(Soon to be) newbie diesel owner

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Finally!!!! After going through about a half dozen dealers who loved nothing better than jerking me around (including outright lies and broken promises) I finally found one who was (relatively) easy to deal with. Now I'm curious to see just how good a bargainer I was. After not too much haggling I was able to get the truck (a factory order) for $511 over FACTORY invoice, as opposed to DEALER invoice which included a $450 "area dealer assn. advertising surcharge"!(?) So, if I caved in on the advertising bullsh*t, I guess you could say I got it for $61 over the DEALER invoice. Of course, I had hoped to get it for FACTORY invoice (or close to it) but after the first six or so dealers I could tell that wasn't going to happen without traveling quite a ways from home (Minneapolis, MN). So, what do you think? Did I do OK? Now I'm anxiously awaiting my new 2500, QC, LWB, 2WD, H. O. , 6spd, Sport, 3. 55 Anti-Spin, Black/Agate, Trailer, Camper, Cassette/CD, etc. truck. I've been lurking on this site for 3-4 months and religiously reading the quarterly magazine. I can't emphasize enough how entertaining and educational the discussion threads have been. I know I have a lot to learn about diesel Rams and obviously this is the place to do it. Thanks in advance for all the help your're going to give me.

Doug Kelm

 

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That depends what you actually paid for it and the goodies you got on it.
You mite want to check other post(new truck buyers) to see what the others are paying, or how close to invoice. You can also e-mail those that have similar trucks.
I have seen a few prices but don't recall how much. I do know they are running much higher #ad
than in 96.

OH BTW Congratulations and Welcome #ad
. Hope your wait isn't to long.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

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Hey Dakelm, which dealer? I used to deal with some of the auto dealers up there (body shops), and I can imagine they were hard to get along with. At one time, all the dealers in Minneapolis were charging something like 10% over retail on all parts. We threatened to have all body parts shipped in from Chicago - they changed their tune in a hurry! I think if you're happy with what you ordered, and you're satisfied with the price, then you did ok. After all, what's a couple of hundred dollars on a $30,000+ vehicle, if you have to travel 2 days to get the deal?!

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Randy Jones, San Antonio, TX, rdj@gvtc.com, 98 1/2 QC, 4X4, American Racing BAJA's, 285/75/16, Amsoil throughout, Superstar 3000 export radio, Firestik antenna with fender mount, Fire-ring cable

 

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Doug:

First let me say that you are going to LOVE that truck. I have a '96 that is the best vehicle I have ever owned! You have the benefit of getting a lot of nice features that weren't available when I bought mine.

The Factory vs Dealer Invoice shell game is nothing but that... a game. Neither of these invoices include the extra "incentives" that manufacturers (DC included) offer their dealers from time to time to move certain vehicles. No one in the business wants old stock on the lot when the new stuff arrives. Make no mistake about this... dealers are in the business to make money. There are few occasions where they will sell something for what they paid for it or less.

The important thing is that you are comfortable with the deal you made. As much as we all hated to fork out the cash for our trucks, I think most people on this board would agree that these trucks would be a bargain at twice the price #ad
.

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'96 2500 x-cab, lotsa chrome, nerf bars, line-x, soft cover, no silencer ring, love to hear 'em bang

 

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On the price-No they wouldn,t be

 

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Doug

Lots of sources on internet for getting dealer invoice prices, but best for carving the sweetest deal is:
www.consumerreports.org

where they claim that "Invoice" should be the beginning point for negotiation not the end. They are the only place I've found that gives the true 'cost' i. e. , dealer holdbacks, incentives, etc. , the hidden stuff that the dealer doesn't want you to see or know about.

If your order is placed you have to weigh the value of questioning your order. Depending on your dealer you might be able to cancell or renegotiate the price. Anything goes prior to taking delivery of the vehicle. I once declined delivery of one and was shocked that they didn't give me a raft of s*%#, but just said "Okay" like it happened all the time!

Good luck, and regardless of whether or not you paid a back or two one way or the other, you're gonna love it!



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2001. 5 2500 SLT+, QC/LB 4x4, ETH, 6spd, 3:54 LSD, camper/tow equip. , NV241HD, Bright Silver, Snug Top, Ispro w/3 pod pillar w/tweeter, Pyro, Boost & Mag Hytec cover w/temp guage