I have opened negotiations.........

[pipsdad]

Sort of. Found a new Ram that I like. Well, not brand new, but new to me. An 06
pd7-25a2006Dodge
RAM 1500 SPORT CREW CAB 4X4 4DR
Automatic19,000Silver$22,999
Details:

Options: Silver,hemiV8 Engine,20chromes,Sun Roof,Bucket Seats,Power Seat,6 Disc Compact Disc Player,Air Conditioning,Automatic

This from our local dealership, the same place we got PM's touring. They call themselves wholesale dealers and have 5 different locations. This truck is actually on their lot in Bath, NY which is about 3 hours away. They will bring a vehicle in for me to see and test drive, but will ONLY BRING IN ONE. Salesman told me that since he can bring in only one, he needs a commitment from me. I told him I would think this over and speak with PM on it. This afternoon, I called him back and asked, just what kind of commitment are you looking for on a vehicle that I haven't seen, or driven? He said that since it seems like I am interested, if everything was right on the vehicle and it was as advertised, then it would be the one. I said that while that is all good, we have to be right on my trade as well. He said that was understood as well. So today I stopped at my bank and asked about rates and so forth. Armed with some info, I also looked up the trade in value on my RAM. This salesman has already explained to me prior to this that they don't usually off full trade in value because the vehicle will go immediately to auction.

Sooooooooooo, after a lengthy conversation with PM, we decided to kind of run a test on the salesman. I called him and told him that I was concerned, because if I give him the go ahead to bring this truck in, and it wasn't what I wanted, or we couldn't get together on the numbers, i would basically be screwed (although i didn't use that word) if i wanted to see another one that wasn't on his lot. So what I suggested that I make an appointment and have them a trade evaluation on my Ram. Kelley Blue sets it at 6K in fair condition and 7k in good roughly, I am somewhere in between there. I told him that I didn't want to waste his time and effort bringing in a vehicle that I already knew we wouldn't be able to get together on. He was speechless, literally stumbling over his words as he tried to spit out that "it seems like that one is the one you are most interested in, etc" then "I would have to run this by my manager etc," "we don't usually give a trade value until we know what vehicle you want to make a deal on". Then I reiterated that I didn't want to lock myself into an all or nothing deal on a vehicle that I didn't know if I would take, or get the financials right on. He has to get back to me.

Any thoughts on this deal, I was thinking that I might go as low as 5k on my trade but I have a feeling they are going to lowball me at 3-4k.


Anyone?

[NotYet]

Your trade in value has nothing to do w/ the new truck. Of course they don't see the two as completely separate - they want to tie it all together so they can play a numbers game. The "numbers game" is basically funny math - the trade in value goes up, therefore you save money you'd be paying in tax otherwise, therefore the price of the car doesn't come down as much b/c reason xyz, throw a few other numbers in your face and give you explanations as to why this is the best way of doing and that way isn't the best way to do it. In the end, you get all confused and they present the numbers in the way that is best for THEM...not you.

If they won't evaluate your current truck, then I'd walk. Just my .02

[PappaD]

Anytime you get a trade in evaluated go with the one driving! Dealers are notorious for making stuff up and really crooked ones will mess something up and say there is a problem. Then if you don't do the deal it's you r problem. I learned this from two car dealers I know. If they say you can't go on the evaluation don't do business with them!

[Spittin Game]

Car Salesmen are ****in morons! I should sell cars, Id make a killing, Im honest, I talk well, and Im not a sleaze bag. Id be the car salesman that wants the dealership to lose and the buyer to win.

[pipsdad]

Originally Posted by Spittin Game

Car Salesmen are ****in morons! I should sell cars, Id make a killing, Im honest, I talk well, and Im not a sleaze bag. Id be the car salesman that wants the dealership to lose and the buyer to win.

Make sure they sell LX's whereever you get that job, and let us know!!!

[Spittin Game]

Originally Posted by pipsdad

Make sure they sell LX's whereever you get that job, and let us know!!!

But of course!

[pipsdad]

Originally Posted by NotYet

Your trade in value has nothing to do w/ the new truck. Of course they don't see the two as completely separate - they want to tie it all together so they can play a numbers game. The "numbers game" is basically funny math - the trade in value goes up, therefore you save money you'd be paying in tax otherwise, therefore the price of the car doesn't come down as much b/c reason xyz, throw a few other numbers in your face and give you explanations as to why this is the best way of doing and that way isn't the best way to do it. In the end, you get all confused and they present the numbers in the way that is best for THEM...not you.

If they won't evaluate your current truck, then I'd walk. Just my .02

I guess what I am after, since they are one of those "one price" places, is for them to tell me, the truck is 23K, your trade is 6k, that leaves you 17 plus tax and tags to finance!

I've already told this guy once that I am not desparate for a vehicle, when I first talked to him. He just happened to be the guy that walked up when I drove in there.

We conversed for awhile and when we established the fact that Classee came from there, he was ready to pass me off to the salesman that sold us Classee, I said no, I'm not married to that guy, in fact he sold the car to my wife, not me. He said that management likes to keep track of that stuff and he didn't want to be accused of stealing a customer. I told him if they wanted to tell me to deal with a certain person, ok, but I won't do it here!

That was when his tune changed.

The other salesman didn't do anything wrong, he just didn't do.....anything. We did all the research, found the car on his website, called up the dealership to arrange the test drive. He just happened to be the guy that answered the phone when i pushed the button for sales. Then he didn't show us any love at all, for basically handing him a deal. It would have been different if he had to work to get us financing or something like that, but he didn't. We knew where we were and where we had to be and all he had to do was make his trips to the bathroom, or the coffee room, to see his "manager" to see what could be done to get where we wanted to be. It was that easy for him. I'm not about to hand an ungrateful salesman another deal like that. I looked up this truck and the only thing I don't like on t is the color matched grill, I would prefer chrome, and that might be the deal breaker, i don't know i have to see it. But I am gonna make this guy work for it.

[srt8danno]

The bottom line PD is that they need you more than you need them. I’m sure they need to sell vehicles, but on the other hand your truck is fine for the time being. I would want them to play the way I wanted it or I’ll take my toys elsewhere. For some reason I don’t believe Ram trucks are flying off the shelves at this time. So hang tough and if you have to….walk and don’t look back. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[mjr5150]

Them :

we don't usually give a trade value until we know what vehicle you want to make a deal on".

You :
'' I usually don't make an offer on a vehicle I've never seen or driven ''

You are right on target PD . What the hell does the sale price of the new vehicle have to do with your trade theoretically ?? You are taking away their leverage and painting them into a corner ....and they don't like it !! Too bad for them....you are right on target . You know what (roughly) you want for it . They are not going to hit the mark . They are going to stroke you with the tax savings ( sale price of the new ..less the value of your trade ) and tell you it's as if they are paying you more for it . Try to bargain down the price of the new for the difference in the shafting price . If you are not happy with the deal try to get them to throw in an extended warranty and/or some free dealer accessories . There's plenty of room for that chit . If they want the deal ..they'll make it . Be prepared to walk away...of course ..... Then the deal wasn't for you . If they are serious....they will try . Last day of the month is usually the best . Pressure to hit their numbers . Oh ...and make sure there are no prophalactics or pink penne sauce on the carpets .... .