How to pick a good dealership

[Dave S]

A dealers net cost is invoice minus holdback (3%). So anything below that is a loss

yes dealers lose money to sell new vehicles. They hope to get a trade in, secure financing and sell warranty and up fits. All profit centers for dealership

if they reach their volume goals they do get some money from manufacturer but rarely makes up close to the loss. The gladiator is a no pay unit for volume.

I don’t agree that they not contact you again, bad practice, but ultimately it is a dealers choice how they sell their products

if you are willing to travel to get a vehicle, evaluate the cost, travel and if they require you to finance with them. It may or may not make sense

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[Racer_X]

A dealers net cost is invoice minus holdback (3%). So anything below that is a loss

Remember that there are other incentives. For example, the affiliate program. This reduces the dealer's net cost. As a result, they can offer lower prices than invoice minus holdback and still make money.

 

[SleepyJeep]

What @smlobx said.... I second that. I am sure they won't let you use the lifts or any of that space for liability insurance purposes... I have had dealerships and even mechanics not even walk into that work area just in case some injury happens and they would be liable

Regarding finding good dealerships, unfortunately there are a lot of sales people and dealerships that thrive on taking advantage of people. So, you just have to find one that makes you happy. I would suggest you find a local 4x4/Jeep place that satisfies your needs. The Jeep community is pretty strong and you should be able to find a good mechanic or a 4x4 place and build a good relationship with them for servicing...

I plan to do most of the upgrades/mods/service myself so this is a good opportunity to learn

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

What @smlobx said.... I second that. I am sure they won't let you use the lifts or any of that space for liability insurance purposes... I have had dealerships and even mechanics not even walk into that work area just in case some injury happens and they would be liable

Regarding finding good dealerships, unfortunately there are a lot of sales people and dealerships that thrive on taking advantage of people. So, you just have to find one that makes you happy. I would suggest you find a local 4x4/Jeep place that satisfies your needs. The Jeep community is pretty strong and you should be able to find a good mechanic or a 4x4 place and build a good relationship with them for servicing...

I plan to do most of the upgrades/mods/service myself so this is a good opportunity to learn

Yeah I guess I worded my OP wrong, i never intended to find a dealership that would let me use their lift, I was mearly trying to express how cool of a dealership I had years ago vs some of the horror stories that I had heard. I have a garage and all the tools I would need.
most of the local dealerships have very poor ratings, it seems only those who are upset care enough to leave a review.

 

[Dave S]

Remember that there are other incentives. For example, the affiliate program. This reduces the dealer's net cost. As a result, they can offer lower prices than invoice minus holdback and still make money.

Affiliate price is 1% below invoice. The dealer gets some money back from that program but not enough to get to 7% below invoice

ultimate point is each dealEr can chose what to sell their products at. Some are volume. Some are profit. How they interact with customer is the big point

I never argue with a customer or ignore them if they want to make a trip somewhere to buy lower. I hope to earn their service business and be very upfront for what we sell our product for

 

[saintpauljeff]

I got an email from a Minnesota dealership that says "no dealer is going to give 5-7% off invoice... there are no incentives from Chrysler on Gladiators and no dealer is going to lose money to sell one"

so somehow a few of you are performing the impossible

 

[Capt. B]

I got an email from a Minnesota dealership that says "no dealer is going to give 5-7% off invoice... there are no incentives from Chrysler on Gladiators and no dealer is going to lose money to sell one"

so somehow a few of you are performing the impossible

NOT the impossible, just find a good dealer that will help you. I am flying from Memphis to ATL to pick mine up because Memphis dealers SUCK the big weenie.

 

[Oscar Indy]

SO fun fact I just learned. The tire pressure is over-inflated by the factory to prevent flat spots when shipping. The 3rd step in the delivery checklist is to lower that pressure to the placard pressure. Fun fact 2. in RED letters at the bottom of the checklist is this reminder

REMINDER: Tire pressure should remain at max side wall pressure until test drive or vehicle delivery to customer when it should be set to placard pressure.

If you are test driving and the tire pressure is set way high then they did not do a proper delivery inspection.

 

[SleepyJeep]

SO fun fact I just learned. The tire pressure is over-inflated by the factory to prevent flat spots when shipping. The 3rd step in the delivery checklist is to lower that pressure to the placard pressure. Fun fact 2. in RED letters at the bottom of the checklist is this reminder


If you are test driving and the tire pressure is set way high then they did not do a proper delivery inspection.

I dropped it down to 39 psi when I test drove it... This was something I learned from this forum

 

[saintpauljeff]

NOT the impossible, just find a good dealer that will help you. I am flying from Memphis to ATL to pick mine up because Memphis dealers SUCK the big weenie.

I mentioned that there are dealers who are meeting these pricing levels, and they reiterated what they said, thanked me for my interest, and said have a good day. I thanked them for their bulls--t, and said have a good day.

Trying to keep the out of state purchase as a last resort, and I feel I'm rapidly approaching the idea.

 

[futzin']

I mentioned that there are dealers who are meeting these pricing levels, and they reiterated what they said, thanked me for my interest, and said have a good day. I thanked them for their bulls--t, and said have a good day.

Trying to keep the out of state purchase as a last resort, and I feel I'm rapidly approaching the idea.

At least they were up front with you. They're wrong, but up front . If no one buys their products at their price, the market there would change.

 

[smlobx]

At least they were up front with you. They're wrong, but up front . If no one buys their products at their price, the market there would change.

just wait until you dive back in there to have your first free oil change and tire rotation and see the sales guys faces....

 

[SleepyJeep]

Yeah I guess I worded my OP wrong, i never intended to find a dealership that would let me use their lift, I was mearly trying to express how cool of a dealership I had years ago vs some of the horror stories that I had heard. I have a garage and all the tools I would need.
most of the local dealerships have very poor ratings, it seems only those who are upset care enough to leave a review.

If you are looking to buy a new Gladiator, just choose one of the dealers from this forum that we know give us 5-7% below invoice and be done with it. It is the easiest way to get one without any heartache, sure you might have to drive 300-500 miles but that's really not a big deal. Or like @ralphjjr did, you can have the Gladiator delivered to you via a truck for like $600 or so... Kentucky to NC is like 450 miles you can just do that...

 

[MrJeep]

A good dealer:
Doesn't pressure you other than just by following up often and trying to close the deal.
Doesn't pull the "this deal is only good right now" bs
Allows you to negotiate by email.
Has all the paperwork done so when you get there so you can just sign and drive.
Does offer you all the add on bullshit but not in a high pressure situation. Doesn't freak out if you don't by the "wheel ding" coverage.

Ironically, the only dealer that hit all of these was a local BMW place last spring that was formerly the worst dealership in the area!

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

If you are looking to buy a new Gladiator, just choose one of the dealers from this forum that we know give us 5-7% below invoice and be done with it. It is the easiest way to get one without any heartache, sure you might have to drive 300-500 miles but that's really not a big deal. Or like @ralphjjr did, you can have the Gladiator delivered to you via a truck for like $600 or so... Kentucky to NC is like 450 miles you can just do that...

when I am ready that is probably what Ill do.
Ive got a few more months to wait.

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