New work van shopping strategy

I'm kind of embarrassed to be asking this, but I have very little experience buying new vehicles. 

I'm shopping for a Transit T250 low-roof cargo van. The local dealer is quoting me around $34K. One site said that they should be around $30K, and a guy in the midwest that I know through a trade association says that he paid under $26K for his....

That's a big range.  I'm willing to travel a couple of hours for a deal as long as my local guy will service it.  So what's the best way to shop these things without sucking up lots of my (and various salespersons) time?

Could be a job for TrueCar 

I have never used the service and have no personal experience, just what they advertise.  

Here’s some in Baltimore in the $26k range new: https://www.koonsfordbaltimore.com/models/ford-transit-250-baltimore.htm

i use them for comparison shopping a lot. They’re the other end of the country from you but that doesn’t explain an $8k markup!

Maybe look for a Ford dealership that does fleet/commercial sales?

I bought my Transit 350 cutaway at Zeck Ford in Leavenworth, KS. It was technically used, with 58 miles on it but I won't complain considering the deal I got. Their website is pretty good for pricing, and they do have several like mine, used but essentially new as a general rule.

How about a new Express 2500HD for $26,900? I don't mention it often here but am a Commercial Manager at an Atlanta Chevy dealership. 404 713 0871 

I'd be careful w/truecar. it will send your info to about 20 different dealers and they will immediately & relentlessly call your phone/send you emails/text you.  just fyi

My work transit was in the low to mid 30’s somewhere, It’s a 250 with eco boost and loaded with options, think MSRP was in the 40’s.  Decent discounts available on them.  Final price depends on options, dealers willingness to deal, ymmv, etc...

I'm also talking to the distributor of the furnace brand that we sell. They negotiate packages for their dealers. Will see what they can offer next week. 

Costco membership can also negotiate fixed price deals.

Check Fords website for discounts, rebates etc.   Tell the dealer you are ready to buy but his price is high.

Get a year old one from Enterprise rental and let someone else eat the depreciation. 

We've been looking at Promasters through them. 

If you are willing to get creative with the bed/box on the back, Zeck  has another of the cutaways like mine, except dually, for $17.5k with 37 miles on it.  If that includes adding back the door, like mine, then you could save some $.  I'd be willing to meet up with you and let you take my fiberglass cab back with you too now that I've replaced it.

If you use truecar or any other online service, just type in a bunch of bunk info.   You can still print out that dealer's specific truecar quote and take it down to them without putting in your real data.  Have you looked at benz?  The early ones I remember were very reasonable, not sure if that has changed. 

oldopelguy said:

If you are willing to get creative with the bed/box on the back, Zeck  has another of the cutaways like mine, except dually, for $17.5k with 37 miles on it.  If that includes adding back the door, like mine, then you could save some $.  I'd be willing to meet up with you and let you take my fiberglass cab back with you too now that I've replaced it.

Wow! I'm tempted to buy that and build a flatbed for it.

In reply to 8valve :

Some of the local guys use the Benz vans and generally say nice things about the ownership experience. The dealer one - not so much. Plus the dealer is further away.  I'm sticking with the Ford product. It turns out that Carrier has negotiated a $4500 discount on Ford vans outfitted for HVAC available to their dealer base. I'm currently entertaining a price of roughly $31K for a T250 fully outfitted for HVAC. 

Considering what you'd have in the "upfit," that doesn't sound too bad. 

I can't say enough good things about these flatbeds too. Top notch customer service and the fabricator is a genuinely nice guy. Bonus with the cutaway I linked to above: They are only an hour or so apart so you can pick up the bed kit when you pick up the truck.

Both the cutaway and the flatbed kit are very tempting, but my ancient diesel caries 9000 lbs and keeps chugging along. Right now I need to prioritize and stick with the original plan. Thanks so much though. Those deals were extraordinary.

Thought I'd just write a postscript. A friend who runs a plumbing company introduced me to another fellow who runs a business buying and selling used work/cargo vehicles. He got me a cherry 2016 GMC 2500 with 6500 miles on it for $22,900. That may be a tad steep in some parts of the country, but with an overheated construction vehicle market like we have, it's very competitive. Thanks to everyone for their information and advice.