{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"We Found the WORST Car Dealer in America (LIVE) | Episode 1038","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/we-found-the-worst-car-dealer-in-america-live-episode-1038","audioUrl":"https://pdrl.fm/3359a6/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/1385/injector.simplecastaudio.com/14b42e71-1f9c-41b2-944f-bc8f2b3a3cb9/episodes/73932762-0054-4e6e-a402-fb058272cb43/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=14b42e71-1f9c-41b2-944f-bc8f2b3a3cb9&awEpisodeId=73932762-0054-4e6e-a402-fb058272cb43&feed=gkrQ6WSC","description":"Today on CarEdge Live, Ray and Zach discuss the latest data they collected from the Dealer Transparency Index. Tune in to learn more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com\nfor information about our collection and use of personal data for\nadvertising.\n"},"annotations":[{"startTime":4.7,"endTime":10.1,"type":"concept","title":"off-roading","url":"/glossary/off-roading","quote":"Soften your focus and visualize yourself off-roading in a Tacoma! Now engage your senses. What do you hear?","canonicalId":"concept:off-roading","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Off-roading refers to driving on unpaved or rough terrain where traction and vehicle control matter more than on-road comfort. Pickup trucks like the Toyota Tacoma are often marketed for this kind of use because they’re built to handle dirt roads and uneven surfaces.","simplifiedExplanation":"Off-roading means driving on rough or unpaved roads, like dirt trails. It’s harder than normal driving, so you want a vehicle that can handle it."}},{"startTime":4.72,"endTime":9.5,"type":"car","title":"Toyota Tacoma","url":"/cars/toyota/tacoma","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Second_Gen_Toyota_Tacoma_on_Snowy_Mountain_-_2019.jpg","quote":"Soften your focus and visualize yourself off-roading in a Tacoma! Now engage your senses. What do you hear?","canonicalId":"car:toyota:tacoma","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck known for off-road capability and everyday utility. In this segment it’s used as an example of a vehicle you might imagine driving while “off-roading.”","simplifiedExplanation":"The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup truck made by Toyota. It’s popular because it can handle rough roads, so it’s a common choice when people talk about off-roading.","imageAttribution":"Noah Wulf (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":13.58,"endTime":17.22,"type":"car","title":"Toyota Grand Highlander","url":"/cars/toyota/grand-highlander","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/2024_Toyota_Grand_Highlander_XLE_AWD_in_Blueprint%2C_Front_Right%2C_09-10-2023.jpg","quote":"Because you're driving the kids to a farm sanctuary in a Grand Highlander! Breathe in, breathe out, and go from dreaming it to driving it today!","canonicalId":"car:toyota:grand-highlander","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Toyota Grand Highlander is a larger three-row SUV in Toyota’s Highlander family, aimed at families needing more seating and space. Here it’s referenced as the vehicle for driving “the kids” to a farm sanctuary.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Toyota Grand Highlander is a Toyota SUV with room for a family. In the ad, it’s the car you’d use to drive kids around.","imageAttribution":"Elise240SX (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":137.8,"endTime":154.1,"type":"company","title":"caredge.com","url":"/glossary/caredge-com","quote":"today's show is brought to you by caredge.com. For those of you that are unfamiliar, back at caredge.com for the past six years. We've been providing car buying services that take care of research, dealer outreach, and even negotiation.","canonicalId":"company:caredge-com","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"CarEdge (caredge.com) is presented as a service that helps consumers with the car-buying process. The segment highlights research, dealer outreach, and negotiation support—key steps that can reduce the chance of being steered into bad deals.","simplifiedExplanation":"CarEdge is a website/service that helps you buy a car. They help you do research, contact dealers, and negotiate so you’re less likely to get a bad deal."}},{"startTime":151.1,"endTime":154.1,"type":"concept","title":"dealer outreach","url":"/glossary/dealer-outreach","quote":"We've been providing car buying services that take care of research, dealer outreach, and even negotiation.","canonicalId":"concept:dealer-outreach","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Dealer outreach is the process of contacting multiple dealerships to request information and pricing. In practice, it helps buyers compare offers and reduces the risk of being quoted one-sided numbers.","simplifiedExplanation":"Dealer outreach means calling or messaging dealerships to ask for quotes. It helps you compare what different dealers will actually offer you."}},{"startTime":229.2,"endTime":246.0,"type":"concept","title":"dealer transparency index","url":"/glossary/dealer-transparency-index","quote":"But based on our dealer transparency index, we found the 10 dealers who have the lowest performance in terms of transparency. And today, we're going to break down that data, but do it live.","canonicalId":"concept:dealer-transparency-index","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The dealer transparency index is a scoring system that ranks dealerships based on how clearly and honestly they present pricing and deal terms. In this episode, it’s used to identify dealers with the lowest transparency scores.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is a score that tries to measure how upfront a car dealership is. The higher the score, the more clearly they explain pricing and fees; the lower the score means more confusing or misleading practices."}},{"startTime":269.0,"endTime":278.8,"type":"company","title":"South Atlanta Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram","url":"/glossary/south-atlanta-chrysler-dodge-jeep-ram","quote":"Your worst car dealer in the United States of America right now, at the moment, based on the data that we have available to us, is South Atlanta Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. They scored a 26 out of 100.","canonicalId":"company:south-atlanta-chrysler-dodge-jeep-ram","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.93,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This is the specific dealership named as the worst (lowest transparency score) in the United States in the episode’s ranking. The hosts cite a score of 26 out of 100 based on their methodology.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re calling out this specific dealership as having the lowest transparency score in their ranking. They say it scored 26 out of 100 based on their criteria."}},{"startTime":369.0,"endTime":373.5,"type":"term","title":"taxes and title fees","url":"/glossary/taxes-and-title-fees","quote":"Dealer-controlled fees above the listed price excluding taxes and title fees. Dealers with the minimal markup score highest.","canonicalId":"term:taxes-and-title-fees","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Taxes and title fees are government-related costs tied to registering and titling the vehicle. The episode’s “price accuracy” metric excludes these so it can focus on dealer-controlled charges rather than unavoidable government costs.","simplifiedExplanation":"Taxes and title fees are charges you have to pay to register the car. The episode is saying they’re not counting those when they judge whether the dealer is inflating the price."}},{"startTime":373.5,"endTime":376.7,"type":"term","title":"markup","url":"/glossary/markup","quote":"Dealers with the minimal markup score highest. Okay, again, this dealership sees significant markup above.","canonicalId":"term:markup","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Markup is the amount a dealer charges above a baseline price (often the listed or negotiated price). The episode says dealers with minimal markup score highest, implying the dealer is charging closer to what’s expected rather than inflating the deal.","simplifiedExplanation":"Markup is how much extra money the dealer adds on top of the price. Lower markup usually means you’re paying closer to a fair market number."}},{"startTime":465.6,"endTime":473.4,"type":"term","title":"processing fee","url":"/glossary/processing-fee","quote":"And then we've got the processing fee, which is a crazy dock fee for the state of Georgia at $1,295.","canonicalId":"term:processing-fee","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “processing fee” is a dealer charge for handling paperwork and administrative steps. Depending on the state and dealer, it can be negotiable or capped, so it’s important to ask what it covers and whether it’s required.","simplifiedExplanation":"A processing fee is a dealer charge for doing the paperwork. It’s often added on top of the car price, so you should check the amount and ask if it’s negotiable."}},{"startTime":579.5,"endTime":584.2,"type":"concept","title":"price accuracy","url":"/glossary/price-accuracy","quote":"Yeah, price accuracy. It's not to be had at this dealership... At least that's what our data is suggesting.","canonicalId":"concept:price-accuracy","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Price accuracy” here means how closely the dealer’s advertised number matches the final negotiated/transaction price. When accuracy is poor, buyers should expect surprise fees and add-ons during the quote process.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Price accuracy” means whether the price you see is really the price you end up paying. If it’s not accurate, you may get hit with extra charges later."}},{"startTime":591.8,"endTime":606.0,"type":"term","title":"dock fee","url":"/glossary/dock-fee","quote":"A $1,299 dock fee and just add-ons galore... Let's take a quick peek. We've got that $1,299 dock fee on this one.","canonicalId":"term:dock-fee","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A dock fee is a dealer charge tied to getting the vehicle from the port/transport system to the dealership. It’s legitimate in some form, but the amount can vary widely and may be used to inflate the final price when combined with other add-ons.","simplifiedExplanation":"A dock fee is a charge the dealer adds for moving the car from where it arrives to the dealership. It can be fair, but it’s also a common place where dealers add cost."}},{"startTime":726.9,"endTime":755.4,"type":"concept","title":"grades","url":"/glossary/grades","quote":"And if I may, Dad, this is the distribution of grades. So it's only 17% of dealers get a D or an F grade.","canonicalId":"concept:grades","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Grades” here refer to letter ratings (A, B, C, D, F) assigned to dealerships based on their behavior and deal practices. The segment breaks down the distribution of dealers across these grades to show how common poor practices are."}},{"startTime":741.7,"endTime":746.7,"type":"concept","title":"a few bad apples rock the bunch","url":"/glossary/a-few-bad-apples-rock-the-bunch","quote":"I mean, so it's actually that, it really is that adage of a few bad apples rock the bunch. Most dealers operate pretty transparently.","canonicalId":"concept:a-few-bad-apples-rock-the-bunch","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This is a proverb meaning a small number of bad actors can make an entire group look bad. Here, it’s used to frame dealer grading: most dealers behave reasonably, but a minority can create a negative reputation for the industry."}},{"startTime":1027.3,"endTime":1033.8,"type":"brand","title":"Ford","url":"/glossary/ford","quote":"we've got 3,577 verified OTT quotes from 912 different Ford dealers, and you can start to see the distribution here.","canonicalId":"brand:ford","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Ford is used here as a brand category for dealer pricing analysis. The segment compares Ford dealers’ average dock fees and how often they add add-ons in verified out-the-door quotes.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re looking at Ford dealerships as a group. The point is to see how Ford dealer pricing and extra charges compare to other brands."}},{"startTime":1111.4,"endTime":1112.8,"type":"part","title":"mud guards","url":"/glossary/mudguards","quote":"For example, you can see mud guards or all-weathered floor liner package.","canonicalId":"part:mudguards","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Mud guards (also called splash guards) are protective panels that help reduce road grime and debris thrown up by tires. They’re often included in accessory or package offerings and can be used as an example of what the data is capturing.","simplifiedExplanation":"Mud guards are the little panels behind the wheels that help keep dirt and rocks from getting kicked up. They can be sold as part of a package when you buy the car."}},{"startTime":1112.8,"endTime":1115.0,"type":"part","title":"all-weathered floor liner package","url":"/glossary/all-weathered-floor-liner-package","quote":"...or all-weathered floor liner package.","canonicalId":"part:all-weathered-floor-liner-package","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"All-weather floor liners are molded mats designed to protect the cabin floor from water, snow, and mud. They’re commonly bundled as an accessory package and can affect how dealers present “value” versus actual pricing.","simplifiedExplanation":"All-weather floor liners are heavy-duty mats that protect your car’s carpet from wet and dirty weather. Dealers sometimes include them as part of an add-on package."}},{"startTime":1157.9,"endTime":1165.5,"type":"car","title":"Cybertruck","url":"/cars/tesla/cybertruck","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/2024_Tesla_Cybertruck_Foundation_Series_IMG_0576.jpg","quote":"Live update, Cybertruck just earned the IIHS top safety pick. First pick up ever for the 2025 models post-April.","canonicalId":"car:tesla:cybertruck","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Tesla’s Cybertruck is an all-electric pickup that has been evaluated by safety organizations like the IIHS. Earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick is a major validation of its crash-test performance relative to other vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Tesla’s Cybertruck is an electric pickup. Getting an IIHS Top Safety Pick means it passed tough safety tests and earned a top safety rating.","imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1197.2,"endTime":1214.0,"type":"brand","title":"Audi","url":"/glossary/audi","quote":"Then another big story this morning that will turn our attention to Porsche and Audi. Definitely Volkswagen feeling some struggle here.","canonicalId":"brand:audi","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Audi is a German automaker within the Volkswagen Group, with a lineup spanning luxury sedans, SUVs, and performance models. The segment frames Audi as part of a broader industry crisis and discusses its pivot between EV plans and combustion-engine plans.","simplifiedExplanation":"Audi is a German luxury car brand. The speaker is saying Audi is dealing with money problems and is adjusting its plan for electric vs gas cars."}},{"startTime":1197.2,"endTime":1214.0,"type":"brand","title":"Porsche","url":"/glossary/porsche","quote":"Then another big story this morning that will turn our attention to Porsche and Audi. Definitely Volkswagen feeling some struggle here.","canonicalId":"brand:porsche","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Porsche is a German automaker best known for performance sports cars, but it also has been heavily involved in the shift toward electric vehicles. Here, Porsche is discussed in the context of financial pressure and strategic partnerships.","simplifiedExplanation":"Porsche is a German car brand famous for performance cars. In this segment, they’re being talked about because the company is under financial strain and changing strategy."}},{"startTime":1263.9,"endTime":1267.73,"type":"concept","title":"share some platforms and share some technologies","url":"/glossary/share-some-platforms-and-share-some-technologies","quote":"And so what they're trying to do is, well, work together as opposed to against each other and share some platforms and share some technologies","canonicalId":"concept:share-some-platforms-and-share-some-technologies","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Sharing platforms and technologies means multiple automakers use common vehicle “architectures” and engineering components to reduce development costs. The segment suggests Porsche and Audi are looking to cooperate to save money and speed up product plans."}},{"startTime":1356.0,"endTime":1361.4,"type":"concept","title":"cost-cutting measure","url":"/glossary/cost-cutting-measure","quote":"Yeah, but it's definitely a sign, Dad, that there are some struggles over there at Volkswagen. And this is a cost-cutting measure for sure.","canonicalId":"concept:cost-cutting-measure","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A cost-cutting measure is an action taken to reduce expenses, often through operational changes, supplier negotiations, or shared engineering across brands. In the segment, it’s tied to increasing overlap between Audi and Porsche."}},{"startTime":1409.6,"endTime":1418.1,"type":"concept","title":"profit margin","url":"/glossary/profit-margin","quote":"And, you know, I think Porsche is trying to get their profit margin back up to about 10%. That's hard to do if you can't figure out ways to save money so you can get there.","canonicalId":"concept:profit-margin","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.84,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Profit margin is how much profit a company makes relative to its revenue. The segment frames Porsche’s target margin as something that’s difficult to reach without cost reductions.","simplifiedExplanation":"Profit margin is basically how much money a company keeps after covering costs. They’re saying Porsche wants to make more profit, but it’s hard without finding ways to spend less."}},{"startTime":1433.8,"endTime":1441.8,"type":"concept","title":"supply chain issues","url":"/glossary/supply-chain-issues","quote":"between tariffs and wars and everything else, supply chain issues again, it makes it very difficult in order to find appropriate ways to be able to save money.","canonicalId":"concept:supply-chain-issues","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.82,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Supply chain issues are disruptions or delays in getting parts and materials to manufacturers. The segment ties these issues to higher costs and difficulty finding ways to save money."}},{"startTime":1601.0,"endTime":1609.3,"type":"concept","title":"gas prices approaching four dollars a gallon","url":"/glossary/gas-prices-approaching-four-dollars-a-gallon","quote":"...when you consider that gas is approaching four dollars a gallon for regular, unleaded...","canonicalId":"concept:gas-prices-approaching-four-dollars-a-gallon","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This is a macroeconomic fuel-cost input that affects consumer demand and vehicle pricing. Higher fuel prices typically make fuel-efficient vehicles more attractive, which can pressure demand for low-mileage vehicles like many full-size pickups.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re pointing out that gas is getting very expensive. When gas costs rise, you’d expect people to care more about fuel economy, which can affect truck prices."}},{"startTime":1627.2,"endTime":1634.3,"type":"concept","title":"gas mileage","url":"/glossary/gas-mileage","quote":"...at some point, people are going to start taking gas mileage back into consideration as gas prices continue to go up.","canonicalId":"concept:gas-mileage","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Gas mileage” (fuel economy) is a key factor in how buyers evaluate vehicles when fuel prices change. The hosts argue that as gas gets more expensive, buyers should start valuing efficiency more, which should affect pricing.","simplifiedExplanation":"Gas mileage means how far a car can go on a gallon of gas. When gas gets expensive, people usually care more about efficiency."}},{"startTime":1711.3,"endTime":1729.0,"type":"term","title":"interest rates","url":"/glossary/interest-rates","quote":"Unless they're thinking the banks are going to come up with specialized interest rates to help them sell these things and even longer terms in order to make them appear affordable.","canonicalId":"term:interest-rates","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.84,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Interest rates affect the cost of financing a vehicle—higher rates generally increase monthly payments and total loan cost. The hosts speculate dealers may be relying on financing structures to keep payments “affordable.”"}},{"startTime":1720.2,"endTime":1729.0,"type":"term","title":"longer terms","url":"/glossary/longer-terms","quote":"...specialized interest rates to help them sell these things and even longer terms in order to make them appear affordable...","canonicalId":"term:longer-terms","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.82,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Longer terms” means extending the length of the auto loan (e.g., more months/years). Longer terms can lower the monthly payment, but they often increase total interest paid over the life of the loan.","simplifiedExplanation":"Longer terms means the loan is stretched out over more time. Your monthly payment can drop, but you may end up paying more overall."}},{"startTime":1737.0,"endTime":1760.0,"type":"concept","title":"used car prices","url":"/glossary/used-car-prices","quote":"Dad, obviously, the other chart that we'd like to look at, is this one right here. So, this is showing you year over year trends since the beginning of the year, what's been going on with used car prices.","canonicalId":"concept:used-car-prices","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The discussion is about how the market price of used vehicles changes over time. When used car prices rise, it typically makes buying used cars more expensive and increases resale values for current owners.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re talking about how much used cars cost right now compared to earlier. If prices are going up, it’s more expensive to buy used, but you can often sell for more."}},{"startTime":1851.5,"endTime":1855.9,"type":"concept","title":"seller's market","url":"/glossary/seller-s-market","quote":"and those of you thinking about selling a car, it's a seller's market. It's 100% a seller's market all of a sudden for used vehicles.","canonicalId":"concept:seller-s-market","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A seller's market means used-car supply is tight and demand is strong, so sellers (and dealers) have more pricing power. Buyers often end up paying higher prices than they would in a balanced market.","simplifiedExplanation":"A seller’s market is when there aren’t many used cars available and lots of people want them. Because of that, sellers can charge more, and buyers usually have to pay higher prices."}},{"startTime":1973.2,"endTime":1981.5,"type":"concept","title":"shortage of new cars","url":"/glossary/shortage-of-new-cars","quote":"It's no different than back in 22 when used car wholesale prices went up 40, 50%, because there was a huge shortage of new cars.","canonicalId":"concept:shortage-of-new-cars","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A shortage of new cars reduces supply in the overall vehicle market, pushing more buyers toward used cars. That increased demand for used inventory can raise both wholesale and retail used-car prices.","simplifiedExplanation":"When new cars are hard to find, people who need a car sooner have to look used. That extra demand makes used cars more expensive."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Ray","role":"host"},{"id":"s2","name":"Zach Shefska","role":"host"},{"id":"s3","name":"Bleav","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/we-found-the-worst-car-dealer-in-america-live-episode-1038/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}