Knew we were going to acquire a Kia Soul for our retirement vehicle for almost two years.
That's plenty of time to thoroughly research a vehicle and dealers.
When it came time to make the purchase we had narrowed dealers to two.
We went first to Cavenaugh Kia in Jonesboro, Arkansas (two hours away) because we were going to be there anyway on other chores. We wanted to drive a 2013. We were about two months out from buying.
That's when the "Cavenaugh" experience began. From the very first contact the buying-a-car "ordeal" became unlike any other we've been through.
Our salesperson was professional, yes, but very low-keyed. More like wandering into a neighbor's yard and talking about the weather.
No "push" to "close today" (we were up front about being two months away from buying and our salesperson just nodded) but had succinct answers for every question we had. And he didn't just answer the questions, there was an enthusiasm as he did.
That initial contact with Cavenaugh is what drove us to contact them first when it came time to pull the stopper out of the bottom of our bank accounts.
The acquisition of our Kia Soul was a combination of Internet, cell phones and the necessary physical face to face's.
We pre-qualified over the Internet and received a call from our salesman literally within minutes and he gave us the interest rate and payment information.
He made certain we "reserved" the vehicle we wanted (only one in our color on the lot) because, as we explained to him; being two hours away (and my wife not being able to drive a return vehicle due to the residuals of a stroke) we would have to arrange a "ride" to Jonesboro.
Not a problem, the car was ours and would be waiting on us when we made arrangements.
Within minutes of finishing that conversation, my phone rang and our salesman apologized for "bothering" us and informed us that if we had difficulty arranging a ride to Jonesboro, that if we would come down and sign the paperwork the Cavenaugh dealership would see that our Kia Soul was delivered to our home.
That's two people; one driving our Kia and another driving a return car on a four hour round trip.
I told my wife; "We've picked the right dealership."
Turned out a sister re-arranged her schedule to provide a ride the next day.
Completing the sale was an exercise in simplicity. Professional and expedient but still with that "visiting a neighbor "atmosphere.
The whole experience felt, to us, that the sales end of Cavenaugh feel no need to "hard push" their product. They trust their vehicles sell themselves. That's so comfortable in the dog-eat-dog world of sales nowadays.
When it came time to do the deed and sign the papers, they had knocked almost a full percentage point off our interest rate (they didn't have to work on that because we were okay with the original rate).
We just felt this dealership was working on our behalf, really working, from the word go.
After I finished the paperwork and walked out into the lot; my wife, my sister and two Cavenaugh staff members (one being our salesman) were all over - and inside- our new purchase walking my wife through all the "goodies" in an impromptu orientation.
I just stood back and watched. The staff genuinely shared our excitement.
Can't recommend them enough.
Service after the sale? Can't speak to that yet but I don't expect anything less than the "above and beyond" we've experienced so far.
Once we have some "after the sale" experience, I will revisit this site and post updates.
This is how sales should be done. Five out of five stars. read more
