Forum Discussion

bkd234's avatar
bkd234
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013

Special Order Pricing

I am contemplating buying first fifth wheel upon retirement in a few months. I have been lurking for awhile, learning and reading as much as possible from you experienced people. I have decided I will get a one ton truck, preferably a short bed, but they are few and far between in my area. I have purchased my last four vehicles in July and August, and have got some very good deals with rebates. I would think I could do the same on a truck (probably long bed) by waiting another month or two. I slso may decide to get what I really want and special order a new 2014. My rambling question is, to order do you pay msrp or close to it, or do dealers sell around invoice? Thanks.
  • Have you checked Galpin Ford in LA? They are the largest Ford dealership in the country.
  • Thank you all for your helpful replies. I went online and looked at the dealer inventory in my area, so will go out this weekend and take a look. I really prefer a short bed, as it will fit in my garage, but they appear to be gone in my area. I know that long bed would probably be better for towing, which is primarily what I will use it for. They just look so darn long. A friend told me to wait until the end of July, rebates and deals may get better. Decisions, decisions!
  • rebelopie wrote:
    Depending upon the make of truck you are considering, I would suggest you contact Dave Smith Motors in Idaho. I have ordered two vehicles from them and in both cases, they came in way under my local dealers' "best price" on special orders. It is well worth the drive up north to get a good deal.

    -TJ


    I tried this, too but my experience was that the Dave Smith price was identical (to the dollar) what I could get locally. In fact, 3 local dealers all came up with the EXACT dollar figure on price as Dave Smith. The 4th took some negotiating but finally came down and beat the others price (not by much, of course).
  • Edmunds.com is a great way to see MSRP and "Invoice" pricing as well as average sale prices in your area. I figure out what I NEED and what I WANT and make a decision based upon price. After I figure out the exact truck I need, I email the internet sales divisions of local dealers. No high pressure sales tactics, no going back and forth with the manager, no other games. I submit my request and await their response. I have a pretty good idea what to expect based upon my research. Some guys came in WAY high, sometimes you get a surprise and get a lower price than you expect. I get ALL the details nailed down before I step into the dealership.

    The only problem with ordering a vehicle from the dealer is that you can't be 100% certain when to expect delivery and therefore its hard to get the best rebate. You would have to do some research ahead of time and figure out how long to expect to wait to take delivery and try to time your purchase for expected rebates.

    Best of luck!
  • I always pay above sticker. Far too many nickel and dime dealers I feel the need to give a little back.
  • You should be able to get a good price, maybe better, ordering a truck. There's no flooring costs to the dealer when you order a truck so it costs them less overall than a stocked truck, and once you make it clear you will be ordering, they know they have to keep you from ordering from somebody else.

    Go a fleet dealer if you can. Seems like less hassle going through a fleet-sales department, and they will be more knowledgeable about options not normally stocked.
  • Depending upon the make of truck you are considering, I would suggest you contact Dave Smith Motors in Idaho. I have ordered two vehicles from them and in both cases, they came in way under my local dealers' "best price" on special orders. It is well worth the drive up north to get a good deal.

    -TJ
  • Yes, ou can get them to agree on pricing it at or near invoice before ordering pretty easily, but ther are big rebates right now on the 2013's. I was all set to order until I found out there was 4750 bucks in rebates and bonus cash on the table. It was just too much for me to pass up, so they found me one at a nearby dealer and we made a deal. I pick it up tomorrow :B
  • Always pay invoice less rebates. I always factory order and do all negotiating via email (purchase offer in writing via Email). Has worked for me the last 3 new vehicles and 2 rvs I have purchased.
    I build my own vehicles (not rvs) and get option codes and invoice pricing are Edmunds.com.
  • I paid less. I was able to haggle with 4 dealers on the exact same truck. They each had to beat the other. 3 of the 4 came in with the exact same price. The 4th was higher (and eventually begrudgingly came down). I talked to 2 of the dealers specifically and both gave ballparks on the trade that were close to each other.

    I think the consumer has more leveraging power when ordering.