Cancelled my order, got deposit refunded.

[MaverickTime]

Even that's not true. Before taking a customer order they would be charging a non refundable deposit and writing up a contract such as when I ordered a E250.

Can a car dealer take a non-refundable deposit?
When you give a car dealer a deposit, it is considered an upfront or initial payment on a car. As a rule, it is not refundable unless specific circumstances apply. When buying a car from a dealership, the dealer will want two things: a signed contract and/or a deposit.

How exactly would a dealer get "hosed" if someone walked away from an order ? The "system" is geared towards dealers floor plan and stocking vehicles not custom orders which before the "current market" would take 8 to 12 weeks at best to receive so few folks would wait over finding a vehicle at the dealership.

If Ford wants to change their model for what ever reason, they need to also change the custom ordering process which totally is a joke. "Allocations" is a stupid model for customer orders only funneling money to the biggest dealerships at the expense of the consumer who has no idea that possibly ordering from their nearest hometown dealership ( which Ford website will direct you to ) might delay their order 6, 8 months or maybe a year - ( ask a Bronco order holder waiting more than a year ... ) we shall see.

If you dont think this is a screwed up system think about this - hypothetically you order a Maverick from Chapman Ford or Long McArthur - volume dealers and get your truck in 4 months but you also ordered an identical truck from Hometown Ford in your town and after 6 months you dont even have a build date - how does that make ANY sense "current market" or not ?

It makes perfect sence to me especially since the "hometown dealer" in my case was uninformed about the Maverick, knew nothing of the order process and stated " in today's market you WILL pay over MSRP aand if you do not like it, I have other customers who will gladly buy it".
There is a reason why some dealers are " high volume". Its because they treat customers fairly. I am taking a 2 1/2 hr drive to Chapman because my local dealer actually thought he was doing me a favor by trying to sell me a vehicle over MSRP.
And for the record, my build ordered in JULY, finally is built and should reach Chapman Philly by early February. So it took me 7 months, and even though Ford website directs you to the nearest dealer, it can be ordered elsewhere like I did, and got 4% UNDER dealer invoice.
Thank God for the information Tim Bartz supplied, his information was spot on and just proves why some dealers are high volume, they actually believe in old school customer service and EARN the business of a potential buyer.

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[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

Mine was nonrefundable. Now the dealer may choose to refund it, but most everyone wanted you to sign a dora and a 500 nonrefundable deposit when you ordered.

I have a signed DORA and wasn't required to have a down payment, nor have I ever put a down payment on any vehicle purchase. If I'm going through the hassle of ordering a truck, waiting months for it to arrive before taking possession of it, then I damn well better not be required to jump through hoops to appease Ford. If I said I'd buy it, I'm buying it. When our salesman initially said the dealership needed $1000 down, I called BS on that and told him that I refused to let the dealership accrue interest on my dime. They changed their tune real quick.

 

[06Warrior]

I don’t understand the need for a deposit because dealers will have no problem selling them in this market if buyers back out or cancel their order.

Ford and the dealer should honor an ordered vehicle and not pull any Shenanigans.

 

[Old Ranchero]

I don’t understand the need for a deposit because dealers will have no problem selling them in this market if buyers back out or cancel their order.

Ford and the dealer should honor an ordered vehicle and not pull any Shenanigans.

the deposit is you showing commitment to completing the transaction by putting skin in the game. What do you think "earnest money" deposit is for on a home purchase?

 

[Old Ranchero]

If and when dealers are "stuck' with a ordered vehicle they can make no profit on is when there will be no "refundable deposits" and you will have to sign a contract. Dealers are somewhat like the games on the Midway at the State Fair, The game is stacked against you and they control the rules. Most dealerships didnt charge a deposit on Mavericks because they knew they could sell for a profit no matter what.

how would they KNOW that with a brand new product that may or may not generate considerable demand and sales? Many people placed reservations and even orders without any vehicles in the wild or seeing/driving 1 before ordering. Weren't even any of the major publications to rely on for guidance early on.

 

[brnpttmn]

the deposit is you showing commitment to completing the transaction by putting skin in the game. What do you think "earnest money" deposit is for on a home purchase?

I think the refundable deposit is less about "commitment" to the purchase, and more about ensuring responsiveness in the transaction (i.e., making sure they can get the attention of the buyer when they need it).

 

[06Warrior]

the deposit is you showing commitment to completing the transaction by putting skin in the game. What do you think "earnest money" deposit is for on a home purchase?

This isn’t a home. Lots of buyers will buy your order if you back out. A deposit is not needed and will become a hard to come by stock order for a dealership.

I like many other forum members didn’t have to put down a deposit. Some people still got a ADM added to their ordered Maverick even though a deposit didn‘t stop the ADM’s.

 

[Redneck Garage]

ew product that may or may not generate considerable demand and sales? Many people placed reservations and even orders without any vehicles in the wild or seein

Pretty sure offering a hybrid pickup truck for 19995.00 was very little risk for a dealer.

 

[dgnx6]

I have a signed DORA and wasn't required to have a down payment, nor have I ever put a down payment on any vehicle purchase. If I'm going through the hassle of ordering a truck, waiting months for it to arrive before taking possession of it, then I damn well better not be required to jump through hoops to appease Ford. If I said I'd buy it, I'm buying it. When our salesman initially said the dealership needed $1000 down, I called BS on that and told him that I refused to let the dealership accrue interest on my dime. They changed their tune real quick.

Technically they still wanted a down payment from you, or tried to get one. I did mine all online, so im assuming if I said no to the $500 deposit, they just wouldnt have ordered it. I didnt object so thats on me.

I did see some dealers were offering for just the $100 deposit. I was taking into account distance, @ msrp and other dealer fees when searching a dealer.

 

[Old Ranchero]

Pretty sure offering a hybrid pickup truck for 19995.00 was very little risk for a dealer.

Hindsight is 20/20 as they say. Back in June nobody could guarantee this truck would be a smash hit. Add in the ongoing COVID BS and supply chain holdups and if I was a dealer I wouldn't be counting on making a ton of $ on selling customer rejects any time soon. Maybe that's just me not being smart enough.

 

[JASmith]

Most dealerships didnt charge a deposit on Mavericks because they knew they could sell for a profit no matter what.

The real purpose of a deposit anyway is to make the consumer feel that they are tied to that purchase and don't walk away, even if its a small fee it usually does the trick psychologically.

If you WANT someone to order and walk away, as any dealer now would, they'd be wise to require not deposit at all.

 

[OrCoaster]

So all this talk of ordering a truck and not taking it when it arrives. Why not take it, sell it for what is now a much better market and make some coin doing it. The dealer doesn't need the money you would make.

Just how I would do it.

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