Choosing a dump truck dealer

Even when you’re buying used, finding a dump truck for your business isn’t like picking out a used car online or in the classified ads. Getting a good price on the right truck is important – but don’t overlook the value of choosing a reliable dealership.

It’s worth taking some extra time in the purchasing process to make sure you choose a dealership that stands behind the truck and will provide top-quality support when you need it.

Overall sales approach
The best dump truck dealers will work with you to spec out exactly the truck you need. Expect to answer a lot of questions about what you’re hauling, how far you’re going, and what’s important to you. Avoid dealers who come up with a ‘hot deal’ that is supposedly just right for you after five minutes of conversation.

Your relationship with the dealer is important as well. Building a strong working relationship will help when you have questions later or need to buy your next truck. A dealer who doesn’t seem to value your business when you’re first buying a truck likely won’t be around much after the sale.

Selecting the right size
The right dealership is large enough to have a variety of different models and high-quality facilities – but small enough to value your business. If you’re an individual owner/operator, you should expect the same level of respect and attention that fleet buyers get.

If you are a fleet buyer, look for a dealership that can provide specialized fleet management services, including overall fleet maintenance tracking, resale assistance, and long-term cost management.

Maintenance and support
The dealer should be the first place you turn when you need repairs or new equipment, so its maintenance department is one of the key areas to evaluate. Talk to the dealer’s mechanics if you can, and ask about their overall experience with the type of truck you’re considering. You’re looking for two things in this conversation – validation of your opinions about the truck and proof that the mechanics are familiar with the specific model so they’ll be well-qualified to make any needed repairs.

Find out what the repair policies are – how quickly the dealer responds if you have a problem, whether it has a 24-hour hotline for emergencies, how it helps you with preventative or regularly scheduled maintenance, and what its tracking policies are.

Checking references
Before making a final decision, it’s worth asking other businesses in your area where they get their trucks. Talk to your suppliers, your customers, and even your competitors – anyone who has a truck similar to what you need. Ask them key questions about the truck and the dealership, such as:

• Where did you get your truck? How long have you had it?
• Has it met all your needs?
• Do you feel like you got a good deal?
• Was there a particular issue that you feel could have been handled better?
• Have repairs been handled quickly and thoroughly?
• Would you buy your next truck from the same dealer?
• If you could change one thing about this dealership, what would it be?

You can also ask the dealerships you’re investigating for a list of references, and ask the same questions of them. Of course, you’ll be connected to some of their most satisfied customers, but you can still learn the dealers’ relative strengths and weaknesses.