Just traded in car for new truck

[DELETE-PLEASE]

So I'm pretty excited that I bought a new truck. My rationale was to throw the bike in the bed and be able to upgrade to pulling a toy hauler in the future.

But here's the part I JUST discovered (after signing the papers two hours ago and driving it home). I went in and mentioned that I found the truck online on their website and wanted to come in and take a look. But the price I paid is $2000 more than the internet price (which is listed on their website). I didn't see the price when I looked at the car since I just saw a list of cars and went in to look at this specific one.

So..........am I hosed? I called back the salesman and left a message on his cellphone asking why I didn't get the internet price when I mentioned that I found it on the internet. I feel like at this point since all the papers and signed, t's crossed and i's dotted that really it's just me scrambling for some sort of compensation. I hope to get the money I put as a down payment (2000 dollars ironically enough) credited back, but if not, will ask that they throw in accessories.

And if all fails and they return with a very nicely worded, "Too bad. You made the mistake of not asking for it.", what options do I have? Just better business bureau? Or is there more I can do to voice how upset I am about them? Maybe park next to their dealer with a sign on my truck that their dealer sucks, stop and ask for details?

Alexi

 

[Rogue]

Sorry to say I think you F@CKED. The deal was made and you agreed to the price. Could be the salesman didn't know the internet price (happened to me, I knew the internet price & had to show it to the salesman) or he figured you didn't know it and sold the truck for what he could get. There is nothing illegal in what they did and in today's car market IMHO you have a 1 in 1000 chance of them giving it to you at the discounted price.

BUT, congrats on getting the truck you wanted.

 

[wfooshee]

I don't think there's a shot at any adjustment for you, unless they just really really really want you to be happy and glorify their name amongst all your pals. I'm not clear if you knew the web site price before you signed or after you looked it up later. If you didn't know, then you got a deal you were happy with at the time. If you did know, why did you sign for a higher price?

If anybody suggests a "buyer's remorse" law, that's not applicable to vehicles. (Most states have such a law that applies to in-home sales, like Tupperware stuff, the vacuum cleaner salesman, or the Mary Kay lady. Doesn't apply to transactions at the business location.)

 

[FJRBluesman]

Evidently you were good with the dealer price, cause you bought it. Not fun finding it cheaper after the fact.

You bought it for "X" price, you own it now. It's not like Best Buy where they'll match prices.

No worries, enjoy your new truck. :yahoo:

 

[650cent]

I believe you have 10 days to back out of any contract, it's the law. I should say that in the fine print on the contract you signed with the dealer.

Bill

 

[Geezer]

I feel your pain. It sucks when you negotiate a price, think you've gotten their bottom line number, and find out that you didn't get the deal you thought you were getting.

When I am thinking about buying a new vehicle, which isn't very often, I research the internet, especially Edmunds.com, and get a good idea of the invoice price of the vehicle. Invoice is about the bottom price you can expect from a dealer. It still provides them with some profit, but not much. Once you have that number you have enough information to bargain. From there you decide how much you are going to pay for the vehicle based on how badly you want it. Sometimes you have to walk out and find another dealer in order to get your price. Sometimes you have to pay more in order to get exactly what you want.

Once I buy something, no matter what it is, I stop shopping. It only spoils the experience and enjoyment of the purchase if you keep looking and find a better deal after the fact.

 

[johnny80s]

I believe you have 10 days to back out of any contract, it's the law. I should say that in the fine print on the contract you signed with the dealer.
Bill

Not in California. There is no "cooling off" period.

 

[juniorfjr]

Did you trade in your car? If so, a lot of times the dealers will hold a little at the new price to show a little more for the trade. That accomplishes two things, It makes you feel better about getting a better price on your trade and it can look like a higher percentate of down for financing. A lot of times the advertized low prices are with no trade.

 

[Auburn]

I believe you have 10 days to back out of any contract, it's the law. I should say that in the fine print on the contract you signed with the dealer.
Bill

varies by state

 

[MojaveFJR]

So I'm pretty excited that I bought a new truck. My rationale was to throw the bike in the bed and be able to upgrade to pulling a toy hauler in the future.
But here's the part I JUST discovered (after signing the papers two hours ago and driving it home). I went in and mentioned that I found the truck online on their website and wanted to come in and take a look. But the price I paid is $2000 more than the internet price (which is listed on their website). I didn't see the price when I looked at the car since I just saw a list of cars and went in to look at this specific one.

So..........am I hosed? I called back the salesman and left a message on his cellphone asking why I didn't get the internet price when I mentioned that I found it on the internet. I feel like at this point since all the papers and signed, t's crossed and i's dotted that really it's just me scrambling for some sort of compensation. I hope to get the money I put as a down payment (2000 dollars ironically enough) credited back, but if not, will ask that they throw in accessories.

And if all fails and they return with a very nicely worded, "Too bad. You made the mistake of not asking for it.", what options do I have? Just better business bureau? Or is there more I can do to voice how upset I am about them? Maybe park next to their dealer with a sign on my truck that their dealer sucks, stop and ask for details?

Alexi

Check your state laws. Some states have a 24-48 hr cooling off period where you can return the vehicle.

I believe you have 10 days to back out of any contract, it's the law. I should say that in the fine print on the contract you signed with the dealer.
Bill

Not in California. There is no "cooling off" period.

That has changed in the last couple of yrs. When I bought my truck in 06', I had to sign something that stated there was a cooling off period. Of course, that could of all changed again.

 

[wfooshee]

All of these references to a cooling off period have never applied to motor vehicles. Anywhere.

They apply to in-home sales, like a door-to-door guy comes in, dumps a bucket of dirt on your rug, vacuums it up, and you buy his vacuum. Then you find out you don't really like it. You've got an out. This is what people are thinking of when they say they've heard of a cooling off period to get out of a sales contract.

You buy something at a place of business, you've bought it. Period.

What I've found about California is that you can get a two-day cancellation option in your contract on a used car, but you have to ask for it up front.

Texas has nothing like that, only the in-home sales cancellation.

 

[650cent]

I stand corrected, check your state.

https://www.doj.state.or.us/finfraud/coolingoffrule.shtml

 

[Denver_FJR]

... But the price I paid is $2000 more than the internet price (which is listed on their website).

Beware the Internet price may have been a loss-leader too. Probably a good only for a demo model or something.

 

[dbvolfan]

IMO it's a done deal. Someone up above had a good point on the trade in. I have seen several instances where the trade in price is manipulated so in the grand scheme of things you still ended up at the same place. If these dealers put as much effort into their customer service as they did their creative math they would be incredible.

Bottom line, is how much did you get off the sticker? Did you check the paperwork to see what they valued your trade in at and then bounce it off what it should have been? Check the fine print in that internet ad as well. They often have enough legal wording in their to rival the King Kames Bible.

It's worth a shot to contact the dealer but at this stage just enjoy the truck and move on if they dont work with you.

 

[DELETE-PLEASE]

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE - The final 'stats' are at the bottom if you don't want to read HOW I got there.

And it's a very GOOD update. T

I found out from today's events after stopping at the dealer again that this dealer really IS about customer service.

I went in today and explained the situation again. I even told them that I figured that the reason they didn't offer the internet price is because they probably don't check the internet and didn't know that it had been discounted. And I told them that I was hoping they could do something because the price on the internet is advertised as two thousand less than what I paid and I was hoping that something could be worked out and what options I had.

After talking with the salesman a bit, a sales manager came over and tried to explain that really they valued my car at more than what it's worth and really THAT'S where they gave me the extra two thousand, but I pointed out that the price of the car and the value of the trade-in are two distinctly different numbers brought upon at two different times. He didn't push the issue and told me (and I quote), "I'm willing to do whatever I can to work this out and make YOU happy."

We came up with a couple of options. They offered to allow me to order and have installed 2000 worth of accessories (which was one option I was hoping for), and then I offered them an option that I had thought about overnight.

Turns out they had ANOTHER truck, the same make/model as the one I overpaid for, with the SAME mileage (within 50 miles of the other), but this one was a year newer and had an upgraded package and accessories. But it's internet price was only 1300 dollars more than the internet price of the car I was trading in. And I said, "I'm guessing that since I left when you guys were closing, and I'm here first thing in the morning that you haven't faxed or mailed any paperwork regarding the loan or purchase of this vehicle, and if I can take a look at it and possibly do a vehicle swap for a truck that is valued on your internet at just about what I have already committed to, I'd be open to that cause I'd feel like I got the value I should have and gotten the true advertised price."

Verdict or "STATS"

Started with a 2006 Dodge Ram 4x4 SLT package

Accessories were aftermarket exhaust and slightly oversized tires and wheels.

13,100 miles, 5.9 liter cummings diesel engine.

I PAID 32,900, it was advertised online at 30,900.

I left with a 2007.5 Dodge Ram 4x4 SLT Laramie package (leather interior, power seats, and lots of other comfort options).

Accessories were chrome grill guard, running boards, chrome mirror covers, chrome front bumper, chrome bed edging, and a chrome diamond plate auxiliary fuel tank that holds around 60 gallons of extra diesel.

13,018 miles (after the test drive), 6.7 liter cummings diesel engine.

I PAID 32,200 and that was the advertised online price. So I got this truck (which I personally like better), for 700 LESS than what I originally paid.

Customer service won out in the end and I couldn't be happier. I'll send people there because while they ARE a car dealer and, sure they didn't offer me the advertised price, they DO stick behind their customer service and help people out.

Alexi

PS - THe only downside I see to the new truck is due to engine changes and more emission restrictions enforced on the 6.7 liter engine, the average MPG dropped from 18 with the first truck, to 13 with the second. OUCH! But it IS a second vehicle. FJR is my first. Only when weather prohibits my wife from wanting to ride with me will we take it out.

PPS - I think next month I'll run the tank dry, and then fill the 35 gallon tank AND the 60 gallon auxiliary tank at one shot to see just how much damage it does to my wallet! But I probably won't have to fill up for a month and a half after that.

They made me happy, and if anyone wants to know where customer service still applies, it's Mac Haik Dodge in Temple, TX.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I know in NH you have 3 days to return any vehicle you purchase. At least it use to be that way. FredW may be able to confirm this. I think its the same here in MA also. Check your state laws.

I am glad your happy in the end.

To bad it's a dodge.

I love my FORDS!

 

[dbvolfan]

Wow, glad that worked out for you. It's not often that you find a dealer that will work with you like that.

 

[Duezzer]

Right On

That is very cool

Can't believe the difference in milage - that's brutle

Must be something you can do to help that out

Once again Right ON