anybody buy at dave smith.in idaho?

[batavia02]

Has anybody bought a new truck at dave smith in kellogg idaho either ram or gm?doesnt matter if one lives close by or cross country. Was wondering if their prices are really that low,or is there a "catch"?

[rebelopie]

JALLEN4 wrote:

rebelopie wrote:
I have purchased two vehicles from Dave Smith. The first time, I took DS's price to my local dealer and asked if they would meet somewhere in the middle between their price and the DS price. They weren't willing to budge at all, so I bought from DS. For the second vehicle, I went straight to DS without messing with the stubborn local dealers. Both purchases were thousands less than what the local dealer could do. The first purchase was about $7500 less. Second was about $5000. The real trick is to catch the rebates at the right time.

A word of advice is to check the options list carefully before agreeing to purchase. My father made an order from DS and his vehicle didn't come with the entertainment package, even though he had requested it. Upon looking at the options on the order sheet he signed off on, it wasn't listed. While my dad was at fault for not checking the sheet closely enough, DS made it right and had the package installed.

You state you bought the second truck for $5,000 less than your local dealer could sell it for but also state you never went to the local dealer on the second purchase. How does that work?

Jallen4: Sorry, I should have clarified a little more. The first purchase was a Chrysler 300C, all of the options available. I visited a local dealer (in Las Vegas, Nevada), took a test drive, sat down to discuss price, argued about ordering versus getting one on the lot, burned up half a day with their nonsense, etc. Dave Smith's price was $7500 less than this particular local dealer. Knowing they couldn't match it, I thought they would at least budge somewhat and meet me halfway. They weren't willing to do that. On top of that, they added carpet protection spray, a leather sealant, undercoating, and all other types of garbage and said those things were mandatory. Having seen how poorly the "leather sealant" was applied, I didn't like being forced into these "upgrades".

The second vehicle I purchased from Dave Smith a year later was a Jeep Commander, again fully loaded. While I didn't jump through the local dealer's flaming hoops like the first time, I did email their online sales person and asked for a price just to give them a chance. He responded with a quote $5000 more than Dave Smith's. With savings of $5,000 and $7,500, I think the decision of Dave Smith over the local dealer is obvious.

So there you have it. I hope that helps the naysayers.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

transferred wrote:

IdaD wrote:

JALLEN4 wrote:

I have heard the story dozens of times where people claim to have saved $5,000 or more on any variety of domestic vehicles by buying somewhere else. I have never seen it to be true when all the facts are known. Generally they bought a vehicle with less equipment they felt they didn't need, bought a demo or other used vehicle, or they are calculating their savings from list price that people don't pay anyway.

.

This is a very odd and inaccurate paragraph. Price varies hugely by dealer for the EXACT SAME product. You must be a salesman's dream.

Good observation. :B

[Skid_Row_Joe]

JALLEN4 wrote:

Skid Row Joe wrote:

JALLEN4 wrote:

rebelopie wrote:
I have purchased two vehicles from Dave Smith. The first time, I took DS's price to my local dealer and asked if they would meet somewhere in the middle between their price and the DS price. They weren't willing to budge at all, so I bought from DS. For the second vehicle, I went straight to DS without messing with the stubborn local dealers. Both purchases were thousands less than what the local dealer could do. The first purchase was about $7500 less. Second was about $5000. The real trick is to catch the rebates at the right time.

A word of advice is to check the options list carefully before agreeing to purchase. My father made an order from DS and his vehicle didn't come with the entertainment package, even though he had requested it. Upon looking at the options on the order sheet he signed off on, it wasn't listed. While my dad was at fault for not checking the sheet closely enough, DS made it right and had the package installed.

You state you bought the second truck for $5,000 less than your local dealer could sell it for but also state you never went to the local dealer on the second purchase. How does that work?

Pretty simple, actually.....

When you learn your local dealer won't budge, it's easy to calculate after the first purchase As an example, I stopped by the Cadillac/Chevrolet dealer I bought my 1st new Cadillac from to enquire whether they would deal on a new Corvette. Their answer was simply that they're not in business to sell on price, and, no, they wouldn't discount a new Corvette - no how, no way. So, when I find the Chevrolet dealer that I want to do business with to save thousands, I can then calculate how stubborn the dealer I gave an opportunity to sell me a new Corvette - is overpriced. Some dealers just don't want to sell their units.

Think you for proving my point. Comparing the dealer's pricing policy on a new truck would have little to do with the pricing on a Corvette. Corvette's are allocated to the dealer based on his previous Corvette sales. When they are "hot", as they are now, those dealers who do not sell Corvettes in volume receive very few of them and can usually sell them for sticker if they are willing to wait. Volume Corvette dealers will receive more allocation and can be more amenable to discount them.

Since you previously purchased a Cadillac from this dealership, I would think a man of your experience received a competitive price on that vehicle. Using your two examples from the same dealer, I fail to see the logic of being able to save $5,000-$7,500 by buying a truck from some other dealer without asking them for a price on that product.

I have heard the story dozens of times where people claim to have saved $5,000 or more on any variety of domestic vehicles by buying somewhere else. I have never seen it to be true when all the facts are known. Generally they bought a vehicle with less equipment they felt they didn't need, bought a demo or other used vehicle, or they are calculating their savings from list price that people don't pay anyway.

The point was saving thousands of dollars - not how hot or not a certain model was or is.

The fact of the matter is that there are any number of Chevrolet/Cadillac GM dealers that discount their new Chevrolets/Cadillacs and trucks to the bare bone.

Newflash: Allocations rise among these GM dealers.

The Internet is a BIG place to save thousands on any new vehicle. All ya gotta do is shop.:B

[JALLEN4]

The Texan wrote:
Actually for those that don't know, JALLEN4 is a dealer and was the president of the Florida Auto Dealers Association. He may still be the association president, for all I know. He is ANTI anyone, who shops, compares and makes a good deal, other than MSRP on any vehicle.

Bad information. While I was involved in multiple dealerships in multiple states before I retired, never in Florida and therefore never the Association President there. I am not anti-shopping and comparing and do so myself on my personal vehicle purchases. I have saved a substantial amount in the past but never anywhere near $5,000-$7,500.

Every domestic dealer pays the same price for their vehicles right down to freight. Every dealer participates in any national or regional incentives offered by the manufacturer. Selling more cars does not translate into paying less for inventory. There isn't a dealer in the country who averages anywhere near $5,000 per vehicle sold. It is very difficult to save $5,000-$7,500 when the competing dealer is only trying to make a couple thousand on a sale.

[The_Texan]

Actually for those that don't know, JALLEN4 is a dealer and was the president of the Florida Auto Dealers Association. He may still be the association president, for all I know. He is ANTI anyone, who shops, compares and makes a good deal, other than MSRP on any vehicle.

[transferred]

IdaD wrote:

JALLEN4 wrote:

I have heard the story dozens of times where people claim to have saved $5,000 or more on any variety of domestic vehicles by buying somewhere else. I have never seen it to be true when all the facts are known. Generally they bought a vehicle with less equipment they felt they didn't need, bought a demo or other used vehicle, or they are calculating their savings from list price that people don't pay anyway.

.

This is a very odd and inaccurate paragraph. Price varies hugely by dealer for the EXACT SAME product. You must be a salesman's dream.

[IdaD]

JALLEN4 wrote:

Skid Row Joe wrote:

JALLEN4 wrote:

rebelopie wrote:
I have purchased two vehicles from Dave Smith. The first time, I took DS's price to my local dealer and asked if they would meet somewhere in the middle between their price and the DS price. They weren't willing to budge at all, so I bought from DS. For the second vehicle, I went straight to DS without messing with the stubborn local dealers. Both purchases were thousands less than what the local dealer could do. The first purchase was about $7500 less. Second was about $5000. The real trick is to catch the rebates at the right time.

A word of advice is to check the options list carefully before agreeing to purchase. My father made an order from DS and his vehicle didn't come with the entertainment package, even though he had requested it. Upon looking at the options on the order sheet he signed off on, it wasn't listed. While my dad was at fault for not checking the sheet closely enough, DS made it right and had the package installed.

You state you bought the second truck for $5,000 less than your local dealer could sell it for but also state you never went to the local dealer on the second purchase. How does that work?

Pretty simple, actually.....

When you learn your local dealer won't budge, it's easy to calculate after the first purchase As an example, I stopped by the Cadillac/Chevrolet dealer I bought my 1st new Cadillac from to enquire whether they would deal on a new Corvette. Their answer was simply that they're not in business to sell on price, and, no, they wouldn't discount a new Corvette - no how, no way. So, when I find the Chevrolet dealer that I want to do business with to save thousands, I can then calculate how stubborn the dealer I gave an opportunity to sell me a new Corvette - is overpriced. Some dealers just don't want to sell their units.

Think you for proving my point. Comparing the dealer's pricing policy on a new truck would have little to do with the pricing on a Corvette. Corvette's are allocated to the dealer based on his previous Corvette sales. When they are "hot", as they are now, those dealers who do not sell Corvettes in volume receive very few of them and can usually sell them for sticker if they are willing to wait. Volume Corvette dealers will receive more allocation and can be more amenable to discount them.

Since you previously purchased a Cadillac from this dealership, I would think a man of your experience received a competitive price on that vehicle. Using your two examples from the same dealer, I fail to see the logic of being able to save $5,000-$7,500 by buying a truck from some other dealer without asking them for a price on that product.

I have heard the story dozens of times where people claim to have saved $5,000 or more on any variety of domestic vehicles by buying somewhere else. I have never seen it to be true when all the facts are known. Generally they bought a vehicle with less equipment they felt they didn't need, bought a demo or other used vehicle, or they are calculating their savings from list price that people don't pay anyway.

Corvettes are unique so a bad example. But among normal vehicles dealers absolutely have different pricing strategies and some work off volume and others off per vehicle profit. I bought my most recent truck in the spring and found a nearly $5k difference from high to low on comparable models - I worked five dealers over pretty good and couldn't get any down as low as the advertised price at Dennis Dillon. Maybe you don't have volume dealers in your area and haven't seen this first hand.

[JALLEN4]

Skid Row Joe wrote:

JALLEN4 wrote:

rebelopie wrote:
I have purchased two vehicles from Dave Smith. The first time, I took DS's price to my local dealer and asked if they would meet somewhere in the middle between their price and the DS price. They weren't willing to budge at all, so I bought from DS. For the second vehicle, I went straight to DS without messing with the stubborn local dealers. Both purchases were thousands less than what the local dealer could do. The first purchase was about $7500 less. Second was about $5000. The real trick is to catch the rebates at the right time.

A word of advice is to check the options list carefully before agreeing to purchase. My father made an order from DS and his vehicle didn't come with the entertainment package, even though he had requested it. Upon looking at the options on the order sheet he signed off on, it wasn't listed. While my dad was at fault for not checking the sheet closely enough, DS made it right and had the package installed.

You state you bought the second truck for $5,000 less than your local dealer could sell it for but also state you never went to the local dealer on the second purchase. How does that work?

Pretty simple, actually.....

When you learn your local dealer won't budge, it's easy to calculate after the first purchase As an example, I stopped by the Cadillac/Chevrolet dealer I bought my 1st new Cadillac from to enquire whether they would deal on a new Corvette. Their answer was simply that they're not in business to sell on price, and, no, they wouldn't discount a new Corvette - no how, no way. So, when I find the Chevrolet dealer that I want to do business with to save thousands, I can then calculate how stubborn the dealer I gave an opportunity to sell me a new Corvette - is overpriced. Some dealers just don't want to sell their units.

Think you for proving my point. Comparing the dealer's pricing policy on a new truck would have little to do with the pricing on a Corvette. Corvette's are allocated to the dealer based on his previous Corvette sales. When they are "hot", as they are now, those dealers who do not sell Corvettes in volume receive very few of them and can usually sell them for sticker if they are willing to wait. Volume Corvette dealers will receive more allocation and can be more amenable to discount them.

Since you previously purchased a Cadillac from this dealership, I would think a man of your experience received a competitive price on that vehicle. Using your two examples from the same dealer, I fail to see the logic of being able to save $5,000-$7,500 by buying a truck from some other dealer without asking them for a price on that product.

I have heard the story dozens of times where people claim to have saved $5,000 or more on any variety of domestic vehicles by buying somewhere else. I have never seen it to be true when all the facts are known. Generally they bought a vehicle with less equipment they felt they didn't need, bought a demo or other used vehicle, or they are calculating their savings from list price that people don't pay anyway.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

JALLEN4 wrote:

rebelopie wrote:
I have purchased two vehicles from Dave Smith. The first time, I took DS's price to my local dealer and asked if they would meet somewhere in the middle between their price and the DS price. They weren't willing to budge at all, so I bought from DS. For the second vehicle, I went straight to DS without messing with the stubborn local dealers. Both purchases were thousands less than what the local dealer could do. The first purchase was about $7500 less. Second was about $5000. The real trick is to catch the rebates at the right time.

A word of advice is to check the options list carefully before agreeing to purchase. My father made an order from DS and his vehicle didn't come with the entertainment package, even though he had requested it. Upon looking at the options on the order sheet he signed off on, it wasn't listed. While my dad was at fault for not checking the sheet closely enough, DS made it right and had the package installed.

You state you bought the second truck for $5,000 less than your local dealer could sell it for but also state you never went to the local dealer on the second purchase. How does that work?

Pretty simple, actually.....

When you learn your local dealer won't budge, it's easy to calculate after the first purchase As an example, I stopped by the Cadillac/Chevrolet dealer I bought my 1st new Cadillac from to enquire whether they would deal on a new Corvette. Their answer was simply that they're not in business to sell on price, and, no, they wouldn't discount a new Corvette - no how, no way. So, when I find the Chevrolet dealer that I want to do business with to save thousands, I can then calculate how stubborn the dealer I gave an opportunity to sell me a new Corvette - is overpriced. Some dealers just don't want to sell their units.

[Bedlam]

For me it was not only a price saving over the local dealers but a willingness to to do business and order what I wanted. None of the local dealers were interested in a custom order and tried to sell me something off their lot or through their locator. Many had blank stares when I asked about the 5500 line of Rams which is sad reflection on FCA's dealer network. It wasn't until I researched the order codes, that some of my local dealers started responding...

[ktmrfs]

In our area (portland or), Dave smith doesn't seem to really offer anything special enough in pricing to spend the time going to Idaho.

When I bought our 2015 Denali, our daughter her car, and SIL bought his dodge and Son's dad bought his cummins, we all got quotes from Dave smith and also shopped local dealerships. Local dealers were close enough in price, without much haggling, to not make it worth going through Dave Smith. Yes, he was cheaper, but not by thousands, only hundreds.

So IMHO while it is worth getting a price from them, it's also worth doing some local comparisons before jumping in.

[JALLEN4]

rebelopie wrote:
I have purchased two vehicles from Dave Smith. The first time, I took DS's price to my local dealer and asked if they would meet somewhere in the middle between their price and the DS price. They weren't willing to budge at all, so I bought from DS. For the second vehicle, I went straight to DS without messing with the stubborn local dealers. Both purchases were thousands less than what the local dealer could do. The first purchase was about $7500 less. Second was about $5000. The real trick is to catch the rebates at the right time.

A word of advice is to check the options list carefully before agreeing to purchase. My father made an order from DS and his vehicle didn't come with the entertainment package, even though he had requested it. Upon looking at the options on the order sheet he signed off on, it wasn't listed. While my dad was at fault for not checking the sheet closely enough, DS made it right and had the package installed.

You state you bought the second truck for $5,000 less than your local dealer could sell it for but also state you never went to the local dealer on the second purchase. How does that work?

[ktmrfs]

Dave smith is able to do orders that most dealers can't since they apparently are also an "upfitter". What does that mean, he can spec orders that are not available to other dealers. That may include deleting things that are normally std. For example he can and does order GMC denalis w/o the factory spray in liner that is listed as std. and only available as a delete option t upfitters. so, that' nice if you don't want the factory spray in liner, but if you were expecting it, and don't look carefully, you may be in for a suprise. he also often orders vehicles with wheel packages that are a "credit" option. Again, nice if you don't want factory wheels, but not so nice if that was what you were expecting.

Now, when we went looking for a 2015 Denali, I didn't want the factory spray in liner, nor did I like the std wheels and wanted the 20" forged wheels that are a $400 credit.

Local dealer was within a few hundred $$ of Dave smith. Guess what dealer originally ordered it. Dave smith. Hardly could have driven over to Idaho for the savings,and it would have taken two days of driving and a motel. He had it trucked over in two days, with 15 miles on the odo.

[rebelopie]

I have purchased two vehicles from Dave Smith. The first time, I took DS's price to my local dealer and asked if they would meet somewhere in the middle between their price and the DS price. They weren't willing to budge at all, so I bought from DS. For the second vehicle, I went straight to DS without messing with the stubborn local dealers. Both purchases were thousands less than what the local dealer could do. The first purchase was about $7500 less. Second was about $5000. The real trick is to catch the rebates at the right time.

A word of advice is to check the options list carefully before agreeing to purchase. My father made an order from DS and his vehicle didn't come with the entertainment package, even though he had requested it. Upon looking at the options on the order sheet he signed off on, it wasn't listed. While my dad was at fault for not checking the sheet closely enough, DS made it right and had the package installed.