Batesville Indiana Chrysler lied to me

[smote]

First of all, I usually don't rant and rave but this just really ticked me off.



I went to Batesville Chrysler in Batesville Indiana last Tuesday, drove 98 dodge dually with 160Kmiles on the truck. They were asking $17,000 for their truck. They want $8000 diff and my truck. I told them it was too much. They said $7500 was the best they could do, had people standing in line to buy their truck. I left.



Monday I called them. They still had the dodge so I made them an offer of $6000 diff. They salesman called me back within 5 minutes and said they'd do it.



Last night when I get there (after driving 45 minutes) I wondered why the truck wasn't up front cleaned up ready to go. It's still sitting in the back of the used lot. Oh well, we go on in, meet the salesman and sit down at his desk to write up the paper work. I lean over to see what he's putting down on the sales sheet and he's writing down $7000 diff. Of course I say "hold on there". I said "we agreed over the phone to $6000 why you writing $7000". He swears up and down he misunderstood me and that he and his sales manager were thinking I said $7000. After repeated reminders that he was wrong and him not changing anything I told him I was going home. He said hold on let me go talk to the sales manager about getting more for your truck. He came back within 10 seconds shaking his head no. We left, very ticked off.



I know he was lying thru his teeth for these reasons:

Dodge truck was not up front ready to go, was still parked in back.

Salesman never looked up once after I caught their mistake.

Salesman was only gone 10 seconds to go talk to his manager about my truck again.

Sales manger never made an effort to come out and talk to us about the error or anything.

Salesman still never looked up as we left, he made a feeble attempt at an apology.

 

[Straight6Jeff]

you'll probably get a cal in a day or two to do the deal. Every day that truck sits on teh lot, it is costing money.



Dealers really suck, adn Ford is just as bad.

 

[wyosteve]

Smote, that doesn't surprise me. They think if they can get just get you back to the dealership, they can twist you for some more $$$. When I bought my current 01, I was looking at the local dealer. He had a Sport w/ leather, etc. Told him what I was willing to give difference w/ trade. He said they couldn't do it. Find another truck at an out of town dealer, told local dealer what I can get new HO for (local dealer's was ETC w/5 spd. ) Local dealer then suddenly says we'll sell you the Sport for the same difference, when just 2 days earlier they said they couldn't do the deal for what I offered. Recent example, went to Cowboy Dodge in Cheyenne just looking at 03's. Not really serious, but when little duckhead salesman comes out, I tell him if he'll trade for $5k diff. I'll buy it. He goes in office, comes out says can't do $5k, but can do $6700. I say let's sit down and write it up. He writes up info on my trade, takes sheet to sales mgr. comes back and sheet has $15k+ on as difference. I say "what gives" he says he misunderstood when I told him the mileage was 80k. He claims he thought I said 60k. Lying *******. Plus even with the mileage deduction, there should have only been a $3000 reduction. It's now wonder they have about 15 03's which have been sitting there for several months. ok, I'm done ranting.

 

[Boomer II]

Those guys have a million tricks, payment padding just being one of them. I hate car salesmen, if we shot a couple of em for pulling that crap it might stop some of it.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I am glad you left smote. Some of us probably would have just paid the extra grand to get the truck. Like Str86jeff says, you will probably get a call from the dealer.



Good luck



PS: Here is the link to Fritz's web page to rate a Dodge Dealer:



http://dodgeram.info/survey_dealer/Dealers.htm

 

[baby.driver]

Why are you guys in such a hurry to go further in debt?

It will be years and years before I'll tire of my 96. Put that money in the truck you got.

Anytime anyone asks "how many miles on it" I tell them 'Who cares'.

Our engines will go a half million miles EASY, with routine maint. The differentials almost that much with maybe one or two transmission change outs.

Keep what ya got, we will all have classics in a few years!

Why hand all that sweat and labor to the dealer who doesn't respect you anyway?

The sooner we stop buying the new ones the sooner they come out with a real four door.

Think about it.

 

[jmtandem]

car dealer tricks

Smote,



Car dealers try to do almost anything to get you into the office including saying things that might not be just as you remembered. The bottom line is to always remember that the 'sale' puts bread and butter on their table, not yours. You actually are (financially) better off many times if you don't buy another vehicle. I have walked out of many dealerships when I thought I was getting a raw deal. But when the deal feels good, buy it. Don't ever appear to be anxious to have the new vehicle. If you act like you just have to have the new vehicle you will not get a good deal. Act indifferent about the whole thing and you can sometimes get them to get reasonable. If they say they will sell it to somebody else if you don't buy it, so what? Tell them you will buy another one from a another dealer, no big deal. It is unfortunate that car dealers sell good products using crappy tactics. Not all dealers operate that way but some sure do. I am sure dealers have their side of the story, but the bottom line is that a sale benefits them and they should treat you right and appreciate your business. Of course, try being treted as an 'appreciated customer' at airports today. At least you don't have to walk through a metal detector to buy a new car. Expect to be treated right at a fast food joint with indifferent kids throwing hamburgers and big meal values across the counter at the customers. And the people in America take it! Incredible! I don't care for everything George W. does or stands for but at least he is telling some other people in the world in a country a long way away that he is not going to take it anymore. It is too bad more American consumers don't expect and demand to be treated with respect and honesty.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

I remember my dad being so ticked off, Dodge Town in Rapid had a 98 model year sitting on their lot that was less well equipped than the 99 he wound up buying (the one I know have). He had a 92 at the time. Went in about five times to talk and every time they would say they could only do the sticker price and Dad said no thanks. Wound up calling Dave smith motors and talking to a salesman there. Priced out the truck I now have and faxed it. Dad took it down and said, "here is what I can get a year newer truck for and it is an SLT laramie instead of just an SL and they want 3000 less. " If ya will just match I will take this one home today, they said nope we can get more than that for it. He said good luck. That truck sat there for another three months and it finally sold to a friend of ours for 6000 less than what dad offered to buy it for. Greed screwed em and we have avoided that dealership ever since.

 

[jmtandem]

greed screwed 'em

Cowboy Medic,



Dave Smith is about 800 miles from where I live. There is hardly a conversation about buying a new Dodge/Cummins truck around here that does not include a reference to Dave Smith's price. I don't understand the local dealer mentality around here. It is only an hour and a half airplane ride to Spokane from Reno. Then drive the new truck home in a day and a half or two. How much does a person have to save to do that? Is it worth an hour and a half airplane ride to save $2000 or more? The local Dodge dealer has seen the faxed copy offers to customers from Dave Smith and the dealer seems unfazed. Maybe that is why Dave Smith sells something like 800 trucks a month.



My insurance agent that was doing very well financially decided to have a career change and he now sells cars and trucks for the local GM dealer. He told me he has not made less than $10,000 a month since he started a few years ago. Maybe that is why dealers don't care about getting every sale, enough buyers will just pay the their price.



For sure, Dodge is the not same Dodge that was in the 1970's and 80's. It was much easier to buy vehicles from them back then before Dodge became arrogrant about selling some of the hottest minivans, diesel trucks and the Viper.



I don't know what car salesmen make in your neck of the woods but around here they seem to do well. Many make $100,000 or more a year. A car salesman can make more than thed director of the state department of transportation who manages and is responsible for 2000 employees and billions of dollars of highway investment. Strange, isn't it.

 

[Sticks]

I went through the same thing when I was trying to get my '02. Went back to the dealer 5 times. Each time I offered them the same thing. My 01 plus 3k. Every time they wanted to do the "I'll go check with my manager" and every time it was no. They also said that someone else was looking at it and may come pick it up tonight. After the forth time I went in, I told them "Yea, I think you're thinking of me, we have been going through this song and dance for almost a month now. " On the fifth time they fudged the numbers around and threw in some add on's (bed liner and parts swap) which they absolutely refused to do the first four times. Too bad they left the "parts swap" a little open ended. I took damn near every after market add on from my truck to put on the new one. Traded out grills (the 02 was broken), bug screen (broken too), extra set of nerf bars, extra stereo, and hitch. They got a very stock 01 2500 ST. I walked out the door with a year newer 3500 6spd, with extended warranty for exactly what I paid for my '01 one year earlier.



Sometimes it pays to play their game. You just have to be patient and be OK if you don't get the truck.



Sticks

 

[onestackdram]

I went through this on thurs of this week. (First of all i have to tell you that i was a car salesman for a year right out of high school so i know the tricks). Sunflower Dodge in Olathe, Ks has a BUNCH of NICE CTD's. Anyway I'm eyeing a '02 QC 4x4 3500, to include Jacobs exaust brake, and with only 23k on it. They had it stickered for 33k and i laughed and laughed, salesman says well thats just slightly what i got it for at the auction. I said no you didnt you can drop about 5k on that price and he says "well i will have to leave that up my manager. " so we go in to run numbers and they come back and only want to give me 5k for mine. NOW IM REALLY LAUGHING and i tell him i can get 2 to 2 1/2 times that... he says "well thats all i can give you" i say well im not playing this game you can keep your truck. this morning he calls and wouldnt you know it now alll the sudden they can give me 10k for mine. but they dont want to drop the price on theirs. i tell him im not stupid and know how the game works cause ive been on both sides of the game. he tells me that if i come in he will see what he can do. I AM NOT GOING IN I LOVE MY TRUCK AND NOT LOOKING TO GET RID OF IT... HELL I JUST GOT THE DAMN THING PAID OFF AND BOMBs IN... . but if yal are interested its still sitting there along with some really nice '03's

 

[daveshoe]

Four words

Jackson Dodge Celina Ohio

I had done some internet searching for invoice pricing. After hearing good things about these guys. I called them and they said that the price would be 120 dollars over invoice . It was.

These guys sell more CTD trucks than cars and sell a lot of basic trucks to farmers. I was able to find what I wanted on the lot. My best guess is you have a two and a half hour drive there. Hope this helps

 

[VietDoc]

Three UT dealers UNDER invoice

Sorry for the long post, but IMO it’s worth it.

In my 55+ years I have purchased vehicles from California to Illinois, Texas to Idaho and states in between. I have priced out Dave Smith twice, but never purchased there. I have had many less than good experiences.



All this changed in Dec '02. We went to a new dealership and were pleasantly surprised; Brent Brown Chrysler, Jeep & Dodge in Provo, Utah (801-373-2570 ask for Richard Singleton). We were not pressured into anything. I wanted a good deal and price was most important. Richard, the salesman, said he would meet or beat other dealers prices and we would keep the rebates. I asked about $500 under invoice. He said he would have to check but didn’t think this was a problem, it wasn’t. I said we would consider it and we left. No pressure and no explanation needed. I returned occasionally to ask questions and to see if the price mysteriously went up. Well it did! Dodge had a price increase, but Richard Singleton also said some of the options I wanted went down so the net increase was $100. How many salespersons will tell you the price went down?



In late Jan we returned and ordered our ‘03. The price didn’t change, we could order the truck we wanted at the price we specified and we get the rebates. This dealership put us in the drivers seat and the salesman was there to serve us. Can you imagine a salesperson serving you?? Unheard of.



By The Way – I am not affiliated with any dealership nor receive any discount. This is IMHO and FYI.



So why do I post this and other positive comments on other threads about this dealership? What is in it for me? I post for three reasons: 1) Many of us have had or continue to have bad experiences with dealers and/or salespersons. We complain about the bad; I want to compliment the good; 2) It gives the TDR members the option to contact this dealer/salesman to either negotiate their local dealer down or buy the truck you want from this dealer. You can pick it up in Utah or for a fee have it delivered to you; and 3) I am so shocked by their honesty, etc. I want to tell everyone... . Like a great movie or fantastic restaurant or unbelievable sale, you want to tell everyone.

What’s in it for me? The satisfaction of helping others and maybe I can help knock off a star or two from some 5 star dealers with poor sales and service.



btw– there are two other Utah dealers who gave me good prices and are worth checking out.

Quality Dodge in Tooele, Utah (435 882-2000) also quoted $500 under.

Larry H Miller in Sandy, Utah (801 553-5500) quoted $300 under when I stopped negotiating with them.



If any TDR member decides to come to Utah to buy, let me know, I'd like to meet ya and help if I can... ... And if it is after 28 Feb, hopefully we will have our '03 HO, 48RE and give ya a ride.

doc

 

[Texas Diesel]

It's a common scam. Linda Brock Dodge tried that same scam on me only on a new truck, I told them where to stick it. Then I started a letter writing / phone call routine to DC, in those DC was interested in customer satisfaction (not anymore) and in 6 months it was Linda Brock Kia. This in a day when there was a waiting list for Dodge trucks, revenge sure is sweet, I'm sure I wasnt the only complainer. Maxwell Dodge in Austin, TX tried it too, hope they get shut down soon, they give Dodge a bad name.

 

[DHRA]

Batesville Chrysler a joke?

I'll leave names absent to protect the innocent.



A friend ordered a new Cummins 3500 SRW from said company. Last Saturday they called with the excrutiating news that the truck had been damaged while unloading and the only damage was the driver's side mirror was ripped off, the rear drvier's side door handle was mashed in and the front bumper was pulled away from the body. They said they could fix it in three weeks and that he should come in to inspect the damage, but they weren't going to discount any money since they could restore it brand new. He travelled down there (over an hour one way) and another salesman stopped him and said the truck didn't just get dinged up while unloading, but actually feel 10+ feet from the top of the transport without the ramps being extended!!! Can you believe that they were even attempting to see if he'd still take it???

I know he has another on order, but I thought I would lend this story because it's rare to here something about the same place when it's not in a big city.

 

[Sticks]

Flashback to the old '80s Dodge commercial where they dropped the trucks onto the stage just in front of the announcer at the end of the commercial. Of course I don't remember any mirrors or bumpers coming off, just the trademark Dodge ringing spring sound on impact.



Sticks

 

[drees1]

Many years ago I was looking at a nice freashly painted used Jeep Cj-7 at a Pontiac dealership. They always had a few jeeps on the lot. I said: that looks nice lets put it on the rack so I can check it. 3 leaves on one front spring, 8 on the other front spring! I told him it was wrecked and not properly repaired. He said B. S. I test drove it to a frame shop and could not keep it from hopping side to side on the road. The frame shop laughed!! I told the dealer it was unsafe and they said B. S. Next day it was off the lot!! They never had another jeep after that. Like it was the Jeep's fault!!