Mike_in_Wisc
Pardeeville, Wi
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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My company offers an employee discount with GM and Chrysler so that took F*rd out of the equation. At almost 60 years old, I wanted one spanking brand new ride before I get to old to drive and it has to be a diesel, especially pulling our camper. Did you know on new vehicles, the speedometer starts with single digits? Mine always started with four or five digits. So I socked away the O.T. money towards that wonderful purchase. Last March I decided it was time to buy. Although driving Chevy the last two trucks, I really loved the looks of the D**ge and the Cummin’s is a strong engine. My oldest son works at a Chrysler dealership as a tranny rebuilder. That is his only job. Their tranny’s can’t take what the Cummins can put out. If they could he would be working at a Quickie-Lube or something. Anyway, I got my tranny rebuilder in the family, no problem there. I go to the local dealer and they have two new Cummins Duellies with all the bells and whistles. I picked the one I wanted by color and head for the showroom to work out final price. I have the financing all worked out, half down and the rest now!
On the showroom floor there was a new Viper convertible, three salespeople, and a large breasted, short skirted, blonde, who kept bending over the drivers door to point at things on the dash and wanting to know what they did. Dumb me, I tried to interrupt this to talk to any salesperson about a silly thing like a truck. I couldn’t get their teeth pried loose from the hem of her skirt long enough to talk to me. If you took $500 off the price of the car for every time she bent over and asked a question, I swear she drove out of there with a Viper for the price of a Chevy GEO. My checkbook and me left, and my Cummins is still there. And it’s only 11:00 AM.
Go across town to the Chevy dealer. One of the salesmen there sold me my last two trucks. We know each other good I thought. Told him I was ready for a new truck, and it has to be a Duramax. Well, GEE, there is nothing on the lot right now and he has to be in Kentucky tomorrow morning for a golf outing. Why don’t I call him next Friday when he gets back, and we’ll get right on this new truck for me . . . uummmm ..yea .. RIGHT! God forbid a paying customer should interrupt a golf game. It’s now 1:00 PM and I am home stewing for the weekend.
Monday take a different way home from work, checkbook in hand. Drove past another Chevy dealer, and lookie there! A big Green Monster setting on the end of the truck row with DURAMAX DIESEL on the door. So I talk to this salesman. He isn't going golfing, or playing tennis, and it's not even coffee break time, so he takes my truck for a ride, I take his Duramax for a ride and we agree on the price. I write him the check, give him the rest of the day to do the dealer prep on MY Duramax and make sure the check is OK. Take next day off from work and go get MY new truck.
Couple of days later bought a package of Titlest golf balls. Guess who’s desk those were delivered too? And if I ever see that Viper around town, I want to thank that blonde for forcing me to buy the new love of my life. This truck is awesome! So if you are in Wisconsin or Western Michigan and see a Big Green Monster with a 31’ Hi-Lo behind it, blow your horn and give a wave. But no matter what name is in your grille, please use ALL your fingers when waving. And if you camp by us, come on over, the beer is cold, the coffee is hot, and there is always room for another chair around the campfire.
DANG!! I still love the looks of that Cummins.
2004.5 2500HD Chevy Duramax LLY/Allison
ext. cab. 4x4 Short Box
Hi-Lo 31'
One Wife
No Kids
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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I know how you feel. So many of these damn dealerships want to push whatever is popular. Most sales staff haven't a clue about towing packages, diesel output or maintenence requirements. They will quickly tell you that whatever they have sitting on the lot will easily tow your 10,000lb fifth-wheel. One clown tried to convince me a 1/2 ton 4.8ltr gas could do it, I think because he had 20 on the lot.
Stopped by a local Ford fleet truck sales department here in town. The sales manager sat down with me and asked what I was going to use the truck for. Said if he did not have it on the lot, would happily check other lots nearby. No pressure on the sales, got exactly what I wanted, received two rebates and paid less than the new style F-150's. Best buying expenrience yet, highly recommend fleet truck sales, they deal with businesses, contractors and the like. They know trucks and what you need for towing. Leave the flashy paint graphics and the short skirted welcoming staff up front.
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USNRet.
Wonderful Wife,3 Daughters,2Goldens Gus&Riley
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
'08 F-450 Lariat 4x4
'08 Honda Odyssey EX-L
SunlineF281SR
SeaRay215EC
http://community.webshots.com/user/CaptSkup?vhost=community
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august-alberta
Cold Lake, AB, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 05/30/2004
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I'll start by saying I'm not a basher of any brand vehicle. OK. That out of the way, in my small town, there is one of each: Ford, GM, Chrysler and KIA. In 2002, I was trading in a 2000 F150 extended cab plain jane truck for something with 4 doors (I'm in real estate and that 3rd door in the rear didn't do it for my clients). First place I went was the Chrysler dealer. Saw the truck I wanted on the lot, the salesman insisted he come with me for the test drive and when we got back to the showroom and lead into his office I tell him that this is the one I want. He pipes up and says, "bring your husband back, and we can talk money".
Needless to say, although I loved the truck, I less than politely told him that I do not have a husband, do not want a husband and do not need a husband, especially to spend my $45000 on one of his trucks. I left the lot, went home & stewed. That eve, I was speaking with my parents back home & told them the story. My dad reminded me that my brother worked at Ford and that he could maybe give me some advice.
To make a long story short, I got the truck of my dreams for cost.
I also made a point of telling every single female I know about this particular salesman. About 2 months after I had my Ford, I guess word got back to the dealer and he phoned me. Apologized profusely for his staff's comments and offered me a really good deal on a Ram. Said thanks but no thanks-damage was done and I went elsewhere. That particular salesman no longer works there.
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DougKerri03
Chesapeake, VA
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Joined: 03/13/2004
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I remember when I bought my truck. I knew that nobody would have the truck I wanted on the lot. Due to needs, wants, and cost I had to compromise from what is typically stocked. I knew I wanted 4X4 and that I would find a need for it, eventually... I also wanted a manual transmission. Didn't really know whether a V-6 or a V-8, wanted V-8 but didn't really need it...then. Regular cab is all I looked at, due to additional $3000 for extended cab.
Went home from college and stopped by local Dodge dealer before going to parent's house. Talked to a salesman, and got a brochure, I think it was my third. Talked about how Costco works. Pay $100 over invoice plus "advertising fee" of $300. I knew this was the standard, because my sister bought a car from Ford through Costco and it was the same deal. Went home and talked to dad. He wanted to take me to the dealership to look at trucks, as my car had been having some major mechanical problems with 180,000 on the clock. This floored me, as I haven't even mentioned anything about stopping by dealership yet. Next day, sat down with salesman, selected the options, then got a price. Dad and I compromised a little here and there, dropping 3.92 gears, fog lights, sliding rear window and larger rear brake shoes from truck. Saved about $1000. Signed papers and placed the order. On the way back to college, I was stranded on I-95 at a truckstop because the alternator on my car had died. Fourth one in as many years. Called dad and broke the bad news. At least that was the last thing that happened to my car. Three weeks later I picked up my new truck, and have loved it since.
Even though I live 200 miles away, that same dealership will be the first one I talk price with when I buy my next truck. For me trucks are all about capabilities, style, and useful features. I think that Dodge has me as a loyal customer for a while.
2007 Toyota V8 4Runner SR5 4WD - "CHRTRM"
2003 Sunline T-2753 - "RD HOME"
1995 Toyota Tercel 180,000 miles
1999 Dodge Dakota Sport Regular Cab 4X4 W/DETROIT LOCKER - "RSOX58" 164,000 miles
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luvlabs
Frederick, MD
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Joined: 10/31/2002
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Doug,
I've had an equally good experience buying trucks through Costco and Sam's Club buying services. For the life of me, I don't understand why more people don't use these services. Stops the hassle, the sense of being ripped off, excess dealer profit, etc. Bought my F150 through Sam's and we are buying our 2500HD through Costco. Both times - $300 over dealer invoice.
Carriage Cameo 33CKQ | 08 GMC 3500HD CC LB Duramax Dually | Sam the Cat and the Labs | Best wife going
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DougKerri03
Chesapeake, VA
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Joined: 03/13/2004
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luvlabs,
I can't agree more with you. For $100 I have an Excutive membership to Costco, save tons of money on food, electronics and gas. Every year just before the time to renew, I get a 2% rebate for all non-food and non-gas purchases. Even with the bulk of my purchases not included for the rebate, I still get back at least the difference between Gold and Excutive memberships. Not to mention that I could buy a new vehicle and save tons of money before I walk through the door.
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