Trying to buy a new truck=frustrating
 

So, I am buying a new business truck for a supt. We typicaly run Ford 3/4 or 1 tons, but do have a couple Dodges in the fleet. Go to our Ford guy first--looking for a 3/4 or 1 ton crew cab 4x4 diesel with 8' bed. He starts looking around, locates several--prices are up there--even with fleet discounts, rebates, etc. also Ford's finance rate was 4-something percent for 48.

Go to Dodge dealer where we purchased (and service) our Dodges. Salesman finds a 1-ton crew, 4x4, deisel, etc. etc. with a 6-speed manual. Good pricing, rebates, etc. Great--supt. prefers the manual anyways--great financing 1.9 for 48--tell the salesman done deal. This was Wednesday. Today..call the dealer--is the truck ready, we are coming to sign and take away. Salesman, well, the dealer that has the truck (a 2010) is in NY and doesn't want to let it go--says he *might* have a buyer.

I guess the saying is true--never a done deal untill the papers are signed.

Anyways, he says, hey I found a 1-ton crew, diesel, etc...in Ohio, it's an automatic. Okay, no big deal. Go to dealer--take a look, it's almost the same truck except the automatic adds 1,575 to the price. I tell him, I'll buy right now, but at the price you quoted me yesterday. He comes back with 1,400.00 over the 6-speed price.
I say, this is still 1,400 more. "Let me talk to my manager"
Comes back with a break-down showing the sticker, the actual sale price (claimed invoice price) the rebates, etc. the final price--still 1,400 over.

I say, look, I'll pay an extra 1,000 for the automatic--and sign right now--done deal. Nope-won't budge --so a guaranteed sale , with future dealer service, and the potential to steal future purchases from Ford (I told him the fleet needs updating and we are not married to Fords) is blown over 400.00

I told him tif he can find 400.00 to knock off somewhere to call me and walked.

400 bucks on a 45K truck? I can't understand it.

On the other hand you'll have to spend more time and effort searching...for $400 of $45K.

Not supporting the dealer...just pointing out

400.00 is 400.00. Keep looking. Look at the big honda's. For that money get the duramax. I am with you. Why get taken by the stealer.

Unfortunately, for the kind of work we do, Hondas, and Toyotas are not an option. Not because of our company or employees, but because of some of the sites and plants where we work--in their eyes--foreign=bad

And it is not even worth pointing out that the Totyotas are mostly built in Indiana, in a plant which we helped build...:D

Duramax then or the silverado, then drive by to see the ford guy, dodge guy. Bet GM would love to bid on the new trucks you buy. I have a friend that has a 03 ( I think) duramax. It started smoking bad at idle. I told him about the warranty on the injectors. He was a couple of thousand miles from expiring but local Chevy dealer covered everything. Its like a new truck. Took right at a week. Guess what his next truck will be? I have used it a time or two, it pulls like a mule on coke. amazing.

send his boss (the General Mgr. not the Sales Mgr.) a copy of your post

cc: the Region

I think that even in this present day and age of dealers whoring-out all the merchandise, they draw the line at losing money on a deal. Why should they reach in their pockets and pay you to buy a vehicle?

I realise that my view is the the exception but I don't think that the dealer is crying over losing that kind of business.

What I learned from 10 year is the car business:
Most fleet prices is so close to the bone that their only real profit is from dealer holdback and volume bonuses. As far as future service work is concerned, the Sales department could care less. Each department (New Sales/Fleet Sales/Used Sales/F&I/Service/Parts) is accountable for their own bottom line. This is why the salesmen scream when they lose a good repeat customer because the Service dept screws the customer.
You can't buy $1600 more truck for the same money. There's not that much profit built in. Definitely not in Fleet pricing.

I skipped the dealer and bought through a buying service set up by the Army and Air Force Exchange service. Are there not similar type services available- I know USAA Insurance has something similar. The price was fair, and I got exactly what I want by ordering it. (it is a Ford and I am very happy with it BTW)
We wanted to buy through our local dealer, but the experience was much like yours.
Perhaps someone has some recommendations on alternatives to dealers?

you guys are assuming it was a money loser for the dealer...

Knowing how competitive the Fleet and Leasing biz is, I would be surprised if they quoted him more than $50-100 over their cost.

Buying a truck at invoice as a dealer locate (i.e., not on their lot, they have to go get it) means you're paying what they paid for the truck. Holdaback stays with the inventorying dealer, not the selling dealer. And they had the expense of fetching it, which can be significant.

If an automatic is a $1575 retail option, $1400 is probably close to the invoice cost of that option, so what are we talking about here? Are you making a point about the missed 6 speed? Or trying to buy a different truck? Making your point on principle is not about dollars and cents.

Ask the Ford dealer what the A plan price is for that truck. If it hits your mark, PM me.

You can't buy a car or truck from anyone BUT a dealer. It's law.

A buying service gets PAID by the dealer to have an opportunity to sell their 'leads'
There is a cost to the dealer. Costs get passed on to the customer
You're delusional if you think you actually save money
Time? YES
Hassle? YES
Money? NO, not if you're a good negotiatior. You're better off skipping the middle-man buying service and heading to the front lines

E

A, X, and Z plan are from dealer stock only, not locates

A-Plan is now only a couple hundred under invoice, and only if they participate in regional advertising witholding. It's AT invoice if they don't.

I just bought a 2010 F250 Lariat with the "Ultimate" package for $42K. They might have a couple more left in white. They went $1K under invoice and then Ford kicked in another $8K in incentives.

Yep, they have 2 left in Stock. If your pricing is similar, these trucks will go for $43K and $44K.

New Ford Car | For Sale | Houston

Yes, you should be able to buy a 2010 Ford Diesel for way under invoice. They're 2010's with the old motor, and they have dealer cash from Ford. 2011, different story

You guys really don't believe the 50.00 under cost line do you?
Bet you could find a 2010 used truck with just a few thousand on the clock for about 8 to 10 K less and still have the warranty. I should relay the story about how the Columbus Ga. Mercedes dealer lied about pulling the engine to fix a recall. Just used blue gue. Billed Mercedes for 5-6 thousand. Case where the stealers stole from themselves.

Better listen to kaisen here. I've been around this business and he knows the ropes. You want to get the best deal, locate the truck you want yourself. Not that hard with the Internet. 400 dollars? I'd tip an F & I guy half that to play straight.

They never do.

If going the Dodge route I'd call Dave Smith in Kellogg, Idaho first. ;)