I apologize if I missed this while searching.

has anyone ordered a truck online? That is, ordering & negotiating price without going into the dealership. Just wondering if it’s possible and if so, done cloaked?

 

I have a good relationship with my dealer since I have been dealing with them for 18 years, so ordering online is easy for me, and I don't negotiate, I get invoice plus incentives right off the bat. On my last truck I set a price, they said OK and ordered it. It all depends on the relationship with the dealer, and the dealer itself.

 

At some point after initial communications you'll end up doing to bulk of the deal over the phone. I've special ordered a new car over the phone, and I just bought my used truck remotely (found it online, emailed, then did the rest by phone).

If "done cloaked" means that you are anonymous to the dealer, I'm not sure what benefit that gives you. They'll need to know who you are to complete a deal. If I initiate contact to a dealer online, I will usually not give them my phone number (I hate pushy salespeople repeatedly calling me). Sometimes they immediately come back and basically say, "give us your number so we can continue this discussion." If I'm 100% serious about buying the vehicle, I'll give them my number at the beginning.

 

I did 90% of the purchase for my 2018 over e-mail. The dealer I bought from is down in Baltimore and I went to do a test drive and sign the papers. Was in and out in 45 minutes.

 

I bought my truck online and over the phone until the day I flew down to drive it home. Had never stepped on that dealer's lot until that day. Was working deals with 4-5 dealerships all over the Southeast till that point.

 

I had my '18 truck custom ordered from an out of state dealership.
Did all negotiating over the phone and emails. Zero pressure and was able to take my time reviewing all of the documents.
Had the truck delivered directly to my driveway all for less that I was able to negotiate locally. And far less hassle.
Sold my old truck to Carmax and put it all down on my first payment to cut out a whole bunch of interest.
Entire process took about 3 months from start to finish.

 

Cloaked?

No dealer is going to hold a vehicle for you, or go get one, without having good contact information from you.

Keep in mind that while you can search high and low for a vehicle, you're going to pay taxes based on where you live, and going to get the rebates for where you live. Be careful in comparing prices that include rebates bundled in.

Example - zip code 48105 - XLT 302A $4,500 cash back + $1,750 bonus cash or 0% + $2,250 cash back + $1,750 bonus cash. zip code 19317 $7,250 cash back + $750 bonus cash.

 

I always do. find the truck I want online then goo to the dealer for the deal. don't worry about them selling it, they have more.