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Regular
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Location: Connecticut | Sooo, after receiving lots of advice about being careful about shopping for a used truck, I went to a Dodge dealer to see what he had for deals on their 1/2 ton trucks. I was told by the receptionist that it was my lucky day since the truck specialist was working. So I sit down with the truck specialist and tell him that I need to find a 5.7 4x4 work truck to pull a horse trailer. He proceeds to ask me what color I want. (yes I am a female, big surprise there). So he says he has to go check inventory, leaves me sitting at his desk for 30 minutes before finally coming back with two options, a red truck and a blue truck. I ask him what the rear axle ratio is on them and he has to disappear again to go find out. He comes back 15 minutes later and tells me they are 3.73. At this point I politely tell this truck expert that Dodge doesn't make a 3.73, thank him for wasting my time, and walk out. My question to you all it, if I cannot even get a straight answer from a so called truck expert on a new truck, how the heck am I supposed to not get screwed in the used truck arena? I'm so frustrated at this point, I'm about ready to stop looking. |
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Location: KY | Call the manager of the dealership and tell him/her what happened and ask if the dealership is interested in selling trucks. Also get online.....at a lot of dealer sites, you can pull up the actual window stickers of the vehicles in inventory. Also, you are welcome to use my favorite trick; take a guy along, have him tell the salesperson "You only have one chance to sell her a vehicle and believe me you do not want to make her mad" On the last vehicle I bought, I went in my truck to look at the cars (did not go in the car I intended to trade in)....several days later I was able to buy the car I wanted, trade in my car, and all for the price I had already set in my mind. Most dealers have gotten savy to the fact that women buy trucks and that women have the $$ or the credit to do the deals. If the dealer is real stupid, take it as a challenge......get into that hold back.....and remember the best deals on new vehicles happen at the end of the month. So go gettum!!!!!!!!!! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
| You can get some valuable info on Edmunds.com. The have pricing for new & used vehicles as well as specs & reviews |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | I think you should cut them some slack for not knowing gear ratios. He may have been new and lots of people wouldn't know how to answer that. On the used lot they get all kinds in and they could easily get different ratios mixed up. If you were shopping new then I would expect them to know that info. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM | If they are selling trucks, they better know how to answer any question that comes up or have a damned good resource to go to for the answer.
Marla |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | I have bought probably 10-12 new vehicles in the last 10 years and gear ratios have never been an issue. I know alot about trucks and have no idea what my gear ratio is. Also how would they know if someone changed it or special ordered something else? This is a used lot with every vehicle under the sun that gets traded in, they can't know every thing. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida |  Oh the pain.... I cringed when I read your post.
We spent almost a year searching for our truck. Most based on towing stats. What was current and who had inventory and of course price. It kills me that the dealers know so little about thier products. If you are looking at new the window sticker has most all the gear ratios listed on it. If your buying used like we did you can ask for a build sheet from the dealer or call the customer support line. They will email it to you, just provide them the VIN. Heck they will even tell you most of the location history. Same thing you can get from the trailer manufacturers for used trailers. Sometimes used trucks have the original window stickers in the glove box. Its amazing how many people fold those things up and save them. The build sheet will tell you more than you ever wanted to know and then some. I hate to be a prude but the Dodge 5.7 1/2 ton lasted us just about 6 months before we moved on up to our 1 ton. We bought it new too. I loved it, to drive the looks and sound. But when it came to torque and climbing power it was seriously lacking. At the time we had a large 2h Cherokee Super Chief w/dr. We were up in NH climbing a hill off the highway and thought we were going backwards it just couldn't deliver in my opinion. Don't get me wrong I loved the truck but as a work truck I gotta encourage you to go at least 3/4 ton even in Dodge (loved the 2500 myself) Or GMC, Chevy even Ford. Personally If I could, I would own a GMC. But oh well I can dream.... No matter what you choose stay tough and keep searching for the deal that works for you. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN | I am a woman, and yes I sold trucks. It is possible to know what rear axle ratio is on any truck very simply. I personally would not buy a truck from someone who didn't know. Certain engines are available with certain ratios. That information is readily available in multiple places no matter if the vehicle is new or used. Knowing rear axle ratios goes hand in hand with towing. It is something everyone towing should be familar with. If you are not, shame on you! Most men do assume that women have no clue about rear axle ratios or engine size. Some salespeople incorrectly think that those things do not matter if all you're doing is "pulling a horse trailer." I now work in the feed industry and did a sales course with some of our dairy reps a few years ago where we had to "sell" each other an assigned item. I was assigned a truck to sell to two guys. They about died when they asked me what engines I would recommend and what rear axle ratios and I answered after asking what they were using it for, etc. They didn't know I had gone through Ford's training program. Even now when someone asks my fiancee what engine or rear is in our truck, he says "Talk to her- she bought it!". I have a 7.3 l Powerstroke with a 3.73 rear. And yes, I know what engine is in my car as well! As a salesperson, I know it is okay to respond "I don't know, but let me find out for you." It is not okay to try to BS your way through an answer. Truck sales is not rocket science- the information is only a click away! And understanding it is as simple as asking questions. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Originally written by laurie on 2010-03-15 8:02 PM I have bought probably 10-12 new vehicles in the last 10 years and gear ratios have never been an issue. I know alot about trucks and have no idea what my gear ratio is. Where you live and what your truck pulls, will be directly affected by the rear axle ratio. Rolling hills and light loads, place much less demand on a towing vehicle, than mountainous terrain and heavy trailers. This is especially true with gas motors, that have less torque and need higher operating RPMs than diesels. There are many variables in a rig, that will change the suitability of axle ratios among different drivers. What is applicable for one owner may not be ideal for another. The correct choice of an axle ratio, will enable the owner to optimize his driving for mileage, power or the best combination. The wrong ratio can result in an over worked motor and no pulling power. If your truck is used for serious towing, it is important that it is properly equipped for the task. |
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Veteran
Posts: 134
Location: Coarsegold, CA | Sorry to laugh, but it brought back one experience at a lot I won't do business with partly based on this experience. I stopped in to look around. Salesman ran up (ok I wasn't even 2 feet on the ground yet!) So I as him if he has any crewcab dually's on the lot....because I didn't see any from the street. He says no, but I have a nice selections of 1/2 ton's.....I just looked at him and said, no thank you, but I need a real truck, not a street toy. Got in my car and drove away! Sheesh. Didn't even get to the Engine! |
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Location: KY |
Edited by rose 2010-03-15 10:29 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 123
Location: Indiana | I've found everytime I talk with the "expert" its the newest guy on the lot. Being a former retail salesperson myself, I won't deal with anyone but the sales manager. All deals have to go across his desk anyway, so cut out the middleman and deal with the man that has the authority to make the deal himself. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | Originally written by cutter99 on 2010-03-15 7:55 PM It is possible to know what rear axle ratio is on any truck very simply. I personally would not buy a truck from someone who didn't know. Certain engines are available with certain ratios. That information is readily available in multiple places no matter if the vehicle is new or used. Knowing rear axle ratios goes hand in hand with towing. It is something everyone towing should be familar with. If you are not, shame on you! As a salesperson, I know it is okay to respond "I don't know, but let me find out for you." It is not okay to try to BS your way through an answer. Truck sales is not rocket science- the information is only a click away! And understanding it is as simple as asking questions. I agree it is possible to know that info but this person didn't as I am guessing the majority of salespeople on a lot may not know. If it were a new truck lot I bet they could have answered that question easily. This lot may not be all trucks and may sell lots of cars also. The salesperson did go ask and was given the wrong info. If it were me shopping I would have asked for someone more knowledgable to help me or I would have explained to the salesperson that the gear ratio was incorrect and try to find out the correct answer. |
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Veteran
Posts: 219
Location: Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 | Hubby bought the truck and was glad he did. I had some very bad experiences just buying a van or a car. One dealership put me in the waiting room with the kids and the salesman was still talking to hubby when I drove away. One had me sitting with hubby but wasn't even looking at me and talking to him the whole time. I told him that both of them didn't need me and I left to sit in the car. BUT one salesman trusted me enough for me to take a car for a test drive without him. He got the sales from me and I wish he was still around when hubby bought the truck. Keep checking around you will find someone who will listen to all your questions and answer them. There is great advice on this board. Good luck and let us know what you got. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | That reminded me of when I went to buy a large cabin cruiser. I told the seller I would be in his town for work and wanted to come look at his boat. I made all the calls on the boat and I am single. He kept talking to my employee and trying to sell him the boat. I explained that he was my employee and the boat was for me. He still kept directing his attention at my employee it got to the point when I would say to my employee "well Dick how do you like the boat" and laugh. I left a little put off. My employee was laid off and getting paid minimal to work for me part time. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544
Location: Claxton, Ga. | Dodge does so have a 3.73 geared rearend. Since you told him you were going to pull a gooseneck horse trailer with it he probably looked at 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 5.7 in it.
Edited by Spooler 2010-03-17 6:44 PM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383
Location: Texas | Some people seem to have missed the point, the salesperson should know the product they are selling whether it is new or used....... that's the whole point of them being there for the customer! |
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Regular
Posts: 72
Location: Connecticut | Originally written by Spooler on 2010-03-17 6:41 PM
Dodge does so have a 3.73 geared rearend. Since you told him you were going to pull a gooseneck horse trailer with it he probably looked at 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 5.7 in it. I specifically told the guy I was there to look at new Dodge 1/2 ton trucks because the manufacturer was offering 0% financing and a free Hemi upgrade as their current promotion. I might as well have said "blah blah blah red blah blah". Anyway, thanks for all your replies. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has to deal with this crap. I was just temporarily dabbling in 1/2 tons since 0% is 0%. I do like the idea of more power and will just stay with the 3/4 tons from now on. |
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Regular
Posts: 69
Location: NW Florida | I find it amazing the kinds of things you can be "subjected" to as a buyer at places like this. I've had the whole experience of the seller (this was at a trailer dealer about 10 years ago) talking to my husband, when it was obvious I had done the research was the one buying/using the trailer. When he rolled his eyes at my husband when I asked him about the centers on the trailer, we left. The lovely experience of being "locked" in a room or held hostage while they run back and forth to the salesman while they do who-knows-what. When we bought the most recent truck, we got an amazing amount of runaround at a couple of lots; and very straightforward treatment at another (I'd have bought from them if they had something I really wanted - this guy was great, had interesting insights on Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge, and who was buying what and which horse-activities you saw which trucks, kinda funny, actually). The truck we ended up buying was at a lot where we were very well-treated. The salesman was very experienced - but not with trucks. He did find us what we wanted to know, quickly (the old, gear-ratio question!). He was enthralled with the auxiliary switches in the truck and tried to impress us with them, too. To be honest, I still don't know what on earth I would hook them up to, but at least now I sorta know what they're for....Good luck! |
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Regular
Posts: 83
| The days of finding a salesperson who can tell you info about a vehicle, show you all the features, and deal with you on pricing is very hard to find. "Back in the day", this was the salesperson's job. They could work the whole deal from start to finish. Now the dealers hire people to walk you around the lot and search online for vehicles the dealer wants to move. They call these people salepersons. We call them "greeters". They pay them very little salary, with small commisions. They are very uneducated in the vehicles they sell, and most are not motivated to find you your right vehicle. I am involved with purchasing new vehicles for our company. Unfortunately, usually buying in quantity only affords you the luxury of talking to someone with knowledge. This person is usually called the "Sales Manager", or something simular. When we buy vehicles for the fleet, I simply call this person (Sales Manager). He or she will fax or email me the facts sheets (window sticker info)on the vehicles they have in stock that are simular to my needs, or give me the option to search for a particular vehicle. This same person will also include the asking price, rebates, interest rates, and be the one I can reach final sales price. It is much easier to do all your leg work online, or over the phone before you visit the dealer. Find the vehicle you want first. If you wait for the first "kid" that comes to you on the lot, you're in for a long day. |
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Truck buying frustration
