So I went to the local Jeep dealer today....

[KX L]

They had a white Mojave out front so I went to take a look. My main intent was to measure the width of the doors as I'm getting the dual door group so I need a place to hang the ones I'm not using. FYI, doors are are 45" inches tall, fronts are 36" wide, backs are 30" wide. Was all set to order hangers that you hook the door frames over when I realized that wouldn't work with the half doors.

I wasn't the least bit surprised when no when came out to talk so I went in because the truck didn't have a build sheet in the window. Guy asked how he could help me and I asked to look at the window sticker---he said it's on the window of the truck as he led me back outside. Total confusion on his face when it wasn't there so he looked in the glove box and it wasn't there either. He said it must be inside so he went to get it. Needless to say he couldn't find it.

When he came back out I asked him the price. He said $60K. The ONLY options were the automatic and leather seating. I expressed surprise at the price saying it didn't have any options. At least he was smart enough to ask what I meant by that instead of saying it had options. I listed just 4, the rail management system, auxiliary switches, safety group, and advanced safety group. He gave me the look of, "please don't continue" so I asked him how much of a discount I could get on a custom order for a loaded Mojave. His answer was invoice price.

He then went on to tell me that he had to sell vehicles the dealer ordered at MSRP. I didn't bother to point out MSRP on the one I was looking would be less than $50K.... When I told him my deal from Tri-City he said he'd take it too...and that they are a family owned dealership so they can't deal in those type of volumes. Not sure I want to take the Jeep to them if something goes wrong....

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[Trickster]

They had a white Mojave out front so I went to take a look. My main intent was to measure the width of the doors as I'm getting the dual door group so I need a place to hang the ones I'm not using. FYI, doors are are 45" inches tall, fronts are 36" wide, backs are 30" wide. Was all set to order hangers that you hook the door frames over when I realized that wouldn't work with the half doors.

I wasn't the least bit surprised when no when came out to talk so I went in because the truck didn't have a build sheet in the window. Guy asked how he could help me and I asked to look at the window sticker---he said it's on the window of the truck as he led me back outside. Total confusion on his face when it wasn't there so he looked in the glove box and it wasn't there either. He said it must be inside so he went to get it. Needless to say he couldn't find it.

When he came back out I asked him the price. He said $60K. The ONLY options were the automatic and leather seating. I expressed surprise at the price saying it didn't have any options. At least he was smart enough to ask what I meant by that instead of saying it had options. I listed just 4, the rail management system, auxiliary switches, safety group, and advanced safety group. He gave me the look of, "please don't continue" so I asked him how much of a discount I could get on a custom order for a loaded Mojave. His answer was invoice price.

He then went on to tell me that he had to sell vehicles the dealer ordered at MSRP. I didn't bother to point out MSRP on the one I was looking would be less than $50K.... When I told him my deal from Tri-City he said he'd take it too...and that they are a family owned dealership so they can't deal in those type of volumes. Not sure I want to take the Jeep to them if something goes wrong....

Why?
You were dealing with a salesman, not the service department.

 

[WK2JT]

From the title I thought this was going to be a joke, like two ducks walk into a bar…

 

[iammacey]

They had a white Mojave out front so I went to take a look. My main intent was to measure the width of the doors as I'm getting the dual door group so I need a place to hang the ones I'm not using. FYI, doors are are 45" inches tall, fronts are 36" wide, backs are 30" wide. Was all set to order hangers that you hook the door frames over when I realized that wouldn't work with the half doors.

I wasn't the least bit surprised when no when came out to talk so I went in because the truck didn't have a build sheet in the window. Guy asked how he could help me and I asked to look at the window sticker---he said it's on the window of the truck as he led me back outside. Total confusion on his face when it wasn't there so he looked in the glove box and it wasn't there either. He said it must be inside so he went to get it. Needless to say he couldn't find it.

When he came back out I asked him the price. He said $60K. The ONLY options were the automatic and leather seating. I expressed surprise at the price saying it didn't have any options. At least he was smart enough to ask what I meant by that instead of saying it had options. I listed just 4, the rail management system, auxiliary switches, safety group, and advanced safety group. He gave me the look of, "please don't continue" so I asked him how much of a discount I could get on a custom order for a loaded Mojave. His answer was invoice price.

He then went on to tell me that he had to sell vehicles the dealer ordered at MSRP. I didn't bother to point out MSRP on the one I was looking would be less than $50K.... When I told him my deal from Tri-City he said he'd take it too...and that they are a family owned dealership so they can't deal in those type of volumes. Not sure I want to take the Jeep to them if something goes wrong....

What was your intention of getting the sales associate? You have a Gladiator ordered, you got your measurements, and you had a rough idea of MSRP on the Mojave.

If you're concerned about taking your Gladiator to them for service, visit the Service Department. Take them some donuts and be transparent about why you're there. This will help you get a feel for service advisors, customer service, and maybe you can take a shop tour to feel better. Otherwise, go elsewhere.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Agree with some of the responses here - I'll take my JT to the local dealer shop but if they still operate as they have in the past, I would not buy from them. Sales people come and go, they don't know how to answer basic questions about what they sell, they have that "I have to go ask my manager" BS still going........... but the shop is a totally different animal.
The sales manager handles the front end, the service manager handles the shop - different animals in most dealerships.

 

[Dryfly24]

Why?
You were dealing with a salesman, not the service department.

You’re on point. I used to think like the OP when I first got my Rubi because I had a couple bad experiences with the sales people at my local dealership. Turns out the service department is actually pretty decent.

I went so far as to take my truck to a dealership about an hour away at first because the sales guys there were actually pretty decent guys. As I soon found out, their service department is horrible. Go figure…

 

[Hootbro]

Sales and service are two different worlds. My two closest dealers are polar opposites of each other. One is great at sales but suck in the service department. The other sucks at sales but is great in the service department.

Luckily for me, the one that is great in the service department does not treat me any less when I bring them warranty work or even paid work but I have bought my Gladiator elsewhere.

 

[sharpsicle]

From the title I thought this was going to be a joke, like two ducks walk into a bar…

So you went to the Jeep dealership the other day........

 

[KX L]

What was your intention of getting the sales associate? You have a Gladiator ordered, you got your measurements, and you had a rough idea of MSRP on the Mojave.

If you're concerned about taking your Gladiator to them for service, visit the Service Department. Take them some donuts and be transparent about why you're there. This will help you get a feel for service advisors, customer service, and maybe you can take a shop tour to feel better. Otherwise, go elsewhere.

@iammacey @ShadowsPapa @Dryfly24 @Hootbro @sharpsicle

Sorry, didn't make it clear---when he told me it was a family owned business he also told me he is one of the owners. He's probably about 40 years old and in great shape---not your typical owner from my perspective. Also quite knowledgeable once he knew I wasn't a patsy.

Totally agree with the comments on checking out the service department and that basing decisions on comments made by a sales guy is just crazy----but the fact is he tried to BS me on a couple of things---so do I really want to deal with his service dept if the owner is this way?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@iammacey @ShadowsPapa @Dryfly24 @Hootbro @sharpsicle

Sorry, didn't make it clear---when he told me it was a family owned business he also told me he is one of the owners. He's probably about 40 years old and in great shape---not your typical owner from my perspective. Also quite knowledgeable once he knew I wasn't a patsy.

Totally agree with the comments on checking out the service department and that basing decisions on comments made by a sales guy is just crazy----but the fact is he tried to BS me on a couple of things---so do I really want to deal with his service dept if the owner is this way?

Each situation is different - you'll have to judge and decide.
BTW - the dealership I use for repairs/warranty in Ankeny is not very large. They are a sister dealership to Stew Hansen, where I bought my truck but would never deal with their shop. I don't like SH sales tactics and I came out "ok" but they also do the "I have to check with my sales manager" BS and then finally the sales manager comes out as your best buddy, talking about family and trying to get to know you - you know the drill.
I only bought there because the sales guy, Scott, knew more about Jeep than any other sales person I ever met and was able to answer all questions accurately. I think he was a good sales guy trapped at a dealership stuck in the 70s.
Anyway, Dewey in Ankeny, the shop that does our warranty work, etc. is connected corporately to several dealerships in the area - including Dewey Ford, Stew Hansen and the Jeep dealer in Indianola and I think even in Knoxville. They have dozens of dealerships around the country. Yet each one is very different in shops and local people.
For buying I think I'll work outside of their "sister store network" but the way we sit now, I can't see needing to buy a new vehicle for quite a while.

Ya just have to do what feels right and ask questions and learn and do what is best for you.

 

[MrFahrenheit]

I don't think it's out of bounds to think poorly of something as a whole based on an experience with one aspect of it. If I had a bad experience with a sales team, why would I ever think my experience would be different in the service department?

Should the reverse hold true? If I've had crappy service should I still consider buying from them? Some may, but not me.

I think the same for Service Managers. You could have the best techs in the world but if the service manager is a dope then I could care less. I'll take my vehicle somewhere else.

The concession I will give here though is that the vast majority of people coming into dealerships are ill informed on price and the vehicle they are looking at so, even with a more limited knowledge of the vehicle they are selling, they likely know more than the person they are selling it to.

 

[Trickster]

I don't think it's out of bounds to think poorly of something as a whole based on an experience with one aspect of it. If I had a bad experience with a sales team, why would I ever think my experience would be different in the service department?

Should the reverse hold true? If I've had crappy service should I still consider buying from them? Some may, but not me.

I think the same for Service Managers. You could have the best techs in the world but if the service manager is a dope then I could care less. I'll take my vehicle somewhere else.

The concession I will give here though is that the vast majority of people coming into dealerships are ill informed on price and the vehicle they are looking at so, even with a more limited knowledge of the vehicle they are selling, they likely know more than the person they are selling it to.

Well I disagree.
Judging a dealership in its entirety based on one individuals experience is shortsighted. There are less than capable people in all walks of life and if you take this attitude then you will never be happy dealing anywhere. Maybe you just haven’t met the bad sales person or retail clerk yet, but they probably exist….everywhere.

In regards to your statement that “the vast majority of people coming into a dealership are ill informed”. No. In today’s world it’s the opposite, ask a competent salesperson and they will agree. With the ability to analyze, and scrutinize every detail on the internet, the majority of potential buyers usually know more about a specific vehicle they are shopping for than a salesperson who knows some things about all they vehicles they sell.

I have many associates in the industry, and they all attest to this.
A new vehicle purchase is likely the second most expensive purchase you make in your life next to a home, and the majority of buyers have researched their intended vehicles intensely.

Look no further than the knowledge base here on this forum about the Gladiator.

My 2 cents.
?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Well I disagree.
Judging a dealership in its entirety based on one individuals experience is shortsighted. There are less than capable people in all walks of life and if you take this attitude then you will never be happy dealing anywhere. Maybe you just haven’t met the bad sales person or retail clerk yet, but they probably exist….everywhere.

In regards to your statement that “the vast majority of people coming into a dealership are ill informed”. No. In today’s world it’s the opposite, ask a competent salesperson and they will agree. With the ability to analyze, and scrutinize every detail on the internet, the majority of potential buyers usually know more about a specific vehicle they are shopping for than a salesperson who knows some things about all they vehicles they sell.

I have many associates in the industry, and they all attest to this.
A new vehicle purchase is likely the second most expensive purchase you make in your life next to a home, and the majority of buyers have researched their intended vehicles intensely.

Look no further than the knowledge base here on this forum about the Gladiator.

My 2 cents.
?

These Jeep vehicles are a total anomaly though. Yes, people for the most part have researched the JT - but that's not the same for those going to buy a Traverse, Escape or Impala.
(and the numbers on this forum are a fraction of total JT owners - then look at those who have been surprised to find out how lights operate!)
There's knowledge here - but this is a tiny tiny fraction of the total JT buyers. Even of the total membership, only a handful are "active". Of the roughly 33,000 members there's what, 100 active people?
I can tell ya for sure in the USA very few are very informed. I've listened and observed while in dealerships and I almost laugh sometimes.
In our area, sales people aren't even trained. They have to pay for their own training on Jeep vehicles! That's why the sales guy I used was so knowledgeable - he PAID for his classes and training, he told me flat out very few others do.
How can that be? Because most customers don't ask questions that baffle the sales people because they don't know what to ask.
I was an exception apparently. We had a long chat about the very topic.
When I bought my Chevy the "trainer" who helped once the deal was done and your vehicle was ready said they found it necessary as most people had trouble doing the basics like pairing a phone or operating the heater.
Maybe Canada is different, but the lack of basic knowledge in this country is simply amazing. People who know about cars are rare, and mechanics that know about them just as rare LOL

Hang out in the backyard mechanics type sites and you'll find there's more dummies out there than you figured.

 

[Trickster]

I can tell ya for sure in the USA very few are very informed.
Maybe Canada is different, but the lack of basic knowledge in this country is simply amazing. People who know about cars are rare, and mechanics that know about them just as rare LOL

Mr. Fahrenheit said the vast majority were ill informed on price and the vehicle. I wonder how this happens, where is this misinformation coming from?
Now lack of any knowledge on a vehicle is possible, but the vast majority? Sure the JT may be an anomaly, but most purchasers will know the MSRP and features when shopping. Details like torque specs and the like are known by few shoppers.
So I suppose the scenario you associate this ignorance in knowledge to could go like this…”Hey honey, I like that there purple one, it’s pretty, buy it.”?

 

[KX L]

Mr. Fahrenheit said the vast majority were ill informed on price and the vehicle. I wonder how this happens, where is this misinformation coming from?
Now lack of any knowledge on a vehicle is possible, but the vast majority? Sure the JT may be an anomaly, but most purchasers will know the MSRP and features when shopping. Details like torque specs and the like are known by few shoppers.
So I suppose the scenario you associate this ignorance in knowledge to could go like this…”Hey honey, I like that there purple one, it’s pretty, buy it.”?

You're scenario is 100% accurate for a good 80% of the women I know and have known in my 60+ years of life. They may have a specific make they think they want, such as a Ford Explorer or Jeep just because a friend has one---but because just about every vehicle has cruise control and power windows it's the color that they care about so no brand loyalty at all.

My wife is dying for a full size Range Rover in Blue [and she'll do so before she ever gets one ] but I can guarantee she'd be thrilled with a Lexus, Jaguar, Lincoln, Cadillac etc etc. She really just cares about it being "higher end" and the color. Which is strange to me because she's about the least pretentious person I know.

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