The flurried inconsistencies of information I received was astounding.
I've bought and negotiated for a few cars in my time. This most recent has to have been the most frustrating. The key, I've decided: do your homework. As a woman walking into a car dealership, we can almost be guaranteed to be treated at a disadvantaged level. It saddens me that this is still prevalent. I was asking questions about the Ram 1500. As I summarize the key points, remember that these things happened over 3 dealerships and a mechanics shop:
In researching diesel vs. gasoline engines:
I was aware the frequency for oil changes in a diesel is less than that of a gasoline engine, but wasn't sure by how much. I was told everything from every 5,000kms regardless, to 8,000kms or every 6 months, to 10,000kms or every 8 months. The manufacturers recommendation: follow the engine management system, it will notify when oil life is low. Do not allow oil changes to exceed 16,000kms or 12 months. Much longer than anything I was told.
In one dealership, they checked their inventory and didn't have any used Ram 1500 EcoDiesels. (The new ones are well out of my price range.) The sales guy here asked how much I drive a year (about 28,000kms, average for most people 20,000-24,000kms/year.) The dealership tried to tell me I don't drive enough for a diesel, and I should buy the 5.7L Hemi V8 in the Ram 1500 instead, and oh, look! They had a used one on the lot to sell me.
During the actual sales process:
When I finally found the truck I wanted on AutoTrader, I went to the dealership that had it in stock. I'd called ahead and let them know I was coming. The sales guy hadn't spent a second refreshing himself on the vehicle. What does a young woman like me need a truck for anyways? He didn't think I was serious about buying it. Even after dropping that I'm an electrician and work in construction, that didn't tip this guy off to drop the act.
I basically sold the truck to myself (eg. he thought it was a Crew Cab until we insisted it was the Quad, etc.) Negotiating was painful. The sales guy had entered the wrong price to start, so when he took it to the sales manager for approval of course it got sent back. He then tried to blame me for him putting the wrong price in. When I asked if we could meet in the middle, he responded with, "the middle of what? The ocean? I don't swim." Then chuckled to himself. *Sigh.* "Let's talk actual numbers." I responded. The wool won't be pulled over my eyes.
When it came time to finally pick up the truck, it was raining. I realized immediately that the wiper blades were old and ineffective. When I pointed this out to the sales guy, he tried to say it looked like condensation marks. I replied, "No, condensation builds up on the inside, which your guys cleaned. Those are water marks on the outside, where the squeegee isn't wiping properly, and if you look at the tip of the blade, the rubber is starting to peel away from the plastic holder."
These people had no idea who they were dealing with.
The next day I had to call back. Beyond the wiper blades, I'd noticed the fuel tank wasn't full like I'd was told it would be on multiple occasions. "We have a $50 fill up limit." Never once was an upper limit told to me during the whole process.
I opened the tailgate to check out the tonneau cover I'd purchased with the truck. The installers left some garbage from the installation in the bed of the truck.
There was no owners manual in the glove box.
I was told I had to come in during the week to get the wiper blades replaced, as the Master Mechanic was away on the weekend. I didn't realize you needed to be a Master Mechanic to change wiper blades. I'm so happy the College of Trades wasn't around any time I changed them myself as they could fine me for working on a vehicle without an Automotive Service Technician license.* (Insert majorly sarcastic tone here.*) I said, "I'll be coming on Saturday. Have the wiper blades for me, and I'll put them on my damn self if need be." I'd had enough, this was ridiculous!
All I can say out of this experience is WOW! No matter who you are, do your research, and know your stuff. Trust your gut, if it sounds weird, or like an excuse, stand your ground!
P.S. "CAUTION: Woman Driving" is a warning for the guys out there who think they can talk down to us ladies. Well this lady wasn't having it, so watch out!
I've bought and negotiated for a few cars in my time. This most recent has to have been the most frustrating. The key, I've decided: do your homework. As a woman walking into a car dealership, we can almost be guaranteed to be treated at a disadvantaged level. It saddens me that this is still prevalent. I was asking questions about the Ram 1500. As I summarize the key points, remember that these things happened over 3 dealerships and a mechanics shop:
In researching diesel vs. gasoline engines:
I was aware the frequency for oil changes in a diesel is less than that of a gasoline engine, but wasn't sure by how much. I was told everything from every 5,000kms regardless, to 8,000kms or every 6 months, to 10,000kms or every 8 months. The manufacturers recommendation: follow the engine management system, it will notify when oil life is low. Do not allow oil changes to exceed 16,000kms or 12 months. Much longer than anything I was told.
In one dealership, they checked their inventory and didn't have any used Ram 1500 EcoDiesels. (The new ones are well out of my price range.) The sales guy here asked how much I drive a year (about 28,000kms, average for most people 20,000-24,000kms/year.) The dealership tried to tell me I don't drive enough for a diesel, and I should buy the 5.7L Hemi V8 in the Ram 1500 instead, and oh, look! They had a used one on the lot to sell me.
During the actual sales process:
When I finally found the truck I wanted on AutoTrader, I went to the dealership that had it in stock. I'd called ahead and let them know I was coming. The sales guy hadn't spent a second refreshing himself on the vehicle. What does a young woman like me need a truck for anyways? He didn't think I was serious about buying it. Even after dropping that I'm an electrician and work in construction, that didn't tip this guy off to drop the act.
I basically sold the truck to myself (eg. he thought it was a Crew Cab until we insisted it was the Quad, etc.) Negotiating was painful. The sales guy had entered the wrong price to start, so when he took it to the sales manager for approval of course it got sent back. He then tried to blame me for him putting the wrong price in. When I asked if we could meet in the middle, he responded with, "the middle of what? The ocean? I don't swim." Then chuckled to himself. *Sigh.* "Let's talk actual numbers." I responded. The wool won't be pulled over my eyes.
When it came time to finally pick up the truck, it was raining. I realized immediately that the wiper blades were old and ineffective. When I pointed this out to the sales guy, he tried to say it looked like condensation marks. I replied, "No, condensation builds up on the inside, which your guys cleaned. Those are water marks on the outside, where the squeegee isn't wiping properly, and if you look at the tip of the blade, the rubber is starting to peel away from the plastic holder."
These people had no idea who they were dealing with.
The next day I had to call back. Beyond the wiper blades, I'd noticed the fuel tank wasn't full like I'd was told it would be on multiple occasions. "We have a $50 fill up limit." Never once was an upper limit told to me during the whole process.
I opened the tailgate to check out the tonneau cover I'd purchased with the truck. The installers left some garbage from the installation in the bed of the truck.
There was no owners manual in the glove box.
I was told I had to come in during the week to get the wiper blades replaced, as the Master Mechanic was away on the weekend. I didn't realize you needed to be a Master Mechanic to change wiper blades. I'm so happy the College of Trades wasn't around any time I changed them myself as they could fine me for working on a vehicle without an Automotive Service Technician license.* (Insert majorly sarcastic tone here.*) I said, "I'll be coming on Saturday. Have the wiper blades for me, and I'll put them on my damn self if need be." I'd had enough, this was ridiculous!
All I can say out of this experience is WOW! No matter who you are, do your research, and know your stuff. Trust your gut, if it sounds weird, or like an excuse, stand your ground!
P.S. "CAUTION: Woman Driving" is a warning for the guys out there who think they can talk down to us ladies. Well this lady wasn't having it, so watch out!
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