A mistake I will never make again.
A mistake I will never make again. I wanted to purchase a low mileage 2024 white/black Genesis GV70 Sport Advanced Prestige, not a GV70 Sport Advanced model. It needed to be pristine and competitively priced. I researched the internet for weeks to select what I believed to be a suitable selection. Don Franklin Lincoln in Elizabethtown KY advertised a car that I believed would fit my criteria. This is my story…… My salesperson at Don Franklin Elizabethtown did not have expertise in the Genesis GV70 Sport Advanced Prestige features. I wanted massage seats, premium audio system, driver windscreen “Heads Up” display, digital key and fingerprint ID capability, etc. Many on these features are only available on the Prestige model. In fairness to the salesperson, even the marketing and promotional Genesis on line videos are misleading with omissions and inaccurate representations and inferences. I wanted a Prestige but was sold a Sport Advanced model. I was told by the Don Franklin salesperson that the Genesis GV70 would be delivered free. The General Manager, Scott Keyland would not honor this and added a $100 driver fee late in the sales process. The car was purchased via money transfer and delivered to my house. It was at this point, early evening that I was told by the driver that I had a 3 day acceptance window. Shouldn’t the salesperson or in this case the mangers have told me this? Don Franklin never disclosed that after 3 months there are “connectivity charges” amounting to $13/mo for certain Navigation and software features to function. Dynamic Voice Recognition features are not available without paid connectivity charges. Beware, many undisclosed hidden costs. Digital key (convenience) functions are not compatible with any brand but Samsung smart phones. I was not told this. I have an LG smart phone. Dealership never disclosed that after a trial period Sirius radio monthly charges are $24/month. I traded in my 2016 Lincoln MKX – 63,000 miles in excellent condition. General Manager offered $11,000. Later Don Franklin offered $12,200 to close the sale. This car is listed for sale at $17,995. I was told by Scott Keyland, General Manager “they wouldn’t break even on this trade in”. I asked for a bill of sale. The dealership refused to allow me to get the title, registration and plates. They charged $589 for this mandatory “service”. Weeks later I received the paperwork and license plate from the TN White County Clerk’s office, Don Franklin Ford overcharged $77.18 in addition to the $598 processing fee. I contacted them, received a check but not an apology since it was a “clerical” mistake. I paid $598 for this clerical mistake. I wonder how often this happens to other buyers . Not only that, they kept $8 – and never explained. Scott Keyland, General Manager, and Eddie Franklin, CEO of Don Franklin Auto refused to provide 2 key fobs with my 2024 Genesis GV70 purchase. “The car is used” . The Don Franklin “Checklist” number 66 “certified” 2 master key fobs were noted as part of the sale. Without 2 key fobs certain car features are not operable such as “Digital Key” and “Fingerprint ID”. When the car was delivered I was given one key fob. To obtain a second key fob I needed to drive to the closest Genesis dealer located in Chattanooga TN – 75 miles each way. Scott Keyland and Eddie Franklin agreed to pay half the cost for the second key fob, not my time or mileage. The Chattanooga TN Genesis dealership cost would be over $750 for one key fob. I called the Chattanooga TN Genesis dealer myself. They agreed to permit me to purchase an OEM key fob ($144.50) and they would program it for $236. This is what I did. Don Franklin should have done this. They own a Genesis franchise in KY. Genesis/ Hyundai will not permit locksmiths to program new key fobs for about 5 years after car manufacture. Suffice to say this experience has taught me a life lesson about on line major purchases. There were many telephone contacts as well as an exhausting history detailing the lack of response and self-justifying communications via dealership e-mail communication. Of value is one more sad disclosure. As a former business owner I recognize that the “buck stops” at the senior management level. I called Eddie Franklin, CEO of Don Franklin Auto asking for a moment of his time and a courtesy return call. I know he received my message. He never called.
By steven B.