Recommendations on a Ford Dealer

BLUF - Another vote for COSTCO.

I started buying vehicles in the 1970s and have ALWAYS ordered them. I have never bought off the lot. I've never had a problem with this approach.

I would not budge. Stick to getting a truck with only the options you want.

When I bought my 2013 F350 I tried everything - credit union preferred dealers, buyers agents (this has worked for me in the past), contacted the dealership's 'internet salesman', sent out emails to all the local dealers - but did not get very good replies or quotes.

So in desperation I decided to try Costco. I followed their instructions and was surprised that the price I got was the best. So that's the route I went. I emailed my option list to the salesman and after getting the quote, I visited the dealership, talked with the Costco POC salesman, and ordered my truck. The salesman told me that 90% of his orders are due to Costco (This was at a large dealership in Florida). The truck was delivered about 6-8 weeks later. When I picked it up I asked about the pricing. The salesman said he has to price 'aggressively' when he prices up a vehicle for Costco members.

Well, I agree that there are some options like the 5th wheel package that are pretty much a must have, if that's what is required, absolutely.

Yes, the whole shopping process can be annoying at times. It's your money, and you should get what you want.

Powerdude,

You are missing the point that the OP is making. He wants a truck set up the way he wants it and no dealer has one or is willing to work with him. I have been in the same boat. I want certain options and body style and don't care for the way many dealers order their vehicles in. Yes, they order "what their customers will buy" but I am a customer also and should be able to buy what I want. As some suggested, find the fleet manager at the dealership and work with him/her. They are more responsive to a customers needs. Or use a buying service.

Powerdude wrote:
You might be able to get a better deal on what they have on the lot, depending on their motivation to get rid of it. And it may have some of the options you want, maybe not all.

But you might get a better deal...it's pretty random.

It's only November. Their motivation to sell will increase in December, usually.

What I've seen on their lots and websites are not trucks that are set up to tow a fifth wheel; not that I couldn't make that happen after the fact. For example, some of the trucks have the towing package but not the fifth wheel hitch prep. Now I know I can take it to an upfitter and have them install it it, but why would I when I can get it from the factory and it's less money plus would be covered under the Ford warranty.

bighatnohorse - I am a member of Costco so I'll also look into that avenue. Thanks to all. Advice has been very helpful.

You might be able to get a better deal on what they have on the lot, depending on their motivation to get rid of it. And it may have some of the options you want, maybe not all.

But you might get a better deal...it's pretty random.

It's only November. Their motivation to sell will increase in December, usually.

minnow wrote:
Never even got that far in the process with any of them. They want to sell me what they have on the lot. And I went through the Ford "Build your Truck" site to option on what I wanted. The site won't let you pick incompatable options. So that's not the issue. It's the attitude of a wanting to do a quick sale with what they have sitting on their blacktop. I can guess that maybe the salesperson is afraid they'd have to wait 12 weeks for the commission check to be cut on a factory order and by then, many will be selling refrigerators at Best Buy and couches at Rooms to Go.

If the factory site doesn't allow the options, then maybe the dealers can't sell a modified truck as new? or something like that? Would it be considered "aftermarket"?

Also, someone else mentioned how higher end models end up having "standard options"... carefully review those, as they may have what you want. The last couple times I was looking at buying a vehicle with specific options, I found that the "standard option package" and/or model level many times did what I wanted with more luxury options (which quickly become very much appreciated!). AND it was actually less expensive than a custom ordered vehicle.

Good luck on your search! Dealerships are a **** shoot... one year they are awesome and helpful, and the next year you find all new sales people and new managers who are terrible.

I cannot imagine that happening.

I had an X plan and just stumbled into the local stealer since the price was fixed and the sales guy said sure and 2 months later there it sat.

We ordered the wife's Toyota a year ago without a hitch one.

When I ordered my last new truck, it was done over the phone. The dealer was 50 miles away, but the father/son owners know me, and I had purchased 5 previous new trucks from them. It took less than 1/2 hour to build the new one, trade my truck (which he had not actually seen in two years), and send off the order. He e-mailed a copy of the agreement, two minutes after hanging up the phone, out the door price written on it, and signed.

I asked if he needed a down payment sent, and he said "no, I know where you live". They are also a B&W dealer/installer, so it had a new FW hitch in it too, when I picked it up about 8 weeks later.

Nice to deal with someone you know, as I had checked with 2 other dealerships in person, and one other on line. I saved $1500, for the same build, compared to next best price.

Jerry

By then they had your fico score and home address.

:) Hi, I have ordered before and had no problem. For my 2014 F-150, I gave the dealers what I had to have and what items were deal breakers. (no sale) My dealer found my truck, 800 miles away, in another state. And trailered it to my selling dealer.

When my truck arrived and was ready for me, (all paper work done) I told them that I would drive to my bank to get a cashier's check. They tried to hand me the keys of the new truck, in-which I hadn't put a penny on it yet, to take to the bank; I refused. I drove my car to the bank to get the check first, then took my new truck home.


I couldn't believe that my dealer bought the truck of my choice from another dealer, trailered it back, and were willing to hand me the keys without any money changing hands. They must have had a lot of trust and confidence in me.