The zip code probably covers a very large area. When I was shopping zip codes 100 miles away had the same incentives as my local zip.

 

The closest big city is 200 miles and their not really that big.

 

It's usually the same for a overall region, it just uses your zip code to get that area. So your local small town shop should be able to help you out. If you feel you can really do that much better 200 miles away, you still can. I could actually sell someone the Texas zip code figures, they'd just have to live there. The farthest deal I've had was Atlanta, which is 700 miles from me. I just punch in their zip and give them the rebates for their home. Where the dealer is doesn't matter. If you didn't have an F150 (there are some folks that don't buy Fords believe it or not) but lived in my zip, you'd actually get a significantly better deal in the example we talked about here.

I would strongly encourage looking at your local shop. They may not advertise as aggressive as the big cities, but there is probably less BS too. Frankly unless you had a bad experience with them, the value of staying local is so much more than the few hundred bucks you might think you're saving. I buy crappy bread from the corner store down the street because I appropriate having a corner store down the street. I'd rather pay too much for bread than find they are no longer around when I need them during a bad snow storm or something. While on a bigger expensive scale, a local dealer can do the same thing. When my service department screws something up, I can be my customers advocate in getting things straightened out. I have a guy coming in next week because he thinks his battery might have an issue. Guess who is going to bat for him. I talked with him about the discharge, suggested a few changes in how he leaves his doors open, and offered to split the cost of a new battery with him should he feel he needs it. It'll cost me now, but he won't forget that he's got someone taking care of him there next time he needs another van. Small shops are more likely to be value focused too. They NEED your business. the big city dealer doesn't care if you come or not. They'll "give" away a bunch of trucks, sell a bunch of expensive warranties, and finance enough that it's okay if some folks bring cash and they lose money. It's a good business model, but I don't believe it's good for the long term community value. Sorry, stepping off my box now. I just want to believe we can keep small town shops alive and show their value. I hope they live up to my dreams (-=