Craig Gates
Craig Gates at Columbia Ford Kia

Craig Gates

Dealer Principal/Owner

Columbia Ford Kia

234 Willimantic Road, Route 6
Columbia, CT 06237

3.7
29 Reviews
3.7

29 Reviews

Write a Review

29 Reviews of Craig Gates

October 02, 2024

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Employee Rating

Thank you Jordan Handfield for a seamless transition into a new car! Columbia Ford is always there for me! More

by dayna gallivan
Sales Price Transparency
Trade-in Experience
Purchase Time
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Recommend Dealer
Yes

Other Employees Tagged: Denny Gates, Eric Gates, Mike Pahlas , Jordan Handfield

May 20, 2024

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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! More

by Lorigct
Sales Price Transparency
Purchase Time
Finance Experience
Recommend Dealer
Yes

Other Employees Tagged: Ryan McLeod

February 23, 2024

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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 More

by speedyj302
Sales Price Transparency
Purchase Time
Finance Experience
Recommend Dealer
No

Other Employees Tagged: Jake Gurzler, Denny Gates, Eric Gates, Dave Munkelt , Alisa Velasquez

Feb 26, 2024

Columbia Ford Kia responded

Hi Joe- Sorry for the frustration. As we reviewed over the phone at length, as Nicole reviewed with you and Alisa on delivery day, in the finance terms we presented to you, you chose the higher rate but received the longer term which yielded the lowest payment. Your credit union sent a letter to you stating the term was cut down 1 year but provided a better rate (standard banking practice- longer term= higher rate). This is especially true on an 8 year old unit as 72 months is typically a special exception for normal auto lending which was also a contributing factor to rate. So sorry for the confusion, but, had you requested 60 months originally vs. the 72 months you signed for we would have run into a better rate to start and avoided the back and forth. We did refinance you at no cost to you at the shorter term and lower rate and we are glad we could solve the issue for you! Best, Eric

Feb 26, 2024

speedyj302 responded

Well that response is just a flat out lie and you're well aware. I was never presented any other options. Why would I call immediately upon receiving the letter from the other bank? And like you said, you refinanced at no cost to me. Why? Because your dealership screwed up. The other approval initially was for 66 months, not 60, at a 2 percent lower rate, so the difference in payment was only a few dollars, but would have saved thousands over the life of the loan. Get your facts straight before responding next time. This was my teen son's first financed auto purchase and your dealership did the wrong thing, ( either mistakenly or maliciously ).....

January 31, 2024

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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 More

by Bonnie
Service Price Transparency
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Recommend Dealer
Yes

October 12, 2023

Dealership Rating

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 More

by Mr Explorer
Service Price Transparency
Workmanship
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Recommend Dealer
No
Oct 25, 2023

Columbia Ford Kia responded

Hi Todd, I apologize with the issue with certain items not being covered under your warranty. I know that we are still working with our body shop and Ford to get some other items covered until warranty. It was a service advisor not our service manager that had misspoken about your vehicle and damage to it. I reviewed all records here and there was never any damage to your vehicle prior to your purchase. We apologize that a diagnosis fee was applied but anytime a vehicle comes into a shop for a concern there is a diagnosis fee and if warranty does cover the issue then the diagnosis fee is then waived. At the time Ford said that your warranty was not valid for the concern you had. Ford is very strict for about the mileage for warranty issues and even if you are just one or two miles over Ford does decline coverage like all manufacturer brands. We did take care of the diagnosis fee on your behalf and I know a lot of the time spent at the dealership was you on the phone talking with Ford about your warranty coverage. I wish we could of assisted with that but Ford will only talk to the owner of the vehicle. We value you as a customer and want to be completely transparent with you but we have no control over what Ford agrees to cover for warranty issues. Regardless, we are happy to help in anyway we can and continue our professional relationship. Thank you, Nicole Mooney Customer Service Manager

August 02, 2023

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The staff at the dealership were very helpful and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this dealership to anyone. More

by jimpizzuti
Sales Price Transparency
Purchase Time
Finance Experience
Recommend Dealer
Yes

Other Employees Tagged: John Senick, Eric Gates

June 14, 2023

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Employee Rating

I had an excellent experience purchasing a car there. Tony was polite and professional and would definitely buy from again. More

by Kiasoul2023
Sales Price Transparency
Purchase Time
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Recommend Dealer
Yes

Other Employees Tagged: Eric Gates , Tony Mauro

April 22, 2023

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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 More

by rioux41
Sales Price Transparency
Trade-in Experience
Purchase Time
Finance Experience
Recommend Dealer
No
May 23, 2023

Columbia Ford Kia responded

Hello, I tried to reach out with no luck! I see you have not been to our service department in years but there with issues with communication back then. Since it has been years since the events you are referring to, we would love a chance to service your vehicle again. Normally when someone calls in and asks for Craig or Denny the call is transferred to me to address whatever situation so I am not sure where you were trying to reach them! Please give me a call at 860-228-2886 ext. 131 and we can go more in to detail about the events you are describing. Thank you, Nicole Mooney

May 23, 2023

Columbia Ford Kia responded

I see! The RO paperwork I was provided to me was from a long time ago. Do you think you could give me a call regarding this? I would really like to help figure out what happened and see if I can help you in anyway! (860)228-2886 ext 131

May 23, 2023

rioux41 responded

It was 4 or 5 months ago.

November 29, 2022

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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 More

by speedyj302
Service Price Transparency
Workmanship
Service Time
Service Communication
Recommend Dealer
No

September 12, 2022

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I recently purchased a Sorento Plug-in hybrid. My experience at Columbia Kia was remarkably terrible. For starters, I didn’t appreciate the sales “games”. I just don’t like to be lied to and I More

by hevans
Customer Service
Friendliness
Price
Recommend Dealer
No
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