Dealer installed options.

sldhead700 · October 26, 2018

I have often thought of ordering a truck but I don't think I could handle the stress! I enjoy shopping the lots for my vehicles and have always been happy with my choices. If I stumbled across an '18 with the same equipment as my current '15 (except with heavier towing capabilities), it would be ideal. The problem with buying well equipped trucks is it is hard to go back to the basics. If I wasn't spoiled by features like heated seats and leather selection would be easy!

Stress, what stress? Go in check the boxes you want, go home, they call you even it comes in!!
No stress! Heck I even ordered mine with a factory block heater!!
however you looking at 18's and they can no longer be ordered..... so you can go in to the dealer and they can dealer locate one with all the options that you're looking for many times.
And basically you're still just checking the boxes that you want.

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nrhamel81 · October 26, 2018

8 hours ago, sldhead700 said:

so you can go in to the dealer and they can dealer locate one with all the options that you're looking for many times.
And basically you're still just checking the boxes that you want.

This is what I just did buying my 18 1500 CC. I built the truck I wanted on GMC's site and filled out the "have a dealer contact me" form. 4 dealers wrote back in an hour, all had at least 1 if not more of what I was looking for. The GMC website will also find trucks in inventory and indicate if they are exact matches, or what the differences are.

There was one dealer I really liked. They had the exact trucks I wanted except they all had had a moon roof, which was a deal-breaker for this tall, fat guy... They found an exact match (minus moon roof) at another dealership, had it swapped up to their dealership, and we did the deal.

I would say you'll need to HURRY to find a 2018 though. I was trying to get in on the GMC rebates specifically for the SLT Premium Plus Crew editions. I ultimately got the exact one I wanted, but they were becoming scarce a couple weeks ago when I bought mine.

Bottom Line:

Find a great dealer and have them do the work, it's not as hard as some make it sound...

Donstar · October 26, 2018

9 hours ago, sldhead700 said:

No stress! Heck I even ordered mine with a factory block heater!!

This is what I mean. When I use the build website, I find it very difficult to not include items/features just like this! I haven't used a block heater since 1981 but you never know when I'll visit the colder regions! When I think I have built built a reasonable truck, I get really stuck on the colour page! Ordering is the way to get exactly what you want but there is something to be said for buying a vehicle with a few surprises.

Donstar · October 26, 2018

1 hour ago, nrhamel81 said:

This is what I just did buying my 18 1500 CC. I built the truck I wanted on GMC's site and filled out the "have a dealer contact me" form. 4 dealers wrote back in an hour, all had at least 1 if not more of what I was looking for. The GMC website will also find trucks in inventory and indicate if they are exact matches, or what the differences are.

There was one dealer I really liked. They had the exact trucks I wanted except they all had had a moon roof, which was a deal-breaker for this tall, fat guy... They found an exact match (minus moon roof) at another dealership, had it swapped up to their dealership, and we did the deal.

I would say you'll need to HURRY to find a 2018 though. I was trying to get in on the GMC rebates specifically for the SLT Premium Plus Crew editions. I ultimately got the exact one I wanted, but they were becoming scarce a couple weeks ago when I bought mine.

Bottom Line:

Find a great dealer and have them do the work, it's not as hard as some make it sound...

I like to believe that I can get a better deal when negotiating on a specific truck on the lot. I know about dealer trades but I can also shop online. My current truck was found by searching lots online within a reasonable driving distance. I currently own my "ideal" truck but will want more towing capabilities as early as next spring. The current pricing on '18's is what is motivating me to buy now. I enjoy the shopping experience and the learning that happens in the process. Thanks!

Payton34 · October 26, 2018

Katzkin is the way to go. I replaced my factory leather/vinyl with Katzkin and upgraded to all surfaces to be 100 % leather. Much softer and looks brand new still after year and a half.

Donstar · October 26, 2018

This looks perfect and thanks for the pictures. ^^^ When I was looking at the Katzkins site, this is exactly the colour combination I preferred.

captainzombie · October 26, 2018

Katzkin is the way to go. I replaced my factory leather/vinyl with Katzkin and upgraded to all surfaces to be 100 % leather. Much softer and looks brand new still after year and a half.

Those Katzkins look really nice. I promised my wife that we would get them in her Traverse first replacing the cloth, then I’ll end up getting them for my truck. My truck is 3 months old and the driver side already has a bit of wear from getting in and out. I installed a set of Westin HDX side steps a few weeks ago so that should help a little.

I think GM must use different types of cloth because our 18 Traverse cloth looks and feels much more rugged than the cheaper quality in my 18 Silverado.

I found a local place that will do it for $1300 which is not bad with the jump seat. I think my wife’s Traverse they wanted $1650 due to that third row.

Donstar, if you are really set on an 18 I wouldn’t hesitate TBH. The lots are becoming slim pickings features wise and I don’t know if you can get much better deals than what’s out there now. I bought mine in first week of August and if I would of waiting one more month I probably could of got an LTZ with a better deal than my LT. My next truck I’ll want to go LTZ or higher trim whenever that comes in a few years.

Loco-diablo · October 27, 2018

This is what I just did buying my 18 1500 CC. I built the truck I wanted on GMC's site and filled out the "have a dealer contact me" form. 4 dealers wrote back in an hour, all had at least 1 if not more of what I was looking for. The GMC website will also find trucks in inventory and indicate if they are exact matches, or what the differences are.
There was one dealer I really liked. They had the exact trucks I wanted except they all had had a moon roof, which was a deal-breaker for this tall, fat guy... They found an exact match (minus moon roof) at another dealership, had it swapped up to their dealership, and we did the deal.

I would say you'll need to HURRY to find a 2018 though. I was trying to get in on the GMC rebates specifically for the SLT Premium Plus Crew editions. I ultimately got the exact one I wanted, but they were becoming scarce a couple weeks ago when I bought mine.

Bottom Line:
Find a great dealer and have them do the work, it's not as hard as some make it sound...

I did a build and got similar response from multiple dealers... not one of them had anything close to what I had built/wanted, but they all contacted me as if they did.. it was laughable.

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Donstar · October 27, 2018

12 hours ago, Loco-diablo said:

I did a build and got similar response from multiple dealers... not one of them had anything close to what I had built/wanted, but they all contacted me as if they did.. it was laughable.

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"I have just the one for you!" My guess is that most forum members have an equal to better knowledge of the nuances of these trucks. Sales staff are trained in selling and have a general knowledge on a range of products. When searching for my current truck, I had a couple of dealerships sending me build sheets of trucks that often reflected my colour choice, but little else. Through the process I discovered a salesman that will engage in a genuine conversation about trucks. He accepts information and provides me with insights that help me make an informed decision. Of course, his motivation to sell is always present but that is his job. I respect this and he in turn shows me the respect of knowing when not to push.

Loco-diablo · October 29, 2018

On 10/27/2018 at 10:10 AM, Donstar said:

"I have just the one for you!" My guess is that most forum members have an equal to better knowledge of the nuances of these trucks. Sales staff are trained in selling and have a general knowledge on a range of products. When searching for my current truck, I had a couple of dealerships sending me build sheets of trucks that often reflected my colour choice, but little else. Through the process I discovered a salesman that will engage in a genuine conversation about trucks. He accepts information and provides me with insights that help me make an informed decision. Of course, his motivation to sell is always present but that is his job. I respect this and he in turn shows me the respect of knowing when not to push.

Ha Ha...truth. Well, at least they had your color. The dealers that solicited me didn't even have the correct color, let alone trim level that I built. Its good to have a knowledgeable salesman that knows his stuff and you can go to.

I have a 'go to' Volvo sales guy that I've gone to for years. My experience wasn't the same at Chevrolet.