Dicker vs Sticker
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
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I realize it's a very variable question, so just looking for a sense to give me a reference point. What do you folks that have bought a new truck in the last few years find you are getting knocked off your sticker price? 10%? I've got little experience nor temperament, for that matter, for hours of back and forth. I'd just like to figure out an average percentage off people are buying at so I know where to start and when to be happy and hand over my left.....arm..... 
*Mod's: I know this isn't exactly on TC topic and I did post in the "Buying" thread. But there are a number of folks that frequent this section that I'd like to hear from. Thanks!
*Mod's: I know this isn't exactly on TC topic and I did post in the "Buying" thread. But there are a number of folks that frequent this section that I'd like to hear from. Thanks!
I will make this simple: I walk in, Fender Lizard Sales guy stumbles up and I say I am here to order (or buy) a F xxx (F 450 is my truck). At that point he says something about going to his office, I say NO, here is my offer: Invoice (-) any Incentives for which I am eligible on a clean deal, no chrome muffler bearings or other add ons. NO I don't need to sit down in your office, can you do the deal or not?
At this I get 1 of 3 answers: Yes, No, let me get with the Sales Manager. If the answer is YES we go to his office to place the order, if not I walk. And no I have no problems at all on buying them at that price point. Generally I get somewhere between $2500 and $5000 off of invoice due to incentives that Ford is offering at that time.
My Dealer in Texas is McLane Ford, Fredericksburg, TX you call them they will tell they sell at Invoice (-) Ford Incentives you are eligible for, that is how they do business and why I buy there. No hassle, no discussion needed its what they sell Superdutys for to include the F 450.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2020
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I have no idea what % I get and that is not your goal.
I will make this simple: I walk in, Fender Lizard Sales guy stumbles up and I say I am here to order (or buy) a F xxx (F 450 is my truck). At that point he says something about going to his office, I say NO, here is my offer: Invoice (-) any Incentives for which I am eligible on a clean deal, no chrome muffler bearings or other add ons. NO I don't need to sit down in your office, can you do the deal or not?
At this I get 1 of 3 answers: Yes, No, let me get with the Sales Manager. If the answer is YES we go to his office to place the order, if not I walk. And no I have no problems at all on buying them at that price point. Generally I get somewhere between $2500 and $5000 off of invoice due to incentives that Ford is offering at that time.
My Dealer in Texas is McLane Ford, Fredericksburg, TX you call them they will tell they sell at Invoice (-) Ford Incentives you are eligible for, that is how they do business and why I buy there. No hassle, no discussion needed its what they sell Superdutys for to include the F 450.
I will make this simple: I walk in, Fender Lizard Sales guy stumbles up and I say I am here to order (or buy) a F xxx (F 450 is my truck). At that point he says something about going to his office, I say NO, here is my offer: Invoice (-) any Incentives for which I am eligible on a clean deal, no chrome muffler bearings or other add ons. NO I don't need to sit down in your office, can you do the deal or not?
At this I get 1 of 3 answers: Yes, No, let me get with the Sales Manager. If the answer is YES we go to his office to place the order, if not I walk. And no I have no problems at all on buying them at that price point. Generally I get somewhere between $2500 and $5000 off of invoice due to incentives that Ford is offering at that time.
My Dealer in Texas is McLane Ford, Fredericksburg, TX you call them they will tell they sell at Invoice (-) Ford Incentives you are eligible for, that is how they do business and why I buy there. No hassle, no discussion needed its what they sell Superdutys for to include the F 450.
And I came out with what I felt is a good price and that was the ultimate goal for the win. And being able to do it via email let me hit up multiple dealers with maximum time efficiency.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
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That's a great way to go. I'm just not that guy. Don't have the stomach for even getting into it 'live' nor the time. But I think that's largely due to that being the first time dealing with someone on a big, complex purchase. Now that I spoken with the sales guy I dealt with and have a 'feel' for him, I can deal with him first hand. I'm like that with a lot of my dealings with people with business, etc. I find my guy/gal in the shop/store and only deal with them cause I've tuned into their vibe. It's just the way my gut works. But I get the thrill of the face to face for some people.
And I came out with what I felt is a good price and that was the ultimate goal for the win. And being able to do it via email let me hit up multiple dealers with maximum time efficiency.
And I came out with what I felt is a good price and that was the ultimate goal for the win. And being able to do it via email let me hit up multiple dealers with maximum time efficiency.
SO I am a hometown buyer, I live here I buy here or I try to buy here: I have 1 Ford Dealer in my town. I have bought 6 Superduties and 6 times I have walked into that dealer and done my damnedest to do a deal. NEVER HAVE. Friend of mine called one time and he was down at the Ford dealer here in town and he wanted me to pick him up. So I come over and what is the deal? He says take me to my truck it over the road and he tells me this: His Chevy truck broke down on the road going to the Chevy place who just kept fixing and it breaking. He decides to take my advice and buy a Ford, he WALKS to the Ford house (less than a mile) and walks in tells them his Chevy is broke down on the road, they can give him what ever trade in the want and wants to buy a new F 150 NOW, he is WALKING and he need a reliable work truck!
An hour later he calls me too pick him up and tells me he understands why I have never bought a truck there. He did buy a F 150 down in San Antonio at another dealer.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
This is one of those discussions that boils down to doing what you are most comfortable with. I buy used almost without exception. Buying a used F350 in my area is almost an impossibility. There simply are none. I like my local dealers. I use them for service. They know my truck; they know me. I would prefer to buy local, however, F250s are the choice of the majority and the few F350s that come available have so darn many miles I am not interested and you can simply forget gassers. You are far more likely to find a unicorn on their lots. There are simply a multitude of factors that lead to one's approach including comfort with sales people, etc.
Steve
Steve
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 140
Likes: 14
I've only bought three new cars since driving for 44 years but on one of those occasions I tried my dad's advice and it worked like perfectly. I went to a large dealership and walked around alone looking at the inventory and actually found three vehicles that met my needs. I wrote down the three VINs and next day I called the fleet sales manager and on the telephone told him I'd pay $500 over dealer invoice for one of the three (I gave him my preference in order). Within a couple of minutes we settled on a little more and I said great, I'll see you tomorrow to pick it up. That was a first generation Jeep Grand Cherokee; depends on inventory and supply/demand for sure and I don't think I even bothered on that method for a new Honda I bought a decade later. Try to make the deal toward the end of the month in case they are tempted to bump up the monthly sales report.
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Senior User
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TRust me there is no 'getting into it' or time involved more than about 5 min.
SO I am a hometown buyer, I live here I buy here or I try to buy here: I have 1 Ford Dealer in my town. I have bought 6 Superduties and 6 times I have walked into that dealer and done my damnedest to do a deal. NEVER HAVE. Friend of mine called one time and he was down at the Ford dealer here in town and he wanted me to pick him up. So I come over and what is the deal? He says take me to my truck it over the road and he tells me this: His Chevy truck broke down on the road going to the Chevy place who just kept fixing and it breaking. He decides to take my advice and buy a Ford, he WALKS to the Ford house (less than a mile) and walks in tells them his Chevy is broke down on the road, they can give him what ever trade in the want and wants to buy a new F 150 NOW, he is WALKING and he need a reliable work truck!
An hour later he calls me too pick him up and tells me he understands why I have never bought a truck there. He did buy a F 150 down in San Antonio at another dealer.
SO I am a hometown buyer, I live here I buy here or I try to buy here: I have 1 Ford Dealer in my town. I have bought 6 Superduties and 6 times I have walked into that dealer and done my damnedest to do a deal. NEVER HAVE. Friend of mine called one time and he was down at the Ford dealer here in town and he wanted me to pick him up. So I come over and what is the deal? He says take me to my truck it over the road and he tells me this: His Chevy truck broke down on the road going to the Chevy place who just kept fixing and it breaking. He decides to take my advice and buy a Ford, he WALKS to the Ford house (less than a mile) and walks in tells them his Chevy is broke down on the road, they can give him what ever trade in the want and wants to buy a new F 150 NOW, he is WALKING and he need a reliable work truck!
An hour later he calls me too pick him up and tells me he understands why I have never bought a truck there. He did buy a F 150 down in San Antonio at another dealer.
For health reasons, I have to avoid certain stressful situations. Buying/spending that kinda $$$ was already pushing my limit. So for me, having to be in the dealer, would have been past my limit. So was great to do it online.
I do admire those like you that can do that sort of thing and be comfortable, so hats off to you.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2020
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Likes: 51
This is one of those discussions that boils down to doing what you are most comfortable with. I buy used almost without exception. Buying a used F350 in my area is almost an impossibility. There simply are none. I like my local dealers. I use them for service. They know my truck; they know me. I would prefer to buy local, however, F250s are the choice of the majority and the few F350s that come available have so darn many miles I am not interested and you can simply forget gassers. You are far more likely to find a unicorn on their lots. There are simply a multitude of factors that lead to one's approach including comfort with sales people, etc.
Steve
Steve
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Senior User
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I've only bought three new cars since driving for 44 years but on one of those occasions I tried my dad's advice and it worked like perfectly. I went to a large dealership and walked around alone looking at the inventory and actually found three vehicles that met my needs. I wrote down the three VINs and next day I called the fleet sales manager and on the telephone told him I'd pay $500 over dealer invoice for one of the three (I gave him my preference in order). Within a couple of minutes we settled on a little more and I said great, I'll see you tomorrow to pick it up. That was a first generation Jeep Grand Cherokee; depends on inventory and supply/demand for sure and I don't think I even bothered on that method for a new Honda I bought a decade later. Try to make the deal toward the end of the month in case they are tempted to bump up the monthly sales report.
It wasn't so much the actual price that was stressful. But if I only got a grand off then found out later that most people get $5k off, that would have chewed a big hole in my head. Really ate at me every time I saw the truck. But worked out in the end so all good.
I'd imagine with Cov19 happening and newer generations of buyers doing so much purchasing on line, email buying has and will become more common.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,689
Likes: 12,812
From: Wyoming
There are ways around the negotiating problem. First, buy using X-Plan. No negotiating, fixed discount. Second, use a broker. I've used a broker for two new car purchases. His price is usually something like $500 over invoice. In both purchases, it was stress free and took maybe 10 minutes to complete/sign the paperwork.
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Senior User
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And just for info purposes, the local made a good start, the second dealer was $4k under that, third was pretty much at the Ford site build price. Forth didn't reply. Fifth said '21 models were not being made anymore so I'd have to wait months before even being able to order a '22. He insisted he was truthful and just looking out for me by being up front about that......... 
Given that I'd been keeping an eye on the Ford site, waiting for the 2020's to switch to the 2021's, I thought that was interesting!
Given that I'd been keeping an eye on the Ford site, waiting for the 2020's to switch to the 2021's, I thought that was interesting!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 9
From: Mid Atlantic
There are ways around the negotiating problem. First, buy using X-Plan. No negotiating, fixed discount. Second, use a broker. I've used a broker for two new car purchases. His price is usually something like $500 over invoice. In both purchases, it was stress free and took maybe 10 minutes to complete/sign the paperwork.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 643
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From: Montana
Here's one I've heard of because the guy(one of the guys?) writes for an auto blog that I've read in the past. I have no clue whether they are any good or not. https://automatchconsulting.com/
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