I bought my 2018 Big Horn Crew Cab 4X4 Hemi 5'7" bed in June. I just looked at Ram's website and my paperwork. Ram is currently advertising $16,015 in discounts or "total value" on the same setup. This includes $12,000 in rebates and $4,015 in dealer contributions. In June, I qualified for $10,500 in rebates. I'm assuming the dealer gave me all that I was qualified to receive. The dealer contributed $5,535. That's discounts or "total value" of $16,035. These days, I feel like there are a lot of bait and switch tactics, just to get you in the door. Despite weeks of emails, phone calls and making dealers compete with one another, I only found 2 dealers within a reasonable distance that were able or willing to honor all of the rebates and make a significant dealer contribution, even though Ram's advertisements (and the dealers' own) at the time were similar. I walked away feeling like I got a wonderful deal. But as others have said, someone always gets a better deal! There is one other factor that made me think my dealer ended up digging into their own pockets simply to move a unit for a month end bonus. According to KBB, my trade in's trade value was roughly $21K. In fact, most private sellers locally were in the $21K - $23K range for the exact same pick-up. Mine had been in a wreck, thus it did not have a clean Carfax. The dealer gave me $24.5K for my trade in. That's every dollar - plus some! - of it's full retail value, based on local info and KBB. I COULD NOT have sold it myself for that much. I didn't mention the trade when I negotiated the selling price. I threw that it at the last minute (end of the month too). I told them I would sign today if they gave me $24.5K. I still can't believe they said "yes." Should have asked for more : ) The MSRP on my Big Horn was a tick under $49K. They threw in MOPAR all weather mats and a spray in bed liner. I bet even better deals are out there right now, especially at dealers that have large numbers of 2018's still on the lot. I agree with the others: 1) Negotiate separately the rebates, dealer contributions and final selling price via email before stepping on the lot; 2) Let dealers know you are serious, but price shopping with their competitors; 3) If you intend to lease, do not mention this until step 1 is completed; 4) Do not mention a trade-in before steps 1, 2 and 3 are completed; 5) Do not buy ANYTHING in finance; 6) Check the final numbers in finance before you sign and take delivery. My dealer's finance department changed the numbers by about $1,200 and I had to call them out on it. I'm sure they were banking on me being excited and not paying close attention; 7) Ask for freebies (floor mats, spray in bed liner, oil chances, etc.); 7) Be willing to give up a few dollars to deal with a local dealer, if they have a solid reputation and great service department; 7) Be amicable and friendly when negotiating.
