Tate Dodge Annapolis - Annapolis, MD

Visit Geno's Garage for Truck accessories.

The most recent ratings are at the top of the list; the oldest are at the bottom.

Sales=Poor, Service=Poor, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
I recognize that this experience is dated over five years, however, I feel it is important to future customers who may plan or are in the process of buying a vehicle at this dealership. I only hope that things have changed relative to sales/service since I purchased my vehicle. My initial first contact with this dealership went fine. Staff was very accommodating, professional, and tried diligently to answer my questions. When I found out that from them that I could get a Dodge Ram shortbed pickup with a V10, I was elated. I picked up a brochure and told them that I would be back to order one since they didn't have any available. I researched and did my homework to crunch the numbers and work towards a fair offer. I even had a spreadsheet listing the specific option/codes and the factory prices (available from the standard magazines that breakout option prices, MSRPs, etc.) and went so far as to factor in a $300.00 profit for the dealership. The "fun" started when I gave them the spreadsheet and told them that I was more than willing to wait for this truck...my way of conveying to them that I'm not the "buy on impulse" type. As my sales rep (new guy with a few weeks experience) took a look at the numbers and pulled out his price book to compare I noticed that the prices I pulled from the magazine matched exactly with their book. So I thought this might work out reasonably well. Wrong! So began the standard double-team gang up, with the sales rep taking my spreadsheet over to the manager for his review. After a few minutes my sales rep came back and went from Dr Jekyle to Mr Hyde. He basically said in so many words "what's in it for us?" I replied $300.00. He laughed and said "We're not making anything!" I said let's go over the numbers again. He quibbled and repeated again that they're not making anything from this offer. Finally, I said you are easily making a profit of at least $750.00 (not counting my $300.00) through Chryslers Dealer Incentive of 3% for every vehicle sold. He replied "That's to pay the bills needed to operate this dealership." Feeling insulted, I said "We all pay bills." At this point, he knew I wouldn't budge, knew that I would happily wait for it, and knew that I could easily go somewhere else (as in Virginia). So they ultimately agreed to my price, but I had one more request. I asked them to throw in the shop manual for this vehicle to seal the deal. He went back to his manager and the manager arrogantly disapproved this. He said it cost $100.00 for the shop manual and said that I was already getting too good of a deal. My frustration at this point was close to me walking out, but figuring that they agreed to my offer, I said fine, lets do the paperwork. As we're getting to signing the contract my sales rep asked me if I had recently done any post-grad work as Chrysler was offering education incentives to buyers. Surprised, I told him that yes, I had just finished a Masters program and could provide him with the documentation. He told me if it got ok'd, I'd get $400.00 off our agreed price. Hearing that I was again elated...they we're apparently not as it dug into their profit. Because I ordered the truck, they told me they would keep in touch with me to tell me when it would be built and when it was to arrive. I was never contacted on when it was built and after four months of hearing nothing I called them for an update. Amazingly, they said it would be arriving in another month. So around 5 months had passed and when I went to pick up my new pickup, I thought it will be the typical happy-go-lucky staff congratulating me on my new vehicle purchase. Nothing could have been further from the truth. My sales rep that I had dealt with apparently was not working there anymore and I was forwarded to one of the "experienced" sales staff. As soon as he brought out the contract and saw what I was paying he immediately started to lay a guilt trip on me about how I was getting such a good deal and how this previous sales rep screwed the deal up. I was furious, and was just about ready to leave. But my wife calmed me down and said let's just finish this up and you can drive your new truck home. I did have one bad service experience with them that is worth noting. Within a month of receiving my new truck, I ordered a MoPar Hard Tonneau Cover and had them put it on because the box it came in was so oversized that I doubt I could get it home. Plus I figured they had done this before and were experts on it. Yes and no. The tonneau cover fit beautifully with no dings scratches at all, but when I opened the tail gate and looked in the bed I couldn't believe what I saw. Gouges and scratches all over the bed, inner fender wells and worst of all the tail gate. It was quite clear that one person probably installed it when the directions (I was given the documentation for warranty purposes) specifically stated that it would take two people to properly install. Again, I was furious. I took it back to the service dept and requested to see the service manager. I held my temper, showed the damage, and expressed to him that I had just bought this vehicle. He immediately apologized and said it will be fixed free of charge. When I received the truck back he and I inspected the $360.00 cost of repair. He saw I was pleased, but I vowed from that day on that I would never have my vehicle serviced by them. So, because of the treatment I received from this dealership in purchasing this vehicle and then receiving damage to it after buying an $800.00 MoPar accessory, I strongly doubt I will ever buy from them again.
Number of dealership visits=5, Last visit date=Apr98, Date report submitted: Dec 14 03:43:01 EST 2003

Sales=Excellent, Service=Excellent, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes,
This is by far one of the most honest,reliable & fair dealerships in the state. What a difference a good dealership makes!They make buying a vehicle a pleasurable experience.
Try Tate Dodge of annapolis, you'll have the best buying experience of your life.
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=4/24/02, Date report submitted: 28 Aug 2003 09:42:51

Sales=Excellent, Service=Don't Know,
I have to say it was the most wonderful experiences in the twenty five years I have been buying cars. My first contact was a salesman named Joe Longenbach. He was up front and personal through each step of the process and actually gave me and overview of what was happening along the way. At the end of my test drive I was introduced to the Sales Manager Mr. Steve Goddard. He didn't play the games with me like Antwerpen and Ralphs Dodge. He gave us a very good price and when it was time to appraise my 1996 caravan he asked me if I would like to come along. No one has ever wanted me along for a trade appraisal. I said sure I would like to go. After Mr. Goddard and I got back he had Joe and I come right into his office. At that point he pulled up Kelly Blue Book on the internet and showed me what it was worth. Like I said everything was up front and honest. I will be sending all my friends and family to Tate Dodge of Annapolis to enjoy the GREATEST BUYING EXPERIENCE!!!
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=10/18/02, Date report submitted: 24 Oct 2002

Sales=Excellent, Service=Excellent,
This is the fourth vehicle we have purchased from the Tate store in Annapolis. They always have treated us much better than the one in Glen Burnie. For one thing, the sales staff seems much more personable. Everyone in Glen Burnie seems like they are the only dealership out there. The Annapolis dealership puts forth more effort to get us in the vehicle WE want, not something they are trying to push us in.
I have used the Service department for my scheduled check-ups. Every once in a while I might notice something that I think is wrong, but the service staff will reassure me that it is nothing. I have had experiences where another service department tried to fix something that is not wrong with my vehicle - but not here - they haven't screwed me yet.
Number of dealership visits=4, Last visit date=10/19/02, Date report submitted: 21 Oct 2002

Dealership Rating:
	Good sales department, good service
	Fair sales, fair service
	Conflicting or not enough information
	Poor Service or Poor Sales Department
	Avoid like the plague!!
	Don't Know / No Experience

This page was edited on: February 16, 2007