White-Out

Grand Prairie is where I got the $38,xxx quote from. Dealing with another dealer in Mesquite, but they're not wanting to get right on trade-in value for my current truck. I haven't heard of KBB being used as a guide since Black Book came into play, but that's what they're wanting to use putting me about $5k lower than Black Book and NADA value....

Clone

When you are getting different quotes from dealers, are you using the same type of truck on each of their lots? I assume using the power of the web to get each to send a quote and then telling them another dealer is offering you less? Might be nice to arm chair shop and have a deal before I even walk into a dealership. I might be looking to get into an F150 in the spring here in the DFW area and I am just curious.

gregt909

IMO Unless you're buddies with the owner or your brother is the GM, the way to get the best deal is to work with the internet dept. Most are not paid on commission they are paid on volume. As you mention, you can then compare quotes from different dealers all from the comfort of your arm chair.

Clone

Thanks, that was kind of what I was wondering if the internet department was paid in different ways. Been awhile since I bought a new vehicle, so I appreciate the input.

terraformer

I'll tell you about my experience with internet-only wheeling and dealing.

I contacted all Ford dealers within 100 miles of me, and asked each of them their out-the-door price, including TT&L, for the specific F-150 I wanted. This first step was interesting - I had some dealers respond immediately, others not respond at all (is the economy that good?), and some responded initially but not to follow-up questions. I specified an FX4 with the 402A package, and one dealer responded and said "do you want the luxury or the sport interior, and what color seats?" And I was like "huh?" So I wrote, well, the 402A package is the luxury package, there is no "sport interior," and I've never seen an FX4 that wasn't black on the inside. That guy didn't respond again.

Then I had one dealer who after a bit of investigating I discovered it "dissolved" the internet sales dept. Which seems kind of strange in this age of the internet and Amazon, etc. So I then went to their "contact us" page to see the names and faces of all the sales staff, to see who I would email directly with my request. I chose a younger-looking fella who I thought might be more attuned to the whole "internet--how does it work?" thing than perhaps the fellas who had been selling cars for decades. This was a mistake. The young guy was clearly a dud - I knew exactly what I wanted and he responded with things like "why don't you come in and drive some trucks to find the one you want"-type pablum.

But back to those who did respond smartly. So it came down to three dealers - one who was very quick to respond and who was impressive, and two a bit further away but who were apparently very friendly and wanted to deal via email. This was where the play-them-against-each-other-from-the-comfort-of-your-armchair activities began. They all provided their sale price, and then applied the relevant rebates that are active. One came back about $1500 less than the others. So I then contacted the others, told them that deal, and wrote "can you meet this offer, and how can you beat it?" I suggested things like throwing in front window tinting, or Line-X. The first dealer that responded said, "I can meet that quote, and I'll throw in a Line-X bedliner." Then I went back to the other two and said, "can you beat that?" They both declined and we had a winner.

So it was a good experience, I had the numbers I wanted before I began contacting the dealers, and I could see what they were doing at each step. I started negotiating in early November and signed an order sheet on December 21. Now waiting on my VIN to arrive.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

White-Out

Sounds like the small amount of legwork really paid off for you. When placing an order like that, did you end up receiving all the rebates as you would of you took one off the lot? And did they require any money down to place the order? I'm thinking I may have to order what I want because I haven't seen a max tow package FX4 in white within 300 miles of me

terraformer

Yes, the rebates were the same - I checked what was available and made sure they were captured on the order sheet. And if any additional rebates or incentives happen prior to delivery, then I get those too.

From what I understand - unless you're a well-known customer and/or know someone at the dealer - all orders require a $500 payment. Be sure to put it on a credit card, as if there is any problem then you can contest it with the card issuer. If you pay cash or personal check, you'll never see that money again...

My view is, if you want a truck and can afford a new one, order it to your particular liking. Problem is you have to wait for it to be built and delivered! The quote was 6-8 weeks for me. I ordered Dec. 21, which kind of screwed me because it was the Friday before Xmas, and then the plant was probably shut down until Jan. 2, so the order probably wasn't even received until then. So I'll probably have to wait longer than most.

Clone

I was curious if I could get the same deals if I ordered one as opposed to taking one off of the lot, sounds like I can. Thanks for the info, it was very helpful indeed. Once I am ready to purchase I will certainly give it a try. Although, I am not sure if I can wait to order if the dealer has what I want....seems to be a lof of trucks around here in Dallas/Fort Worth.