“The Deal”
As requested, here’s the story on the deal I got (see my first post in the group yesterday). To appreciate what happened, you need to know who was involved and how everyone was affected. So, pour a drink and buckle up…
I’m a residential contractor that often tows materials and had been looking to replace my F150 (rear wheel drive) for some time. Had been researching these for a few weeks. Living in Greenville SC, inventory around here is pretty limited. And what is here hasn’t really been moving because adoption rates of the EV truck market in this part of the south particularly just isn’t happening. I test drove a TB about 30 min away and pretty much loved it. This same color which I think is pretty striking. Knew right then I wanted this Silverado. Ironically, it sold two days later.
Continued my search and opened up my radius to 200 miles. Found an LT extended range, Plus Package only, no mid gate or any cool features, same color tho, and I figured I could sacrifice some premium features and still be fine against my budget of $75k OTD. Located in Asheville NC - would definitely make the drive to get that one. So I dog-eared that one. Now mind you, OTD isn’t the number you see on a dealer’s sticker. There’s typically a few thousand bucks added on in closing fees, extended warranties, etc.
At the same time, found two identical Max Range models with the premium package (literally all Premium features minus the fixed glass) with a home charger and a few other dealer inclusions at one dealership 45 min out. Two of them, just sitting there. MSRP on both was $95k after all packages. Dealer had it advertised for $82k. Out of my budget and I wasn’t compromising on that.
So I told my wife, I’d like for her to drive one before I pull the trigger on the one in Asheville. I didn’t want to make that drive and find that she wasn’t into the whole EV vibe. So off to drive the $95k model fully believing I’d buy the one in Asheville.
Get to the dealership and meet a salesperson outside. Great guy, right off the bat. Tell him that we want to test drive that truck. He says flatly, “Are you sure? They’re discontinuing them.” Umm…no they’re not. Maybe the RST and maybe they’re holding off on developing newer models but the line is still solid right now. He admittedly says that he doesn’t know much about them and has never been in either is the two they have on the lot (thanks for the honesty!) but would be happy to take one out with us. Right off the bat, I tell him what my intentions are - I’m dialed in on one in Asheville but want a quick ride in this one. He gets it and doesn’t blink, he’s got nothing else going on right then.
We take it out. O. M. G. Takes us 2 minutes to discover WOW mode. Punch it on the highway and it’s GONE! Sales Guy lets out a controlled scream of shock when he sinks into the bucket seat. Never did 92mph in a test drive. I felt like a criminal.
Get back to the lot, get out of the vehicle and he says “Are you sure you don’t want to see what we can do to get you into this one?” I told him no, my budget is $75k OTD and Asheville can meet that. Told him that I know his truck is not the same package and that’s ok, I’m not asking him to make a deal. Again, great guy and we’re building rapport. But this isn’t the one I’m buying. He say, “Can I at least run it by one is the sales managers and see what our best offer is?”. “Go right ahead”, and he’s skipping back inside.
5 minutes later, he and a sales manager come out. Frank. Straight outta “My Cousin Vinny”, holding two pieces of paper: a print out of their vehicle’s online listing and Asheville’s online listing. Dives right in and says:
“You know, theirs isn’t even an extended range model”, holding those two pieces of paper to my face. That’s your opener?? Not trying to sell me on why his is a must-have vehicle, but implying that Asheville is falsely advertising theirs? You don’t think I researched the VIN ahead of time? I tell him, “Yes it is, Frank.”
“No it’s not” is his fact-based comeback. Then proceeds to say “Ours has twice the battery size. Look, says right here: ours is 19.2kw capable charging and theirs is only 11. Ours is almost twice the size battery! Says right here” waving the papers again.
“Frank. Frank. That doesn’t mean it’s twice the size battery.”
“Yea it does…” (and with a condescending tone in his voice says) “…how many times does 11 go into 19??”
My Sales Guy drops his head. He knows what just happened. My wife lets out a chuckle borne out of offended disbelief. She knows what’s coming.
“Frank, do you seriously think I’m stupid? What about me says to you that I must not have a basic understanding of arithmetic? You clearly know nothing about this vehicle but rather than step up, admit that, and say “Good question, let me find out for you”, you decide to insult my intelligence. That’s your sales tactic? I’m done here.” Turned right to Sales Guy and said “I’m sorry this happened to you today, you were great” and left.
Get a text 2 hours later from Sales Guy - “So sorry, he completely nuked any rapport we had built and any potential for a deal. Is there ANYTHING I can do to get you back?” “Yes he did nuke the whole thing. And no, I’m not coming back. I hope you sell those trucks - you deserve to make your goals.”
Next day, from Sales Guy: “FYI - the general manager heard about how that went down with Frank, asked me to confirm the interaction, and Frank got formally written up. What is your best offer, just give me a number and I’ll at least run it by a senior manager.” So I reiterated “$75k OTD, which you told me a few times wouldn’t happen. I understand, different vehicle. Good luck!” He replies, “I don’t think they’d go any lower than $84k OTD. But if Asheville doesn’t come through for you, please let me know.” You got it, Sales Guy.
Next day, I’m talking to Asheville Sales Guy and tell him I’m on board to come up there but need his $72k extended range for $68k OTD, with a buyer’s order confirming that number. Not 10 minutes later, I have that sitting in my inbox. Text OG Sales Guy “Hey, told you I’d follow up - got a buyer’s order for that Asheville unit for $68k. Different model, not as fancy, but I gave you my word I’d close this all out with you. Thanks for giving it a try, I wish you well.”
20 minutes later: “What if I send you a buyer’s order for $76.5k?” “Brother…you know my max number is $75k”. Radio silence. 10 minutes later… “What’s your email? I’m sending that order for $75k over to you”.
Next day, I walk in with a check. Frank sees me come in and promptly turns around and leaves. I bring Sales Guy a bottle of Buffalo Trace because he deserves a good drink after all this. And I drive off into the sunset….quickly.