Ordered Maverick, dealer added on $2.5K of features. What should I do?

[eyeeatingfish]

So I ordered a Maverick XL in January and it just came in. I got the base model upgraded with the gas engine, a tow hitch, and tail gate lock which made the truck about $22K. Dealer told me that their markup was $3995 due to the high demand and limited supply of this truck. This wasn't going to be open to negotiation. I knew the market situation is what it is but I was really looking forward to this truck so I said ok and signed the order form. No down payments, just the price of $26K and it also said "*plus taxes and fees".

Well the truck came in, I test drove it, and there was $2,500 in additional costs. totaling over $28,000 WTF?!
$400 for VIN etching on the window
$500 for cleaning fee (covid related)
$1500 for ceramic coating.

I am pissed now because I didn't order or want any of that. I thought taxes and fees were sales taxes and registration fees, not add-ons. A ceramic coating isn't even a fee like a cleaning fee, it is a product! The salesman's boss said he could take $500 off the ceramic coating but I told him I didn't want to pay for a ceramic coating at all and even said I was willing to pay for the cleaning and VIN etching. I said I would come back Monday (tomorrow) so the wife could see the truck but basically I have to decide by tomorrow. I want the truck because I am tired of throwing 2 sheets of plywood and logs on my SUV roof but our current cars work fine and we aren't in need of a new car. What do you guys think I should do?

1. Pay the price
2. Demand they take off the dealer add-on costs and threaten to contact the BBB and leave negative Yelp reviews if they don't comply? (The have a wait list and know they can get full asking price so the only real bargaining weight I have is bad press)
3. Buy the truck and try to turn around and sell it for a small profit
4. Walk away, wait an additional 6+ months to order a new one and specify no dealer add ons. (dealer mark up may be higher in future depending on demand/supply, they were talking about increasing markup by another $2K)

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[HowzitSD]

When you ordered, did you not agree to terms? I’m curious because I’m waiting to order when 23 opens up and I thought the markup didn’t apply to ordered vehicles.

Regardless, what a frustrating situation…. As time consuming as it would be, I would still fight it as much as possible. Buying then selling doesn’t guarantee a profit, even with the high demand for these. I haven’t even started the process yet and I’m already irritated with these dealers lol.

 

[eyeeatingfish]

At the bottom it said "*plus taxes and fees". This was never laid out specifically.

It isn't a markup I am pissed about it was dealer add-ons which are additional things dealers add on which are not Ford factory options. So the ford factory didn't add ceramic coating, the dealer themselves had it added at the dealership. The salesman told me the features are standard on all the cars on their lots. He also said all the dealerships do that.

I see you live in Kailua, thats where I am currently dealing with so be forewarned.

 

[Chris_G]

Sad, the dealer is screwing you. Problem, walking away and going to another dealer and buying something off the lot is no longer an option. Take the truck, give them a bad survey review and online review. IMHO, the total add-on package isn't worth $500.

 

[ValenciaOrange]

Sad to red this. Tell them you are not paying for the options. If they say no, I would walk away very upset. I would do everything I could do, to stop other customers from buying from this dealer.

 

[eyeeatingfish]

Sad, the dealer is screwing you. Problem, walking away and going to another dealer and buying something off the lot is no longer an option. Take the truck, give them a bad survey review and online review. IMHO, the total add-on package isn't worth $500.

I called a friend who was a mechanic for a dealership. He told me that the ceramic coating is actually good and he paid that much for it to be done to his mother's vehicle but he said to ask what grade of coating it was and what guarantees it comes with. So the ceramic coating doesn't appear to be a full scam. It may very well be worth $1,500 but the problem is I don't want it. I wash my car less than once a year, I don't care how shiny and clean my car looks.

 

[ShadowChas]

It’s your choice to buy included with all the dealer added stuff, I’m sure you already tried to tell them that you agreed to $4k markup expecting that would be total cost & you only expected to pay $26k… if they don’t budge any then you can blast them all over any surveys or internet/social media,etc… but again you live in a different area hard to get other optional vehicles and in the end appears they can do whatever they want. Most people on here have easy time to walk away and able to buy something else from other places but they are not in Hawaii. It’s not right & my opinion unethical way to run any business , sorry & good luck with your decision

 

[BB0]

It would have been a blaring red flag to me if during an order they said that they would charge an ADM (why is there an ADM on a RETAIL ORDER?) but since you're in this spot you can try to call the Ford service line to see if there is anything they can do to push this on their end and tag Jim Farley on social media. Sadly dealers have all the power in this current market.

 

[TheGunslinger_74]

At the bottom it said "*plus taxes and fees". This was never laid out specifically.

It isn't a markup I am pissed about it was dealer add-ons which are additional things dealers add on which are not Ford factory options. So the ford factory didn't add ceramic coating, the dealer themselves had it added at the dealership. The salesman told me the features are standard on all the cars on their lots. He also said all the dealerships do that.

I see you live in Kailua, thats where I am currently dealing with so be forewarned.

You should be pissed about the markup. There isn't supposed to be a markup on retail orders. All that other stuff is annoying but something that dealerships often try to pull on their customers.

In my opinion, you should walk away unless you desperately need to get a new vehicle right now and for under 30 grand. Either way, make sure they know how upset you are and tell them that you will be contacting Ford regarding this issue. It remains to be seen how serious they are about punishing dealers for marking up retail orders, but it's worth a shot. Who knows, maybe your dealer will backtrack on screwing you some if they think they're risking allocations.

 

[TheGunslinger_74]

If you walk away, DEFINITELY order from a different dealership. Myself and many others did not have any markups on our retail orders.

 

[C J Cox]

Anyone try “start conversation” with this forum member to resolve a problem?

Like in this situation outrageous dealer markup on an order?

I made the screenshot about 10 minutes before posting this so they are looking in today.

 

[jbpoole]

So I ordered a Maverick XL in January and it just came in. I got the base model upgraded with the gas engine, a tow hitch, and tail gate lock which made the truck about $22K. Dealer told me that their markup was $3995 due to the high demand and limited supply of this truck. This wasn't going to be open to negotiation. I knew the market situation is what it is but I was really looking forward to this truck so I said ok and signed the order form. No down payments, just the price of $26K and it also said "*plus taxes and fees".

Well the truck came in, I test drove it, and there was $2,500 in additional costs. totaling over $28,000 WTF?!
$400 for VIN etching on the window
$500 for cleaning fee (covid related)
$1500 for ceramic coating.

I am pissed now because I didn't order or want any of that. I thought taxes and fees were sales taxes and registration fees, not add-ons. A ceramic coating isn't even a fee like a cleaning fee, it is a product! The salesman's boss said he could take $500 off the ceramic coating but I told him I didn't want to pay for a ceramic coating at all and even said I was willing to pay for the cleaning and VIN etching. I said I would come back Monday (tomorrow) so the wife could see the truck but basically I have to decide by tomorrow. I want the truck because I am tired of throwing 2 sheets of plywood and logs on my SUV roof but our current cars work fine and we aren't in need of a new car. What do you guys think I should do?

1. Pay the price
2. Demand they take off the dealer add-on costs and threaten to contact the BBB and leave negative Yelp reviews if they don't comply? (The have a wait list and know they can get full asking price so the only real bargaining weight I have is bad press)
3. Buy the truck and try to turn around and sell it for a small profit
4. Walk away, wait an additional 6+ months to order a new one and specify no dealer add ons. (dealer mark up may be higher in future depending on demand/supply, they were talking about increasing markup by another $2K)

Another great example of why I'd rather have a sister in a whorehouse than a brother who's a car salesman.

 

[Wilky4258]

Sad to red this. Tell them you are not paying for the options. If they say no, I would walk away very upset. I would do everything I could do, to stop other customers from buying from this dealer.

Walk away it is just a truck

 

[TC in MN]

Suggest you find the order form for your Mav and speak with the dealership. Unless the dealership has proof you authorized the work, advise you will be contacting Ford for resolution. In short, deceptive business practices are illegal.

 

[AnthonyMav]

Sounds like you got yourself into this and they saw you coming.

1. you agreed to a dealer markup
2. You agreed to pay for etch, ceramic, and cleaning. All of those are options and you agreed to it.

walk away and order from an honest dealer or talk to the GM right away about the process and demand MSRP on your customer order truck without dealer add-ons

but again, you already agreed to pay it, so I don’t think it’s going to work.

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