How to pick a good dealership

[RavensEyeOffroad]

I haven't seen a thread like this so I figured I would start it. Back in the day I had a great dealership, they would go on legit offroad rides, had a great group of people and even let me use their bay/lift/tools to install a lift on my TJ. Sadly they went out of business. I had heard a lot of other horror stories about dealers seeing a simple scratch mark on a skid plate and trying to void someones warranty entirely right there. Dealerships have notorious reputations for being pretty slimy anyhow. Do you guys just go the "best deal" route or should I go ask the service manager some lift kit questions to see how nervous they get?

Clarification: I do not expect a dealer to let me use their bay lol I was just conveying how awesome the dealer was toward modification at the time.

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[smlobx]

I’m like you.../I had a guy who I worked with for about 10 years even when he changed dealerships. He always went to bat for me...of course buying a car or truck yearly didn’t hurt but I had to do it anyway....sadly he passed away and I don’t trust anyone who is at a dealership.

I have become good acquaintances with a couple of independent mechanic shops and give them any business that isn’t a warranty issue..

As far as using their lift I would think that due to liability reasons they may not want you to...that’s why I got my own! You’re welcome to come up here and use it anytime!

 

[RH 67]

Lifted Gladiators on dealer lots is the norm in my area but most do not do the lifts themselves, dsi is a division of 4wheel parts and they do the lifts for the dealers. Ask your dealer who does their lifts and go direct this way you cut out the dealer and their cut.

 

[B345T]

I haven't seen a thread like this so I figured I would start it. Back in the day I had a great dealership, they would go on legit offroad rides, had a great group of people and even let me use their bay/lift/tools to install a lift on my TJ. Sadly they went out of business. I had heard a lot of other horror stories about dealers seeing a simple scratch mark on a skid plate and trying to void someones warranty entirely right there. Dealerships have notorious reputations for being pretty slimy anyhow. Do you guys just go the "best deal" route or should I go ask the service manager some lift kit questions to see how nervous they get?

Our insurance will not let other than a mechanic in the shop area for liability reasons and using a lift would be completely out of what we could let a customer do...

As for declining claims that is done at the Manufacturer level...

We are required to send in many photos from the angles they want used with High Def cameras so that they can "inspect" the area...

I do not know of any dealers of any make in my locality that will not attempt to get the manufacturer to pay for the repair...

As for notoriously slimy ... that is a severe generalization being made ... like all lawyers lie, not true but it is hard for people to overcome their irrational fears... that being said there are some dealerships and salespeople that have earned that kind of reputation...

The "best deal" is the one that you are happy with...

I did not take offense to your generalizations but grouping me in with others..but it is systemically unfair and unnecessary...

BTW what profession do you make a living in?

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

I’m like you.../I had a guy who I worked with for about 10 years even when he changed dealerships. He always went to bat for me...of course buying a car or truck yearly didn’t hurt but I had to do it anyway....sadly he passed away and I don’t trust anyone who is at a dealership.

I have become good acquaintances with a couple of independent mechanic shops and give them any business that isn’t a warranty issue..

As far as using their lift I would think that due to liability reasons they may not want you to...that’s why I got my own! You’re welcome to come up here and use it anytime!

To clarify I don't expect to use their lifts lol I was just saying, it was an awesome dealership that I had.

 

[Moonridge]

Being in the profession, the easiest way to tell if you are going to go to a good dealership is to see how your sales person acts. If the dealership taught the salesperson the right way, he should follow up with you and attempt to contact you multiple times. As for the service department, I don't have too much experience. I have taken customers out to their cars in the shop while we do lifts, and recommended other shops if it's a job we can't do.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

Being in the profession, the easiest way to tell if you are going to go to a good dealership is to see how your sales person acts. If the dealership taught the salesperson the right way, he should follow up with you and attempt to contact you multiple times. As for the service department, I don't have too much experience. I have taken customers out to their cars in the shop while we do lifts, and recommended other shops if it's a job we can't do.

This is what I'm looking for. I'm not worried about a dealer installing a lift I'm worried about the dealer saying "you're tire warranty is void now because you out on +1 size tires, sorry!"
We just bought a Chevy traverse for my wife and it was the guys first sale he had ever made. He has been really great as I've followed up with him a few times about some things. I told him if he sold Jeep's I would buy off him.

 

[MACulberson]

I’m good at picking out BAD stealerships.

First clue is there is an addendum sticker next to the widow sticker. That means they’re ripping you off from the jump.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

I’m good at picking out BAD stealerships.

First clue is there is an addendum sticker next to the widow sticker. That means they’re ripping you off from the jump.

Ill have to remember that. I really just dont want to get in some place that like I said "oh you have a scratch on your skid plate, sorry warranty is void now." or "your transfer case is making a noise because you put 35's on it, sorry."

 

[Oscar Indy]

Easiest way to know you are in a stealership. Get a trade in appraisal and a KBB instant cash offer. IF they offer under KBBs cash offer just walk away.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

Easiest way to know you are in a stealership. Get a trade in appraisal and a KBB instant cash offer. IF they offer under KBBs cash offer just walk away.

you mean like see what they offer then go bam! KBB says its worth more!
when we bought my wifes traverse they didnt even make an offer just went straight to kbb then ended up giving us $3k on top of what KBB said. we were like :O

 

[Oscar Indy]

Easiest way to know you are in a stealership. Get a trade in appraisal and a KBB instant cash offer. IF they offer under KBBs cash offer just walk away.

you mean like see what they offer, then go bam! KBB says its worth more!
when we bought my wifes traverse they didnt even make an offer just went straight to kbb then ended up giving us $3k on top of what KBB said. we were like :O

We just bought a new vehicle for the wife trading in my tuck for it while my jeep is still on order. We went to every dealer in town. My truck booked on KBB in great shape at the mileage it was for 28.5k, I knew this before going in. I had one dealership offer me 21k for it and was the highest priced on the vehicle we were looking at. When I proceeded to chew his ass, he claimed he had the best prices, and no one would offer me more or a better price. He continued to text me why his deal was right.... WELL. Down the street, at another dealer, I was given 29k for the truck, and the sticker price for the same vehicle was three grand cheaper and I negotiated another grand off of that. Suckers are born every day, not me tho. Don't get indignant when I call you on your lies. This wasn't my local Jeep dealer but they won't be getting any of my business either. I will be traveling quite aways for any recall work. When I went in there to trade in my Jeep they straight told me they didn't want it and offered me dramatically below KBB too. Their sales manager looked over my Jeep and didn't know anything about them. He really asked me what the factory locker buttons did. It was at that point I just left.

 

[Racer_X]

I went to two local dealerships before I bought from Spencer. The first one was the most local to me. The salesperson respected my privacy, did what I asked when I asked, and did the best he could on price. He lost the deal because real estate costs more here (among other things) and the dealership can't discount enough. Courteous throughout.

The second dealership was seriously slimy. I had hope considering they worked with a local shop to add custom mods to the gladiators - lift kits, tires, offroad lighting, etc. right on the lot. Two things set me off: First, they have a special "protection package" they try to install. Sequential brake lights, paint protection, wheel locks, etc. I told them "you're messing with the electrical system and the ability to replace a tire. If I go on a trail, that has bad day written all over it." Second, I overheard the classic car sales negotiation at the cube near me. I haven't bought a car like that in 20 years. Wasn't interested in starting.

I gave the guy my email address that I set up for this transaction with a spec sheet and told him to email his best and final. Surprise surprise, no response. The other guy I'll use for service.

Another dealer near me was also notorious for poor customer interactions. They recently changed the way they work with customers because of that feedback. When the wife is in the market for her Rover in 2028 (assuming we're still here), they'll be worth inclusion because they listen.

 

[Capt. B]

'm nearly done considering, but if you've my comments on buying in Memphis, then you know what my experience was. I actually turned in 2 of the business' into the BBB for false advertisement as they had a "price match" guarantee however, when I showed them another dealer's offer of 6% under invoice, they clammed up and wouldn't even e-mail me back.
The 2 dealerships in Memphis were Gossett and Wolfchase. I'm deciding TODAY if I'm going to pull the trigger, get it ordered, see it delivered and fly one way to ATL to pick it up. II

 

[Dave S]

'm nearly done considering, but if you've my comments on buying in Memphis, then you know what my experience was. I actually turned in 2 of the business' into the BBB for false advertisement as they had a "price match" guarantee however, when I showed them another dealer's offer of 6% under invoice, they clammed up and wouldn't even e-mail me back.
The 2 dealerships in Memphis were Gossett and Wolfchase. I'm deciding TODAY if I'm going to pull the trigger, get it ordered, see it delivered and fly one way to ATL to pick it up. II

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