We came across a pre-owned vehicle advertised by Calgary - letitgomoving
We came across a pre-owned vehicle advertised by Calgary South Trail Hyundai on Facebook Marketplace. The vehicle appeared to be in excellent condition, looking almost brand new in the photos, clean, well-kept, and without any visible defects. We reached out to the dealership to inquire about purchasing the vehicle and were put in contact with sales executive Harshpreet Kaur.
During our online conversation, Harshpreet had trouble answering questions about the vehicle and frequently needed to consult with other staff members. She was kind and considerate, suggesting we speak with another sales executive, Maryna Gonchar, who would act as a translator. Sales executive Maryna Gonchar reassured us that the vehicle was in perfect condition, claiming it had been thoroughly checked by the dealership's mechanics. She also rushed us to complete the purchase as quickly as possible, claiming we needed to make a payment of $1,000 upfront. She pressured us by stating that the purchase must be finalized by the end of the month, which led us to take time off work to drive from Edmonton to Calgary to complete the transaction in person.
Upon arriving in Calgary, we were eager to see the vehicle. The dealership was initially reluctant to show it to us before we signed any paperwork. After much insistence, we were finally allowed to inspect the vehicle, and it was nothing like the photos had suggested. The car was in terrible condition. It had noticeable body damage, including dents and scratches near the doors, stains on the seats, drool marks on the roof, and other stains on the doors and carpet. The vehicle was also dirty on the outside and smelled strongly of dog. When we opened the hood, we noticed a coolant leak in the engine bay. The sales staff tried to convince us it was just windshield wiper fluid, but it was clearly not, the substance was oily and had a distinct coolant smell (photos included).
At this point, we decided not to proceed with the purchase. Unfortunately, this is when the situation took a turn for the worse. Maryna began making racist remarks, referring to us as Ukrainian newcomers in a belittling tone. She stated that we didn’t understand how things worked in Canada and said that we should just accept the vehicle in its poor condition like a "Canadian" would and sign the documents.
Shortly after, general sales manager Madison Brown came over to assist. He reassured us that the vehicle's defects would be fixed and the car would be cleaned if we proceeded with the purchase. However, when we declined again, his demeanor became hostile. He started pressuring us aggressively, demanding that we buy the vehicle. We then asked about the $1,000 we had already paid upfront, as we no longer wished to buy the car. Madison's response was to get frustrated, walk right up to my face and raise his voice, stating that we would not be getting our money back and that we must purchase the vehicle. As I stepped back from him, he insisted on letting us know that he is the most important person in this store, that he is "everyone's boss". He insisted that his decision regarding withholding our payment was final and told us to leave the premises. This was extremely confrontative behavior that almost caused a physical altercation, and I hope that his employment at this branch is reconsidered for the safety of all customers.
We were never informed that the upfront payment was non-refundable, so we have opened a dispute with our bank to recover the $1,000.
Please share this story with others, no one should ever have to experience these racist comments and demeanors, hostile behaviour, or predatory selling practices. To have this happen in front of our children was not only embarrassing, but completely unacceptable. As a Canadian, I am ashamed of the actions of these people here today, and I hope they reflect on their actions. I hope this review serves as a stern warning to others considering this dealership.
Read More
Dealer Reviews
Service Reviews
Cars for Sale
Dealer Log In