We recently purchased a Honda Ridgeline after shopping at three different dealerships and…read moreconsidering three different makes and models of trucks. What ultimately stood out to us -- beyond the Ridgeline itself -- was the exceptional customer service we received from Daniel De La Torre Jr., aka "Junior."
From our very first interaction, Daniel De La Torre "Junior" was calm, knowledgeable, informative, and, most importantly, never pushy. At the other dealerships, we were constantly asked what other trucks we were considering, told they could make us a "killer deal," or kept at the dealership while another manager came over to try to close the sale. Junior never did any of that. Instead, he listened. He asked what was important to us, answered our questions honestly, and gave us the information we needed to make our own decision. The Honda Ridgeline is a great truck and in many ways sells itself, but Junior was absolutely a major factor in why we ultimately chose the Ridgeline over the other makes and models we were considering.
What impressed us most was that we never felt like Junior was trying to "sell" us something. When discussing different options and features, he explained them without trying to convince us that we needed every upgrade. He even shared some of his own experiences and what works for his family, while reminding us that we needed to choose what worked best for ours. That approach really built our trust.
Junior also went above and beyond to find the exact exterior and interior color combination we wanted, even though his dealership did not have it in stock. Whenever a new Ridgeline came in, he would send us pictures and keep us updated. I still remember him telling us, "Don't worry, we will get you the truck you want." And he did!
When it came time to make the purchase, he took the time to go over the details and fine print so we understood the whole picture. His recommendations actually made sense based on what we had told him was important to us. Even after the sale was complete, he didn't rush us out the door. He sat with us, walked us through the truck's features and technology, and even showed us which apps to download so we could get the most out of our new Ridgeline.
That is what customer service should be.
We also had an excellent experience with our finance manager, David Castellanos. David was knowledgeable, patient, personable, and made what can sometimes be the least enjoyable part of purchasing a vehicle surprisingly easy. He clearly explained all of the financing information and took the time to answer our questions without making the conversation feel like it was just about numbers. When it came to warranties and additional coverage, he didn't simply try to sell us everything available. He listened to how we planned to use the truck, explained the different options, and helped us determine which coverage actually made sense for us. There was no pressure and no rushing, and he never made us feel uncomfortable or foolish for questioning whether we needed a particular warranty. We really appreciated David's honesty, patience, knowledge, and personality throughout the entire finance process.
When you are shopping across different makes and models, the vehicle itself is obviously important -- but so is the experience and the people you are working with. We purchased the Honda Ridgeline because we loved the truck, but Junior and the way he treated us throughout the process played a significant role in our decision.
If you are shopping for a Honda, I highly recommend asking for Daniel De La Torre Jr. -- "Junior." He is an example of what the car-buying experience and customer service SHOULD be. And when it comes time for financing, you will be in great hands with David Castellanos as well.
Thank you both for making such a major purchase such a positive experience. We absolutely love our new Ridgeline! THANK YOU Junior!
