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Lewis
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
16:04:49
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 Subject: Just called Dodge about my 2002 "SXT"
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I just got off the phone with DaimlerChrylser and gave them my VIN for my supposedly 2002 Dodge Dakota SXT. Dodge said the VIN indicated my truck is a 2002 Dodge Dakota baseline Sport. Okay then help me out...all my signed papers with the dealer indicate what I bought is a Dodge Dakota SXT. Although my vehicle has the stickers indicating SXT it doesn't have the fendar flares and the 16 inch wheels.
Legally can I make the Dodge dealership supply my truck with the options that the SXT should have come with, even though I bought this truck used. Because they sold me an Sport model telling me it was an SXT.
I called the salesman that sold it to me and he said to bring my papers in tomorrow morning when the sales manager would be there and "we will go from there"
Thanks for your help guys.
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bummer
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
16:07:37
|  RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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maybe you can get them to throw in a V8, 5spd manual while you're at it!
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Lewis
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
17:25:46
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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can someone shed some light on what the dealers legal responsibility would be in this matter?
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Justi
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
17:31:30
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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The bottom line is that they misrepresented the product. They will claim that they didn't know, and hey, they probably didn't. BUT, they SHOULD have known. I would accept either them taking the truck back or knocking the then price of the SXT package off of what they sold it to you for. Your future resale is hurt, the options are certainly downgraded, and all around it sucks.
And BTW bummer, I didn't think you could get a V8 in an SXT model..
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Lewis
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
17:34:35
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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My plan is to ask for wheel flares and 16 inch rims/tires. Do you think they will go for that...I can always threaten to get a lawyer I guess.
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Fraud
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
17:47:30
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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The dealer has committed fraud. Get a lawyer and sue.
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Fraud
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
17:52:34
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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Not done yet.
Wether or not the dealer put the stickers on the doors, and they likely did, the onus is on them to make sure that what they are indeed selling what it is claimed to be. You can bet that they did when the vehicle came into their possession.
If they knew they were taken by a customer and they passed the truck off anyway, that shows intent and their fraud could move from civil to criminal.
Maybe you should also contact your local police and if they don't want to touch it (trans jurisdictional) contact your state police.
This is most definitely a fraud by somebody at the dealership.
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Lewis
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
18:17:21
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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Thanks for the input here guys. See when I bought what I thought was a 2002 SXT, there was also a new 2003 Baseline Sport on the lot for only like 3000 more but I opted for again what I thought was the SXT.
I really like the truck and only paid 12,500 for it with 10,900 miles on it. The baseline sport was marked down to 15,699 at the time.
All I really want is the fender flares and the 16 inch wheel package. If not I will ask them to pay my payoff plus the 6 months that I have paid on the truck and go buy me a new 2004 REAL SXT.
Anymore input is appreciated? I will let you guys know how the talk with the sales manager in the morning goes.
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Fraud
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
18:26:30
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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Keep us posted. If you don't get any satisfaction from the Sales Lizard, go to the dealer principle. Mention the words fraud and Lawyer and see if it helps.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
19:21:31
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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MAKE COPIES OF ALL THE SALES PAPERWORK BEFORE GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP! I could just see you going in there with all the paper work for the truck and something mysteriously changing or happening to the paperwork. Better to be safe that sorry.
I would also be armed with a letter to Daimler Chrysler notifying them of the situation and that one of their Dodge dealerships sold you a truck that was misrepresented and that you were sold this vehicle fraudulently. Also attach a copy of the sales paperwork to the letter so they know you have copied it without saying so.
I had a new vehicle problem purchase a couple of years ago and the sales manager was looking at me like I was stupid and said there's not much we can do, UNTIL I whipped out a letter addressed to their corprate offices describing the situation. I could see his attitude change as he read the letter and he said, I quote "forget about what I just told you, we will be able to work this out. Funny how they were azzes until I threatened to take it up the ladder.
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Atlantic Quad
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
20:04:34
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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Listen man, it's obvious that you bought the truck and it wasn't equipped the way you wanted(ie: wheel flares and 16" rims)........but you bought it anyway. So regardless of a silly sticker on the door, it's now undesirable and you want the dealer to fork over flares and rims?
Now I'm not a fan of dealers either, but maybe you have swallow the fact that **you** made the mistake of buying something that didn't fit exactly what you wanted.
The sticker may have been put on by the previous owner. I see tacky add-on stickers all time that say "sport" or "4x4" for example that owners stick on to try and dress up their rides.
All the power to you and I hope things work out for the best but I think the dealer will laugh at you.
Buy what you want the first time and spend the few extra bucks to save some aggravation.
Sorry man, someone had to tell you......
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
20:10:35
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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OK, let me play Devil's Advocate here for just a minute. AFAIK, the SXT model was the basic truck with A/C, bucket seats, a 3.21 rear axle(?), 16" wheels, fender flares, graphite bumpers fascia and grill, and stickers. Not a bad package for the money, but nothing to get excited about. The 3.21 gear with a V6 would adversly affect performance, though.
But the truck you bought has stickers only? What about the rear gear? It has standard wheels and no flares? What about the bumpers, fascia, and grill? A/C? Bucket seats? In other words, did it have any of the features of the SXT other than the stickers? If it didn't, why did you buy the truck? Did you do your homework before dropping by the dealers lot? Doesn't sound like it.
You bought it as it sat there, and you were happy to sign the papers and drive it away. Now you find out the VIN is a base truck, and you're unhappy. Did the truck change in any way while you were on the phone?
So, that being said, I believe you're right that the dealer bears some responsibility here. But you do, too. Don't run in there with guns blazing claiming the dealer cheated you. You made some serious mistakes in this deal. Go in and talk to the salesman (and the manager) and work a deal.
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Justi
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
20:20:08
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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What you last two said is not untrue, but if I were in the same boat I'd be pissed as well. What if I bought a Dakota that had V8 emblems on it. I drove it, it seemed decent, but never having seen a mopar engine before and not taking the time to count the wires I never noticed it was a 3.9. Should I have counted? Should I have needed to? Should I have the right ask the dealer to fix this fiasco? Yes..
So yeah, dude probably bought a truck without doing the research and knowing, but the bottom line is that he was mislead. He bought the SXT because he knew it was an upgraded package, and he paid the PRICE for an SXT. The bottom line again is, he didn't get one. To say that ignorance is not a valid excuse is true, but it goes both ways, towards the dealer as well.
I do however agree with bob when he says to go in there calmly to attempt to resolve the problem nicely. Like Patrick Swayze said in "Roadhouse", be nice until it's time to not be nice anymore..
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umm
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
21:14:10
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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the law is set up to protect the idiots. Sure you could hire a lawyer and win with no problem, but u would spend more on a lawer than it would be worth. U might get some flares, wheels, or money, but your bill would make those seem worthless. Go talk to the manager (or owner if present) and tell him what u want out of it. Make sure you know what you want before you go in there. Then, if that doesnt work you should call the main headquarters, and work your way up. That way all you are spending is your time, and not your money. If you cant get something done, after all that, then get a lawyer and sue for more than you think you would get. And trust me, you will probobly get it.
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bummer
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
21:40:32
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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my last post was total sarcasm, in case you couldn't tell.
And you want ANOTHER SXT? those are useless POS's! Then go but a lighter, better made truck, that actually performs well, with a v6, not a Dak with a v6! I'm NOT talking racing here, but c'mon, I chuckle every time I see one of those useless SXT's, developed so they could move the rest of the 3.9's and make idi, I mean, people think they were getting something special. A/C? You mean they make em without it?
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
21:42:58
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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Hope I didn't come off like you should go in there making outrageous demands and spouting off. I agree with bob and Justi, try to work this matter out in a polite and professional manner.
I don't agree that Lewis is at fault though, If the truck and paperwork say SXT, he should have been sold an SXT, not a Sport with SXT stickers. Let's say you never saw a Viper before and realy wanted one, wouldn't you be pissed when you find out that you just bought a Neon with Viper stickers?
My situation was that I purchased a new car for my wife 2 years ago. I was washing it 3 weeks after I bought it and noticed some small specs on the front bumper, then some dried paint chips on the back window, then overspray under the hood and poor masking, then some bent metal behind the bumper cover, then the alignemnt of the front bumper cover was off. The fn thing had some pretty serious front end damage that they repaired and then sold us as a new car. The car was supposed to be brand new, not a wrecked & repaired new car. If I was buying a used car I would have expected this and looked closer, but this was a new car, why inspect a new car for damage after all it's supposed to be new, right? They took back the car and replaced it with another the the same model, except this one wasn't wrecked. The prepared, cool, calm and collected approach worked great. How often do you see dealerships taking back $25,000 cars.
Well same thing goes for Lewis, if they told him it was an SXT, the truck says SXT and the paperwork says SXT, they should have delivered an SXT.I just think you should be prepared with some ammunition when they start playing their games. Even if it comes down to getting nasty, do it in a polite and professional manner, realy pisses them of when your cool calm and collected. They would rather see you get upset and unrational, helps them out.
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BamaTech
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
22:07:09
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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Federal Law states that if it is on the window sticker at time of sale , they must fix the problem or give you a truck that matches the sticker .
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Lewis
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2004
22:13:04
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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I know what you guys are saying here.
But, when I went to the dealership back in May I was looking at a new 2003 Dodge Dakota base model Sport. It was priced at 15600 and with my farm bureau and college grad discount I could have gotten it for 14700. The salesmans says but in the used lot I have a 2002 SXT with about 10000 miles on it, andit has a little more options than the basic sport does. see the sport didn't have flares either, I didn't know that the flares existed at this time. So I looked at the "SXT" and like the color, bedliner, fog light kit already added. This dealership doesn't carry many dodge products so I didn't get to see the real SXT or any dakota with wheel flares at all. So the next day I decide to buy the "SXT" because why...I thought it was a little more upgraded than the basic sport...why because the salesman said it was an "SXT". My Vehicle Buyer Sales Ticket that I signed, the salesman signed, and the finance officer signed indicated that my truck is a 2002 Dodge Dakota SXT.
I am not saying I don't like my truck cause I do, what I am saying is that I didn't get what I thought I was getting. I got a basic Sport instead of an SXT. What got me into looking was when I called the Dodge dealership last week and asked for pricing for wheel flares and they asked what type of truck and I told them an 02 SXT and she said...which one do you need to replace...and I say I want all 4, she says well those were standard on 02's I thought.
Hmmm that got me thinking...and researching and sure enough lots more than I got was standard on the 02 SXT.
I like what I bought, but they misrepresented the product to me and sold me something that wasn't. Imaging buying a truck with 4x4 on it then buy it and drive it off the lot and find out it's a two wheel drive...same situation as mine.
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jb
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2004
10:27:26
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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I was under the impression that the base sport was one step above an sxt from a features standpoint.
I thought it went
Base truck
sxt
sport
sport plus
slt
slt plus
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2004
12:11:57
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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Talk is cheap. Put it in writing! Dodge probably gets hundreds of complaints a month and yours is probably going to get little attention unless you put forth the effort to make it stand out.
Write a good letter describing your problem and what you want done, then show it to the sales manager and owner of the dealership, if they ignore you then mail, fax and Email it everywhere you can.
Squeeky wheel gets the grease.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2004
12:15:08
| RE: Just called Dodge about my 2002
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Oh, make sure the letter is addressed to Dodge regional office and corporate offices, not the dealership. When you show it to the dealer they are going to know where the letter is headed to next.
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