I am in the market for a F150 either a 17 Platinum when I find a good deal or a 2018 Lariat 502A and it’s like pulling teeth to get dealerships to respond. I like to do a lot negation over email and I get it dealers don’t like it. But geez, maybe it’s just the time of the year.

Any advice?

 

If you are trying to negotiate on the Platinum there are not many 17s left, had to go 200 miles for mine and didn't get that great a discount off sticker. If you really want to negotiate you need to be down in the XLT trim level. They kind of get what they want on the higher trim levels. BTW, there are not many 17s left period. My dealer is pretty much out of them and they are the largest truck dealer in Pa.

 

This is one of the busiest times of the year for dealerships. I doubt you'll get much response via email. I'd find what you want, go to the dealership and work out a deal.

 

I managed my entire purchase over the internet with an honest and excellent dealership on the far end of Long Island, NY. That's about 150 miles from my home but it was well worth the effort. No dealer contacted in Connecticut got within several thousand dollars of the deal this Long Island dealership gave me.

You have to locate a dealership that has a really good "agressive but honest" internet sales manager IMO. Only way to do that is keep trying dealerships until you find one that really wants to sell you a truck. Distance was irrlevant to me because I don't mind traveling to save thousands of dollars.

The dealership that gave me a SUPER deal was Lucas Ford and their internet manager is Tim MacDonald. He's been there about 10 years and is a super person to deal with.... It's a smaller family owned dealership for the past 40+ years! My experience with them was 100% excellent..... If you want more info PM me.......... It's nice when the dealerships owner personally greets you when you arrive to pickup your new truck! Everything was all pre-arranged and went smoothly.

http://www.lucasfordlincolnsales.com...anchor-model-6

 

All I can say is, I feel your pain... good luck though. Takes a lot of work and there are more dealers stuck in the "old way" of doing business; which basically is relying on you being in the store and trying to bully you into making a ****ty deal...

 

I will never purchase a vehicle with the traditional method again after negotiating and buying my wifes last car by email. It does take some time to find a dealer to play ball but once you have one its such an awesome process if you get a good rep. It took a couple days of back and forth but i got the car for exactly what i wanted with no pressure.

Paying close to sticker for a leftover platinum is a tough pill to swallow but if there arent many then they have the upper hand. Im lucky because theres literally 10-17 platinums within a 300km radius to choose from and sticker is 72-74k and theyre going for 57-60k

 

How can you blame the dealer? He can't close the deal and sell the truck thru an email. He assumes if you're not willing to do the deal face to face your probably not really ready to buy.

 

I working on a deal with one as well. Can't decide 17 or 18.

17 Platinum 3.5 Eco Fx4 Blue box sticker $64,305 and I'm down to $53,500 + tax, title & Lic. An 18 would be about $5K more.

Good luck with your purchase!