SOUTHTOWN HYUNDAI IN EDMONTON ALBERTA CANADA
In 2005 I purchased a Santa Fe. I had a few problems with the vehicle over the 2 years - not a big deal except everytime went to get the problems fixed they tried to make like it was my fault. First the cd/mp3 player wouldn't work properly. Tried to tell me it was because I was playing burned CD's in it and this would void the warrant. At first I left, b ut after I thought about it; HOW ELSE WOULD YOU PLAY MP3'S ON IT? Without warning a passenger door went out of alignment and when it was opened the moulding damaged. I was told that I must have let the wind blow the door open and that's why the door went out of alignment so it wouldn't be covered by the warranty. These are just a couple of examples.

Fast forward to 2007 and a 3rd child on the way and we needed to get a larger vehicle. We decided to give Hyundai another chance only this time we would go to a different dealer. We started to negotiate a deal and ironically out of the blue got a call from a salesperson from the original dealer where we bought our Santa Fe. This new salesperson said the dealership is under new ownership and wanted to contact all of their old customers and see if they were interested in trading or buying another vehicle. I expressed my dissatisfaction with my experience at Southtown Hyundai and the salesperson said give us a chance to make it up to you.

Unfortunately, I decided to give him the opportunity. Many promises were made and broken, but the one that upsets me the most was that we had agreed that if I bought the vehicle they would install a Hyundai DVD player at cost. They proceeded to charge me $1000 it retails for $1149. I let this go, but when I dropped it off to have it installed (almost 2months after I bought it) they put in a cheap, no name DVD Player from Visions Electronics. If that wasn't enough it is so noisy in the wireless head phones that my kids can't listen to it. I immediately complained to my salesperson; the same one who said if there were ever any issues he would personally take care of me. He told me he would take care of it. Another month goes by and nothing, not even a call. I use my vehicle primarily for work and I am very busy. I live 80 kilometres away from the dealership so it is not easy for me to get there all the time.

I casually dropped by to make an appointment for an oil change and talk to the salesman about it and he passed me onto a "manager" who comes out to the vehicle, listens to it and agrees "the DVD Player is garbage." The manager tells me to bring it in the following Monday get my oil change and they will take it back to Visions to get it fixed. I asked him why they didn't put in a Hyundai DVD player he said "This one is better." So I take it in for my oil change that Monday and the "manager" was not there and nobody knew anything about it. So I got my oil changed and decided to mention it to the sevice manager and he said he would pass it up to the General Manager and have him call me. Again no call. Long story short I have had the vehicle (which I love) since Dec 2007 with a brutal DVD player that I overpaid for since the end of Jan2008 and it is now July 2008. I have been to the dealership several times and always get some run around; "we will call you back"; "I can't authorize that solution"; "that manager doesn't work here anymore".

My salesperson who was going to "look after me personally" has passed me off to someone else because "his hands are tied". Well today I was told very arrogantly and smugly that unless I can produce a Bill of Sale with "Hyundai" DVD player written on it that I would only get a repair IF Visions will repair it. I am furious, and embarassed. I allowed myself to be fooled into believing this dealership had any stitch of integrity. I urge you not to do the same. There are several people in the Edmonton area who have had similar problems. I would recommend going to another dealership in the area. If you do a deal with Southtown get EVERYTHING IN WRITING. This is just some of many things that they have done to demonstrate a complete lack of integrity.

Can anyone suggest a way to get a resolution? I am at my wits end. I have been honest, fair, and accountable. They want me to bring it in AGAIN on Friday so there "technicians can listen to it" for the 3rd time. I am a very patient and professional person, but I have had it with this dealership. Stay away from SOUTHTOWN HYUNDAI

Sorry to hear about your dilema, sounds like a horrible dealership.

Do you have anything in writing about the DVD player? Even if you don't, tell them your are leaving the van there and you want a loaner until it is fixed. I realize it's not a Hyundai item but it should still be fixed and they should give you a loaner to compensate you. I think you should report them to the BBB and call Hyundai. Tell them you are going to contact Hyundai about their poor business practice and how you were conned. Eight months is unacceptable and I think you need to start getting strict with them.

How is the van otherwise?

This post has been edited by HyundaiLvr87: Jul 15 2008, 08:00 PM