Three Surprises at Bill Bryan Chrysler Jeep Dodge

I thought I was done blogging about my truck buying experience but my salesman -- who shall remain unidentified here because I believe he was honestly doing the best he could  -- insisted that I go online and post a review.  I don't think he knew I already have been. So I have one more post about my experience at Bill Bryan Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Fruitland Park, FL.   

First of all,  I am EXTREMELY happy with my new truck – 2006 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Cummins.  I have been shopping for this specific truck for several months and was happy to put together a deal.  I had three surprises along the way; one was good and the other two not so much.

The first surprise came when I climbed into the driver’s seat.  The truck had the optional engine brake which was not advertised.  I tow a lot, so this was a nice surprise. 

The second surprise came the day AFTER I signed paperwork.  The “Out the Door” price my salesman and I agreed on was NOT the same as when I actually walked out the door.  When I went into the Business Manager’s office to arrange financing, I was not expecting him to try selling more add-on stuff.  Successfully, I might add, because I didn’t see the additional $529 until the next day.

I signed my name – or initialed my understanding – more than 47 times that afternoon.  I have 12 pages of ‘paper’ to go along with my new truck.  Who do you think is getting ‘protected’ with this mountain of paper?  But it’s only $500 and I REALLY like my truck.

Surprise #3 came yesterday when I went to pick up my new ride, but a few details first.  This truck has a spray-in bed liner.  The previous owner had a fifth-wheel hitch and tool box but removed them leaving the mounting holes exposed.  I knew all this from the pictures I had seen online before I even went to test drive.  When I saw the truck in person the dealer had installed a new drop-in bed liner.  I figured it was to cover the holes and make it less obvious this truck had been used to tow.  Some folks don’t like that.

I commented to my salesman about the new liner being unimportant to me since I would be putting a hitch back in the truck and using the existing holes.  Yesterday, when I went to get my truck, surprise -- the new liner had been removed.  When I asked about it, he said he was “…. helping me out so I wouldn’t have to throw it in the trash.”  How thoughtful!

(p.s. – as a courtesy to my salesman, I sent him a copy of this before posting.  I felt it was the right thing to do.  He called an offered to bring me the bed liner.  I thanked him but declined.  The bed liner is unimportant.  It was the surprise – and his comment -- that bugged me.  He also wanted to make sure I understood the price change happened in the business manager’s office, not with him.)