Gillman Honda of Houston Southwest

by jewopaho on 10/03/2015

We were looking to purchase a CR-V Touring SUV, and arrived at the showroom sometime around mid-day. There were several customers milling around, but no salespeople. We were advised that they were "in a meeting" (in the middle of selling time????) but that someone would be with us shortly. About five minutes later, a young lady arrived and brought up an appropriate vehicle. Looking it over, we didn't know if it was equipped with navigation. The salesperson replied, "No, but we can add it." As it turned out, the feature is standard on the CR-V Touring, as is Homelink (garage door opener), which she also said was not on the vehicle. During the test drive, she had difficulty getting a couple of features to work, but we wrote all of it off to inexperience ... we've been there. When it came time to discuss money, she left us alone for quite some time, ostensibly to arrange for our trade-in to be appraised. She returned, stating that she had no idea how the shift lever worked (it's a 2014 Prius, and operates electronically), and it took her forever to get it over to the appraiser. She could have asked a colleague for help. When the initial offer finally arrived, our first inclination was to leave immediately ... full list price for the Honda (not to mention a bunch of add-ons, including $300 to inflate the tires with nitrogen), and $5000 under trade-in value for the Prius. We've bought and sold dozens of automobiles over the years, and fully understand the "car game." But we immediately surmised that we'd be getting nowhere here, and requested the keys to the Prius, so that we could be on our way. A nearby colleague heard us, and tried to intervene on the young lady's behalf ... but despite his explanation for the lowball trade offer (emphasizing the Gillman is not a Toyota dealer), and the fact that Honda was offering no incentives on the CR-V, our immediate objective remained to leave. In order to get one step closer to retrieving our keys, we had to listen to the sales manager's condescending spiel about how KBB, Edmunds and the other online sites don't take various factors into account. Still, there was no making up anywhere near the $5000, so we once again asked to terminate the conversation and be gone. We had to walk the virtual length of the showroom, but the gal finally surrendered the fob. When asked where the car was parked, she pointed to an area halfway across the parking lot ... and given that my wife was wearing a boot to correct an orthopedic condition, the least she (or anyone) could have done was to bring the vehicle closer. One salesperson actually came out to apologize. We had planned to take a look at the Subaru Forester at the Gillman dealership next door ... but given that it almost took an act of Congress to get our keys back, coupled with the rationalization as to why we'd be screwed out of $5000 in addition to being charged top dollar for the CR-V, we decided to look elsewhere. It should have been simple ... we couldn't come to terms (hardly unusual for an automobile transaction), so we say thanks and exit. Not so at Gillman ... we literally had to raise our voices to let those folks know that we had no intention of doing business with them, and we'd like to have our transportation back. We're sympathetic to people trying to earn a living in such a cutthroat industry ... but before they come on the floor, they need to be trained. Our salesperson might as well have been on the job a day. Incidentally, we did get full value for our trade (and not from a Toyota dealer), as well as a nice discount on our new SUV ... and there were no incentives either. The Gillman experience validated the overall perception of car dealers ... never again!

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by Franko97 on 06/24/2015

My wife and I were researching used cars for my daughter. We found a car listed on their website for $11,700 internet price. We test drove the car, and when it came time to do the paperwork, we were told that there was a $996.00 "reconditioning fee". We told Reynaldo, the salesperson, that the Internet price was $11,700 and that there was no mention of a "reconditioning fee". We expected them to honor the price they advertised, and refused to pay the fee. He said it was their policy to add the $996.00 fee to all their cars. When he went to "check with his manager", we were told that there was another couple who test drove the car and was willing to pay the fee. We asked to see the General Manager, telling Reynaldo that this was at the very least a deceptive trade practice, and was probably illegal as well. We waited for over 15 minutes, and the GM never came. We left the dealership . This was one of the sleaziest encounters I have ever had in my 40+ years of buying cars. I'd give them zero stars if I could.

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by mchen2 on 09/02/2014

I was mislead by the internet sales team at Gillman this afternoon. I went in ready to purchase a vehicle for the price they had quoted me via email only to have a fast one pulled on me. I was very explicit in my email inquiry and confirming that all costs (including destination fees, TT&L and dealer accessories) were all included in my 'drive-out' price before making the drive to the dealership. They confirmed that their quote included all of the charges in writing, so I drove there only to have them tell me they couldn't honor the price and then have them try to start renegotiating pricing. They had the exact make and model in inventory I wanted, but I walked away because they did not honor the price they had quoted me. There are good honest sales people out there and I won't give my business to a dealership that pull these dishonest stunts. Very disappointed in my experience with Gillman.

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by naazim on 12/24/2013

This dealer is the worst I've ever been to. How the heck are they still in business. I went in today to look at a 2014 accord Sport and even before I walked in I heard a salesman ask another why don't you help them? He responds by saying they're not here to buy they are what we call non buyers. Their just here to waste time. I didn't say anything, and walked in. I was then assigned a salesman who is Arabian and man was he rude. He definitely thought way too much of himself. He started getting way too personal asking me what my status here in the US was and if I had a social security card. Who [non-permissible content removed] does he think he is, immigration? Wouldnt negociate or talk about the car but was way too concerned about my US status. Im a Citizen for your info! He made me fill out this long questioner and was to concerned about me instead of showing me the Accord I was there to see. Stay away from them. This dealership is a joke. He told me that certain incentives were no longer available, when infect they still are. The dealership is shady and is out to rob you blind. I wish I never stepped foot into this dealership.

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by FisConVulture on 08/19/2013

I asked for a quote for a V6 Crosstour and was quoted for a 4 Cylinder!!

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by mashbh on 08/14/2013

I went there to trade in my old vehicle and get a new vehicle. They gave me a ridiculous offer for my trade in and quoted a very high price the new vehicle. The sales guy was "Iqbal". I quickly checked the true market value of the car from edmunds.com and found that the sales guy was quoting $5000 more than the true market value of the car. I didn't like the way they tried to mislead me on the price of new vehicle. I left the dealership disappointed.

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by kevinclick on 07/24/2013

Buyer beware if you are considering purchasing a used vehicle through Gilman Honda Houston. I purchased a preowned Mini Cooper from Gilman on May 4, 2013. On the drive home I opend the sunroof and it would not close. Gilman inspected the sunroof and determined that the cost would be in excess of $1,600 and the most practical solution would be to disable it and seal it off. The manager did apologize and refunded $800. In less than three months of purchasing the vehicle, the low oil pressure and check engine lights came on. An authorized Mini Cooper service center found two significant oil leaks that resulted in $1,500 of repairs. Before posting this review, I spoke with the manager about Gilman's obvious lack of inspection and repairs prior to selling the vehicle. There was no apology this time and I was informed that I should have purchased the $1,800 extended warranty. I've purchased used vehicles from Fred Haas Toyota of Spring and Sewell Infiniti of The Woodlands without the pressure or need to purchase an extended warranty. Both delivered quality used vehicles that required nothing more than routine maintenance. Although Gilman's website states "one of our top priorities is to maintain a complete collection of high-quality Houston used cars and trucks", I beg to differ. I will take my business elsewhere in the future and would recommend others to do the same.

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by rsbass on 07/11/2013

I just bought my second Honda from Gillman and by far it was the best experience I've ever had in purchasing a new car. It started out making offers on line and ranges were at least 2K in variance for same style of Accords. Gillman was the best and I thought that would all change once I visited the dealer. To my surprise when I drove up a young man Calvin T. met my daughter and I as we approached the car we had informed about. After some discussion I met his Sales Manager Marc W. and I was thinking here it comes. He just wanted to get with on the numbers and to my surprise they were so close I took the offer and was out the door in about an hour 10. I'm not one to write reviews and have purchased numerous cars in my 57 years but these guys made car buying truthful with no hassle. Thanks Gillman

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by Paws007 on 03/09/2013

I highly recommend you seek out Moon to be your salesman. He is knowledgeable and courteous. Made my experience the best!

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by snuke on 05/28/2012

I went to the Honda dealership knowing exactly the make, model and color I wanted. The salesman mislead me into believing the car I wanted was on the lot when in actuality it was not. I feel being a female and alone at the time may have had something to do with their decision to be dishonest with me. I also feel the salesman and manager may have felt that if I test drove one similar, through excitement, I might buy the test driven car instead. However, through the Edmunds.com website, I had all of the available information with me and I could not be deterred from what I wanted. Due the salesman and manager not being honest with me upfront, I lost all trust with the dealership and promptly left.

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by _pioneer_ on 05/07/2012

Took my 2000 Civic to get an oil change so they could also do a complimentary multipoint inspection. I do this with my Xterra and my Q45. Got the car back and they told me about what needs replacing yet my air conditioning stopped cooling consistently. It will cool when you start up but after a while, it just blows warm air. I told them this and they wanted me to pay $150 for a diagnosis and denied all responsibility. I am not about to fight a battle in court for a car that isn't worth much anymore but I am never taking a vehicle here again.

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by moe847 on 03/05/2012

They sold me a car as clean title with no accedent and they shoed me a CarFax report but when I tried to trade in my car with another dealer I found out that my car Has accedent and it's listed on CarFax and when I called to tell them about that, they letterly said (we are not going to do anything) and hang up on me. I lost about $5000 because I've been cheated on.

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by nolahorn on 05/12/2011

I requested quotes from 5 dealers and received the first one in less than an hour from another dealership. By the next day, I had several quotes and Gillman matched the lowest. All the requested was the lowest quote that I had received and they matched it on the spot. No hassles, only the add-ons I wanted and professional and courteous sales people. They were up front with everything including the maintenance packages and extended warranties. No pressure to get these at all. Thanks Gillman!

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by sephifer on 11/12/2010

I felt comfortable during my entire experience at Gillman. The sales staff was attentive but did not hover. I left with a new car, feeling like I got a fair deal.

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