I genuinely did not think a dealership could fumble every - Sandeep
I genuinely did not think a dealership could fumble every step of a customer experience this badly, but Stratford Hyundai has proven me wrong at every turn. What started with a simple, straightforward agreement spiraled into months of incompetence, ghosting, and complete disregard for accountability — topped off with a car that has been a disappointment from day one.
When I purchased my vehicle, one major concern was the set of brand-new winter tires I was essentially “losing” from my previous vehicle. I was assured — repeatedly — that Stratford Hyundai had four Firestone winter tires in storage, that they would transfer the ownership to me, provide one year of free storage, and handle everything seamlessly come winter.
None of that happened.
The agreement wasn’t written at the point of sale, but I was reassured multiple times that “it’s all taken care of at the shop level.” That trust was a mistake.
Winter arrives.
I do my part: I book early, confirm multiple times, show up on time, and sit in the service waiting area for an hour and a half — only to be told they have no record of my tires. No notes. No transfer. No storage. No responsibility.
I was told they’d “fix it,” order replacement tires, and follow up. They didn’t.
I had to chase them down like I owed them money — not the other way around.
Finally, after persistent follow-ups, I am told the tires are “ready.”
Given their track record, I refuse to let them touch my vehicle again and instead take the tires to my trusted local shop.
And that’s when I learn the final truth:
• They are NOT Firestones.
• They are cheap off-brand Chinese tires.
• They are NOT on rims.
• They are the WRONG SIZE for my vehicle.
The fact that a dealership provided winter tires that don’t even fit the vehicle is not a “miscommunication.” It’s negligence.
But unfortunately, the problems don’t end with the tires.
Let’s talk about the vehicle itself.
The battery is an absolute disappointment — draining constantly on normal drives with none of the stability or efficiency I had with my previous Hyundai Ioniq 5. This new vehicle is smaller, yet somehow gives me worse range. It feels cramped, underpowered, and like I downgraded in every meaningful way.
Yes, I ultimately made the decision — but I was heavily steered into a vehicle that, in hindsight, never made sense for my needs. That part I own. The rest? That’s on Stratford Hyundai.
The combination of false assurances, disorganization, lack of accountability, zero follow-up, and delivering the wrong tires — along with a vehicle that has underperformed from the moment I drove it off the lot — makes this one of the worst dealership experiences I’ve ever had.
If you value honesty, competence, safety, or even the basic expectation that a dealership knows which tires fit which car — take your business anywhere else.
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