KC
Kelsey Cullum
Aug 6, 2026
Dear Honda Customer Relations and Grainger Honda Management,
I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my experience with Grainger Honda in Savannah, Georgia. While my vehicle purchase initially went smoothly, my recent experience with the dealership's trade-in appraisal has left me questioning the honesty, transparency, and integrity of the dealership.
I purchased a 2026 Honda Civic Sport from Grainger Honda on October 28, 2025. My salesperson, Alex, was courteous throughout the purchase process. However, after signing all of the paperwork and taking delivery of the vehicle, I discovered it did not have features I expected, including wireless Apple CarPlay, and I was disappointed to learn there were no rear air vents for back-seat passengers. When I asked about Apple CarPlay, I was told I would have to connect my phone with a cable. Although I was disappointed that I learned this only after the sale was complete, I accepted the vehicle and moved forward.
Recently, I scheduled an appointment with Grainger Honda to have my vehicle appraised because I was considering selling it. I arrived for my 9:30 a.m. appointment, and Alex performed the appraisal. He asked if I had received any other offers, and I honestly told him that CarMax had offered me $27,000 for my vehicle, which had only 6,781 miles.
A short time later, Alex returned and initially stated that Grainger Honda could offer $27,500. He then immediately changed the offer to $26,000, claiming the reduction was because the vehicle had an accident reported on its history and that customers would be afraid to purchase a vehicle with such low mileage that had been in an accident.
I found this explanation to be misleading and unreasonable.
The so-called "accident" involved road debris on Interstate 16 when a piece of tile fell from a truck, damaging the windshield and causing a few scratches on the front bumper. There was no major collision, no structural damage, and no significant repairs beyond replacing the windshield and addressing minor cosmetic damage. In addition, I invested in protecting my vehicle by having it professionally ceramic coated and installing paint protection film (PPF).
To suggest that this minor incident justified reducing the vehicle's value by $1,500 from the dealership's initial offer—and by $1,000 less than CarMax was willing to pay—is difficult to understand. It gave me the impression that the dealership was looking for reasons to undervalue my vehicle rather than provide a fair and honest appraisal.
As a customer, I expect transparency and integrity from a Honda dealership. Instead, I left feeling that I was not treated fairly. This experience has damaged my confidence in Grainger Honda, and it has caused me to question whether customers are truly being treated honestly during the appraisal process.
I am requesting that this matter be reviewed by dealership management and by Honda Customer Relations. Specifically, I would like an explanation of how my vehicle's value was determined, why the offer changed so dramatically during the same conversation, and whether this reflects Grainger Honda's standard appraisal practices.
I hope Honda takes this complaint seriously. Customers deserve honesty, consistency, and fair treatment. Unfortunately, that was not my experience.
I look forward to receiving a response regarding this matter.
Sincerely,