Finding dealer invoice cost online

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I'm considering a new truck. It used to be very easy to find dealer cost vs MSRP online. Now it seems the websites don't provide that information. They just want to get your email and phone number to pass along to the dealers so they can start bugging you. Anyone know if that information is still readily available? What website do you recommend?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I think there are so many games played in the auto business that finding out that number may not get you that far anyway.

If someone on here that has such inside knowledge would spill the beans, especially in the accounting side of it, that would be great.

 

[2458n]

Auto dealers can have the cars invoiced to the dealer with a hold back usually around 5 percent. Factories also are pushing different,'' spiffs'' for units they want to move. This is money that comes back to the dealership. You could buy at invoice and be off 10 percent or more. Dealer prep and financing puts more money in the dealers pocket. Extended service plans additional dealer profit. Rustproofing same. Unless you are a dealer you will never know the real cost of what you are buying.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would be curious to who the ins and outs of "employee" pricing and how that is internally manipulated.

 

[drssg]

Kbb.com provides invoice values as well as data on what other people are actually paying. This doesn’t address the difference between invoice and true dealer cost, but I think it’s a good resource.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have gotten sales people REALLY MAD in the negotiating process and that was my clue that I was getting pretty close to the bottom line.

 

[coldsteelva]

I used to receive Supplier Pricing via the Big 3 due to my employment with a large company who had a subsidiary supplying the auto industry. Every unit 'consigned' (not sold) to a dealer has an actual physical invoice. On that invoice, which is much like a build sheet, is other financial details (hold-back, incentives,etc).

Essentially, I could go to any dealership with my corporate ID and authorization letter and go pick out a vehicle. They would pull out the sheet and on that invoice was the dealer's cost, the employee pricing point, and the supplier price point (not always the same).

That was the bottom-line, there was no negotiating to be done; they also would not attempt to upsell snake oil or undercoating profit makers. They also could not charge those multi-$100s for paperwork processing. It was the best way by far to actually BUY a car without the haggle hassle.

 

[jerrybob]

Buying a new vehicle is never fun. What I have done in the past......did my homework......knew what I was willing to pay for vehicle.......I was fair......would sit down in office with sales rep........I would have my price written on paper lying face down......would tell rep.......OK....here's how we play the game......you have one chance to leave the room and go talk to sales mgr........not two chances.....just one......I want your lowest price.......if your price matches my price.....we have a deal.......remember......you only have one chance or I walk........I have bought two vehicles this way.......and have walked out of several dealerships......I must admit........it was fun watching the sales reps and mgrs. beg me to stay and give them one more chance.......I did in one case......their second price came in $600 under my price.......by the way.....they always want to see your price first......don't show them......never.....even if you have a deal.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My Mom wrecked her Toyota Camry and we needed to buy another. We haggled and the salesman said he had to go talk to the manager. Before he left, I said, here is our offer. We will then go to lunch and may or may not be back. The offer was rejected and we got up to leave, which infuriated the salesman. He then accepted our offer!

As far as buying through fleet. I often wonder what a dealership does when they don't want to get rid of an in-demand vehicle this way as they can pry more bucks out of joe-blow-public.

 

[sseelhoff]

I used to receive Supplier Pricing via the Big 3 due to my employment with a large company who had a subsidiary supplying the auto industry. Every unit 'consigned' (not sold) to a dealer has an actual physical invoice. On that invoice, which is much like a build sheet, is other financial details (hold-back, incentives,etc).

Essentially, I could go to any dealership with my corporate ID and authorization letter and go pick out a vehicle. They would pull out the sheet and on that invoice was the dealer's cost, the employee pricing point, and the supplier price point (not always the same).

That was the bottom-line, there was no negotiating to be done; they also would not attempt to upsell snake oil or undercoating profit makers. They also could not charge those multi-$100s for paperwork processing. It was the best way by far to actually BUY a car without the haggle hassle.

My brother in law works for Ford. As a relative of an employee, we get the same pricing he does. As soon as we tell them we are A plan, out comes the invoice with the pricing as you described. That's the number, LESS any incentives currently available. Easy way to buy a car. No negotiation at all. We were done in 30 minutes.

We did buy the maintenance plan, though. Includes all routine oil changes, wiper blades, etc... with pick up, (they leave a loaner) car wash and delivery back for 5 yrs or 100,000 miles.