Rainier Dodge - Olympia, WA

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

Sales=Excellent, Service=Excellent, Parts=Excellent, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
Sales: We have had two great sales experiences at Rainier Dodge in 2005. Our first salesperson, Reggie, took the time to learn what we needed and worked hard to find "just the right vehicle". When it came time for another vehicle we returned to find Reggie had left Rainier Dodge to pursue sales in the RV sector. Our second salesperson, Dennis, far exceeded our expectations. I have to admit Dennis has a bit of "character", but he is one of the most knowledgeable and fun to deal with salespersons I have ever met. He, too, went the extra mile to determine our wants and needs, and was very patient as I narrowed down the plethora of choices to just the right vehicle. A few phone calls later he located the exact vehicle and scheduled delivery two days later. He personally made sure it was properly prepared prior to delivery to us.
Service: I have been dealing with Rainier Dodge's service department for many years. They had gone from a good shop to a shop that I actually quit doing business due to experiencing low quality work and poor attitudes. Some time later I decided to give them another chance when I learned they had "fixed" a "few problems". And boy did they fix them. Their service advisors are extremely knowledgeable, especially Shawn. The mechanics are first rate!
Parts: Absolutely no complaints in the Parts department. Dan and Tim are great! If an accessory is not in stock it can usually be there in a day or two.
Submitted by: Bruce Johnson
Number of dealership visits=A bunch!, Last visit date=December 22, 2005, Date report submitted: Jan 2 03:03:05 EST 2006

Sales=Poor, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
My husband (who is currently serving overseas) and I were looking to trade-in our two Dodge vehicles for a 2004 Dodge Dakota truck. We went to Rainier Dodge looking for a "fair" deal. We test drove a vehicle that we wanted to purchase but it was the wrong color and engine size. The salesman told us that they could get the vehicle we wanted and it would be in the "next day". We agreed to leave our two trade-in vehicles behind that day to get the paperwork out of the way and to help facilitate picking up the new vehicle the following day (a mistake on our part that will never happen again). When we went to pick up the vehicle (three days later...) it was the wrong truck - a downgraded model of what we wanted! When we confronted the salesman on "how" this mistake could have happened the salesman tried saying it was the vehicle we contracted for - even though the dealership knowingly left the "model" box on all the paperwork BLANK - which I noticed at the time of signing the paperwork and asked the finance rep why and he told me that the printer "sometimes acts up and skips things" but was assured that we were getting the vehicle we wanted... At that time my husband and I realized that they were trying to cheat us and we asked the salesman to cancel the deal and to return our two trade-in vehicles. The sales manager then entered the room and told us that "we can either do this the hard way or the easy way" and that "our finances were of no concern to him" and that "we signed a legally binding contract". We again told him to cancel the deal since the vehicle was not what we contracted for. He told us that our two trade-ins were sold and that they could not return them. He told us that since we were obviously upset that we should go home and that we could discuss this further the next morning. Since it was closing time and we were without our vehicles we had no choice but to leave in the "wrong" vehicle they delivered to us. The next day my husband was on the phone with them trying to get our two vehicles back and they wanted us to come back in to sign another contract stating that they could get us the vehicle we wanted but it would cost another $2000. Since we were getting nowhere with the sales department I personally went to see the owner to try and get this situation resolved. I got absolutely nowhere with him - he didn't care to hear about "the problem" and tried several times to shoo me out of his office. He had the perfect opportunity to resolve this situation and to make us happy Dodge customers - let alone happy Rainier Dodge customers. I realized right then and there that the reason why his sale staff has such poor customer relationship skills is because he's the same way. My husband and I sat through their customer appreciation class and heard from the owner himself that if there are any problems whatsoever that he was there to help - WHAT A JOKE. Rainier Dodge does business in an unethical, deceitful and unlawful manner. With clear pro! of that they violated the WA State Bushing Law - they still refused to "undo" the deal. We filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, WA State Attorney General's Office, Daimler Chrysler and with the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board - who are keeping an eye on future business practices for the welfare of other services members. We then obtained a lawyer and proceeded with Arbitration to get this resolved. After five months of many sleepless nights and months of lawyer bills the Arbitrator ruled on our behalf. The Arbitrator clearly saw what this case was - a deceitful attempt to take advantage of us. Rainier Dodge's negligent misrepresentation and a host of other unlawful business practices were justly recognized by the Arbitrator in conjunction with WA Sate laws. It is a shame that Rainier Dodge is allowed to do business with the public. Buyer's Beware.
Submitted by: Withheld by request
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=March 2004, Date report submitted: Oct 22 12:50:59 EDT 2004

Sales=Avoid, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=No, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
I have a client who has dealt with Rainier Dodge -- the company violated the WA state Bushing Law in their deal with this client, and then would not own up to it despite absolutely indisputable evidence of Rainier's violation. Evidently, the owner is well-connected politically, since he has managed to sell Thurston County a Dodge Van despite the fact that the state of Washington has an open $5,000,000 contract with a dealership near Seattle for exactly the same type of van. Rainier actually had the cojones to charge Thurston County $1000 more than the county would have been charged under the contract. Can anyone spell "Kickbacks".
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=March 2004, Date report submitted: May 24 15:43:49 EDT 2004

Sales=Excellent, Service=Fair, Parts=Excellent, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Maybe,
I want to start off by saying "Donnie" Our salesman was a good guy and treated us great. I liked him, my wife liked him, and even my kids liked him. However, when I actually bought the car, the finance people working at their desks in the back, BOB sounds about right. Him and another guy kept messing up the paperwork. It is far too late to complain but I have been deployed for a long time. My vehicle was buffed just enough when I got it to cover the small nicks within the paint, they are not overly noticeable but, when I buy a 2002 Jeep I expect the paint to look good after the 3rd wash. When I took it back to the dealer to ask them to touch it up, they simply told me that it would be more noticeable and basically live with it or pay for it.
Johnny Hull
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=April 2003, Date report submitted: Apr 7 01:34:12 EDT 2004

Sales=Excellent, Service=Excellent, Parts=Excellent, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
I purchased my Dodge Ram 1500 from Rainier Dodge, the Sales transaction was very smooth and quick. It was probably the quickest vehicle purchase that I have ever had. I regularly have my truck serviced there and the Service that I have received has always been great.
Number of dealership visits=5, Last visit date=01/20/04, Date report submitted: Jan 23 19:45:12 EST 2004

Sales=Excellent, Service=Excellent, Parts=Excellent, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
Good old fashion dealership. Good product (new Durango), nice people, and we were in and out in about an hour and a half. Our salesman, Eric, made the entire deal smooth. He was very knowledgeable, funny, and went over the car thoroughly. Even called to remind us about our first oil change. Completely different experience than the bad experience we had at Larson Dodge. Call Eric he'll get you what you want at a price you can afford. Eric Warner, Professional Sales Consultant (360)280-5822.
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=Jan 2004, Date report submitted: Jan 12 01:56:51 EST 2004

Sales=Avoid, Service=Don't Know, bought there=No, scv_there=No,
Sales managers are liars and crooks. Worst dealership I ever visited. Even the salesman said it was an awful place. STAY AWAY!!!
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=9-1-03, Date report submitted: Sep 15 03:17:48 EDT 2003

Service=Good, Sales=Excellent, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes,
I think Rainier Dodge is doing a great job. Their service department needs some more organization, but overall I think they are willing to work for their customers.
Casey Johnnson       cjohnson_098<at>hotmail.com
Number of dealership visits=5, Last visit date=4/10/03, Date report submitted: 15 Apr 2003 14:43

Sales=Avoid, Service=Don't Know, bought there=No, scv_there=No,This place is under terrible management. If considering buying a vehicle there, inspect it good, because a lot of there used vehicles have been in some kind of a wreck, and or have serious mechanical problems.
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=NA, Date report submitted: 07 Apr 2003 14:58

Sales=Avoid, Service=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No,
Well I had to trade my very good 96 Dodge for something cheaper because of having to buy a house. I had 15300.00 on my windows for sale but owed 17740.00. I had explained to them that if someone bought it for the 15k I could take out a 2000+ loan to pay it off. Well I found a 97 Nissan for 1597.00 and a 96 Nissan that was loaded but the same price . I went up there to look because of a credit union sale that was to be happening that weekend I asked if the prices were going to change the day of sale and the reply was no. they said they would give me the 17740. and I was to write a 2000.00 check to be cashed later. I went to the sale and did paper work and after it was done I went to look at other trucks and the price of other truck was 2000.00 cheaper but I thought I was getting a good deal for them to buy my truck for the 17k and the Nissan for 15k and to give then the 2000.00 from a personal loan I took out at the sale. Well in the end after I got escorted out of there because I had gone back to try to talk to them a couple times..because in the end ..they only gave me 14000 for my dodge and was trying to cash my 2000.00 check I wrote to them plus the 2000.00 personal loan. I put a stop pay on my check because they already got the money from the personal loan but wanted 2000.00 more. They sent the 2000.00 to collections and upped it 400.00..so it was 2400. In the end which I had to pay cuz they were going to send it to court to garnish my wages. I asked if I could pay 1/2 and the collections called Rainier and what was said was if I pay it in 24 hrs so I had to borrow 1200 from my mom to get the collections taken care of to buy a house and so they wouldn't garnish my wages. MY daughter (15) was there from start to finish and 1 of the times we went there to figure out why they lied and ripped me off. Was it because I was a single mom with 2 kids or do they just do it to stupid people that don`t know any better. Well I got escorted out and my daughter had called them a liar 3 times she normally doesn`t say to much but she couldn`t believe what was going on. That was to make a very long story very short ..and.. to leave a lot out in between I spread the word how good they were??? I drive a log truck and have a CB do not deal unless you want one of there good deals. don`t buy from Rainier Dodge they are still trying to rip people off from the good stories I've still been hearing.
they know my name      polebender<at>olynet.com
Number of dealership visits=long one, Last visit date=7-2-01--3-17-02?collect date pd., Date report submitted: 27 Mar 2003 15:01

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Avoid, bought there=No,
I took my Stealth in for valve gasket replacement. After 3 months, they started leaking again. I took the car back for the problem to be fixed again (the work was still under warranty), and this is what I came away with: the oil gauge burned up (they pulled off the wire from the oil pressure sending unit) and it fried the gauge; broke the timing belt cover (the couldn't align it correctly so the pulley wore a hole through it); and screwed up the timing (the had to keep it a week and give me a rental car while they tried to fix the problem and it still isn't back to the way it should be). I took it back and they told me that they would not fix their mistakes and to never come back again. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DEALER!!! In case you didn't hear me the first time, STAY AWAY FROM RAINIER DODGE!!!
Number of dealership visits=5, Last visit date=02/01/02, Date report submitted: 03 Dec 2002

Sales=Avoid, Service=Good,
Tried to buy a truck there several years ago...I got the old "interest rate switch" while making the deal. I walked out and went across the street to a different dealer who had the same model, (3K miles) and I was out of there in less than an hour, with a decent interest and all kinds of "extras" (free lube oil and filters, free car washes, etc etc. The best Dodge Dealer in Olympia is the Hansen Motors VW Dealership across the street.
So.....my son goes in this past week, buys a 2001 Ram, and then today he gets a phone call...yup, the old "interest" gig again. This time he took the truck back to get his "trade-in truck" back and tell them that they could stuff the deal. In the meantime, the finance manager calls me at home and tells me all about why the deal couldn't go through, and what they were offering (it's only 1.4% more..whats the big deal?) When I told him that my son was returning the truck, he called me a c---s----r.
This resulted in a very FAST trip to the dealer. The manager met me at the front door and when I told him that the deal between my son and the dealership was between them, but when the guy starts calling me names, then we have a problem, he assured me that he would give his finance man (Mark) "the benefit of the doubt".
Good thing we have Hilburn Dodge in Shelton (22 miles NE) and Tacoma Dodge (22 miles N) for parts, sales and service, because I will NEVER set foot in that place again....and neither should you. Dodge makes a SUPERIOR product..too bad they do not spend the time to choose their dealership personnel.
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=9/7/02, Date report submitted: 08 Sep 2002

Sales=Excellent, Service=Excellent,
First time around we kind of had a hard time there - the salesman was young! The next day we went back and we had a great experience!! I told them what we wanted and what we needed our payments at, and they did exactly that. No Hassle at all!!!
Date report submitted: 17 Mar 2002

Sales=Poor, Service=Avoid,
My experiences with Rainier Dodge have gotten progressively worse over the past year. When I purchased my 1999 Dodge Dakota everything was peaches and cream. Went to the new owner briefing and heard all about how people oriented the owner was and how all staff was dedicated to problem solving. Well, the owners people skills turned out to be ZERO. The only problem solving that I've seen demonstrated was the pointing the finger at DaimlerChrysler. Within 6 WEEKS of buying the new truck it started to ping like crazy. The dealers recommended solution was to pursue the Washington State Lemon Law. The alternative was that they would sell me a different truck at ONLY $500.00 over invoice. BUT, because they clearly understood my frustration, they offered me $5000.00 (YEP FIVE THOUSAND) than I had paid just six WEEKS before. NOW THAT IS SERVICE! I felt like calling the rape line! They had a really good service advisor - Jerry Hughes! They slung him out like the trash. Real people person that owner. You may have guessed that I am not real pleased with Rainier Dodge. There is no problem too small for them to avoid. If you live in the Olympia, Lacey, or Tumwater area - I strongly suggest that you drive to a dealer OTHER than Rainier Dodge for either sales or service. You'll not regret the time or expense. Good luck.

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: March 30, 2007