Last week, Bill got a phone call on his work cell phone. It was from a local Dodge dealer or so we thought (it ended up being from, I guess, Chrysler). They were supposibly looking for my year of a van (2006) with low miles (which I do – only 48,000). So Bill signed us up to get the van appraised.
We went on Saturday night (and because they screwed us around, I lost out on Bill taking me out to dinner!!!!!!!). We get there, they take our keys, and we wait for the appraisal. In the meantime, they take us to look at another van. Here's where things get interesting — the new car lot is someplace completely different (and no, we hadn't been to this dealer except for service before. And their service center sucks. A lot. Like I've made 2 (aff) appts there, and both times they didn't have a record of my appt when I got there. Needless to say, I was pissed. Both times.)
Now, I have a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. It has a little over 48,000 miles on it. It is paid off. I don't need a new vehicle at all. However, we were going to an excellent trade in amount for it. I mean they only repeated that to us over and over and over again.
They only would show us SEs. Now, the SE van is a step down from what I currently have. I also asked what the difference between the SE, the SXT, and the Crew vans were. Well, weirdly, this dealer only carries SEs. If you want something like power doors or seats, you have to pay for the upgrade (whereas that comes standard on the SXTs). What made me upset was that our sales guys answer was that the difference was trim levels. Which is a complete lie. I am still trying to figure out why this dealer doesn't both to carry ANYTHING but SEs. I am still floored by this. Obviously, they must get a kickback from the vendor they have come in to add aftermarket stuff like power doors.
So we get back to the dealer. And sit. And sit some more. They have our keys. We can't leave. 2 (aff) hours into this ordeal (and I hadn't eaten in like 8 hours so I was starving and crabby at this point) and we finally get a number. Wait for it . . . . . . .
The number they gave us? $1000 less than Kelly Blue Book. You could have literally picked me off the floor. Because I am a bitch, I told them that too. At that point, they took another 1000 off the purchase price of a van that is a step down from what I have even though I told them several times that this van was a step down.
OHHH, and Bill asked what the current loan rates were. Our sales guy replies that people with really good credit could get as low as 2.9% What rate were they giving us? 3 (aff).9%. Now, we have pretty much perfect credit, so that even pissed Bill off.
At some point in this, we have the sales manager in there who tells our sales guy that we want an SXT. Which, you know, I've repeated about 20 times at this point but nobody listens to the stupid woman. Now, this sales manager is another piece of work since every question I asked, he looked at Bill when he answered. Let's just say that didn't go well with me.
SOOOOO here's my advice:
When Chrysler calls you and tells you they are looking for your vehicle, hang up! I now will be spending the next month avoiding their phone calls since you know they aren't going to take no as an answer!