Haggle
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 2
So, I did all of that a couple weeks ago. Go to the 'city slicker' dealer since he is the only one around that has 6.2 Lariat CC's in stock and I want to drive one. So after digging the damn thing out of a snow bank and putting gas in it, we take it for a spin. Sales guy has never heard of adaptive steering, doesn't seem to know much about the truck in general. Recommends I look at F-150's.... I'm impressed with the SuperDuty and offer to show him my scale ticket proving my 'little' camper overloads the rear axle of any F-150 he has on the lot - so let's go talk numbers on the Superduty.
We drove a Blue Jeans short bed. I want a white gold, caribou two tone, long bed, 4.30 gears, extended running boards, ultimate camera package.
"Why don't you the one we just drove, isn't it nice?"
No, I want what I want and you need to order it. "well let me do search." Now, I've already done that and even though the Ford website isn't the best, I know this truck is not out there.
Guy finally gives up that and says we need to order it. Now - "How about your trade?" Again, already did my homework - its an '05 F-150 (in decent shape) with 140K. He don't want that and I already know I can sell it myself easily and not complicate the deal, but he insists on having the sales manager give me a value...
At this point, A. Its kind of funny and so I have an hour to kill before I pick up my wife, so have at it B. I know for sure where I am NOT buying a truck.
So, they screw around for a while, give me a bottom line price that includes the trade and the discount from MSRP in 1 number. Claims the sales manager didn't give him invoice price when I ask for it.
So we go a few rounds and their offer if $4k off MSRP discount and trade (KBB trade-in alone is 5K) At this point, I need to get the wife in 10 minutes, so I say, well if that's the best price I can get an X-plan pin from the Mustang club and do a clean deal. So I said call me back with the bottom line on a clean deal, X-plan or otherwise.
He e-mailed me a build sheet with MSRP and a hand written X-plan number. Still no reference to invoice price.
Bottom line in this long story - next week I go down to the local dealer. Very small, no sales people except the 3 family members that own it. Sit down, list the options I want, he says we can order it - no problem. Asks about a trade - I say nope, unless you want an 05 F-150. He says no, prints the build sheet with X-plan, A-plan, etc right on it. Says "nobody will sell it for less than I will." Slides the paper across the table - $1600 under invoice plus the $1,000 rebate. Wow! done deal. 15 minutes start to finish.
So Frantz - to your point - not doing your homework and wasting people's time can come from both sides of the table! Still very happy with final outcome though.
We drove a Blue Jeans short bed. I want a white gold, caribou two tone, long bed, 4.30 gears, extended running boards, ultimate camera package.
"Why don't you the one we just drove, isn't it nice?"
No, I want what I want and you need to order it. "well let me do search." Now, I've already done that and even though the Ford website isn't the best, I know this truck is not out there.
Guy finally gives up that and says we need to order it. Now - "How about your trade?" Again, already did my homework - its an '05 F-150 (in decent shape) with 140K. He don't want that and I already know I can sell it myself easily and not complicate the deal, but he insists on having the sales manager give me a value...
At this point, A. Its kind of funny and so I have an hour to kill before I pick up my wife, so have at it B. I know for sure where I am NOT buying a truck.
So, they screw around for a while, give me a bottom line price that includes the trade and the discount from MSRP in 1 number. Claims the sales manager didn't give him invoice price when I ask for it.
So we go a few rounds and their offer if $4k off MSRP discount and trade (KBB trade-in alone is 5K) At this point, I need to get the wife in 10 minutes, so I say, well if that's the best price I can get an X-plan pin from the Mustang club and do a clean deal. So I said call me back with the bottom line on a clean deal, X-plan or otherwise.
He e-mailed me a build sheet with MSRP and a hand written X-plan number. Still no reference to invoice price.
Bottom line in this long story - next week I go down to the local dealer. Very small, no sales people except the 3 family members that own it. Sit down, list the options I want, he says we can order it - no problem. Asks about a trade - I say nope, unless you want an 05 F-150. He says no, prints the build sheet with X-plan, A-plan, etc right on it. Says "nobody will sell it for less than I will." Slides the paper across the table - $1600 under invoice plus the $1,000 rebate. Wow! done deal. 15 minutes start to finish.
So Frantz - to your point - not doing your homework and wasting people's time can come from both sides of the table! Still very happy with final outcome though.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: East of LA
Yup... so similar to past experiences. Why is it that way? Buyer should know what they are buying and salesperson should know what they are selling. Bar None. If the informed buyer who frequents forums is a 1%'er of the entire customer pool, give them the good deal they are requesting, especially if they are savvy enough to know the numbers. Let the other 99% sit for 4+ hours and haggle. Dealerships will still make excellent money at the end of the month.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Commercial purchases are a different animal because many corporations will pay more in interest so that they have a lower monthly so as to retain cash flow. Monthly cash flow is worth more than the $4-5k they are paying in interest. Too high of a monthly payment can cripple a small business and isn't worth the extra $2-3k a longer term higher interest loan costs. This doesn't always hold true to an individual purchase.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 7
From: Lewisberry, Penn
If they need more cash flow they can do a commercial lease and pay 80% over 5 years rather than 100%. While still uncommon, it's possible to get a commercial loan for 6 years as well.
Generally monthly payment matters more with individuals than companies.
Generally monthly payment matters more with individuals than companies.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Its amazing how the right dealer and sales person can make all the difference. I found my sales lady back in 2009 at random. I was shopping around for a Fusion to commute in. She gave be a no BS deal. I was a savvy consumer and knew the numbers. She did not try and hide anything and we had an honest deal. Fast forward to 2017 and she just delivered me my 2017 SD that I ordered through her. Between me, my wife and my mom she has sold us 7 cars in total.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 7
From: Lewisberry, Penn
Don't people have a loan app on their phones?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Shhhh, that's some super secret thing or something. All the information to get a great deal and not get taken to the cleaners is easy to get. You would be surprised how many people really never do any of the work themselves. I've bought 2 new cars in my life, both after about 15,000 times through Fords build and price. I knew what I wanted and what was a value for me. Many folks STILL don't even get online before shopping, even young people. Bad habits in car shopping are generational often.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 7
From: Lewisberry, Penn
Customers are the most surprising thing when you start working in the industry. I do understand that the process is frustrating for many folks, but you seriously are in the top percentages. We gotta focus on the masses. I mean, the shopping thing... if you knew what a good deal was you wouldn't have to shop right? So even the most educated feel they can do better, and they don't know what a good deal is without asking a bunch of other dealers they also don't trust. The industry makes zero sense.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post