Guys, I copied/pasted this post I posted from another forum, looking for as much input as I can in a short period of time
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So, just closed on my new 2011 Ram.

Negotiated over the phone a price of $398XX before tax (5%)

Added box liner for $550

Was expecting admin fee of $399 for total of ~$40,800 before taxes, or about $42,850 all said and done.

Go to sign the papers, they add

$100 AC tax (acceptable)
$199 for roadside
$199 for glass etching

This is $500 extra costs. Bringing up the total to $43,3XX

These costs were not disclosed by the salesman during negotiation, when I came out of the finance office I tracked him down and chewed him a new a$$hole. That is no way to do business. $900 of closing costs on top of negotiated price. My wife was embarrassed but I didn't care.

I told my salesman that he needed to do something for me because I was visibly upset. He told me he could get me the 1st and 5th oil change free...I told him I need a little better than that.

Honestly I'm not asking for a lot, maybe the first 5 oilchanges free...maybe a $150 value, just an attempt to make things right.

We will see tomorrow, if he can't do any better than 2 oilchanges I can't see myself handing over that cheque. I put the deposit on my Visa so I think I could get it back? I feel so deceived.

Anybody else experience this? Last time I purchased new it was in 2003, admin fees were $299 and the rest was optional. Honestly who would purchase glass etching.


Looking for input/suggestions, I love the truck but can't see myself reluctantly handing over a cheque for that amount feeling ripped off.

 

The two $199 items are additional unexpected and unnecessary. You are not obligated to pay for them. You are right, it is underhanded and unacceptable. It should be disclosed during the negotiation, or else it is not what you agreed to.

Taxes, that's a no-brainer. You gotta pay the taxman. :/

Tell them if they want the deal they will remove the charges, or you walk. They can tell if you aren't serious so be prepared to leave the truck there.

 

You were cheated. If I'm not mistaken you have a certain amount of time to back out of a deal but it is VERY short. Call them immediately, better yet go there in person, and cancel the deal. Insist they debit your credit card and if they won't do it call the card company in front of them and dispute the charge. Find another dealer to deal with. You didn't get a very good deal to start with (depending on what you actually bought). You should never have signed the papers to start with.

 

That thing better have a cummins for 43k!

 

Meh, depending if he is in Canada or the USA, you can barely get a 1500 ST 4x4 for 43k in Canada. Nice new diesels are pushing the mid 70's up here.

Our dollar is higher than the USA's... B.S!

 

Thanks for that! Na,like Cthulhu said below, trucks are still a bit more expensive here. Not worth dragging one across the border anymore, but still a bit more.
I'm from Edmonton, I don't have those Ft. Mac. Bucks so I need every bit I can get. I talked to the sales manager and he did remove the $400 for etching and nitrogen. Feels a lot better mang.

Cheers guys, FWIW a phone call to the sales manager is worth a try.

 

List was $50,900
Sale price was $39,800

I can't help the taxes and high sticker cost, it may not be the best deal but I've seen worse?

 

I'm actually curious what the math works out to for importing vehicles.

For years we Canadians exported our cream of the crop trucks to the USA. Now that our dollar is on par with the USA, it would be worth experimenting.

Comparison:
2011 Dodge Quad Cab - Big Horn - $37,606 USD MSRP (Lithia Dodge Oregon)
2011 Dodge Quad Cab - Big Horn - $37,605 CDN MSRP (Sherwood Park Dodge Alberta)

Granted they are not the exact same VIN, but the same truck for the most part. As you can see, the price is the same, regardless if it's the USA or Canada. This is quite a surprise to me as well. Only the USA dealer had a 'instant' discount advertised of $4300. If you are an individual, you would likely spend any saving on transportation, import/export brokerage as well as standardizing it to Canadian standards (speedo/odometer/DRLs).

So, I agree, there's no way that is worthwhile to go to the USA for a vehicle. I am curious what the discounts are on the Canadian vehicles.

 

Didn't catch that he was from Canada... Sucks that prices are so high. For comparison and curiosity, what's the minimum wage up there?

 

It depends on the province... it ranges from about $8.80/hr in Alberta, to IIRC just under $10 in B.C.

No one makes minimum wage in Alberta though.. lol.