xrated said:
Linda, the very FIRST thing you need to do is to emotionally DETACH yourself from this truck. When you get emotionally attached to something, it's way too easy to pay too much. It's a business deal, pure and simple, nothing more...nothing less, and by your comments, you already own the truck from an emotional standpoint. I'm not trying to be harsh, I'm simply trying to help you spend the least amount of money and get not only a truck that you want, but also the best value for your money.
Yes, yes, and yes! Couldn't say it better myself. Nothing against your gender, but emotional attachment is often easier for men than women. Although I certainly have many guy friends who have paid WAY too much for trucks, boats, guns, etc. because they get in their head that they just HAVE to have it.
Jeff in Ferndale Wa said:
I recently purchased a 2008 F250 with 47,000 miles
I spent about six weeks looking online at craigslist ads,dealership ads,and Auto Trader,so I had a good idea of how trucks were priced.I also visited a few dealers and test drove a few rigs.
This has been my exact way of doing things on my last several vehicle and RV purchases. In many cases I've spent many months shopping. Craigslist, Ebay, Autotrader, Cargurus.com (my new favorite), etc. all have e-mail alerts that you can set up to send you automated messages when something is posted for sale that meets your desired criteria (year, make, model, mileage, features, etc). Also don't count out buying gently used from a private party... that's where many of the best deals will be found. There's nothing magical or better about buying from a dealership (especially not one 350 miles away where you obviously , and most times their prices are higher since they have a profit margin to maintain. Private owners are usually just trying to pay off a loan, get close to KBB value, or get a better selling price than what a dealer will offer in trade.
Jeff in Ferndale Wa said:
I never worry whether they dealership is making any money. I do not believe they will sell a vehicle at a loss unless it has been sitting for a while.
Exactly right on both points. And to the second part, that's why I like Cargurus.com so much, which I discovered on our most recent purchase of a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse (daily driver). That site showed me how long a dealer had a certain vehicle listed, a schedule of price reductions, and rated the value (Fair Deal, Good Deal, Great Deal) based on other ads and sales numbers. What I found our Traverse at a dealer ~200 miles away, I already knew it had been on their lot for several months and had been reduced in price a couple times. From my own research and Cargurus confirmation, I knew it was priced much lower than similar models already. So before I even contacted the dealer, I was armed with a lot of negotiating power. I also asked a litany of questions over e-mail, so I knew absolutely everything and the deal was finalized before I made the long drive. The dealer also knew I was serious that way, and not just some drive-by browser who may not actually show up with the money. Plus I get to find out who serious the dealer/seller is by requesting information... if they ignore my questions or don't seem very serious in their responses, then it's a good sign that I probably don't want to deal with that place/person.
That's just my most recent example, but I've done that kind of pre-planning and negotiating with almost everything I buy... especially high dollar items. If you have the patience, it definitely pays off!