How much more is it likely to cost to order exactly what you want vs. buying a truck off the lot? Last one I bought, a 6.0 in '05 i got off the lot for $7500 off MSRP by negotiating via e-mail with the internet sales guy. Don't know for sure but seems they would be less likely to negotiate price if you are ordering one. Appreciate any input. thanks

 

If the product is not a hot seller, then you are better off ordering, and just pay the minimum you can get away with above their wholesale price for basically taking an order.

If the product is in demand, a whole different game.

A lot depend on how long it has been sitting there, how much financing charges it piled up and how anxious the dealer is to move it, the time of the month, how close to the salesman's payday, etc.

One of the best deals I ever got was because I spotted the price on the internet... and then.. instead of going to the internet...

I went to the dealer where the vehicle was, went straight to the sales manager's office (bypassing the salesman and the internet sales people that need a cut), and made a cash offer on the spot.

 

All other things (pricing, incentives) being equal, you should be able to get an equal or better price on one that you order versus one that's in inventory because the dealer won't be incurring any inventory carrying cost on a unit you order. However, if a dealer has a stale unit on the lot, they may be more motivated to move that unit, particularly if there are inventory-age based incentives on that unit.

Time also matters too... if you're there on the last selling day of the month or year (today!) then you may get an incredible deal if the dealer needs a unit to meet a sales quota. I have bought numerous vehicles on New Years Eve and have gotten some pretty incredible deals.

 

I've never ordered one before and know what I want but don't see an exact match on any local (Houston area) lots - yes, I want a new fairly loaded 6.7. In the past I would have settled for "close enough" to what I want for a good deal but as I just turned 39 and feel I am ready for my midlife crisis (no sports cars or 20 year old girl friends) I would like to actually get exactly what I want for once. But not at the expense of paying thousands more than I should for a truck. If I was a millionaire, maybe, but I work for a living... thanks for the input.

 

I'm in the same boat... I want EXACTLY what I want this time, color and all. Nobody stocks anything even close anyway (F350 SRW, SC, SB Lariat is kind of a rarity) so I'll have to order. I'm waiting for the 2012s and will place an order in late spring.

 

I have ordered the last two Super Duty's I've bought. I got exactly what I wanted and no extra things I didn't want. For me it will always be "order".

 

X-Plan is X-Plan
Ordered, or from lot....

FWIW