Poor customer service by KIA Llandudno
On the 30th March 2022, I part-exchanged my three-year old Kia Sportage with a new model, 1.6 GDi ISG, from Carr & Griffiths (Milton Green), who were subsequently disenfranchised from KIA. Upon advice from a friend, I began servicing the new car at Kia Llandudno, an 80 miles round trip from home. The first two annual services, which I had prepaid, went like a dream. And Leam Skelding, the Assistant Service Manager, was a most kind and helpful gentleman, competent to a fault. Last year, when I booked the third service + MOT at 5599 miles, Leam forewarned me that it would cost me a whopping £302.62, very expensive in his opinion, and in mine. I was rather surprised but decided to go along with it.
When early in March this year I rang up Kia Llandudno to arrange the fourth service + MOT, I was not told of the cost. However, as I’ve only done 2295 miles in the last 12 months, I reckoned it would be a matter of changing the oil and lubricating the hinges. Upon arrival at Kia Llandudno on the 27th March, at 8.30 am, the moment I gave my name and handed the key at the reception, I was told to sit down to hear the cost of that service — £618.85, plus 4 hours waiting time. When I asked why such a steep rise from the previous year — more than double, actually — I was given a long list of things that had to be done, however, such a gobbledygook-filled explanation went way over my head. When I asked to speak to Leam, I was told that he has moved on elsewhere. Perhaps, what I should have done then was to walk away, get the MOT done in my neighbourhood, and decide at a later time if I were to service the car elsewhere or not. But as I was too shocked, and too tired to drive back home, I stayed there like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
On the 31st March I rang up KIA Llandudno and complained to the Service Manager about the outrageous service charges. I also stated that, had I been forewarned of the cost when I booked the appointment a month earlier, I would have part-exchanged my car with a new one, as I used to do. As a gesture of good will, I promised to the Service Manager that if he could be so kind as to remove my name and particulars from Llandudno’s mailing list — for I don’t to hear from that dealership any longer — I’ll put the whole sorry matter to rest.
It appears the Service Manager did not respect my wish — was it too much of a thing to ask? — and lo! few days later I began receiving emails Kia Llandudno asking me to share my experience with them. I am hereby delighted to oblige them.
I will now post copies of this missive to Google and Trust Pilot Reviews. Should Kia Llandudno continue bothering me, I will complain to the Information Commissioner’s Officer for data and privacy breach, without any further warning.