So sad..

"Katsumoto" (katsumoto) 09/26/2015 at 17:36 • Filed to: None

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Today, my truck that I use at my business had been neglected for a while. Many long trips, not regularly washed or cleaned out. I smoke, eat, drink, live in that Dodge truck sometimes.

I was finally not busy for a change. I decided to go clean it out, give it a good claybar, buff and wax. I wanted to fix a few small spots of orange peel, and give the truck what I really intended to do to it within the first week of ownership. A GOOD detail, and coats of wax to keep that new truck look it had when I bought it.

I start with 2 buckets, clean it inside and out. Get the q tips out to get the ashes out of the vents without disassembly.(I took one off before and ended up breaking it, replaced it and swore never to attempt to remove them again) Get the inside looking better than it did sitting on the Dodge dealer’s lot. Get the outside shining like a diamond. Got all the bugs that were previously surgically implanted in the front chrome grill out.

Take it to the Dodge dealer for it’s recall. Decide while I’m there, get it’s oil change, tire rotation and different computers updated to the current firmware.

Here’s where it goes downhill. Keep in mind, this is the same dealer I’ve bought 4 brand new Ram 5500 Chassis cab trucks at. They’ve known me for a while. They know my trucks are clean, always maintained and look brand new regardless of mileage. The outside looked like it went mudding or was parked next to some bro-dozer who decided to wash his mud off next to my truck. The inside had muddy prints all over the front and back floors(its a crew cab), the door panels at the bottom. Interior had trash in it. The truck was there 3-4 hours today. In that time, they ruined all my efforts from earlier.

I still haven’t made up my mind on whether or not, to not take any of my trucks there again, make them pay for a detail that meets my approval or return my 3 day old truck(not the one I just cleaned,another truck). They swore I brought it in like that. Acted like it was not them at all and was me. If I would have thought about it, I would have drove around back to see mud on the ground(hindsight is 20/20).

I’m half tempted to take my newest truck back, and talk to the owner of that dealer. I usually deal with him. He prefers the business customers deal with him DIRECTLY and not just some sales man. He takes REALLY good care of business customers. He wasn’t available today or I would have dealt with him. I’ll be going back up Monday to drop in and talk to him. He always comments my trucks look better than some of the new ones.

Sad part is, I woke up early and started at 6am with that truck. It really looked clean. I was actually happy with the way it looked after all that. 5 hours of work, down the drain.

I know Monday if this isn’t sorted out. I’ll take that truck back and go to a different Dodge dealer and buy it again. I just have a feeling that some Bro Dozer driving idiot did it and told his boss, it was like that. They have a few parked there on a regular basis, whether they’re employees or customers I don’t know.

Captain of the Enterprise > Katsumoto 09/26/2015 at 18:10

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What they did is not cool, I agree with your idea of talking to the owner first, if he doesn't make it right then what you do is on him

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Katsumoto 09/26/2015 at 22:22

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I work at a dealer cleaning/detailing cars.

We are specifically trained not to get other cars wet or dirty. what they did here is against what I was trained to do.

Katsumoto > Captain of the Enterprise 09/26/2015 at 22:32

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A little bit after writing this, the owner called. He’s paying for a detail. He’s claiming that it’s coming from the tech’s pocket too. He said something about the tech being a valuable asset to their team, because of some certifications he has, whatever.

The shop that’s doing it, is recommended around town here because of their work with new dealers getting minor paint stuff fixed. I’m getting my oil change price refunded, and 3 others on top of it. Which is perfect, because I have some trucks that need it done.

It’s been taken care of. Although, I’ll probably buy my next truck elsewhere. I’ve only gone there because the owner is truly a nice guy and will do anything to get your business. He’ll price match another dealer’s price and beat them by 10%. Which is how I’ve bought all my trucks. Find some dealer in some state offering some deal on a chassis cab, print it out, take it there and get the match, then military, business, repeat customer, incentives on top of it.

Can’t complain. The truck I bought 3 days ago is an early model 15 tradesman(even my truck, is one) and paid 42,600 out the door.(16’s are an MSRP of 55) I just don’t see the point in getting anything fancier. It’s a work truck. Rubber floors, vinyl seats, USB/Aux input. It’s about everything you’d need in a work truck.

They always give me some deal that Chrysler has. If you do an upfit, like install some service or utility bed on it, or a 5th wheel/gooseneck, Chrysler tells the dealer to cut a check for it, up to 2500 bucks. Which isn’t bad. Most places around me install one for 2200, with poly fenders and mudflaps.

Katsumoto > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 09/26/2015 at 22:51

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I used to detail cars when they came into the dealer for whatever. It was a european car dealer, VW/Audi, Porsche and Jag. It was done as a “customer courtesy”. Or you could pay for it.

It’s been taken care of now. Although it pissed me off because it wasn’t just me paying someone to do it, it was MY time. If I’ve got free time, I’m cleaning, organizing or fixing something. I guess it’s my OCD.

I think it presents a good professional image. I haul other people’s cars around. Most of which are cleaned up from being taken to the auction. I see it this way. In the clients eyes, if they see a clean, well kept up truck and trailer, they know you take care of your own stuff, so you’re more than likely to take care of their stuff. Even if it’s a 400 dollar junker.

It’s my one simple rule, if you damage it, be honest and upfront about it. If it was avoidable, you pay. If it wasn’t, I’ll pay. Clear and right to the point. I’ve had tires blow on the truck or trailer and dent or scratch a car. It’s something that happens when you run a truck all day. I’ll pay for that to be fixed. You load it wrong and damage it, well guess what, that’s on you.

I give the guys what they need and sometimes want for equipment. New trucks, newer trailers. Can’t complain when I make 90 a car for every one on the trailer. Truck gets 30 of it, driver gets the other 30, and I get the last 30. It’s even, fair and I’ve only had 1 guy quit. He didn’t like the one lone old truck. It’s what I stick all the new guys in. To see how they drive an old truck, before they get a new one. Tear up that old beat up Ford. Not my brand new trucks. All my trucks except for that Ford are Dodges. I’ve had good luck with them. Plus the 14 and up Ram chassis cabs have an optional 77mph top speed, which everyone of them has. Speed limit is 65-70 around here. 77 is plenty fast enough when you’ve got 35-44,000 lbs moving.