Attention: TDR Forum Junkies You guys will get a kick out of this. I finally started in earnest to buy a new 3500 4x4. Because of the potential steering problem I would like to find one on a lot that fits my needs so I can drive it, versus order one and when it gets in, the steering is screwed up and then I have to deal with that problem. Well there was a good looking red with auto and sport package at a local dealer that I had been eye balling. It had been on the dealers lot for 3 months. Now I know that any of these can be bought at dealer cost so the wild card is what will they give me for my trade. Dealers like to use Kelly Blue book. If you ever notice I think Kelly Blue book must be owned by a group of Dealers. I use the one on the internet where you can indicate your exact mileage so you get a better reading. Retail on my vehicle shows as $23,800 Trade in value is $16,800 and my vehicle is in top shape. So I go in to the dealer and figure I will deal on invoice for their 3500 and $16800 for my trade. They don't hardly look at my trade, they don't even drive it just check the mileage and then make some calls to wholesalers. At that point I knew I was in trouble, and I was. After 30 minutes with them trying to see if I understood "numbers" they were willing to sell me the 3500 at invoice but only give me $14,000 for my vehicle??? That is after they already told me that they got a bid from a wholesaler at $15,000 site unseen. I then explained to them that I could take a 2 1/2 hour drive to Milton Okla. and buy for under invoice and that Milton Dodge advertised using the Kelly blue book on their web site to determine what you could expect them to pay for your trade. Which is how I came up with the $16,800 figure. They just looked at me like a Deer that was caught in the headlights of a big Dodge Cummins that was about to run over it. Their answer to the extra $2,800 that they wanted me to pay was that "we need to make a PROFIT". I just smiled at the guy and took my keys and said "I bet that it's hard to make a profit when you aren't selling anything". I am sorry for all of the bandwidth but I just love to screw with car dealers. The result of this is that I will be heading to Milton Sales in Okla. 
How do these other dealers stay in business??? Considering where I live is only 2 1/2 hours from Milton Sales.
How do these other dealers stay in business??? Considering where I live is only 2 1/2 hours from Milton Sales.
