Baja Ram Runs
Member
I purchased a new 2019 RAM 1500 Laramie on 2/12/20. I live in Northern California and flew to Idaho with my father-in-law to purchase this vehicle and drive it home. Upon arrival the vehicle appeared in good condition with no obvious damage. After arriving home on 2/13/20, while washing the vehicle I noticed unusual damage to the front bumper/ lower under carriage area. On both sides of the front bumper, in the same locations, are two large dents that appear from an upward force. There is also damage to the front splash guards behind both front wheels and paint chipping along the body pinch welds. I knew from this unusual and symmetrical damage that this had to be something that occurred prior to driving it home.
I immediately documented pictures of the damage found and sent them via text message to salesman Mark Donicht. He was in immediate contact with me and told me to be patient and to, “see what he can do.” After several days without any resolution, on 2/21/20 Mark requested I get an estimate for repairs from a local body shop. The body shop came back with a repair estimate and explanation of what they think occurred and stated, “front bumper has upward symmetrical impact damage clearly related to tie down during transport.”
After providing Mark with the repair estimate, I was told the Service Manager, Toby, would need to give final approval before proceeding on a repair to fix the damaged bumper/associated parts. After waiting several days and making repeated attempts to get in touch with the Service Manager, on 3/2/20 I was finally told by Mark Donicht that the General Manager of the dealership would be contacting me. When I spoke to the General Manager, Brandon Johnson, on Friday 3/13/20 he refused to take responsibility in any of the damage and told me that it was, "my responsibility to get down on my hands and knees to inspect the vehicle before it was driven off the lot." And to further aggravate the situation I was told by the GM that the damage occurred on my drive back home.
As coming from the automotive dealership industry myself, being a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician for over 7 years, it is clear to see that the vehicle was not properly “Pre Delivery Inspected” at the time of delivery or the technician was negligent on documenting the known damage. If it had a thorough inspection it would have been seen while the truck was on the lift or if sold to someone there should’ve been disclosure on the defect(s) to the buyer. This is an issue that I should’ve never had any visibility to as I was buying a brand new vehicle. If industry protocol would’ve been followed I would’ve arrived and driven off with an undamaged vehicle.
I am very disappointed in having to deal with this lack of customer service after buying a brand new truck that I traveled so far to purchase. I feel the entire new vehicle purchase experience has been a huge disappointment by having to constantly track down the dealer staff in trying to resolve the damage to my new truck. I have taken the steps requested by the staff and instead of the damage being fixed, I am being told it was I who damaged the vehicle. I reached out to the owner of the dealership, Steve Dominguez, to request that the damage be fixed. I never got any response from him, but the GM called me back stating their was nothing they could do. I even provided picture proof of visible damage to the truck while it is still on the dealer's lot. (as seen highlighted below)
I would highly recommend not traveling to purchase from this dealer as it is very clear they just want your money. After spending over $45,000 with them I really would have thought they would have treated me better after leaving the lot. Lesson learned, if the deal is too good to be true, it likely is...
Videos and pictures in Google Drive link below
https://drive.google.com/open?id=10N89QSGDbdpDFf-1poMtpvrVo-YcjWlg
I immediately documented pictures of the damage found and sent them via text message to salesman Mark Donicht. He was in immediate contact with me and told me to be patient and to, “see what he can do.” After several days without any resolution, on 2/21/20 Mark requested I get an estimate for repairs from a local body shop. The body shop came back with a repair estimate and explanation of what they think occurred and stated, “front bumper has upward symmetrical impact damage clearly related to tie down during transport.”
After providing Mark with the repair estimate, I was told the Service Manager, Toby, would need to give final approval before proceeding on a repair to fix the damaged bumper/associated parts. After waiting several days and making repeated attempts to get in touch with the Service Manager, on 3/2/20 I was finally told by Mark Donicht that the General Manager of the dealership would be contacting me. When I spoke to the General Manager, Brandon Johnson, on Friday 3/13/20 he refused to take responsibility in any of the damage and told me that it was, "my responsibility to get down on my hands and knees to inspect the vehicle before it was driven off the lot." And to further aggravate the situation I was told by the GM that the damage occurred on my drive back home.
As coming from the automotive dealership industry myself, being a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician for over 7 years, it is clear to see that the vehicle was not properly “Pre Delivery Inspected” at the time of delivery or the technician was negligent on documenting the known damage. If it had a thorough inspection it would have been seen while the truck was on the lift or if sold to someone there should’ve been disclosure on the defect(s) to the buyer. This is an issue that I should’ve never had any visibility to as I was buying a brand new vehicle. If industry protocol would’ve been followed I would’ve arrived and driven off with an undamaged vehicle.
I am very disappointed in having to deal with this lack of customer service after buying a brand new truck that I traveled so far to purchase. I feel the entire new vehicle purchase experience has been a huge disappointment by having to constantly track down the dealer staff in trying to resolve the damage to my new truck. I have taken the steps requested by the staff and instead of the damage being fixed, I am being told it was I who damaged the vehicle. I reached out to the owner of the dealership, Steve Dominguez, to request that the damage be fixed. I never got any response from him, but the GM called me back stating their was nothing they could do. I even provided picture proof of visible damage to the truck while it is still on the dealer's lot. (as seen highlighted below)
I would highly recommend not traveling to purchase from this dealer as it is very clear they just want your money. After spending over $45,000 with them I really would have thought they would have treated me better after leaving the lot. Lesson learned, if the deal is too good to be true, it likely is...
Videos and pictures in Google Drive link below
https://drive.google.com/open?id=10N89QSGDbdpDFf-1poMtpvrVo-YcjWlg
