How much should a dealer markup accessories purchased with a new truck?

I am wondering about a topper and a spray in bed liner.

Line-x wants $525 for the standard spray in bed liner and the dealer quotes $699.

The local topper shop wants $2049 for the topper and the dealer quotes $2949.

I figured that dealerships would have discount arrangements with these third party places and be able to sell them at about the same price.

Are they expecting too much or are they just leaving a lot of room to negotiate?

 

the dealer should mark anything up by whatever amount they feel like, there is no rule. you can always get anything cheaper "somewhere else". The dealer offers you the convenience to have it all done in one place (or at least 1 stop for you) vs driving to the Line-X place, then the topper place, etc...

Some people value that and will gladly pay more, some don't and will spend the time needed to get it done wherever it's cheaper. Some value it but not enough to get ripped off and will try to negotiate. The dealer doesn't have to budge, they might if they feel that it can be a deal breaker for you on the truck.

I almost feel bad for the dealers sometimes... do you (I should say we) go to Best Buy, or your grocery store, and nickel and dime everything you buy? most likely not, but for some reason dealers have this reputation (well-deserved in most cases) that any price is open for negotiations... tough biz...

 

I agree with almost everything said except for this part. Dealer's made there bed, they can sleep in it! Clearly mark/advertise the price and don't waver from that price and the problem is solved. Consumer could price shop to their hearts content. Dealers won't do it, as they would then have to compete primarily on pricing rather than on salesmanship and marketing. My $.05.

 

Put a middle man in there and you'll pay more. Ask dealer if they wanna price match if not, go elsewhere.

 

if the dealer is paying for it up front, and waiting to get paid by your finance company, and willing to take on the liability, they should do it for free?

really?

Last I checked, they are in the FOR PROFIT business.. wont last long giving everything away

 

^ according to this forum, since when should a dealer make a profit??? what a crazy business model you got there!!!

 

To give you an idea, for line-x we actually extend our prices to our customers. They give us a sheet of wholesale prices and retail prices for their liners.

Standard liner:
Wholesale - $385 (short) $405 (long)
Retail - $485 (short) $505 (long)

Pro Liner

Wholesale - $485 (short) $505 (long)
Retail - $585 (short) $605 (long)


hope that gives you an idea of what to pay!

 

The grocery store doesn't have thousand dollar margins and Best Buy prices are negotiable on big ticket items. That doesn't mean you should argue every last cent in your purchase.

I have no remorse for negotiating a better price at a dealership. If they offer a good deal as is I'm not going to twist anyone's arm, but if they quote me $700 for a $400 part or attempt to play games with tax/title/doc fees I don't need to settle for that nonsense. It's easier for us to replace a dealer than it is for a dealer to replace our money. For that reason nobody needs to tolerate excessive price inflation. There's nothing wrong with a dealer turning a healthy profit, but there is something wrong with a dealer taking advantage of someone.

 

I got the dealer down as low as they could go, which was lower than the CCC price I found (over $11k off sticker price), and then got them to throw in the spray in bed liner, 3M protection on the grill/hood/fenders, winter floor mats and free servicing/oil changes while in warranty for free. So there is definitely wiggle room somewhere. Just make sure to get them as low as they are willing to go, and THEN ask for the freebies.

 

people always seem to forget that when you buy a new truck, the dealer has to pay the detail guys to clean it, the gas that fills it up, the salesman, sales manager, porter, and finance manager who all were involved with it.

by all means, get the best deal you can, but don't be the D!CK who wants the dealer to lose money to sell you a car...