AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus

AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus responded

Hello, it means so much to us that you chose our dealership! Don't hesitate to call us if you ever need anything. Be safe on the road!

AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus responded

Hello, thank you for your positive review. We're happy to have been of service to you. Feel free to stop by if you ever need any more help. Have a great day!

AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus responded

Hello, we're happy to hear you had such a positive experience with our team! If you have any further questions, please give us a call. We're always happy to help!

AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus responded

Hi, thank you for your positive review. We're happy to have been of service to you. If you ever need help, just give us a call. Happy motoring!

AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus responded

Hello, we are very happy to have provided you with such a positive experience! If you have any further questions, please give us a call. We're always happy to help! Take care!

AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus responded

Hello, we're happy you found our staff to be so supportive during your experience here at AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus. Don't hesitate to call us if you ever need anything. Be safe on the road!

PlantL4L responded

All dealerships should have private rooms when discussing a customers personal information. In this setting customers are giving out DOB, addresses, phone numbers, SSN, and scammers could be lurking in the facility listening. Best practice for VW on this in the sales office with the partitions. Customers should have healthy options for snacks. I saw candy on the desk of some of the salesman. The car buying process can be lengthy and some customers bring their children. Giving sugar to the children makes them more active and creates a bad scenario for the parents and sales staff. You also have customers who coud have diabetes or haven't eaten all day period. Instead, offer almonds unsalted (healthier option). These nuts keep the customer full as well as the staff (who may not have eaten or taken a lunch break). Low sugar lollipops for children or diabetics is a better option with no corn syrup or high fructose ingredients. Consider healthier options in the snack machines for the staff. With the amount of hours they work, healthier options for staff shoud be available. This coud definitely contribute to positive work performance. Foods high in salt/sugar can negatively affect performance. I worked in Insurance/ information technology and saw the affects first hand. Offer green teas in the break rooms as an option to coffee for customers waiting on service and for staff. The sales/service job is customer service based, so why not aid in their mental well being. Sugar crashes are real, lead to irritability in the workers and then they have to deal with irritate and frustrated customers. I understand that smoking exists. However, there should be a designated smoking section in back of the dealership away from customers. Staff should not be seen with "dips" in their mouths within the facility- that's very unattractive. Kia's staff was in uniform - looked more professional. No uniforms at VW gave me the impression it was a little disjointed. High praises to the GM. Lonnie is 100% PROFESSIONAL. Other GMs definitely need to follow this man's lead. All staff should greet customers at all times- whether their client or not. Best practice at Kia on this. I had an awkward moment with the finance associate (David) in the beginning. When I approached him on day 1 of my shopping experience about the profanity of the music playing over the speaker, he had a smirk on his face and was laid back in his chair. My first impression of him was not that great. I spoke to Lonnie on my concerns in general and the atmosphere changed upon my next visit. When dealing with David 1 on 1 as the finance manager, my impression of him changed. He was extremely mannerable (yes ma'am/ no ma'am), very respectful. In speaking with him, he explained long work hours with very little healthy options available for snacks until they can grab lunch. I saw most of the "young" salesman on their phones while they had no customers. The only issue with this is, my salesman, although new to VW was not as knowledgeable on everything about the car. Best pratice at Kia on this. The salesman over there lifted the hood and gave me details on all of the SAFETY features and functions of the vehicle. The saleman at VW need to be versed on all vehicles - in their idol time they need to be refreshing or taking training classes on this information. The salesman at Ford and Kia showed me the inventory on their computers and gained my trust right away. I went back and forth with VW on available inventory but something seemed sketch with the information in my opinion. One minute the Taos was not available, but then all of a sudden available once I relayed Kia had my business. Salesman should not be trying to flirt with female customers- its annoying. Not a good practice at all and it was witnessed at all dealerships. Saleman should no longer have a reputation as "snakes". The car buying experience should remain professional at all times. Brandon in service was very knowledgeable and assisted me immediately upon my first interaction with him. Customers should definitely meet the service dept and schedule first service before leaving the lot. I will be more than happy to be hired as a secret shopper for your company. The dealership has potential. Starting with Lonnie, you all definitely made a good decision with hiring him and I see he is definitely trying to build a great team. Last thing. Do invest in women in sales positions. They could contribute greatly in Sales - i think they do not look at dealerships for jobs other than as receptionists because of the male dominated atmosphere and possible harassment. But it doesnt have to be that way. The women I knew in insurance sales were running circles around the men!

AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus responded

We appreciate you taking the time to respond. The staff at AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus take our reviews very seriously. We'd like the opportunity to make this up to you, so if you're willing, please contact our General Manager at (706) 522-2148. We hope to hear from you.

rgraybill responded

To start - please see my review posted with the Better Business Bureau on 5/24/2022, further updated on 6/1/2022 when the General Manager, Mr. Lonnie Hanna, attempted to discredit me, my complaint and make it appear I was shady and the real source of the problem. Great customer service, right??!! To recap: 1) I accepted a written offer sent by the Sales Manager on May 19, 2022 to pay $3,000 over MSRP and AutoNation would eliminate the astronomical $2,000 charge for the paint/dent protection packages. (I assumed the Sales Mgr. was trusted and authorized since the offer was sent from the General Managers own email account!). 2) I paid a $1,000 deposit by credit card. 3) The next day day I received word Mr. Hanna, GM, decided against the selling the car at the price authorized/accepted by the Sales Manager because he could sell for an additional $2,000 mark-up plus add another $2,000 by focing customers to accept the paint/dent packages. The car is rare and in short supply. To "make up" for it, Mr. Hanna said he would be willing to throw in the protection packages for free and provide out-of-state transport to me at cost. I was annoyed but I waited to see what he would present. I was disappointed. 1) Most consumers know these days that paint/upholstery packages nearly 100% profit makers and 2) the transport quote he provided was higher than nearly all quotes I had obtained on my own! It's been a few weeks, but I'm still blown away by the ease and whim in which Mr. Hanna cancelled a deal with a paid deposit. Rather than really "Make Things Rght" by honoring an accepted offer/deposit, he has continued to act in an unprofessional and UNETHICAL manner! Moreover, he has continued to make excuses and rationalize his poor behavior. He stated AutoNation’s reputation is "peerless" amongst all VW dealers! LOL! No apology, no nothing. Mr. Hanna - you had the opportunity "TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT". That means not breaking deals your own management accepted at your whim, correct? Is it the customers problem that Mr. Hanna cannot manage his own staff and Sales Managers? No. Everyone - please be very careful dealing with AutoNation VW Columbus! They are DISORGANIZED, POORLY MANAGED, AND UNETHICAL. *** On a very positive note: I found the same car at another dealership - at just $1,000 over MSRP with no money making packages being added! This VW dealer is PEERLESS – and in a different class than AutoNation VW Columbus They have been nothing less than fantastic to work with! Honest, professionally run, management displays integrity than giving lip service, the dealership is well run, and they put the customer first!*** Again - be extremely wary of AutoNation VW Columbus. I wouldn't refer them to an enemy.

AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus responded

Thank you for your positive review. We're happy to have been of service to you.

AutoNation Volkswagen Columbus responded

Our Staff is dedicated to providing all our guests with outstanding customer service and quality work you can trust! Feel free to stop by if you ever need any more help.