When It Rains, It Pours

Posted Sat Jan 4, 2003 in Automotive

This article could also be titled The Great Truck Search. Son-in-law and daughter bought a new truck last week. it’s a beautiful new dodge ram 1500. they traded off their honda for something that will serve them better. it made a lot of sense. it’s also son-in-law’s first truck and he’s so pleased.

I’ve always wanted a truck for myself. I have an old Ford Ranger that I bought in 1992 to move us from Picayune, Mississippi to Lubbock, Texas. That little wannabeatruck did the job and it was fun, but it isn’t a real truck. So, the kids’ purchase spurred me on to think about a new vehicle for us as well.

So, Wife and I decided to look around a little bit. We’re near the end of the term on our note for the Windstar. It’s been a good vehicle for us but it’s nearing the end of it’s cycle where it will give us the best trade-in value. That seems to be about five or six years. I finished up my chores yesterday (made a syllabus for my class this semester and got some work done on research projects) and we headed over to the car wash to get the van cleaned up.

They didn’t do a very good job. It was supposed to be washed, vacuumed, and dusted. Well, whoever dusted it just swiped at the dash and left a mess. When we retrieved our vehicle, we left the lot but noticed the dust. In the discussion that followed, I decided that I wasn’t really in the mood to go car shopping any longer. I headed south on Memphis Avenue toward home. I was stopped for 43mph in a 30mph by a local officer. The state safety sticker is also out. In Texas they don’t require the receipt when you renew your tags like they do in Missouri or Mississippi. So, I always forget to have it renewed. My wife was certain we be cited for that as well. When it rains, it pours.

Fortunately, he warned me and let me go as he was really targeting two things: Speeders running 20mph over the limit and encouraging citizens to slow down. I decided I could slow down. Calmed and slowed, we decided to head out to Slaton to check out the Dodge trucks.

We really like the four full-size doors and the roominess of the interior. But the price was pretty stiff and they had none of the ST series in stock on the lot. We headed back into Lubbock to check around a bit more. We’ve done business with the Messer Group before and I thought it was wise to stop and look at the Fords as well. We found a 2002 F-150 Super Crew on the lot with 5300 miles on it. It’s a program car.

My wife’s eyes lit up with dollar signs. That Scotch-Irish part of her composition was piqued!

We took the vehicle out and drove it around. We stopped at McDonalds for a drink, then drove on some Farm-Market roads and around town a bit. The vehicle was definitely a candidate and was not as intimidating as the RAM pickup. The short bed would do and the tailgate was wide enough to put a four-foot wide sheet of plywood or drywall should I need to haul anything.

We stepped into the showroom again. The routine was that same old familiar run-around. Bryan said “What can we do? We have to make a case with him,” nodding at the sales manager’s office.

I’ve played this game before. He went into the office and came back with a ridiculous number. We balked. “You’re giving us nothing for our van! We’re too far apart; we’re never going to come to an agreement.”

“Don’t be hasty. It’s the first-pencil number.” He responded.

After more discussions, he asked “What do you want for your van.”

“I figure it’s worth at least $7,000 net.” I responded.

He went back in and came out with a new number, about $21,000. “We’re still way too far apart.”

“What if we drop it another thousand?” He asked. I looked at him. “How about two thousand?” We paused, stepped aside, and Wife and I talked for a bit. She was really offended by the first offer. I didn’t blame her but managed to control my emotions. With some additional discussions, I decided to take the keys for my van and head for the house. I wanted some time to think and do my research.

I always research vehicles on the ‘net. That way I know what a reasonable value is and what kind of expectations to have for a vehicle. I told the saleman “I want my keys. We’re going to go home and talk about this, have a cup of coffee, and do the research.”

“What do we have to do to make this deal work?” he asked. I looked at him.

“I need to do my research.” I explained, “I’m a Tech professor and research is my livelihood.” He headed back to the sales manager’s office. This time the sales manager, Armando, came out.

“What about $16,000?” He asked. By this time, my wife was waiting outside by the van, fuming. She was more and more angered by their initial low-ball offer. I was trying to keep my wits about me. I repeated my story.

“Take the vehicle home, drive it, think about it.” he said. He looked at Bryan, the salesman, “Has it got plenty of gas in it?”

“It has about a half-tank,” I replied. That’s plenty. Armando spent a few minutes explaining to us that it wasn’t anything personal and that we’d be surprised at how many take that first-pencil number and go with it. I explained, in turn, that it wasn’t my way to do that, that I’ve been through the process before, and that we were insulted by that number. He assured me that sometimes they make quite a bit of money and sometimes they don’t and that he could see that this time they would have to work harder to make the sale.

“Take the vehicle and drive it. If you change your mind, there will be no hard feelings.” He said. I appreciated the candor of this statement. It is, indeed, just business. It’s our money and we don’t have to buy. We haven’t used a new vehicle; it’s a manager’s demonstrator, or a program car.

I’ve done my research and we’ll go back this morning to either complete the deal on our terms or return the vehicle. Either way, it’s been an experience. The Great Truck Search continues…