Working to help my recent Aggie grad buy his first truck and he likes the (potential) value of the STX package in 4wd.

Problem is, all of the Houston area Ford dealers are absolutely awful to work with. They advertise a price of $41k(ish) and then when you start working the deal, the price is no where near the advertised price.

BS dealer add on's are a BIG part of the problem. My most recent interaction showed $5,600 in dealer add ons and the price was not anywhere close to what was posted on their website.

I normally buy GM vehicles and recently bout my wife a GMC Acadia AT4. (Really nice SUV and we are very happy with it, if anyone is considering one.). No dealer add ons and I was able to work the entire deal via phone/text.

Am I missing something here when trying to work a a deal for him? Is this a Ford thing?

Any advice is appreciated.

Most dealerships in Houston try to upsell the add-ons. You can try telling them that they have no value to you, but it really only matters if you can find a cheaper price somewhere else without the add ons that you're willing to take. If you're looking for the absolute best deal, you have to waste time playing their game.

If you're willing to pay just a little more to avoid all the BS, the Texags ford contact will be along shortly.

I don't remember who, but someone on this board gave me a contact at Tommie Vaughn. I'm all the way out in Oregon but they have quoted me several times just to make sure I'm not paying too much for something out here.

I've never actually bought from them but every quote I've received has been without any dealer add-ons.

Christy Zeh
czeh at tommie vaughn dot com

First....not sure I've had that experience.

But as posted above me, Christy was absolutely a breeze to work with and would be my top choice going forward.

Unfortunately, an accident had my truck totaled, and I was suddenly in the market a couple months ago and Tommie Vaughn didn't have what I was looking for. I talked with several dealers and negotiated with them over the phone at the end of the month. I bought from Chastang Ford and it was also a very, very easy process. Agreed to a price over the phone and when I went in that was the price down to the $1. Zero dealer add ons.

If they add anything other than tax, just tell them you're not interested. If they say they MUST be included. Find another dealership.

Unless you just want to get the buying process over with.

My only $.02 which is worth that and may not be applicable, is I do see some people get too hung up on the add ons or adjustments and feel like they're getting taken advantage of or lied to.

The reality is, that if a dealership advertises a truck at $5k below everyone else then adds $5k in add ons, it's no different than the higher original priced vehicle. Except for where your emotions come into play.

I bought an F150 in July '22. It was down to Planet Ford in Spring and Tommie Vaughn in Houston. NEITHER of them included dealer add ons. I talked with the Ford place in Brenham and was told dealer add on's were non-negotiable. They added about $3k to the price

I bought from TV. I had bought from Planet Ford in Spring and had a great experience. The one with TV was actually even better!!

planet ford GM is shawn burns and that's who I talked with on both trucks (10 years apart). TV contact is Christy Zeh

I have had really good luck with Gullo in Conroe. Minimal add-ons and minimal runaround. Previous contact was Mary Chan -- she retired and is now referring clients to another very easy to work with salesperson. I have contact info if you want to email me at txag2000_2002 at yahoo

Have you considered buying a pre-owned F-150? You can probably find one with everything he wants and relatively low miles for a decent price that makes dealer add-ons irrelevant.

Are you a Costco member - they have no hassle with select dealerships

Friend just bought one from mac haik in Houston no problems. Ford has everyone pays what employees pay….so it should be fairly easy to get a deal right now as long as no add ons get pushed.

I usually just email all the ones near by - tell them I'm busy and don't have time to come in…..some get to the point. Others want to play. Then I just deal with the ones willing to send me everything agreed to before going in to purchase.

Really appreciate everyone's input on this thread.

Sounds like the moral is, if you're going to buy a Ford in the Houston area, make sure you buy from one that doesn't do the dealer add-ons, and Planet, Appel, and TV are the spots to go. Do I have this right?

Rylo02 said:

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Really appreciate everyone's input on this thread.

Sounds like the moral is, if you're going to buy a Ford in the Houston area, make sure you buy from one that doesn't do the dealer add-ons, and Planet, Appel, and TV are the spots to go. Do I have this right?

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from my experience in talking for quotes with all 3 of those places....and buying from 2 of them....your choices are TV and Planet Ford in Spring (not sure about the one in Humble).

Rylo02 said:

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Working to help my recent Aggie grad buy his first truck and he likes the (potential) value of the STX package in 4wd.

Problem is, all of the Houston area Ford dealers are absolutely awful to work with. They advertise a price of $41k(ish) and then when you start working the deal, the price is no where near the advertised price.

BS dealer add on's are a BIG part of the problem. My most recent interaction showed $5,600 in dealer add ons and the price was not anywhere close to what was posted on their website.

I normally buy GM vehicles and recently bout my wife a GMC Acadia AT4. (Really nice SUV and we are very happy with it, if anyone is considering one.). No dealer add ons and I was able to work the entire deal via phone/text.

Am I missing something here when trying to work a a deal for him? Is this a Ford thing?

Any advice is appreciated.

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I gave up on trying to find an honest dealer with no add-ons or other tricks for a new truck in the Houston area. Instead, I recently bought a low mileage used '22 STX with 4wd for my boys at Carvana. It was significantly cheaper with no BS add-ons and no haggling. I would highly recommend this route to the OP.

Carvana is pretty good about disclosing cosmetic issues and outstanding recalls in their listings, so review those carefully in advance and there should be no surprises. Also, they have new inventory added all the time, so be patient and get exactly what you are looking for.

With the savings compared to new, you can pay for all the extras you might want, like PPF, bed liner, bed cover, wheel well liners, bed step, etc.

Another recommendation for TV. I've purchased three vehicles from them over the last ~7 years. I always worked with Lauren Evans (levans@tommievaughn.com). No games or upselling.