Online Quotes
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From: Michigan Rocks and then some too!!!
Online Quotes
Has anyone actually gotten one?
I mean a couple weeks ago, I built one online, and asked for a quote from a nearby dealer. I got this back (I removed both our names):
I answered the questions and didn't hear back until I emailed him a second time, and again asked for a quote. Then I got this:
Mind you that was the guy who sold my BF his Truck when I took him to the dealer to look at Rangers, (and I mentioned that) so he knows I will buy what I ask for.
OK so today I built another Truck online, and used a different zip code to try a different dealer. I got this reply:
So why does Ford have you go through the whole "Build it, and get a quote" thing online, if nobody actually gives you a quote?
Are other people getting quotes? I mean the darn thing isn't cheap, (over 36k MSRP) so excuse me if I want a price before driving out there. I know nobody is going to have the options/color I want, so why doesn't somebody just give me a price so I can order one?
I mean a couple weeks ago, I built one online, and asked for a quote from a nearby dealer. I got this back (I removed both our names):
Thank you for your interest in the 2004 Ford F-150 found on a Ford Motor Company Web site. To ensure you receive our most competitive price, I am checking your request against our available inventory. Before I can work you out an accurate quote I have a few questions for you.
1. Have you ever purchased a vehicle from Alan Ford?
2. Do you qualify for any employee discounts?
3. What are you currently driving?
Thanks for your interest. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
1. Have you ever purchased a vehicle from Alan Ford?
2. Do you qualify for any employee discounts?
3. What are you currently driving?
Thanks for your interest. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
My online records indicate a while ago you were interested in a 2004 Ford F-150 you found on http://www.ford.com . If you are still interested in this vehicle, or if you would prefer me to find a
different vehicle for you, please let me know. I would be happy to assist with your vehicle search in any way possible.
I can be reached either by replying to this e-mail or by phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx. Please contact me if you wish to be removed from our dealership's follow-up system.
Thanks for your interest. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
different vehicle for you, please let me know. I would be happy to assist with your vehicle search in any way possible.
I can be reached either by replying to this e-mail or by phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx. Please contact me if you wish to be removed from our dealership's follow-up system.
Thanks for your interest. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
OK so today I built another Truck online, and used a different zip code to try a different dealer. I got this reply:
This e-mail is in response to you recent inquiry at Ford Direct. We currently have a couple of 2004 F-150's in stock. They are not the exact configuration you priced out, but we also have more coming in soon. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you with your new vehicle purchase.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Are other people getting quotes? I mean the darn thing isn't cheap, (over 36k MSRP) so excuse me if I want a price before driving out there. I know nobody is going to have the options/color I want, so why doesn't somebody just give me a price so I can order one?
Last edited by Andthensometoo; Aug 29, 2003 at 09:53 PM.
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I spec'd out a 04 Lariat about 3 weeks ago and sent it to one dealer that was close. I only used an email as the way for them to respond. I got a standard reply from the dealer asking couple of questions and saying that they would get back to me soon. I then received an email a little later saying that they would preorder me a truck for M.S.R.P. As you can imagine I told them they were nuts.
I then spec'd the same truck out and sent the email to 3 other dealers but this time I left my phone #. I again got a standard reply from all three dealers asking the same questions and say that they would get back to me. 2 of them called me within a couple of hours. The first wanted $1000 over invoice, so I told him I would pass. The second called and said that he would do it for $500 over invoice. I told him I was serious and would come in that day if he would do it for $200 over invoice. He balked but said that he would talk with a manager. He called back within 5 minutes saying that we had a deal. I went in that night and preordered my truck.
Also, when emailing the dealers I put in the comments that I was serious and would come in right away if they would agree on $100 over invoice.
I bet if you talked to them on the phone you may get a better response.
Good Luck!
Scott
I then spec'd the same truck out and sent the email to 3 other dealers but this time I left my phone #. I again got a standard reply from all three dealers asking the same questions and say that they would get back to me. 2 of them called me within a couple of hours. The first wanted $1000 over invoice, so I told him I would pass. The second called and said that he would do it for $500 over invoice. I told him I was serious and would come in that day if he would do it for $200 over invoice. He balked but said that he would talk with a manager. He called back within 5 minutes saying that we had a deal. I went in that night and preordered my truck.
Also, when emailing the dealers I put in the comments that I was serious and would come in right away if they would agree on $100 over invoice.
I bet if you talked to them on the phone you may get a better response.
Good Luck!
Scott
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I did it and recieved three different replies, all of them below invoice. The best so far is 2.5% below invoice (which works out to something like $735 below)
I'll probably be placing my order tomorrow, I'll post the dealership name when I do.
One of the easiest things you can do... take your best quote and farm it to the other dealers, tell them you are willing to do business with them if they beat the quotes, then bring their response back to the original best quote and give them one last chance... etc...etc... turn the dealerships sales game back around on them. And you do it all from the comfort of your home with e-mail and/or phone.
I'll probably be placing my order tomorrow, I'll post the dealership name when I do.
One of the easiest things you can do... take your best quote and farm it to the other dealers, tell them you are willing to do business with them if they beat the quotes, then bring their response back to the original best quote and give them one last chance... etc...etc... turn the dealerships sales game back around on them. And you do it all from the comfort of your home with e-mail and/or phone.
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O.K., I want to know how you got it below invoice. I haven't seen anyone on this site without one of the A,D,etc.. plans get an 04 for under invoice. Please tell me what you did to get it. Are you sure we're talking about dealer invoice. I don't mean to be doubtful, but if what you are saying is correct, you have by far, gotten a better deal than anyone else on this site. Seems like most where $100-$200 over invoice. Not counting the Ford plans.
Scott
Scott
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It's not hard, you just use the forddirect site to request quotes, don't count on them actually replying with anything useful, except you will get the phone number and a name of somebody who is dealing with internet and phone sales. This person, in order to get a sale, has no choice but to offer a good price. They cannot rely on the impluse, nor on the "the feel of the wheel seals the deal" junk. They are also aware that you most likely have been in contact with other dealers, so their initial offer has to be good, or you're gone.
Then, and here is the trick, the way you word your request for a quote to the salesman on the phone makes all the difference. I said... "I'm trying to decide which dealer to go with, and I have all the options I want for the truck written down, but do not remember them right now. So that I can compare apples to apples, how much above or below invoice would your quote be?" All three of the first dealerships I called started AT invoice, the fourth started at 2% under. If they start out at some rediculous number above invoice point out that they do not need to carry it on the lot, which saves thema lot of money, and you are aware of the dealer holdback, which for Ford is 3% of MSRP, plus any blue oval dealer gets an additional 1.25% of Invoice. Around me, all of the dealers are blue oval dealers, so for a new FX$, lets say, thats about $1400 just to take your order on the phone and spend a few minutes putting in the order. 2% below invoice still gives them about $700 in their pocket, plus any volume rebates FMC offers them at the end of the month.
The real trick is this... let them know you are knowledgable about their cost and that you are willing to buy somewhere else. They will come down to invoice at least every time.
p.s. I'm hopefully ordering a truck in a few hours, I'll post the dealership name when I'm done.
Then, and here is the trick, the way you word your request for a quote to the salesman on the phone makes all the difference. I said... "I'm trying to decide which dealer to go with, and I have all the options I want for the truck written down, but do not remember them right now. So that I can compare apples to apples, how much above or below invoice would your quote be?" All three of the first dealerships I called started AT invoice, the fourth started at 2% under. If they start out at some rediculous number above invoice point out that they do not need to carry it on the lot, which saves thema lot of money, and you are aware of the dealer holdback, which for Ford is 3% of MSRP, plus any blue oval dealer gets an additional 1.25% of Invoice. Around me, all of the dealers are blue oval dealers, so for a new FX$, lets say, thats about $1400 just to take your order on the phone and spend a few minutes putting in the order. 2% below invoice still gives them about $700 in their pocket, plus any volume rebates FMC offers them at the end of the month.
The real trick is this... let them know you are knowledgable about their cost and that you are willing to buy somewhere else. They will come down to invoice at least every time.
p.s. I'm hopefully ordering a truck in a few hours, I'll post the dealership name when I'm done.
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From: NH
My dealer has an 04 FX4 loaded and has a factory sticker of 33k and they are selling it for 28.7k... 
They also have over 300 hundred trucks, mostly 03's on their lot. They are a huge Ford dealer. They have some 03 Lightnings on their lot with the factory sticker of 33.4k and selling them for 30k...
They also have over 300 hundred trucks, mostly 03's on their lot. They are a huge Ford dealer. They have some 03 Lightnings on their lot with the factory sticker of 33.4k and selling them for 30k...
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Ordered! woohoo.
Price as negotiated via phone/internet at 2% below invoice.
If you live in/near New Hampshire contact Brad Worth at Gladstone Ford in Londonderry.
Honerable mention goes to Autofair ford in Manchester for quoting flat invoice and Malloy Ford for the same.
Always always always start online, The ONLY tool they have is price.
Oh... and sell your old car privately, trade-ins are a rape case.
Price as negotiated via phone/internet at 2% below invoice.
If you live in/near New Hampshire contact Brad Worth at Gladstone Ford in Londonderry.
Honerable mention goes to Autofair ford in Manchester for quoting flat invoice and Malloy Ford for the same.
Always always always start online, The ONLY tool they have is price.
Oh... and sell your old car privately, trade-ins are a rape case.
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Mr.McFeely,
That is great to hear. Unfortunately, I am no where near where you are. I live in Texas. I am pretty sure that is about the best deal I have seen anyone post on this site and is very close to the A,D,etc.. plans that people have used to purchase their trucks.
Scott
That is great to hear. Unfortunately, I am no where near where you are. I live in Texas. I am pretty sure that is about the best deal I have seen anyone post on this site and is very close to the A,D,etc.. plans that people have used to purchase their trucks.
Scott