Haggling makes me tired...

[96ZJBeast]

So I found a 4x4 2007 Limited, V8, with 33,000 miles on it and an internet price of $25,550 at a local dealership. I found the same dealership's listing of the same vehicle in the current issue of a local bi-weekly bargain shopper for $23,995. The vehicle is mint--charcoal grey, black and white leather without a crease, sunroof, power rear window, dvd player behind the sunroof, tonneau cover and bed extender...barely a scratch or blemish anywhere other than superficial marks on the bed surface.

To make a long story short, after some haggling and getting nowhere, I made my final offer of $23,995--out the door. They didn't take it.

The manager took me in his office and showed me his computer and a printout showing that he paid $22,025 for the truck. He said $23,995 out the door would require that he take a loss. Now here's the catcher--the Carfax that the dealer provided me last night showed that the vehicle has been on their lot since 11/15/2010.

Wouldn't you think they'd move on price to just cover their expenses, rather than keep the Sport Trac on their lot for any longer? Told them I was ready to put their asking deposit on the vehicle until I could pay them cash no later than Saturday morning, probably tomorrow night.

I walked, more than a little pissed off. Haggling isn't my strong suit--I hate it, but I've never been to a no haggling Ford dealership. I've been to Saturn, I've been to Carmax, I've been to Enterprise and I know they don't negotiate. This is the first time I've been to a Ford dealership where the dealer wouldn't move more than $200 from their initial listing in a newspaper.

Any thoughts? Seriously--I'm asking for advice.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Some of them just aren't negotiating right now- my neighbor just bought a 2010 Fusion with 42k on it for $15k and they wouldn't budge $1 on it.

Thankfully, when he noticed that the rear wheel bearing was bad and caused the tire to cup and make funny noises on the highway, he had some leverage to get it all fixed.

 

[Loren R]

I don't understand what the dealers are thinking either... Last year, we visited a Jeep dealership looking at a Liberty to tow behind our RV. Not totally convinced, we left to discuss it. Overnight, we decided to go ahead and buy one we liked, which was a real nice copper colored one. I got to the dealership at 8:15 am, and noticed the empty space where the Liberty had been the night before. I located a salesman and asked what happened to that particular car as I wanted to buy it. He said "It was sold yesterday". And then he TURNED AND WALKED AWAY FROM ME...

Can you believe it? I just told him I wanted to buy a Jeep from his dealership, and he just walked away. So now, I'm towing an 08 Limited ST!!! I think I got a better deal anyway!

 

[edj1993]

I bought an'07 limited v8 in nearly mint condition (33k)in the Chicago area last August for $21k.. I would be patient and keep shopping. There are alot of vehicles out there.

 

[BigV]

I think that price is crazy my 08 adrenalin loaded brand new was 30,000.

 

[2003vstrom]

I think that price is crazy my 08 adrenalin loaded brand new was 30,000.

yeah I have the window sticker for my 07 4x4 limted v8, leather, power pedals, power rear window, bed extender, moonroof, oem navigation, message center, chrome package, and other things and it was 38,500 new but I paid 27,000 for it with 26,000 miles and I just couldn`t walk away because of the color

 

[JohnnyO]

Just a guess, but with the economy and car sales down they may not be able to take a loss or less than their target markup on a vehicle because they're not selling enough of them to make up for it on volume.

 

[94Eddie]

The market for used vehicles is strong now because new vehicle sales are down substantially from past years and the "Cash for Clunkers" program resulted in millions of perfectly good vehicles being destroyed. Especially, SUVs. More people are opting for used cars for the cost savings. Dealers have selling vehicles down to a science. They aren't going to tell you the truth as to their real cost of ownership. Many used car dealers don't own the cars they have on the lot. They are owned by people/corporations that buy used cars in quantity and then use local dealers to retail them to the public. Also, many vehicles are there on consignment. It doesn't cost the dealer any interest to have these cars on their lots and the true owners aren't there to "make a deal" with a buyer.

I have seen dealers rather send a car to a wholesale lot than sell it under what they consider a price that is too low. I am not sure why but they do it. Maybe selling it below a certain price point retail has tax implications over wholesaling it at that price.

Then again, maybe others have shown interest in the vehicle around the same time you did and they feel it will sale at their bottom line price. Also, it is best to buy a vehicle from a dealer at the end of the month. They have some extra incentive to sell then to pump up their monthly sales numbers.

 

[1AJeremyD]

I had some issues with some dealerships 2-3 months ago. Most dealerships don't take their customers seriously anymore. They think its a big joke half the time. It's very worrisome if you ask me how the dealerships are treating their customers now

 

[96ZJBeast]

Just put down a deposit...

Hey guys, guess it's looking like I can officially join the forum as an owner--this coming weekend. Found an '07 ST in OH and heading out to pick it up Friday. I've searched long and hard for one at a good price and finally found the V8 Limited I've been looking for. Not my first color choice, but I couldn't find a Dark Blue Pearl Limited this side of the Michigan UP, Anchorage, Idaho or Honolulu....so Dark Stone Green Metallic it is! I'm psyched!

For those of you with the DSG color choice, how do you like it? I'm so excited to get mine! I guess this means I'll need to change my username on the forum from 96ZJBeast to 07STBeast once I make a few mods (eventually)!

Looking forward to picking the brain trust on the forum--as an owner!

Jon