Absolutely the WORST dealership experience in Penticton. I genuinely wish I had never walked into Bannister Kia.
If you want to feel respected BEFORE signing papers and completely worthless AFTER signing them, then this is the perfect place for you.
I actually visited this dealership because of my friend's referral. My friend had also purchased a PRE-OWNED vehicle from them recently and was given a full tank of fuel without any issue. I was literally there when he was taking the his car's delivery. So apparently this is how they treat referred clients -- different promises, different standards, and completely different attitudes.
Before signing? Minimum effort, fake smiles, and scripted politeness.
After signing? COMPLETELY different people. Cold attitude, arrogance, zero professionalism, and absolutely no respect for the customer.
It has only been 2 days since I purchased my pre-owned 2023 Kia Seltos and I already regret doing business with them.
One thing that honestly shocked both me and my wife was how desperately they pushed for a Google review. Sharon constantly insisted that we give her 5 stars. My wife opened the review page on her phone, and before we could even decide anything ourselves, Sharon literally reached over and PRESSED the 5 STARS herself on my wife's phone.
We both just stood there looking at each other thinking:
"Did that seriously just happen?"
That moment alone explained a lot.
Now let's come to the most ridiculous part.
I traded in my Honda Civic -- and my Civic was almost FULL tank when I handed it over to them. Apparently fuel prices have hit this dealership so hard that giving decent customer treatment now feels like a financial crisis for them.
As a customer spending THOUSANDS of dollars on a vehicle, asking for a full tank should not feel like negotiating an international oil agreement. Especially when this dealership has clearly done it before on pre-owned vehicles, I was right there.
Instead of handling the matter professionally, I literally had to make MULTIPLE trips back to the dealership just to discuss it. Imagine buying a vehicle and then having to repeatedly go back and almost beg for basic customer treatment.
And BOTH times I went there, I felt insulted.
First, the salesperson said:
"We are changing policies."
Then the manager said:"For pre-owned vehicles we only give:
(Just robotic repetition)
"Half-tank policy."
"Half-tank policy."
"Half-tank policy."
FUN FACT: I did not even get a half tank. It has just 200 km range on it. And they were not even acknowledging that.
Please guys, at least have an internal meeting first and decide which version of the story you want to tell customers.
The manager did not even have the courtesy to sit down and speak respectfully. I was left standing there while staff and random people around listened to the conversation, making me feel embarrassed over something that should have been a very normal customer expectation.
The attitude was basically:
"Deal is done. You are not getting anything. Just get lost"
At that point, the fuel stopped being the issue.
The REAL issue became the arrogance, inconsistency, and complete lack of professionalism.
One moment it is:
"Half tank for pre-owned vehicles."
Then suddenly:
"One-third tank for new cars."
Tomorrow maybe:
"Zero fuel for pre-owned vehicles."
At this rate, I would not even be surprised if the next policy becomes:
"Customers are requested to bring their own fuel during vehicle delivery."
The problem is not the fuel itself. The problem is changing "policies" depending on the customer and acting like basic customer satisfaction no longer matters once financing is approved and paperwork is signed.
And please stop acting like financing approval was some personal favor done for me. The approval and the deal came because of MY credit score -- not yours.
Even their social media posts now feel fake to me:
"ANOTHER CAR SOLD!"
Great. Maybe now spend some of those profits on customer service... or fuel.
They asked me to bring more referrals.
Absolutely.
I will proudly provide "NO-GO referrals."
That should help protect the dealership's precious fuel budget.
I would NEVER recommend this dealership to anyone. YOU WILL REGRET IT.
There are far better dealerships that actually value customers and know how to treat people with dignity after the sale instead of making them feel like a burden.
Save yourself the frustration, disappointment, and disrespect.
DO NOT waste your time here. read more