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Dealers to stay away from and those to use

Sammie

Member
I thought it might be good to have a thread where we can talk about the dealers with questionable business practices and also those who we should patronize as much as possible.

I'll start, First stay away from Richardson Jeep in the DFW area. I had been working a deal with them for several days. Agreed to come in person to see if I can get a bit more for my trade. Got to see one in person too, so not a completely wasted trip, but after agreeing to numbers I returned home. The white Summit Reserve was not there yet but was told it would be there early next week. I was up front with them and told the dealer we were financing with USAA. All good until about 2 hours after I was home when the salesperson texted that they would now only honor the deal if I financed with them or they would lower the trade amount or put back on several thousand dollars in dealer adds. What a waste of time.

Next Frisco Jeep in Frisco, TX adds 5-10k to MSRP. They are up front about it but still.

Several others have 2-3k in dealer adds, including Rockwall Jeep and Greenville Jeep, both in TX. They are up front about it though.

Good dealers :

Platinum Jeep in Terrell, TX is will to remove most all adds except tint.
Huffines Jeep in Lewisville, TX does not have any either.

In Foley, AL Gulf Coast Jeep is also great to work with and no adds.

Looking for a White Summit Reserve w/ Tupelo interior so if anyone knows of a good dealer with one available please let me know.
 

Back2Jeep

Member
Avoid Arrigo Sawgrass, and probably all the Areigo branded dealers in FL. They are owned by Morgan Auto Group.

I posted elsewhere that we ordered a 392 Rubicon in December with 2k on deposit. Went to finalize yesterday when it arrived. The paperwork included a 30k dealer addendum and required 2500 “dealer package” that is worth zero. Lots of arguing later, we paid just slightly above MSRP.

Salesman stated he had no idea until he got the paperwork that day and I believe him. He also said they were told this week they will be charging 20k addendums on all Cherokee L’s that hit the lot. That’s different, as they can charge what they want for a car on the lot, but when I order and agree on MSRP and you hold my deposit for 7 months without disclosing you want to attach an addendum, then I’m out.

I am working on inquiries with other dealers and will update and I get more info.
 
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To stay away from - Puente Hills CJDR in City of Industry CA (LA area). Marking up the vehicles by $10K and another $2.5K of some protection package add-on. (Initially mentioned a $20K markup but retreated to $10K as soon as my jaw and eyeballs hit the showroom floor). Needless to say, I walked away (still hoping Stellantis will start building and shipping my pre-ordered Summit with a V8 sometime soon)
 

GC_chief

Well-known member
Just something to keep in mind as a talking point with dealers… the 2021 GCL will come with a *hands-on* Level 2 active driver assist system (ADAS), while 2022 models to be released later this year will come with hands-free ADAS. Dealers who gamble and hold stock for a big payday may find themselves in a pickle when ‘22’s are on the same lot with ‘21’s. There are rumors that ‘21’s may take a simple software update to convert to hands-free, but other sources predict it to be a $2k stand-alone upgrade (Motortrend).
 

dsgcobra

Well-known member
I've been working with Westbury Jeep on Long Island, NY and they have been outstanding so far. Originally had a dealer order that I put a deposit on that had the Lux Tech II package. Since that got stuck in BG status and no planned build date. I ordered a Limited with out it and after seeing the Baltic Gray, my wife decided she did not like the color. I emailed the dealer and asked to cancel the order. Explained I would like to wait till more colors and the Lux II package was available. They understand and even refunded my deposit with out me asking for it back. They are keeping me uptown date on everything and will absolutely getting my GCL from them when we find one that we matches are likes
 

Mattballew

Member
I’ve bought several vehicles from North Point CDJR in Winston Salem NC. Haven’t had any issues yet.
got a shady experience with Spartanburg CDJR down in South Carolina. They were doing the above sticker game. Decided to walk.
 

Mando_WL

Active member
I can report of two dealers both in NTX and one is asking $5k and the other $10k over MSRP. I walked away, then they texted back $2,500 over, followed by MSRP. Not a great experience.
 

GRN ENVY

Active member
I bought my L last night from Naples Dodge Jeep ( Morgan Auto Group) and could not have been a better experiance. Called yesterday morning to inquire on a Jeep that I liked, they had trade numbers and pricing under MSRP right off the bat. I drove over after work, the had me out in 2 hours. No BS, no hidden fees, and no games. Strong trade numbers and a fair discount off MSRP. They do have upsells, and packages, but I said no and made it clear I just want to trade my truck and buy the Jeep. They were good with that.
 

Psych Doc

New member
I just bought my GCL from Safford Jeep in Fredericksburg, VA, and it was the easiest vehicle purchase I’ve ever had. Absolutely amazing service. They brought a red GCL from a sister store within a day, and I drove away with my new toy! No haggling or anything, just straight talk and a willingness to work with me.

To add to an earlier comment, I’d avoid Lustine in Northern VA. I dealt with them twice with my ‘15 Wrangler and regretted it both times. Rude and condescending service team who tried to get me to purchase completely unnecessary parts. If you’re in the NoVa area, take the trip to Fredericksburg and work with Safford.
 

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CombatChuk

Active member
I was really pleased with Autonation Jeep West in Golden, CO. Only dealer that would honor the FCA Affiliate Discount (From Tread Lightly) in the Metro Denver area
 

K-Runner

Member
I did a ton of research and decided a few months ago I wanted a Grand Cherokee L so I joined Access Fund ($50) to secure affiliate pricing. I didn't want to order one for a couple reasons, primarily because I'm impatient but also because I wanted to see one to make sure of color/options/trim. I didn't want to order after I saw one because I didn't want to wait another couple of months on the order.

When they started arriving I called around to my local dealers to see if anyone was accepting affiliate pricing. Most said no with a couple saying they would on factory orders only. I did get one response saying "yes, I believe they qualify", but I wasn't confident they'd honor it. I decided to take a different approach because I settled on wanting a black Overland with the Protech package. I found a dealer about an hour from me that has one "in transit" according to Jeep.com. I called and said I was interested in that specific car and asked if they could call me when it comes in (I didn't bring up affiliate pricing). I got a call a couple days later saying it arrived. I asked if the specific one I was looking for arrived and he said it did. I drove the hour only to find it was a different black Overland (without the options I wanted). The sales guy apologized and "didn't realize they had more than one black Overland ordered" (hmmmmm). Him and his manager said they expect the other to arrive any day and asked if I wanted to leave a deposit. I then brought up affiliate pricing and the manager said he didn't believe they were honoring it but it would be up to the GM. They appraised my trade a bit low but I pushed them up a little bit, based on the valuation they had on their own website calculator. They asked again about putting a deposit down and I said I wasn't interested because I had a dealer already telling me they would honor affiliate pricing. When I got up to leave the sales guy said he'd check with the GM but doubted it would be approved. Miraculously (not), the GM approved the affiliate pricing and I left a deposit expecting the car in a few days. That turned into a week and the dealership had no new information when it would arrived. That was 3 weeks ago.

I reached out to my preferred local dealer whom I'd purchased a vehicle from in the past. They had an Overland on the lot exactly configured like the one I put a deposit on. They originally said they wouldn't honor affiliate pricing so I emailed them they pricing sheet I got from the other dealer. A few hours later they caved and said they'd honor it but put some "add-ons" on the car that they couldn't get rid of (the usual money grab stuff like sprays, etching, nitrogen) totaling about $1300. After some back and forth I got them to come up on my trade a bit and landed about $500 over what the other dealer was going to charge me. I was cool with it because it saved me a couple hours of driving and it was already on the lot. They're also only 10 minutes from my house for any issues and I'll take advantage of the free inspections and other perks.

It was a tricky and I'm glad it's over but I enjoyed the research and process of finding the perfect car for us and a good deal.

Some suggestions:
-join Tread Lightly or the Access fund to qualify for affiliate pricing (invoice -1%) and do your research. I knew exactly what the price of the car would be. It takes a month to qualify so join as soon as you're considering a Jeep.
-I used the Capital One Auto Navigator for my loan. The rate blew everyone else away and I knew going in exactly what my payments should be.
-you can easily get a $500 code through Truecar
-use the Jeep website to target the exact car you want
-once you're at the dealership and know you want the car, bring up affiliate pricing and walk if they say they won't take it. I think you have a good chance of them stopping you from leaving or calling you the next day and accepting it.

I think the most important thing is to do your research so the old school sales tactics don't work on you. I didn't want to call out any dealers by name but feel free to message me with any questions.
 

GC_chief

Well-known member
I did a ton of research and decided a few months ago I wanted a Grand Cherokee L so I joined Access Fund ($50) to secure affiliate pricing. I didn't want to order one for a couple reasons, primarily because I'm impatient but also because I wanted to see one to make sure of color/options/trim. I didn't want to order after I saw one because I didn't want to wait another couple of months on the order.

When they started arriving I called around to my local dealers to see if anyone was accepting affiliate pricing. Most said no with a couple saying they would on factory orders only. I did get one response saying "yes, I believe they qualify", but I wasn't confident they'd honor it. I decided to take a different approach because I settled on wanting a black Overland with the Protech package. I found a dealer about an hour from me that has one "in transit" according to Jeep.com. I called and said I was interested in that specific car and asked if they could call me when it comes in (I didn't bring up affiliate pricing). I got a call a couple days later saying it arrived. I asked if the specific one I was looking for arrived and he said it did. I drove the hour only to find it was a different black Overland (without the options I wanted). The sales guy apologized and "didn't realize they had more than one black Overland ordered" (hmmmmm). Him and his manager said they expect the other to arrive any day and asked if I wanted to leave a deposit. I then brought up affiliate pricing and the manager said he didn't believe they were honoring it but it would be up to the GM. They appraised my trade a bit low but I pushed them up a little bit, based on the valuation they had on their own website calculator. They asked again about putting a deposit down and I said I wasn't interested because I had a dealer already telling me they would honor affiliate pricing. When I got up to leave the sales guy said he'd check with the GM but doubted it would be approved. Miraculously (not), the GM approved the affiliate pricing and I left a deposit expecting the car in a few days. That turned into a week and the dealership had no new information when it would arrived. That was 3 weeks ago.

I reached out to my preferred local dealer whom I'd purchased a vehicle from in the past. They had an Overland on the lot exactly configured like the one I put a deposit on. They originally said they wouldn't honor affiliate pricing so I emailed them they pricing sheet I got from the other dealer. A few hours later they caved and said they'd honor it but put some "add-ons" on the car that they couldn't get rid of (the usual money grab stuff like sprays, etching, nitrogen) totaling about $1300. After some back and forth I got them to come up on my trade a bit and landed about $500 over what the other dealer was going to charge me. I was cool with it because it saved me a couple hours of driving and it was already on the lot. They're also only 10 minutes from my house for any issues and I'll take advantage of the free inspections and other perks.

It was a tricky and I'm glad it's over but I enjoyed the research and process of finding the perfect car for us and a good deal.

Some suggestions:
-join Tread Lightly or the Access fund to qualify for affiliate pricing (invoice -1%) and do your research. I knew exactly what the price of the car would be. It takes a month to qualify so join as soon as you're considering a Jeep.
-I used the Capital One Auto Navigator for my loan. The rate blew everyone else away and I knew going in exactly what my payments should be.
-you can easily get a $500 code through Truecar
-use the Jeep website to target the exact car you want
-once you're at the dealership and know you want the car, bring up affiliate pricing and walk if they say they won't take it. I think you have a good chance of them stopping you from leaving or calling you the next day and accepting it.

I think the most important thing is to do your research so the old school sales tactics don't work on you. I didn't want to call out any dealers by name but feel free to message me with any questions.
thanks and congrats on your new GCL! is your code from TrueCar able to be used in conjunction with affiliate pricing? can it also be used with other rebates such as forst responder or military?
 

K-Runner

Member
thanks and congrats on your new GCL! is your code from TrueCar able to be used in conjunction with affiliate pricing? can it also be used with other rebates such as forst responder or military?
I used truecar and first responder with the affiliate. Sticker was $62,800 but those discounts got it to $58,629
 

K-Runner

Member
Do you qualify for affiliate pricing also? Check the link to see if your oranization is on the list:


If not, you can join a club for $50-$100 that will get you the discount. It takes a month after signing up thought to be eligible for the discount.
 
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