Craig Gates
Dealer Principal/Owner
Columbia Ford Kia
234 Willimantic Road, Route 6
Columbia, CT 06237
30 Reviews
Write a Review30 Reviews of Craig Gates
January 12, 2025
Columbia Ford Kia is so much more than just a great place to buy a vehicle—they truly care about the people and the community around them. Their dedication goes beyond offering excellent vehicles and service to buy a vehicle—they truly care about the people and the community around them. Their dedication goes beyond offering excellent vehicles and service; they actively contribute to the well-being of the local community through various foundations and charitable efforts. By supporting Columbia Ford Kia, you're not only investing in a reliable vehicle, but you're also supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around you. It's clear that their values align with the needs of their customers and the community. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to work with a company that genuinely gives back! More
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, John Senick, Bobby Eskey, Eric Gates, Mike Pahlas, Joe Brochu, Andy Caldwell, Ryan McLeod, Michael Devine , Jay Roderick, Dale Thompson, Eli Belyi, Jimmie Bletsch, Dave Munkelt
October 02, 2024
Thank you Jordan Handfield for a seamless transition into a new car! Columbia Ford is always there for me! a new car! Columbia Ford is always there for me! More
Other Employees Tagged: Denny Gates, Eric Gates, Mike Pahlas , Jordan Handfield
May 20, 2024
I dealt with Ryan. Very knowledgeable and patient. even went back a few days after the purchase of my new Kia because I could not figure out all the technology! Very knowledgeable and patient. even went back a few days after the purchase of my new Kia because I could not figure out all the technology! More
Other Employees Tagged: Ryan McLeod
February 23, 2024
Ask about all approved finance options! ! We were approved at a 2 percent lower interest rate that we were not informed about. Only found out when the letter from the other bank arrived in t ! We were approved at a 2 percent lower interest rate that we were not informed about. Only found out when the letter from the other bank arrived in the mail. Of course, we received the song and dance from the dealer in which they said it must have been an oversight. I say either incompetence or it was done purposely (if the bank they used gave a bigger kickback). Either way we ended up having to refinance just to get the rate we initially were approved for. Someone should really look into these practices........This will unfortunately be the last purchase I make from a Gates dealership. More
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Denny Gates, Eric Gates, Dave Munkelt , Alisa Velasquez
January 31, 2024
Wonderful dealership. Friendly staff in the service dept. I've been working with Andy Caldwell for several years. I can't say enough positive comments about this dealershi Friendly staff in the service dept. I've been working with Andy Caldwell for several years. I can't say enough positive comments about this dealership. More
Other Employees Tagged: Bobby Eskey, Eric Gates, Jimmie Bletsch
October 12, 2023
Been doing business with the dealership for a long time. They are going downhill. Brought my 2021 Ford Explorer to them inside the 3/36,000 bumper to bumper warranty at 35,120 miles on the odomete for a bad They are going downhill. Brought my 2021 Ford Explorer to them inside the 3/36,000 bumper to bumper warranty at 35,120 miles on the odomete for a bad parking sensor. They couldn't get me in for 2 weeks. Arrived at the dealer with 36,044 miles. No mention of out of pocket costs and I show up to pickup the vehicle and I am told I am out of warranty. I also had an extended Ford warranty and they tell me I owe $100 for a part that should have been $0. Oh it gets worse. The service manager asked me where I bought the truck. I asked why? He said, "The front bumper was repainted.' I said, "I bought the truck here brand new." The sensor in question had a broken clip which happens to be located behind that bumper cover he said was repainted. Wonder how that got broken? IN the end after arguing with them for more than an hour they removed the cost. Don't count on them if your expecting good customer service. They are all about nickel and diming people to death. Ford Motor also would not help the situation and told me "Sorry your outside our bumper to bumper and your going to have to pay the $100 deductible." This will be the last Ford I every buy and last time I send anyone to this dealership. More
August 02, 2023
The staff at the dealership were very helpful and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this dealership to anyone. knowledgeable. I highly recommend this dealership to anyone. More
Other Employees Tagged: John Senick, Eric Gates
June 14, 2023
I had an excellent experience purchasing a car there. Tony was polite and professional and would definitely buy from again. Tony was polite and professional and would definitely buy from again. More
Other Employees Tagged: Eric Gates , Tony Mauro
April 22, 2023
I brought my F350 to them with a extra warranty I purchased from another dealership and the service department was rude disrespectful and ignorant. It started with my wipers not working . They said i purchased from another dealership and the service department was rude disrespectful and ignorant. It started with my wipers not working . They said in a few days they would call me and make a appointment. 1 month later I called them. I brought it in and I didn't want to deal with the first guy I delt with so I asked for another. I have never been treated with such disrespect. They never contacted my insurance but they told me it was turned down and I needed to pay them. I wasn't going to fall for there scam. I have a on board camera. The head service guy told me they were out $600.00 and they weren't going to work on my truck and to find another dealer. I called my insurance company because I bought a premium policy and guess what they said . They never received a call or request for payment from them. They service person who was working on my visit not the mechanic was a new member and never did his job. So I looked at my camera footage and they drove my truck and punched my dash and never replaced the wiper problem.the video showed they worked on my truck or should a say drove the truck for 40 minutes. How could that cost them $600.00 . I tried calling Greg Gatesand Denny Gates multiple times and never received a call back. I have a very large family and friends and I called everyone of them to never use a Gates family dealership again. I'm a contractor and I own 7 ford's and my kids have 3 ford's and 2 Nissan and 1 kia. I have spent over a hundred grand in parts and service there for over 15 yrs. I had just spent 5 grand just on one truck for turbo,y pipes , injectors, 2 batteries, 4 tires,4 shocks,high pressure oil pump and pressure sensor and a few other parts. I can't believe a dealer ship so low and not just that someone deleted my account that had all my purchases of parts and service. So be carefull I'm not saying it will happen to you but I thought it would never happen to me. More
Other Employees Tagged: Joe Berube, Mike Pahlas, Fernando Cruz
November 29, 2022
While the sales department experience was pleasant, the service department experience was something all-together different. Multiple long trips back and forth to the shop for things that should have been t service department experience was something all-together different. Multiple long trips back and forth to the shop for things that should have been taken care of before the truck was delivered. Mike, the service manager, doesn't seem to know the day to day operations, as he stated to me one thing and the repair paperwork showed something totally different. It seems a lot of the negative reviews are generated based on the service department experience. Whether it be lack of competence or lack of supervision, this should not be the case for such a large group of dealerships........Unfortunate. More
Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Dale Thompson, Denny Gates, Eric Gates, Jimmie Bletsch, Mike Pahlas, Ilya "Eli" Belyi , Nicole Mooney