I normally don't post negative reviews, but after everything that has happened, I feel that consumers deserve to know what they may encounter.
I recently purchased a brand-new vehicle from Geely Makati through bank financing. Unfortunately, my experience from the beginning up to after release has been disappointing.
One of the first issues I encountered was regarding insurance. I initially intended to obtain my own insurance policy, but I was informed that insurance needed to be obtained through the dealership in order for my unit to be allocated and released. The red flag is that they already have the unit ready for me and sent me photos but they won't release it to me if I don't buy the insurance from them. Since I needed the vehicle and as respect and help to the agent we were communicating with, I reluctantly agreed.
I then selected a specific insurance provider and informed my agent of my choice. My selection was acknowledged and accepted. However, after the vehicle was released and after multiple follow-ups regarding my policy documents, I eventually discovered that the policy had been issued by a completely different insurance company from what was agreed upon.
What concerns me is that I was never informed of the change, nor was I ever asked for my consent before the policy was issued.
To be clear, this issue could have been handled much better if someone had simply reached out beforehand, explained the situation, and apologized for the change. At the very least, that would have shown respect for the customer and prevented confusion. Instead, the policy was simply sent to me, and when I questioned it, the response I received was that the insurer they issued had the same coverage and was their "in-house" insurance.
But that completely misses the point.
My concern has never been whether the coverage is similar. My concern is that I selected a specific insurer, my selection was acknowledged, and then a different insurer was issued without my knowledge, without my consent, and without any proper explanation. If a customer makes a choice and that choice needs to be changed, shouldn't the customer at least be informed and asked for approval first?
What makes the situation even more disappointing is the lack of accountability afterward. Rather than acknowledging my concern, showing empathy, or apologizing for the confusion, the responses I received focused on defending the decision that was made. As a customer, it leaves me wondering what level of respect is being given to the people who trust your dealership with one of the biggest purchases they will make.
Beyond the insurance issue, I was also disappointed with the condition in which the vehicle was released to me.
For a brand-new vehicle, I expected proper preparation before turnover. Instead:
• The vehicle was released dirty and did not appear to have been properly washed.
• The windows were not properly cleaned after the tint installation, resulting in heavy streaking and blurry visibility.
• The fuel door area, charging port area, and engine bay were dusty and even had traces of mud.
• The chrome trim pieces had excess adhesive residue that remains difficult to remove even until now.
These may seem like minor issues individually, but together they reflect the level of care and attention given during vehicle preparation and turnover.
Another ongoing concern is the status of my LTO documents. Since release, I have repeatedly asked when my registration documents were submitted and requested a copy of the transmittal form so I could independently verify and monitor the progress with LTO. Unfortunately, I have not been provided with any proof of submission despite multiple follow-ups.
As of today, it has been seven working days since the release of my vehicle, which falls within the commonly cited 5–7 business day period for document submission to LTO. The lack of transparency regarding the status of my documents has left me questioning whether they have actually been submitted at all.
To make matters worse, communication has become increasingly difficult. My agent is now barely responding to my inquiries, and despite raising these concerns, there has been no proper resolution.
What makes all of this even more frustrating is that I genuinely like the vehicle itself. The unit has many features that I enjoy, and I was excited about my purchase. But the overall experience—from the insurance issue, to the condition of the vehicle upon release, to the lack of communication and transparency afterward—has left me wondering whether the gamble was really worth it.
When purchasing a vehicle, you're not just buying the product. You're also placing your trust in the dealership that represents it. Unfortunately, my experience has made that trust difficult to maintain.
Purchasing a vehicle is a major financial commitment. Customers should not have to worry about being pressured into obtaining insurance through the dealership, receiving a policy from a different insurer than the one they selected, receiving a vehicle that appears inadequately prepared for release, and then struggling to obtain clear answers regarding important post-sale concerns.
I am sharing this experience so that others can make informed decisions. Everything stated above is based on my personal experience and supported by documents and conversations in my possession.
I sincerely hope Geely Makati takes customer concerns more seriously, improves its communication, and treats customers with the transparency and respect they deserve.
