Ram Tow Vehicle Ordering Advice

[wgriswold]

Some of you may remember that I asked for advice on buying a 2016 Ram.

I decided on a 3500 but can't find one that I want on a dealer's lot. A local dealer will order one but will not commit to a price because there are about $6000 in rebates and incentives which may change by delivery time. Essentially he wants me to assume the risk of the rebates and incentives changing or, unlikely, disappearing.

Is this normal practice? I have never ordered a vehicle before and assumed that we would agree on a price, sign a contract and wait for delivery.

[NJRVer]

FLY 4 FUN wrote:
Perhaps it differs stateside but with the last 7 factory orders I have made they would write up the offer to purchase based on the incentives CURRENTLY in place (3 Ford 4 Dodge). If the incentive gets better then I pay less, but if the incentives drop then I was protected at the agreed upon price. I always order since dealers never have an exact unit in stock that I want.

Daryll

I have ordered five trucks and this is exactly how it worked for me.


Your deal can get better, but not worse.

[Me_Again]

fla-gypsy wrote:
Incentives are routinely based on delivery date.

They are also based on the area that you register the truck. That is we purchased our new 2015 from John Elway in Greeley Co, and they had to check that the same incentives applied where we were going to register it in Washington State. The drive home in the new truck was fun and a compressed learning of all the features. Chris

[IdaD]

wcjeep wrote:
Can you call Dave Smith in Kellog, Id? They are usually #1 in the country. They have various lots filled with Dodge trucks. Google Maps says it's just over 14hr drive to Lake Tahoe.

On my 2006 Dodge Diesel I saved $12-$14k versus local dealers.

I'd recommend Dennis Dillon over Dave Smith. They gave me a substantially better offer and they're easier to get to - take a direct flight from Reno to Boise and your salesman will pick you up at the airport. They'll give you the listed sale price on their website with no negotiation, although you likely won't qualify for the "as low as" price (lots of pretty specialized incentives).

Wouldn't hurt to check out the website and see if they've got the truck you're looking for, anyway. They've generally got two or three hundred heavy duty Rams on the lot at any given time.

[tinner12002]

FLY 4 FUN wrote:
Perhaps it differs stateside but with the last 7 factory orders I have made they would write up the offer to purchase based on the incentives CURRENTLY in place (3 Ford 4 Dodge). If the incentive gets better then I pay less, but if the incentives drop then I was protected at the agreed upon price. I always order since dealers never have an exact unit in stock that I want.

Daryll

X2 here and they told me if any additional incentives came out I would get those also.
Good luck trying to find a nicely loaded 3500 SRW on the lot...seems they don't stock too many of those.

[boshog]

racer4 wrote:
I ordered a new 2016 Ram 3500 yesterday.

I will get the current January rebate or the rebate in effect when the truck is delivered to me, which ever is higher.

The same for me when I ordered my 2015 RAM 3500.

I wonder why there is such a difference of opinion in this thread, are the applications of incentives controlled by state, market region, dealers using BS to get a quick sale, people stating their opinions with out first hand knowledge.

[fla-gypsy]

Incentives are routinely based on delivery date.

[wcjeep]

Can you call Dave Smith in Kellog, Id? They are usually #1 in the country. They have various lots filled with Dodge trucks. Google Maps says it's just over 14hr drive to Lake Tahoe.

On my 2006 Dodge Diesel I saved $12-$14k versus local dealers.

[racer4]

I ordered a new 2016 Ram 3500 yesterday.

I will get the current January rebate or the rebate in effect when the truck is delivered to me, which ever is higher.

I think that is different than GM (when delivered), I don't know about Ford. But I am sure about Ram.

You can call Ram and ask. 866-726-4636
Contact Us info

[jmtandem]

Don't play games with your dealers. Contact Dave Smith in Kellogg Idaho and get a price over the phone, they will pick you up at the Spokane airport and send you home in your new truck. It really is that simple.

[katfish]

Check into the Farm Bereau discount, was $500 when I ordered mine. Not sure what it is or if they still have it. If u are not happy with this dealer look for another one. Good luck.

[grampscamper]

FLY 4 FUN wrote:
Perhaps it differs stateside but with the last 7 factory orders I have made they would write up the offer to purchase based on the incentives CURRENTLY in place (3 Ford 4 Dodge). If the incentive gets better then I pay less, but if the incentives drop then I was protected at the agreed upon price. I always order since dealers never have an exact unit in stock that I want.

Daryll

X2
Same for me. Price was fixed with any incentives at the time I placed the order. I actually saved an additional $1,000.00 when I took delivery of my last factory order.

[spoon059]

That sounds about right to me. The dealer has some wiggle room, but the major deals/incentives come from the manufacturer. If it was me, I would know EXACTLY what I want. I would tell the dealer EXACTLY what I want. I would also tell the dealer that your money is more important than dealer loyalty. If another dealer can find me that truck, I am buying from that guy.

Unless you want something really specific, it seems that they could find a sister dealer somewhere and trade a truck for it.

Otherwise, be prepared to jump when the new incentives come out. They are usually for a couple weeks at a time. Day 1 of the new incentive program, order your truck. If you haven' been given a VIN by the end of the incentive program, cancel your order.

[Cummins12V98]

Invoice minus incentives at the time of delivery is a good deal when ordering. Buck up and get er done!

[FLY_4_FUN]

Perhaps it differs stateside but with the last 7 factory orders I have made they would write up the offer to purchase based on the incentives CURRENTLY in place (3 Ford 4 Dodge). If the incentive gets better then I pay less, but if the incentives drop then I was protected at the agreed upon price. I always order since dealers never have an exact unit in stock that I want.

Daryll