Ideally, my own process for buying a GT will have some value to others who are beginning (or side-railed within) the process:
a. I attempted to order a GT from an Atlanta dealer when they were first announced. This was an exercise in futility.
b. We bought, and much enjoyed, a Viper for several years, actually two of them.
c. Beginning three weeks ago, I created a paragraph that described where we are, who we are, what we are seeking (car not price) and what we were trading.
d. I sent this paragraph to seemingly sane dealers who were not asking for a first born son as partial payment.
e. This was sent to ~three dozen GT dealers on a combination of autotrader and e-bay.
f. As do most people, I highly recommend fordgtprices.com since the buyer is otherwise without meaningful data. Interestingly, many of the very nice dealers are also without valid data. Not infrequently, they have been hoodwinked into buying a car above MSRP and reassured that they would receive north of $200k when they resold the unit.
g. I soon observed, as have you, that many, many GTs had shill bids and/or had an initial bid that is best described as "quiet"...Indeed, the "quiet" riot seemed (and seems) to be everywhere. To my knowledge, his banker should not be concerned since I have as yet to see these "quiet" bids come to fruition.
h. Of the (approx) 36 initial contacts, there is an immediate depletion of one-third by a combination of factors:
1. "Our car is mis-listed. We actually want $299k but would consider $249k"
2. "We always get 10-10k above MSRP"
3. "We do not want your car, it is fugly"
i. Of the remaining two dozen, a handful have already sold
j. Another handful does "not want trades at this time
k. An additional group "want a local sale; we do not transport
l. Eventually, there are 6-8 very nice dealers.
m. Some of the sellers need to be educated regarding the pricing realities for their GTs. Explain it to them with diplomacy. They are not dishonest until they have clearly demonstrated that they are. Naivete is not a crime
n. Know the value of your trade...not kbb.com etc but what it truly will bring on the street. You may have to help the dealer understand and accept that value...or...you may have to accept that you have just encountered painful depreciation. It is only money...move on.
o. Establish a relationship with these remaining people. Find out about their dealership, how decisions are made, their history with GTs and their potential to retail your trade...or are they going to have to wholesale, auction or swap it out. This is business...be personable but do not take it personally
p. Understand all fees, taxes, transport costs. Put together a proposal and send it to all.
q. The range of prices you will (I did) get in return can vary by $40k...often this is naivete...sometimes it is greed...
r. Begin to weed down
s. Begin to let them contact you. If they do not, you do not need to pursue them. They are either distracted, unmotivated, have another fish...er...buyer and (in one case) took off for a critical day that would have given them the sale.
t. DO NOT LIE, FABRICATE, EXAGGERATE...or WHINE....be straight, believe that the power ultimately is yours. It is your money, and they want some of it.
u. They are used to dealing with annoying customers...do not be one...make this something that is rewarding to them
v. Present your best offer to others who are in the range but not there
w. They will ask you what you want. Tell them but be willing to act and do not run them off with your cannabis-induced fantasies of power and brilliance
x. Triple confirm the numbers on the best deal. Give the remaining (often 2-3) one more chance.
y. Accept your deal, get the particulars and make your arrangements
z. Write to those who were very nice. Tell them what you bought, and thank them for their time and courtesy.
If you do this well, you will be happy, the dealer will be happy, and, at least in our case, we were immediately offered a slot on the SVT list for the Cobra, Shelby 500 and the GR-1.
If you have a style that is the opposite of what I have outlined, use your style. You may or may not get the car, but at least you will know that you were not being someone whom you are not.
Finally, and you certainly are free to challenge any of this, tell the dealer to not wash the GT and pull off all the plastic. Accept it, visually inspect it, and detail it after arrival. Old shop towels with with metal shavings and Turtle Wax are not going to make you GT look its best.
- doc
a. I attempted to order a GT from an Atlanta dealer when they were first announced. This was an exercise in futility.
b. We bought, and much enjoyed, a Viper for several years, actually two of them.
c. Beginning three weeks ago, I created a paragraph that described where we are, who we are, what we are seeking (car not price) and what we were trading.
d. I sent this paragraph to seemingly sane dealers who were not asking for a first born son as partial payment.
e. This was sent to ~three dozen GT dealers on a combination of autotrader and e-bay.
f. As do most people, I highly recommend fordgtprices.com since the buyer is otherwise without meaningful data. Interestingly, many of the very nice dealers are also without valid data. Not infrequently, they have been hoodwinked into buying a car above MSRP and reassured that they would receive north of $200k when they resold the unit.
g. I soon observed, as have you, that many, many GTs had shill bids and/or had an initial bid that is best described as "quiet"...Indeed, the "quiet" riot seemed (and seems) to be everywhere. To my knowledge, his banker should not be concerned since I have as yet to see these "quiet" bids come to fruition.
h. Of the (approx) 36 initial contacts, there is an immediate depletion of one-third by a combination of factors:
1. "Our car is mis-listed. We actually want $299k but would consider $249k"
2. "We always get 10-10k above MSRP"
3. "We do not want your car, it is fugly"
i. Of the remaining two dozen, a handful have already sold
j. Another handful does "not want trades at this time
k. An additional group "want a local sale; we do not transport
l. Eventually, there are 6-8 very nice dealers.
m. Some of the sellers need to be educated regarding the pricing realities for their GTs. Explain it to them with diplomacy. They are not dishonest until they have clearly demonstrated that they are. Naivete is not a crime
n. Know the value of your trade...not kbb.com etc but what it truly will bring on the street. You may have to help the dealer understand and accept that value...or...you may have to accept that you have just encountered painful depreciation. It is only money...move on.
o. Establish a relationship with these remaining people. Find out about their dealership, how decisions are made, their history with GTs and their potential to retail your trade...or are they going to have to wholesale, auction or swap it out. This is business...be personable but do not take it personally
p. Understand all fees, taxes, transport costs. Put together a proposal and send it to all.
q. The range of prices you will (I did) get in return can vary by $40k...often this is naivete...sometimes it is greed...
r. Begin to weed down
s. Begin to let them contact you. If they do not, you do not need to pursue them. They are either distracted, unmotivated, have another fish...er...buyer and (in one case) took off for a critical day that would have given them the sale.
t. DO NOT LIE, FABRICATE, EXAGGERATE...or WHINE....be straight, believe that the power ultimately is yours. It is your money, and they want some of it.
u. They are used to dealing with annoying customers...do not be one...make this something that is rewarding to them
v. Present your best offer to others who are in the range but not there
w. They will ask you what you want. Tell them but be willing to act and do not run them off with your cannabis-induced fantasies of power and brilliance
x. Triple confirm the numbers on the best deal. Give the remaining (often 2-3) one more chance.
y. Accept your deal, get the particulars and make your arrangements
z. Write to those who were very nice. Tell them what you bought, and thank them for their time and courtesy.
If you do this well, you will be happy, the dealer will be happy, and, at least in our case, we were immediately offered a slot on the SVT list for the Cobra, Shelby 500 and the GR-1.
If you have a style that is the opposite of what I have outlined, use your style. You may or may not get the car, but at least you will know that you were not being someone whom you are not.
Finally, and you certainly are free to challenge any of this, tell the dealer to not wash the GT and pull off all the plastic. Accept it, visually inspect it, and detail it after arrival. Old shop towels with with metal shavings and Turtle Wax are not going to make you GT look its best.
- doc
