Complaint Review: King Hyundai - Deerfield Beach FL

On Sat. night (9-22-09) was surfing the internet, when I located a great deal on a Santa Fe Limited - 2008 Limited (loaded and super clean) with 9,267 mi. for $18,790 at King Hyundai - Deerfield Beach, Fl.  At that time, I emailed King Hyundai a request for more info. 

At about 5 p.m. E.DT on Sun afternoon (9-23-09), a salesman from King Hyundai called my cell phone and after discussing the condition of this vehicle; that the actually mileage was less than 9,000; and with him agreeing to fax me the CarFax, so that I would have it in the morning (which didn't happen??), we made the deal. 

He was to send me the paperwork this morning (Monday) after his Monday morning sales meeting, and after receiving this paperwork, I was going to wire a substantial deposit to hold the vehicle.   We had a verbal contract - A DEAL.

O.K. Everybody's happy... Wrong!!!

This morning (Monday 8-24-09) at a little after 10 a.m. - CDT, the salesman calls and says that the Santa Fe was SOLD last night!!!  

What!!   Yesterday, he told me that they closed at 6 p.m. EDT.  If he and I were on the phone off and on until about 5:50 p.m. EDT, then how could they have sold my Santa Fe??  He sheepishly said that another salesperson had sold the car while he was on the phone to me 

I didn't believe a word of it.  You see, when he called me on Sunday afternoon, I asked him for his best OTL (Off The Lot) price, and he started to say, "the asking price is $24... but I could let you have it for... lets see 21.4.." That is when I interrupted him and said that 'ya' better check your web site". 

He did that, and I could hear him checking with someone else before he came back to me.  At which time he said o.k. that the price on the web site was his best deal.  So, before 6 pm EDT, the web price of $18,790 was the price to which we both agreed.

In their Monday morning sales meeting King Hyundai sales managers must have realized that they could get more money for that vehicle, and they had a case of "sellers remorse". So, they pulled it...

Actually, at 10:20 a.m. CDT, I checked the King Hyundai web site and this Limited (same photos and vin number) was still on their web site the $18,970 price???

But by 10:50 a.m. CDT is this same SOLD VEHICLE was on their web site for $20,995!!!!! Yeah, it's the same mileage /photos / vin number!!!!!!  Just at a $2,225 higher price!!!

So, a few minutes later, I had a buddy call King Hyundai and ask their internet sales manager, Theresa Race, about the Santa Fe Limited listed on the their web site at $20.995, and she told him that there had been a lot of interest in this vehicle, but it had been listed on the internet at the wrong price and that $20,995 was the ACTUAL price  She told him he could come by and test- drive it today!   Pretty good for a SOLD VEHICLE!!!! 

I then called King Hyundai, looking to speak to the internet sales manager, but the call was answered by the same salesman, ALEX, who made the deal with me.  He was surprised to hear my voice and he acted shocked that the Limited was not sold.  He claimed no knowledge of this and asked that I not kill the messenger that he was just the lowly salesman.  He then showed his true colors when he stated that as I had not signed any paperwork, that we didnt really have a deal anyway  I explained the concept of a verbal contact... to no avail...   But I didnt get put through to anyone higher in the King Hyundai organization either

So, I then called Hyundai Motors of America in CA.  Where a nice lady told me that she was starting a file number on my complaint (which she gave me), but that if any corrective action was taken by Hyundai America, those actions would be internal actions and that Hyundai Motors of America would not inform me of those actions if any.  So, that means that I was basically told that I would not receive any help from Hyundai of Motors of America... 

I then place two calls to Mr. Craig King, whom I was told was the owner of King Hyundai, with no return calls

So, as I see it:  King Hyundai falsely advertised their vehicle, made and broke a verbal contact with me, lied to me about the selling "my vehicle" (i.e. the deal), and then told me that it never was a deal!   Yeah and dont forget that the salesman DID CHECK THE PRICE THAT THEY SET BEFORE AGREEING TO SELL ME THIS SANTA FE LIMITED.

So, take it my experience with King Hyundai in Deerfield Beach, FL for what it's worth...