Looking to buy 2018 Ram rebates are horrible

[DieselBurps]

First time new truck buyer, looking to purchase a leftover 2018 Ram 3500 regular cab; Cab and Chassis truck.

The rebates on these things are horrible right now. Does anyone familiar with the new truck buying experience know if this can change at all in the future? As time goes by as more 2019's show up on dealer lots is it possible Ram will offer some decent rebates?

The whole 'rebate' thing annoys the hell out of me. I get having credit to finance, and that is something one can change and improve. The rebate thing, I have no control over, there is nothing I can do personally to change that. Dealers won't even sell a truck for what they are advertised for on Autotrader unless you happen to be military who owns a business that just bought a New Holland tractor in the last 3 years, that turned in a recent leased vehicle, yadda yadda yadda. There are still 2017's on the lots they are trying to sell for **** near the same price as a 2019! and they won't budge on price on those either.

The 2018's I have put offers on have been sitting on the lot since last summer as evidenced by the pictures of the truck. I put an offer on a truck 2000 miles away that I was willing to fly out and buy the next day but the dealer laughed at me for such a low offer even though a listed truck at a different location was advertised for less than my starting offer.

Frustrating.

[patperry2766]

DieselBurps wrote:

I always find out what the dealers true cost is as close as I can. Invoice minus any incentives and rebates minus hold back etc. Then make my offer based on that.

I have heard about that, but I still can't make sense of it. Do I need to ask the dealer to get this info?

Here is one I was looking at

https://ubersoxchrysler.worktrucksolutions.com/platteville/work-trucks/cab_chassis/ram/2018/ram-3500...

What did you make to him?

[mileshuff]

DieselBurps wrote:
I have heard about that, but I still can't make sense of it. Do I need to ask the dealer to get this info?

Rarely can you ask the dealer for invoice price and get a straight honest answer. Sites like KBB will show the MSRP and invoice price. If KBB doesn't show all the options for the truck you're looking at then note the markup from invoice to MSRP and figure similar amount from MSRP on the truck you are looking for. Subtract any manufacture to dealer incentives if any or manufacture sponsored rebates. That should get you close to what the true invoice price is. For a 2018 I'd start at invoice minus all rebates as my offer. Negotiate on total price including any dealer documentation or any other dealer add on fees. I never pay dealer documentation fees which in AZ are typically $700 or more.

[DieselBurps]

I always find out what the dealers true cost is as close as I can. Invoice minus any incentives and rebates minus hold back etc. Then make my offer based on that.

I have heard about that, but I still can't make sense of it. Do I need to ask the dealer to get this info?

Here is one I was looking at

https://ubersoxchrysler.worktrucksolutions.com/platteville/work-trucks/cab_chassis/ram/2018/ram-3500...

[mileshuff]

Tyler0215 wrote:
Forget about the rebates. Get your financing lined up and shop around for the lowest out the door price.

I agree that the bottom line out the door price is what matters. However, if the manufacture is offering consumer rebates or factor to dealer incentives that means the dealers actual cost is lower and they can sell for less.

I always find out what the dealers true cost is as close as I can. Invoice minus any incentives and rebates minus hold back etc. Then make my offer based on that.

[mileshuff]

Best rebate Ram is offering is $3000 for a 2018 2500 Tradesmen Crewcab 4X4 short bed. Ram says average savings is $8845 based on average paid. May vary by location.

I bought my 2007 Ram when there was a $12000 rebate and $2000 factory to dealer incentive. Was able to get it for $14,000 below invoice. Good year to buy a truck!

[Me_Again]

DieselBurps wrote:
Good advice.

I have financing.

Everytime I get on the phone with the dealer they ask the same stupid rebate questions

Are you asking to talk to the internet/commercial sales guy? The clowns up front are worthless! Here today, gone next week.

https://www.elwaychrysler.com/new-Greeley-2018-RAM-3500+Chassis+Cab-Tradesman-3C7WRTCL0JG362630

Call and ask Lori(if she is still the internet gal) what you can buy this one for.

[DieselBurps]

Good advice.

I have financing.

Everytime I get on the phone with the dealer they ask the same stupid rebate questions that of course I don't qualify for like, No, I didn't buy a New Holland Tractor in the last 3 years, and NO I did not just recently turn in a leased vehicle.

What sort of tricks will they use after rebates to upcharge the hell out of me with? I see dealer 'Doc" fee and a few others.

[SidecarFlip]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I've never bought a truck based on 'available' rebate(s)

$0---$1000 who cares...it's all a numbers game they control

Bottom line.out the door price is ALL that concerns me. They can put any numbers in the 'boxes' to cover the accounting needs,,,,,,,as long as the out the door price is the one I have agreed to pay.


Last 2 new trucks I bought..I ordered via Internet Fleet and never dealt with a 'dealer' until day I went to pick them up
First was a 2001 F150 7700# and Second was 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW
Easy--peasy....no hassles, as ordered, price as agreed upon and no 'salesmen'

+1 on that. People get all cranked up over rebates and then take it up the wazoo on the OTD price.

[Tyler0215]

Forget about the rebates. Get your financing lined up and shop around for the lowest out the door price.

[DieselBurps]

Looking to spend less than 44k for tradesmen.

Now expanding search into 4500 and 5500 territory

[Old-Biscuit]

I've never bought a truck based on 'available' rebate(s)

$0---$1000 who cares...it's all a numbers game they control

Bottom line.out the door price is ALL that concerns me. They can put any numbers in the 'boxes' to cover the accounting needs,,,,,,,as long as the out the door price is the one I have agreed to pay.


Last 2 new trucks I bought..I ordered via Internet Fleet and never dealt with a 'dealer' until day I went to pick them up
First was a 2001 F150 7700# and Second was 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW
Easy--peasy....no hassles, as ordered, price as agreed upon and no 'salesmen'

[rhagfo]

DieselBurps wrote:

How much is the rebate?

For me, pretty much nothing.

I am thinking about waiting until the end of the month to see if they are willing to budge on pricing.

They have to make room for the 2019's they are already showing up every week at the dealer.

Keep in mind that rebates varies with model, Tradesman will have a smaller rebate than a Laramie or above.
Just how much are you looking for?

[DieselBurps]

How much is the rebate?

For me, pretty much nothing.

I am thinking about waiting until the end of the month to see if they are willing to budge on pricing.

They have to make room for the 2019's they are already showing up every week at the dealer.

[ksss]

The rebates on the Tradesman doesn't look near as good. I am seeing Big Horn models showing MSRP of 60K and selling price of 45K. A Tradesman with bed delete has MSRP of 52K and a listed sale price of 45K. This is at the dealer I listed above. With fewer option I assume it is harder to come down on price, simply isn't much to discount from, option wise.

[DieselBurps]

If your in SLC pull up Mountain Home Auto Ranch. They move a lot of Rams, they have the State of Idaho bid for Rams. Not that, that fact helps you but they do have a lot of commercial type Rams. I pulled up their site they have several cab and chassis 2018 Rams both with gas and diesel. I don't have any personal experience buying from them. Mountain Home is East of Boise, not a bad drive for you.

Thanks. Ya I checked out Mountain Home Auto Ranch. I actually am from Idaho and will be registering the vehicle there, currently I am Colorado but I travel all over for work. I think I can find the truck I want and a decent price, and MHAR has some, but I am trying if all possible to avoid white. Which is what 99% of the trucks are.