Bait and Switch ...You be the judge

[CJV]

We have all probably been there. Smarmy salesman who knows he can sell you something you weren't interested in. Thinks the old 75 year old is a mark waiting to be convinced. Not caring the cost in time and .... well read on ...Ahhh so begins the tale:
We drove 4 1/2 hours based on assurances the truck would be ready and could close a deal right then. I offered a credit card to provide earnest money on the deal which was rejected and was sent a dealer Deal Sheet # 12619 listing all costs and final price. He had my cell phone number and I was on time. He waited until I was seated and told me the truck was sold 20 minutes earlier. Then he and a sales manager? tried to sell me a truck that I repeatedly said I was not interested in. I finally told them a price I would consider concerning the outgoing model year and what was below what I could do locally and to "make things right" knowing they would not take it and to show my disgust with how cavalier they were with what had occurred, And car dealers wonder why they are not trusted (2024 KPA Dealership Trust Survey conducted by The Harris Poll). Knowing I was coming, a reasonable salesman would insure the car would be available by placing a temporary hold on anyone selling it until after the time I said I would be there. The process turned into all the appearances of a classic bait and switch where the salesman knew if it was sold he could convince me to buy from older in stock vehicles. The alternative to that manipulation is indifference to buyers time and resources where a day of 2 peoples lives were wasted driving to this dealership. Time is a resource that can't be replaced.
We traveled 244 miles @ 70 cents per mile (IRS mileage rate)=$140.80 round trip $341.60 is a real cost not including eating on the road. They knew I wasn't local so why would they care if I never returned.
Now its your turn to add to the madness with your tale of woe

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[CJV]

BTW I was looking at a 2026 Hybrid XL and they were pushing their 2025s. I bought one a couple of days later at an out of state dealer.

 

[commadorebob]

Sounds like a dealership to blacklist. A good dealership will hold a vehicle and make it untouchable for a day or two, likely with a refundable deposit.

 

[SafetyGuy]

Good day, @CJV

Well, for someone who hasn't gone through a situation such as that, I am sorry to hear that you and your spouse did.

It certainly sounds sketchy to me, and I know I would not have stayed another second once they did their grand reveal that the truck "was just sold".

And I am very glad you found another truck deal to suit your purchase intentions elsewhere.

Have a good one,

Andy

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

And why aren't you naming the Dealership? Maybe help avoid this happening to someone else?

HRG

 

[Bobkath]

I don't use social media, but millions do. As others have mentioned, you should state the dealer, address and sales names on social media. Perhaps others would be kept from suffering the same experience.
Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[SuperK401]

We have all probably been there. Smarmy salesman who knows he can sell you something you weren't interested in. Thinks the old 75 year old is a mark waiting to be convinced. Not caring the cost in time and .... well read on ...Ahhh so begins the tale:
We drove 4 1/2 hours based on assurances the truck would be ready and could close a deal right then. I offered a credit card to provide earnest money on the deal which was rejected and was sent a dealer Deal Sheet # 12619 listing all costs and final price. He had my cell phone number and I was on time. He waited until I was seated and told me the truck was sold 20 minutes earlier. Then he and a sales manager? tried to sell me a truck that I repeatedly said I was not interested in. I finally told them a price I would consider concerning the outgoing model year and what was below what I could do locally and to "make things right" knowing they would not take it and to show my disgust with how cavalier they were with what had occurred, And car dealers wonder why they are not trusted (2024 KPA Dealership Trust Survey conducted by The Harris Poll). Knowing I was coming, a reasonable salesman would insure the car would be available by placing a temporary hold on anyone selling it until after the time I said I would be there. The process turned into all the appearances of a classic bait and switch where the salesman knew if it was sold he could convince me to buy from older in stock vehicles. The alternative to that manipulation is indifference to buyers time and resources where a day of 2 peoples lives were wasted driving to this dealership. Time is a resource that can't be replaced.
We traveled 244 miles @ 70 cents per mile (IRS mileage rate)=$140.80 round trip $341.60 is a real cost not including eating on the road. They knew I wasn't local so why would they care if I never returned.
Now its your turn to add to the madness with your tale of woe when I found mine out of state, I put a deposit on it and they held it until I got there and picked it up.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

If the dealership is that low down and underhanded please name them. So, we can look at their reviews.
Knowing the dealer to avoid might help someone.

Refusing a deposit.
The dealership did not want to commit to holding a vehicle if they can make more money selling it to a customer that's in their showroom.
That Maverick that you had found at the dealership, was long gone before you ever got there.
The salesman was confident he had you on the HOOK. YOU were driving hours for a Maverick.
He was probably convinced you would leave with a different one they had on the lot.

 

[Hunters Edge]

We have all probably been there. Smarmy salesman who knows he can sell you something you weren't interested in. Thinks the old 75 year old is a mark waiting to be convinced. Not caring the cost in time and .... well read on ...Ahhh so begins the tale:
We drove 4 1/2 hours based on assurances the truck would be ready and could close a deal right then. I offered a credit card to provide earnest money on the deal which was rejected and was sent a dealer Deal Sheet # 12619 listing all costs and final price. He had my cell phone number and I was on time. He waited until I was seated and told me the truck was sold 20 minutes earlier. Then he and a sales manager? tried to sell me a truck that I repeatedly said I was not interested in. I finally told them a price I would consider concerning the outgoing model year and what was below what I could do locally and to "make things right" knowing they would not take it and to show my disgust with how cavalier they were with what had occurred, And car dealers wonder why they are not trusted (2024 KPA Dealership Trust Survey conducted by The Harris Poll). Knowing I was coming, a reasonable salesman would insure the car would be available by placing a temporary hold on anyone selling it until after the time I said I would be there. The process turned into all the appearances of a classic bait and switch where the salesman knew if it was sold he could convince me to buy from older in stock vehicles. The alternative to that manipulation is indifference to buyers time and resources where a day of 2 peoples lives were wasted driving to this dealership. Time is a resource that can't be replaced.
We traveled 244 miles @ 70 cents per mile (IRS mileage rate)=$140.80 round trip $341.60 is a real cost not including eating on the road. They knew I wasn't local so why would they care if I never returned.
Now its your turn to add to the madness with your tale of woe

It depends on which state the dealership is in. I know Michigan has laws against bait and switch especially if you signed a deal sheet and I think the first red flag is not accepting a deposit. Still would be worth filing a complaint with the states attorney general. Keep in mind with word of mouth it could have been conceived differently. Kind of like he said this, she said this, and this is what actually happened. Still if you have a signed dealer sheet than it's not a verbal contract the biggest thing besides your signature is the managers signature sealing the deal.

 

[710-oil-614]

That’s not a bait and switch but sorry that happened and as others have stated a good dealership would hold the vehicle or allow a refundable deposit.

Also did you drive to purchase the out of state Maverick? If so you have factor that additional cost into your bottom line and wonder if it was worth the time to travel twice for the deal. How did you come up with $341 and change plus food as your real costs?

Regardless I hope you’re enjoying your new Maverick!

 

[Quest]

They broke the deal so walking away is the correct move
You did nothing wrong and owe them nothing
They still owe you for gas

 

[axel-moto]

Name and shame... Also post this to google and yelp if you can, and send an email to ford for good measure. You already wasted some hours so why not waste another 10 minutes warning others

I bought mine from a dealer known to honor prices given online, had to drive to get there and was happy with the experience.

 

[Art Vandelay]

That’s not a bait and switch but sorry that happened and as others have stated a good dealership would hold the vehicle or allow a refundable deposit.

Also did you drive to purchase the out of state Maverick? If so you have factor that additional cost into your bottom line and wonder if it was worth the time to travel twice for the deal. How did you come up with $341 and change plus food as your real costs?

Regardless I hope you’re enjoying your new Maverick!

Agreed, definitely not bait and switch but it's certainly awful customer service. Why did you do it that way to begin with though? I've bought a couple of brand new vehicles long distance and everything is done before I leave my house to go pick it up. The paperwork is signed, the financing is set up or it's full paid if paying in full. All that's left is for me to show up and take the keys.

Part of this is on you for setting yourself up for this to happen. Heck just check the threads for Granger Ford here on this forum. Many have bought from them long distance and just had to show up to pick up their truck, or some had it shipped.

 

[CJV]

I reviewed the dealer on Yelp and Google maps so anyone looking at that dealer would see it. I also sent it to the BBB and the Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board.
The salesman sent an unsigned deal sheet to me that morning before I gave him my eta to which he responded "Sounds good".
This stuff happens too often to people who get steamrolled. That's why I'd like to hear and see published other stories so people can share and learn from real experiences what can happen. Then they can identify when they are caught up in BS and not walk into a trap.

 

[Art Vandelay]

I reviewed the dealer on Yelp and Google maps so anyone looking at that dealer would see it. I also sent it to the BBB and the Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board.
The salesman sent an unsigned deal sheet to me that morning before I gave him my eta to which he responded "Sounds good".
This stuff happens too often to people who get steamrolled. That's why I'd like to hear and see published other stories so people can share and learn from real experiences what can happen. Then they can identify when they are caught up in BS and not walk into a trap.

Again, you made this needlessly complicated. I would not have even left my house unless the sale was 100% complete. If they refused then you know to avoid that dealership.

I'm in NY and I purchased my Mustang GT convertible from a dealership in Florida. It was a spec that was very difficult to find so I knew I'd likely have to travel. I had the dealership send me a detailed buyers order with an out the door price. They sent it and they had added some kind of paint protection nonsense and some other extra warranty. I told them I didn't want any add ons and to remove the extra nonsense and I would buy the car. After some initial reluctance they agreed, sent a new buyers order and they overnighted me the paperwork to sign. We then worked out payment and I flew down and picked it up a week later and drove it home. I certainly wasn't going to fly to Florida with the hope of coming home with a car.

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