Frustrated with Dealership - What’s Yours?

Good for you. I got lucky in Iowa. They had it in stock. Paid sticker price for a 2021 Tradesman, 2500. $50000. But I got to tell you. The radio really sucks. It will hardly pickup a signal.

"Guilty"? I'd tell them to pound sand, no guilt involved!

My dealership experience has been great so far. The ordering process was a breeze online so the guy I worked with basically had to do next to nothing as far as I could tell. He was friendly enough though and the time I went in for a relay switch recall was quick and easy. Each time I went in, from the time I picked up the truck to the time I took it in for the recall service, the guys at the dealership were all super friendly and down to earth. I can't really comment on whether I got the best deal or not because this was a personalized special order and it was just plain expensive. Hopefully, the dealership experience will continue to be good. I imagine a dealer in the Idaho panhandle is a little different than one in IE in CA...

KoboldTaco said:

Ok, so I get it - people need to sell trucks to make money. My unfortunate experience was in So. California, IE area. I was about ready to sign on a truck with an 8K over MSRP price when I found I could order one from out of state and have a normal buying experience. Thanks to my lady for finding the dealership in NV and I ordered, but just need to wait a bit longer. Guess what….

I just got a call from the dealership here in California. Hey man, the truck you wanted is here why don’t you work with us and all the lines to make ME feel guilty. I simply said the chance to work with me was back when you were charging me 8K over, not now when the truck is on the lot. Not to mention he won’t budge on over 4K of dealer add-ons. We’ll lower your payment, anything to make it happen. Well IMHO that chance has come and gone. Then he wanted to know the dealer and I kept that to myself. Clearly, I’m not here to talk bad because I’m not disclosing the name of the So. Cal Dealership. Or share where I ordered in NV to them.

What is your experience? I really feel tired, tired of the way I was treated and the dealer in Vegas was just open and close simple. I appreciated that And the guys here just ran me into the ground. I appreciate hearing your thoughts. Did I do the right thing here? I think I did. I was polite and simply stated I will wait for mine when it comes and a few guys or gals are going to get an amazing truck at an insane price….but that's their decision as it was almost mine. ——KT

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A GM dealer in Bullhead AZ tried the same thing on me but $10gs what a ****

By the way, KoboldTaco, if that's your truck in your avatar, it looks almost identical to mine:

3500, HO TD, long box, crew cab, night version, billet silver, marker lights on mine though.

You did the right thing. Here is a couple for you that I had an issue with the dealers.
1) I was working in the oil sands at the time had to have my vehicle towed to the dealer there, told them what might be wrong when I phoned the next day. i was told ok no problem we'll look at it. Two days later I phone and asked how it was going. the response I got from them was we look after our customers first then we will look at towables. i said excuse me, repeated the same story. Basically if you didn't buy from us we aren't going to service your vehicle at the bottom of the list. That got my dander up, filed a formal complaint with Headquarters, two days later I got a call come and get your truck. never went back there again. The folks haul their vehicles from there at $400/vehicle to get it fixed to a bigger city.
2) i was working in far northern border of Alberta Canada when my four wheel drive went. i was able to drive home a 12 hour drive to get it fixed at a dealer near my place in the city. I only had 10 days off one day travel each way so only 8 days off. Anyhow I had phoned the dealership ahead by three days as I was still able to drive the truck not the 4 wheel. they told me bring it in when you get here, also told them I need this truck for my job, they said no worries it will be done. Ok was my thought but as time dragged on no calls nadda. So I called after 6 days, sorry we don't have the part but it will be ready by the time you go. Two days later i called nope not ready waiting for parts but as soon as we get them in will call ok and it will be ready when you go. Ok so I called again nothing this went on for five more days past when I was suppose to go originally. I phoned the boss in the mean time said come up when you get the truck. Ok The day I was to go nadda I was mad as a wet hen, flew up north lucky I was training for my stint minus the five days. Then half way through my stint in I get a call from the dealership, truck is ready. Told them its sitting there until i get home. I flew down once my stint was done, went storming into the dealership, they tried to present me with a bill for $3500, that's when I told them loud enough they could hear me in the show room. Told them YOU cost me 5 days wages, $5000 lost wages for the truck for the month, plus $1200 for airfare, so somebody better cough up for everything I lost in monies cause if not I am going to get my lawyer. Well I'll be they disappeared pretty quick and presented me with a bill for $25, they swallowed the cost in parts and repairs. That was for the paper work they had to do. That same day I got rid of it and bought a new truck, and boy did I get service after that episode.

I had same experience. Dealer wanted to take me 8 grand over sticker for a demo truck with 2k miles on it! I said no thanks and left. They called me back and said ok ok, I’m doing you a favor, MSRP and I said nope it’s a demo. Went to another dealer, getting what I consider to be a good deal, they treated me fairly from the start. First dealer calls back, giving me the WTF when I told them I am working with a different dealer that didn’t try to rob me, pound salt! You did the right thing.

KoboldTaco said:

Ok, so I get it - people need to sell trucks to make money. My unfortunate experience was in So. California, IE area. I was about ready to sign on a truck with an 8K over MSRP price when I found I could order one from out of state and have a normal buying experience. Thanks to my lady for finding the dealership in NV and I ordered, but just need to wait a bit longer. Guess what….

I just got a call from the dealership here in California. Hey man, the truck you wanted is here why don’t you work with us and all the lines to make ME feel guilty. I simply said the chance to work with me was back when you were charging me 8K over, not now when the truck is on the lot. Not to mention he won’t budge on over 4K of dealer add-ons. We’ll lower your payment, anything to make it happen. Well IMHO that chance has come and gone. Then he wanted to know the dealer and I kept that to myself. Clearly, I’m not here to talk bad because I’m not disclosing the name of the So. Cal Dealership. Or share where I ordered in NV to them.

What is your experience? I really feel tired, tired of the way I was treated and the dealer in Vegas was just open and close simple. I appreciated that And the guys here just ran me into the ground. I appreciate hearing your thoughts. Did I do the right thing here? I think I did. I was polite and simply stated I will wait for mine when it comes and a few guys or gals are going to get an amazing truck at an insane price….but that's their decision as it was almost mine. ——KT

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So years ago when I lived in California, you couldn’t buy a vehicle out of state unless it met California emissions. Maybe all new vehicles meet it now or maybe they changed the rules. I hope that you don’t have that problem.

Were did you think that dealers learned how to steal from us? From all the corrupt politicians, they are the king of scumbags

8k is about $200 bucks a month in payments. The average is around 20-25 bucks per $1k. You did the right thing. You don’t owe any explanation to the dealer that was 8k over. Enjoy your new truck when it comes in! Take a pic and share it on the forum.

For anyone reading this that is considering ordering, please don't pay some outrageous markup over msrp, or even msrp. Order from a volume dealer like Mark Dodge and get pricing that is 3-5% below invoice. Even if you have to have it shipped to you across the country you'll still be saving yourself several thousands.

Glad the OP ditched that scumbag first dealership, I especially liked their offer to "lower your payments." Dealerships like this should be publicly named and shamed, they've earned no right for any protection and doing so only allows them to hurt more people.

GTyankee said:

Some person with money that they never really earned will snap it up real quick.
After all, it was exactly what you wanted, so it will be almost exactly what someone else wants.

Their perfect Ram would take months to order & receive, so they will settle

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I disagree,
because I bought a 1500 that had everything I wanted (and then some) parked right in front of the show room floor I really had no recourse no local dealership I could trust I had to go 30 miles out of my area and it was the perfect truck for me so I don’t see how this is somehow less of a prospect.

To me going from dealer to dealer with the same specifications puts up a red flag to other salesmen to lock in your vehicle in order for you settle for a second choice or choices , pre-ordering a vehicle would have been nice but in 2016 it was just starting to be an option.

So in regards to your statement I take offense because I resemble that remark.
Mostly because I had no other options.

Most prospective victims to dealerships are unaware of the service agreement markup on their vehicle is going to be 10,000 more in order for the dealer service department to stay in business
and is something dealerships statred tacking on in 2009-2010

If you live in that area, make sure you drive thru their lot nice and slow, put some salt in their wound by trying to screw you out of $8k

Make sure it has a nice "spit shine" on it too.

good call. I live in SoCal and they think money is no object here....well, for truck buyers. Bought mine in ID although got spanked and lost 4K with a service/dent/leather protection add-on that is unavailable anywhere near me. Dealer said it would be available near me and won't be a problem. They have not returned any of my communications, RAM can't do anything as it was a third-party product and the third party just tell me to sort it with the dealer........ Lesson learned.

as an aside, registering the truck in CA was a pain- had to get its weight certified, inspected by the DMV or by the police, emissions tested and a *** of paperwork to complete and hand over to the DMV.

sandawilliams said:

I had a real contract with my dealer. Also did my most recent travel trailer with all documents signed via internet by both parties at the agreed .

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Another risk, no way I buy something sight unseen. But that is me.

Farmer Fran said:

Another risk, no way I buy something sight unseen. But that is me.

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I could only lose the 500.00 down payment. I could see the truck when I ordered it via website- just couldn't touch it.

I have owned over 14 Chev trucks. This mt first RAM used at a dealership about 80 miles from my home. Salesman and Dealership was GREAT! No pressure let me take the truck home for 3 days! Of course i bought it. Fast forward 3 years truck pukes the camshaft lifter failure saga. After looking and researching alot of reman engines I called the dealer I bought it from had them instal a factory crate engine all is good. Yes my hind end it still hurting from 10k later but in 4 days I was back on the road. I will always shop there but NO MORE 5.7 HEMI JUNK!!

Yes. I’m with everyone else. More people have to do what you did before they, one by one, get it. I would like to be at the annual Ram Dealers Sales Convention in wherever they have it, and hear the whining from dealers like Inland Empire. They’re stroll in the mindset that YOU were their customer by birthright , and the dealership in Vegas was interlopping/. The dealers like them will be saying that dealers like Begas owe them money. lMAO.. California is all liberal and **** until they aren’t. Anywy…no politics. I know. Sorry. It’s funny.

On the fees in NV…you can refuse them. Even in ways instate customers can’t. Anything that adds meaningfulll $$ to the price , tell them no. Take it off. If the state requires it, push back, be ready to walk. Then if you have to walk, walk. They will come back. Keep it professional, ,

KoboldTaco said:

Ok, so I get it - people need to sell trucks to make money. My unfortunate experience was in So. California, IE area. I was about ready to sign on a truck with an 8K over MSRP price when I found I could order one from out of state and have a normal buying experience. Thanks to my lady for finding the dealership in NV and I ordered, but just need to wait a bit longer. Guess what….

I just got a call from the dealership here in California. Hey man, the truck you wanted is here why don’t you work with us and all the lines to make ME feel guilty. I simply said the chance to work with me was back when you were charging me 8K over, not now when the truck is on the lot. Not to mention he won’t budge on over 4K of dealer add-ons. We’ll lower your payment, anything to make it happen. Well IMHO that chance has come and gone. Then he wanted to know the dealer and I kept that to myself. Clearly, I’m not here to talk bad because I’m not disclosing the name of the So. Cal Dealership. Or share where I ordered in NV to them.

What is your experience? I really feel tired, tired of the way I was treated and the dealer in Vegas was just open and close simple. I appreciated that And the guys here just ran me into the ground. I appreciate hearing your thoughts. Did I do the right thing here? I think I did. I was polite and simply stated I will wait for mine when it comes and a few guys or gals are going to get an amazing truck at an insane price….but that's their decision as it was almost mine. ——KT

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Had a very similar experience in Valencia CA. Special ordered a 2022 Big Horn back in November, wasn’t thrilled with the price also at $8k over MSRP and they wouldn’t budge. Wanted to add some key options but they said “no, those options aren’t available”. Before I knew any better I gave them my deposit. A week later I stumbled across this forum and saw many people were ordering trucks from out of state. Looked into it and found a dealership in Louisiana that went overboard to earn my business. Ended up special ordering a 22’ RAM Laramie “GT” for many K’s under MSRP, they actually worked a deal that was much less than the CA Big Horn so I couldn’t say no. Ok fine, had to have the truck shipped from Louisiana to California which set me back about $1500 but I still came out well ahead compared to the Cali dealer and I got a truck with all the upgrades I wanted. Favorite part of my experience was calling the CA dealer and requesting my deposit back and letting them know I went a different direction. Boy did they back pedal and try and “work me a deal”…..my response, sorry, too late!!!
My Laramie GT arrived this week, couldn’t be happier. So to answer your question, you definitely did the right thing.
Go RAMS!