My New Ram 3500 arrived Damaged

[1FastHemi]

I ordered a new Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn weeks ago and it was delivered to dealer DAMAGED. I found it this morning down the street from the showroom on the back of a lot not visible from the street. I called the dealership and they acted surprised and had no idea it had been delivered. I told them what I found and it took them almost an hour come over to the truck. I informed them I WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE. Then I asked them what they were going to do. I was informed they would have an answer Friday or Monday as the General Manager was out of town due to family illness. I put 2k down when I placed my order and the dealership is still holding on to it so far as I haven't asked for it back yet.

A friend in a body shop estimated the damage around 10k as the bed shows signs if twisting.

What would you do if you were in my place? I just hate waiting about another 10 weeks and loosing some Discount coupons that expire near the end of this month.

BTW: The truck was suppose to have Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring and CD/DVD. Neither of them were on the vehicle.

Edited 2-22-2020, Attached Build and Signature pertaining to this build:
Ordered 12-9-2019... Got VIN 12-17-2019.... F Status, Paint 12-21-2019 to 01-07-2020.... JB Status 1-7-2020.... Got Build Sheet 1-8-2020.... KZ Status 1-9-2020.... Got Window Sticker 1-11-2020.... Arrived Rail Yard in Birmingham, AL 1-29.20... Unloaded off Rail 1-31-20... Delivered to Dealer DAMAGED 2-10-20 & missing a couple of Options, I Requested... So I Refused Delivery. New Replacement Build/Order to Follow Soon...
2020 Laramie Longhorn 3500, Crew Cab, 4X4 DRW (169 IN WB, 8 Ft Box) (D28R92) - Customer Preferred Package 21K - 6.7 Cummins HO Turbo (ETM) with Aisan HD Transmission (DF2) - 3.73 Axle Ratio - Pearl White (PWQ) - Lower Two Tone Paint (APD) - Walnut Brown Metallic (QUW) - Premium Filigree Leather Seats (*XJ), Mountain Brown/ Lt. Mountain Brown (_N6) - Dual Rear Wheels (WLA) - Upfitter Electronic Module (VSIM)(XXS) - Clearance Lamps (LNC) - 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Towing Prep Group (AHU) - Auxiliary Switches ((LHL) - Factory Spray In Bedliner - Protection Group (ADB) - Chrome Tow Hooks (XHQ) - Safety Group (AAU) - Trailer Camera Wiring (XFQ) - Towing Technology Group (AAN) - Rear Backup Alarm (XAW) - Longhorn Level 1 Equipment Group (A68) - 50 Gallon Fuel Tank (NFC)..

 

[Deleted member 80]

Re-order or walk, with refund of deposit. I would not take the truck no matter what they offer.

 

[Buppies]

A yellow post like the one shown in picture number two looks to be the culprit

This is very disheartening

 

[bearcat]

Dealer ?

 

[Great White North Eh]

Maybe they thought they ordered a SRW and where attempting to narrow it down a little! But seriously run! If they know you will take it they may scab it together, it happened to me ...once.... never again.

 

[MikeXM]

Yup, someone backed up on that yellow post. And dealer knew for sure. Both the dealer and transport company have insurance for that kind of ****. Their problem, not yours.

Walk out of that deal. Re-order. Maybe keep your deposit in to keep your discounts.

Look at it this way... better that to you crashing it right after taking possession.

 

[TheRAMadaINN]

this.

Re-order or walk, with refund of deposit. I would not take the truck no matter what they offer.

Give them 2 options. Either give you your money back or a reason to give them another chance. as in a better price than the first time

Don’t need to be a jerk about it but definitely be firm

 

[1FastHemi]

Sorry to disapoint everyone, the yellow pole WAS NOT the culprit as the Ram was delivered 2 hours before I saw it and started taking pictures. There is grey/silver paint marks on the truck bed NOT yellow. This happend somewhere in transit before it got on the car carrier in Birmingham as the driver of the car carrier had already filled out the damag report before he started to load it on his car carrier. Due to the amount of rust on the bare/exposed metal, everyone thinks it happened before it got put on the rail car.

 

[Power247]

That suck man. By the rust I was thinking it happened as it was leaving the factory too. Between the damage and the missing options I'd ask for another one to be built. You special ordered, you shouldn't have to settle.

Sent from my P027 using Tapatalk

 

[1FastHemi]

That suck man. By the rust I was thinking it happened as it was leaving the factory too. Between the damage and the missing options I'd ask for another one to be built. You special ordered, you shouldn't have to settle.

Sent from my P027 using Tapatalk

You are having the same thoughts I am. I just hate that long wait for the replacement. I have also thought of just keeping my trade in until and re ordering it then as I hear uConnect 5 with a new 12 in radio should be in it by 2021 and the Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring should be available after March 1, 2020 according to what I have been reading here on the forum.

 

[Power247]

You are having the same thoughts I am. If you noticed the white and yellow sticker in the photo on the windshield, it says "BODYS", I think that means Body Shop. I just hate that long wait for the replacement. I have also thought of just keeping my trade in until and re ordering it then as I hear uConnect 5 with a new 12 in radio should be in it by 2021 and the Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring should be available after March 1, 2020 according to what I have been reading here on the forum.

I haven't read much on the uConnect 5 system but onboard trailer TPMS sounds like worth the wait. Heck, March is just a few weeks away anyway.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | Custom tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

 

[@JC]

2 things, you should talk to your dealer and also contact @RamCares to see if you can get them to do an expedited replacement order. And why did you put down 2k on an order? I put down $0 on my last 2 Jeep/Ram factory orders and previously have never been asked for more than $500.

 

[Burn'n Oil]

I'll echo some of the prior comments. Don't negotiate, just walk away. NB: CD players are apparently extinct in 2020+ Rams.

 

[Lary0071]

I see it as the bed being damaged.... a bolt on chunk of tin that is super easily unbolted and replaced. I've removed/replaced beds at home in my shop, it takes an hour. There is no damage that I see to the structure, just superficial body tin. Replace the entire bed and move on. You'll dent and scratch it again later if you use it as a working truck.... we all hate it but it happens. I've got 1,800 miles on mine and 1 ding in the rear bumper, 1 scratch in the tailgate. I'll heal.

 

[1FastHemi]

2 things, you should talk to your dealer and also contact @RamCares to see if you can get them to do an expedited replacement order. And why did you put down 2k on an order? I put down $0 on my last 2 Jeep/Ram factory orders and previously have never been asked for more than $500.

Thanks for your comments, The Dealer stated they had to wait until the General Manager got back before from his short medical leave. He should be back Friday. The managers that saw the vehicle stated they wouldn't take the damaged vehicle either if it was fixed. I hope they may be willing to negotiate on an even better price for replacement vehicle.

I did call @RamCares on the phone and all she wanted to do is call the Dealer back. I even asked to speak to her supervisor as she seemed to have an attitude and I got nowhere. I got the feeling from her that Ram DOESN'T CARE and that phone call was useless. However I did manage to contact someone with Autonation Corporate and she said someone would call me back in 24 to 48 hours. We will see. My recent experience with their local dealer is leaving me a little let down.

I don't want to do anything rash until the local dealer offers me their solution. I plan on going to some other dealers this week to see what they might offer including Ford on a F450 and GMC. Yes, I know they have their problems as well but I am starting to get fed up with the Mopar dealers around this area.

I'll echo some of the prior comments. Don't negotiate, just walk away. NB: CD players are apparently extinct in 2020+ Rams.

Thanks, I have seen the posts about the CD/DVD unit was a no more but I did confirm it with the Salesman on several occasions that it was going to be there along with the Trailer Tire Pressure Monitors.
I read somewhere on the forum that the Trailer Tire Pressure Monitors would be available on builds after 3-1-20 if they don't change their minds again. I just hate being told things from the dealers and it never comes true.

 

[1FastHemi]

I see it as the bed being damaged.... a bolt on chunk of tin that is super easily unbolted and replaced. I've removed/replaced beds at home in my shop, it takes an hour. There is no damage that I see to the structure, just superficial body tin. Replace the entire bed and move on. You'll dent and scratch it again later if you use it as a working truck.... we all hate it but it happens. I've got 1,800 miles on mine and 1 ding in the rear bumper, 1 scratch in the tailgate. I'll heal.

Thanks for your thoughts. I thought about that, but now that the damage has occurred, the vehicle will be reported as as damaged/accident and I will loose money on a resale later on. Besides I am not going to pay that kind of money for a previously damaged vehicle either. This vehicle will be used to tow my show vehicles around and will be in the car shows as well. You know how picky show car judges are. If I was going to use it as a work truck, I would just keep my old truck as it is in excellent condition except for some fading paint. I just wanted something newer.

 

[Lary0071]

Another thought.... I bought a 2012 Chevy brand new that had been damaged in transit, the truck driver disconnected the chains on the upper level vehicle and forgot that the chain was still connected to the steel at his feet.... He tossed the chains off of the hauler..... but they instead swung down, blasted the back window out of the car, dented the roof, the rear pillar and the rear door. There is a financial point that by law, if damage repairs on a new vehicle cross this price point, the car may not be sold without disclosure of the damage/repair. Under that price point (I forget what it is, but I think it was $2500 or $3000) they do not have to tell you as you are buying the new vehicle.

My point, you will absolutely cross that point. When I bought the car, on top of the manufacturer rebates and discounts and my supplier pricing from work, I got an additional $1800 off due to the fact that it was a damaged/repaired vehicle. This was on a cheap $21,000 MSRP Chevy Cruze 1LT/All-Star package, so almost 10% off on top of the other discounts and rebates. I had the car 2 years and traded it in for just a couple grand under what I paid for it, and not a soul cares or mentions the fact that the car was repaired... as long as it is repaired. My experience is that a lightly damaged vehicle (non structural) that is repaired has no trouble trading/selling. All people care about is shiny paint. You can make a turd shine and someone will overpay for it.

So maybe you look at this as a way to go back to negotiations on this truck. You will not take ownership until all repairs are completed to your satisfaction, new bed and painted perfectly to match. You then get the legally required disclaimer (you should now have legal docs to sign explaining the damage to the new vehicle), and you get a sizable discount additional to any deal you already had. If not.... tell them to take a hike. Go order another truck. There are dealers every 50 miles or so all over the USA that will take your trade and order a truck. Not a single one of them is unique or special in any way.

 

[User_1648]

It boggles my mind that the manufacturer would put it on the transport truck AFTER damage was done and ship it...if that was the case.

 

[ST3500]

I did call @RamCares on the phone and all she wanted to do is call the Dealer back. I even asked to speak to her supervisor as she seemed to have an attitude and I got nowhere. I got the feeling from her that Ram DOESN'T CARE and that phone call was useless. However I did manage to contact someone with Autonation Corporate and she said someone would call me back in 24 to 48 hours. We will see. My recent experience with their local dealer is leaving me a little let down.

Well, I understand your frustration, but, until RamCares communicates with the dealership General Manager........... what do you expect them to tell you ??
You're definitely not committed to take delivery of the truck in those conditions, and the dealership did not call you to come and pick up your truck neither.

Just relax and see how it unfolds, accidents happens, people make mistakes....... I'm sure they will take care of you.

 

[elephantrider]

i wouldn't take that truck no matter what they did to repair it. reorder, or find one on a lot. good luck.