I am quite capable of negotiating. I am 50 years old and have bought/leased many cars, few homes and even deal with Verizon and the dreaded COMCAST. And I do quite fine.
Here are the facts whether you like them or not:
I did NOT care what he made on my lease trade in. Whether he decided to pay remaining payments and I walk away. OR he bought the vehicle and made a profit. I WANTED TO WALK AWAY. It was a lease. I got out of it what I EXPECTED. I have sold leases in the past and made money. However Ford is not allowing leases to be bought by 3rd party, only to a dealer or lease holder. Selling out right and or trying to make a few thousand dollars was not in my plans. To much work for what I felt was a waste of my time with no guarantee of outcome, headache of taxes, transfer of title etc.
He told me upfront there could be a $5k ADM, but if there was he would split it and it would be up to the owner. I have bought/lease many vehicles from him. I actually trust the guy. So worst case, I am in for $2500 ADM. I didn't care, I felt any what half of the guys hear are explaining, some are upwards of $15k.
So I have a $5k ADM (which was a possibility upfront) in which he is giving me half back on something I was not expecting.
I do not care if people are in fact paying ADM, not paying ADM, under MRSP. I walked into the whole thing knowing there was a possibility of paying over MRSP of $5k. I made it out with $2500 ADM. He did not go back on his word, he split it.
I do not care what he makes on my lease, what he makes on selling at MRSP.
On a side note, when I was there he had a guy fly in from Texas and bought a Shelby GT at $50k ADM. I saw the paper work. The guy just arrived.