Buying strategy

So we're going to be purchasing a Cherokee in the next 2 months and have narrowed down to pretty much exactly what we want - 2019 TH (or TH Elite), has to have Towing Package and we're open to a few color options. We're open to other packages, really depends on what the pricing comes down to.

Wondering what other people have done when trying to negotiate the best price? I HATE dealing with salespeople in the showroom and would just rather have all negotiations done ahead of time via email...

We have at least 20 Jeep dealers within an hour's drive of where we live and I don't have any particular dealership I'm attached to (since I can always get service done someplace else from where I purchase).

We will need financing (and our credit isn't perfect), but we know we can get fairly easily approved, just will be a slightly higher interest rate. I also intend to get an approval (or two) from a local bank/CU ahead of time and then let the dealer's finance department see if they can beat it.

Looking online right now, most dealers are offering anywhere around $8k off sticker (including incentives)...some pretty good deals in my opinion.

We might have a trade-in (depending on how quickly we can sell our old Liberty), but I look at that as a 2nd part of the transaction.

Just wondering about any strategies other people have done?