Steve76eb wrote:
Fordlover wrote:
Can't speak for the other discount programs, but at least with x-plan it is almost always the best deal. Dealer profits on X-plan sales are razor thin,
If you know how to negotiate and have the time you can get a better deal. You do know that dealers get paid, typically about 2% to participate in these X-plan type programs. The price next to the X-plan price is the employee price. It is usually $1500-1700 cheaper and they are not such good guys they are selling the vehicle to the employee cheaper than they purchased it for. You do also understand the "invoice" price they are showing you is truly not the invoice price they paid for that vehicle. "Invoice pricing" is the best car buying scam since the internet came along.
The X-plan price is a nice price, but not the best price the dealer can do. Don't believe them when they tell you that you are stealing this vehicle from them. They are still laughing all the way to the bank.
Yes, I'm fully aware of holdback and how it works. I worked at a new car dealer and learned quickly enough to know that I didn't want to make a career out of it.
Ford doesn't pay dealers to participate in X-plan, you are thinking of the A-Z plan. That's the only time Ford sends the dealer a check, because the A-Z plan price is lower than what the dealer pays for the vehicle.
Dealers will quickly lose interest in a 'buyer' who is bound and determined to get their purchase price down to 200 above the dealers cost. The amount of time (which equals money) this requires in negotiation plus real costs to the dealer like prepping the vehicle, inspecting, detailing, filling the tank, and they are typically happy to walk away from the negotiation table. The typical exception to this rule is if they really want to get rid of a vehicle. Examples are the SVT contours, Pontiac Aztek, 2013 models still on the lot in 2015.
If a dealer sold every vehicle at a 200 dollar profit they'd go out of business. If you have been able to beat the X-plan price without falling into the trap of fees/surcharges game, then congratulations, you're a 1%er.