That is for sure!
Its just a matter of if you can get it sold, or want to deal with the headache.
Many people would just rather trade and get it all over with.

Your trade in value is that value that would be listed as the wholesale value at these sites. The retail value should be much higher as that is what the dealer must sell at to make a profit. That is what he is in business to do. Any businessman that is in business and intentionally makes transactions that will net no gain will not be in business long. There is nothing wrong with trying your best to get the most for your trade and there is nothing wrong with the dealer trying to give you the least he can get away with. That is why it's called negotiating a deal.

But I paid retail in April at a Dodge dealer and 4 months and 4000 miles later, another dealer gave me that same amount for the truck. They can sometimes do that, but then not come down on the price of the vehicle you're buying, but with employee pricing, just about every dealer is selling at the same price. At least they are in this area.

It's a numbers game. By not coming down on the price of the new truck, he essentially gave you less for the trade. The salesman gets a feel for what will peak the customer's interest. If the purchaser goes on about what a great trade in they have they simply adjust the numbers so that it shows on paper that they got more for the trade. The buyer feels good about that and makes the deal.