Hunter Hyundai Scams Veterans and Robs Their Own Employees
My family has been "Team Hyundai" since the early 90's. We've purchased over a half a dozen models from Elantra to Genesis and have always had a pleasant experience until we decided to buy from Hunter Hyundai. This all started in the fall of 2024 before hurricane hit and devastated parts of Western North Carolina. The week before the hurricane we took our SUV to the Hunter Auto Group service department to get our transmission of less then 50K miles replaced. It was covered under warranty and there was no charge but they would need to keep the vehicle for a week. They gave us a loaner vehicle to use until the replacement was finished.
When the hurricane hit Ashville, the Hunter Auto Group moved their inventory to higher ground to escape flood damage. They left all the customer vehicles on site to be flooded and completely covered in mud to the roof of the SUV's. When Hunter notified us of our loss, we thought it would be best to purchase a replacement vehicle through them because they would understand our loss and give us a fair deal. We did have an alternate dealership in mind because Hunter Hyundai and Hyundai of Asheville are very close to each other.
After my wife chose the Tucson Hybrid that she wanted, we were quoted a price higher than the advertised price of the exact same vehicle at Hyundai of Asheville. I let them know this and they made me provide the proof, which i did from my cell phone and they verified online. Once they matched the asking price of their nearest competitor, i asked about the Hyundai military program. This was not the first time we've purchased a Hyundai since being a military member. My sales consultant brought his sales manager over and he said, " You have to use our bank to get the military discount.". I replied, "no thanks, I'm already preapproved through USAA and have the rate i want". I thought this could be a lie or some recent change in policy. We proceeded to close the deal with them simply matching their competitors advertised price.
As we began to sign the paperwork with the Business Manager, we asked him to confirm all the numbers before we send it off to USAA. The managers attitude was rude and dismissive as we tried to get him to look over the numbers before submission. Turns out he was wrong on his numbers and now his Vehicle Buyers Order and Invoice (HNTR-BO) was inaccurate. He was asking my bank for more than what was owed by $845.
He asked us to resubmit to USAA with the correct numbers but the wife and I said no because we tried to avoid this earlier when he rudely dismissed us. I told him he could process it as is and refund me the difference. He said he couldn't. We asked for floormats to make up the difference and again he said he could not. He offered a first aid kit to cover the discrepancy he caused. Frustrated and eager to leave the worst buying experience we've ever had we agreed so we could go. Realizing that we weren't happy, the manager came and told us that a bad review would reflect poorly on our sales consultant and his paycheck, not management. So we left a good review for our sales consultant's sake.
Fast forward two months from the sale and i start getting calls, voicemails, and emails from Hunter Hyundai asking for proof of total loss on my vehicle that was left in their care to be serviced under warranty. I thought this was weird because the proof of total loss that i submitted to USAA came from the Hunter Auto Group Service department along with the photos and videos I took at their lot. Did they put in for a rebate I did not receive? I sent them some insurance paperwork hoping this would be the end of it.
It's now February, and I'm getting tons of calls, voicemails, texts, and emails about a deal that took place 5 months ago. Now, Hunter Hyundai is asking me for proof of military service so they can claim the military rebate that they told me I don't qualify for unless i use their bank. So, did they lie about qualifications? Is this a scam to collect money on the backend for themselves? What's worse is that the sales consultant is claiming that they are going to take these funds out of his check if i don't produce proof of service 5 months after a likely shady deal has transpired. Here's the deal. I had all the military documentation with me the day we went to the dealership. Like every good soldier, I always have my ID cards with me. I also have plenty of military documents on my phone and had them all ready to present the day of the purchase. Remember, we've been Team Hyundai since the 90's and I've bought several cars on active duty.
So, who do I report this terrible customer experience to and how do we hold these managers accountable? If they will threaten one of their own employees, it's doubtful he's the only one. Likewise, if they will screw over my military family, it's very likely they are screwing over all veterans.
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