What’s the REAL Price of this RAM?

[RisingSons]

So, I’m looking around at Ram PowerWagons and have seen this happen twice. The dealer shows an advertised price (MSRP) and then gives “their dealer name” markdown of “x” dollars. After that number, there are RAM conditional offers per the area, HD, military, business owner, New Holland, having Covid, etc.

Now, if a dealer is advertising on Cars.com and showing a “dealer markdown” without any qualifying statements in small print or via hyperlink (as the other rebates are), the average person would likely think they, at the least, get the markdown price regardless of where they live. Yet, I was told in a text conversation with the sales rep that I didn’t as I didn’t live close enough to their dealership. I only qualified for half of their dealer markdown. Sounds like total BS to me. I say this as I bought a diesel from a dealer near the same area last year and got the dealer advertised markdown, even though I didn’t get the extra rebates (because I didn’t qualify for them based on clearly stated notations in the ad).

Is this dealer shenanigans or am I missing something? Please see attached photo for the specific ad in question.

 

[TestPilot57]

What’s the REAL Price of this RAM?

Only way to know is get off the couch and visit them.

But yes, there are lots of shenanigans in the consumer auto business, so be prepared.

 

[retired]

some dealers make you finance 90% of the purchase price thru their lender in order to get the discount price. That is Total BS. I have previously used Dennis Dillon who in the past had great deals but this year when I was negotiating a price with them they would not let you put a big down payment down and you had to use their lender. Larry Miller and Peterson CRJ was the same. One outfit Steve's home town auto would only let you put 5% down. total rip off. They of course said after 6 months you could pay the load off or refinance but they already get their money out of you by then. Who in their right mind would finance 90% of a vehicle?

 

[Njt07]

I’ll say that my dealer (meador in dallas ft worth) was upfront about pretty much everything. It may have helped that I did my homework before going in, but I feel like most of the people that frequent these boards do as well.

From what I was told (and verified) they dont do dealer addons, they sell Mopar extended warranty, only played some games with my trade in and were very accommodating. They also had their prices online that were accurate and broken down, though sales did try to claim the discount was a mix of employee plus and dealer when it was all dealer. May have just been confusion, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt on that one. I’d buy another vehicle from them though if that says anything.

 

[mikeru]

I’ll say that my dealer (meador in dallas ft worth) was upfront about pretty much everything. It may have helped that I did my homework before going in, but I feel like most of the people that frequent these boards do as well.

From what I was told (and verified) they dont do dealer addons, they sell Mopar extended warranty, only played some games with my trade in and were very accommodating. They also had their prices online that were accurate and broken down, though sales did try to claim the discount was a mix of employee plus and dealer when it was all dealer. May have just been confusion, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt on that one. I’d buy another vehicle from them though if that says anything.

I can guarantee you that the only confusion was on your side. They knew exactly what they were doing. They wouldn't be in business for very long if they were confused on a vehicle sale. Some are worse than others, but the more they can blur the lines the more games they can play to get your money. Don't kid yourself, dealerships only exist if they make money, and will do everything they legally can to separate you from your money.

 

[KeithP]

I’ll say that my dealer (meador in dallas ft worth) was upfront about pretty much everything. It may have helped that I did my homework before going in, but I feel like most of the people that frequent these boards do as well.

From what I was told (and verified) they dont do dealer addons, they sell Mopar extended warranty, only played some games with my trade in and were very accommodating. They also had their prices online that were accurate and broken down, though sales did try to claim the discount was a mix of employee plus and dealer when it was all dealer. May have just been confusion, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt on that one. I’d buy another vehicle from them though if that says anything.

Tried buying from Meador (Fort Worth) twice. Key word there being “tried”. First time was a inept unknowing sales rep, I went across town, and found a twin to the vehicle we were looking at and bought it that day. Second time they had a truck advertised on their website. I called about it to find it was on the train scheduled for delivery to their location within a matter of days. I’m good with that and asked to be called when it arrived. I’m a no trade cash buyer ready to write a check the day the truck lands. Never got a call. Never going back.

 

[runamuck]

some dealers make you finance 90% of the purchase price thru their lender in order to get the discount price. That is Total BS. I have previously used Dennis Dillon who in the past had great deals but this year when I was negotiating a price with them they would not let you put a big down payment down and you had to use their lender. Larry Miller and Peterson CRJ was the same. One outfit Steve's home town auto would only let you put 5% down. total rip off. They of course said after 6 months you could pay the load off or refinance but they already get their money out of you by then. Who in their right mind would finance 90% of a vehicle?

I have come across that kind of deal where they have a better price if you use their financing. it has never been as good a rate as what I could get on my own but twice I went with the dealer financing and then a week or so later refinanced with my bank once and with a check from lending tree online once. that way the dealer got his spiff from the lender and I got some money off.

 

[rws1944]

I have come across that kind of deal where they have a better price if you use their financing. it has never been as good a rate as what I could get on my own but twice I went with the dealer financing and then a week or so later refinanced with my bank once and with a check from lending tree online once. that way the dealer got his spiff from the lender and I got some money off.

The dealers lender requires that the loan stay in place (usually 6 months) before payoff or the dealer will have to return the kickback.

 

[runamuck]

The dealers lender requires that the loan stay in place (usually 6 months) before payoff or the dealer will have to return the kickback.

wasnt the case on my two deals but that sounds like the dealer's problem..I wouldnt sign up for that kind of deal if it was binding on me, too many outfits out there willing to make the loan.

 

[retired]

The dealers lender requires that the loan stay in place (usually 6 months) before payoff or the dealer will have to return the kickback.

yes that is what the dealers I mentioned required. Total BS in my opinion.

 

[NWhunt]

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[JoeCo]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow....thanks for doing this a TON of times...

 

[Farmer Fran]

some dealers make you finance 90% of the purchase price thru their lender in order to get the discount price. That is Total BS. I have previously used Dennis Dillon who in the past had great deals but this year when I was negotiating a price with them they would not let you put a big down payment down and you had to use their lender. Larry Miller and Peterson CRJ was the same. One outfit Steve's home town auto would only let you put 5% down. total rip off. They of course said after 6 months you could pay the load off or refinance but they already get their money out of you by then. Who in their right mind would finance 90% of a vehicle?

I had the same issue with a recent car purchase (I will leave out details on purpose) but what happened, was for me to get the vehicle price I wanted I had to finance through GM Financial at a "higher" rate than I could get on my own. So I bought it and before the first payment I refinanced. It was freaking stupid but I got the car for the price I wanted at the rate I wanted.

TO the OP, around me they all do it. They add every available discount possible and show the price. Even the salesman will tell you no one qualifies for all of them.

 

[chri5k]

Tried buying from Meador (Fort Worth) twice. Key word there being “tried”. First time was a inept unknowing sales rep, I went across town, and found a twin to the vehicle we were looking at and bought it that day. Second time they had a truck advertised on their website. I called about it to find it was on the train scheduled for delivery to their location within a matter of days. I’m good with that and asked to be called when it arrived. I’m a no trade cash buyer ready to write a check the day the truck lands. Never got a call. Never going back.

As crazy as it sounds you were not the buyer they were looking for. They want a trade-in financing buyer. Lots more ways for them to make money off them.

 

[KeithP]

As crazy as it sounds you were not the buyer they were looking for. They want a trade-in financing buyer. Lots more ways for them to make money off them.

I have no doubt you are correct. That just speaks to them being untrustworthy and greedy. So, even if in the future, I would be a trade/finance customer they have lost any chance of me doing business with them going forward.

 

[sandawilliams]

wasnt the case on my two deals but that sounds like the dealer's problem..I wouldnt sign up for that kind of deal if it was binding on me, too many outfits out there willing to make the loan.

Depends on what state you buy in. Many states have laws that cant stop you from paying off the loan nor charge early payoff penalties. I have financed to gain rebates and paid the loans off after 30 days.

 

[HEMIMANN]

The business got a bit more crooked the past 10 years or so.

Used to be you could get a near true factory invoice "cost", then just negotiate the dealer's hold-back bonus from the factory. No more.

Dealers got factory to put out a bogus, inflated invoice "cost" to fool people. Well, that got publicized, and now all they will discuss is "discount" off MSRP. Even more likely is just the "monthly payments".

I get pretty annoyed by their insulting ads to me telling me I could "keep my monthly payments" in a new truck with trade-in. They just want you to stay indebted forever, is all, without thinking about it.

The only way to deal with them is make 'em bid. Either do it yourself if you've got time, energy, and like this marketing stuff, or hire a service to do it. Consumer's Checkbook is who I use. More modern than Consumer Reports IMO.

 

[likes2build]

Depends on what state you buy in. Many states have laws that cant stop you from paying off the loan nor charge early payoff penalties. I have financed to gain rebates and paid the loans off after 30 days.

What states? NY I hope

 

[TestPilot57]

... Even more likely is just the "monthly payments".

I get pretty annoyed by their insulting ads to me telling me I could "keep my monthly payments" ...

Agreed! Monthly payments mean nothing to me. IF I finance (about 50% of the time) they better have some good deals.