way and at work with 5 minutes to spare. The wrap up was swift!

Don t know what the hiccup was, where, or why they tried so hard to push Santander down my throat (being in the industry, I know why ), but all in all - I got the car I came for, and cheaper then originally agreed. Just did not appreciate the dealership experience. Good thing I dont have to do this again for another 5 years.

Final closing note, my sales gal (Audrie) started out as a single mom of 3 kids when we started corresponding to which I gave her kudos. By the time we met face to face at the dealership (a matter of days), she then said was a mother of 5 kids. Let me share some advice my father once told me, if you tell the truth you never have to remember anything. Makes life so much simpler.