HONOLULU FORD/LITHIA MOTORS - BUYERS BEWARE!!!

[jrhawaii]

FYI, Ford complaint line: (800) 392-FORD.

They'll try to mollify you with a "What, me worry?" temperament, yet it
is better to get something on the record than to remain mute

Ya, planning on calling Monday. I see you from Hawaii, you got yours already? Problems with the purchase?

Sponsored

 

[WannaMav]

Ya, planning on calling Monday. I see you from Hawaii, you got yours already? Problems with the purchase?

All Hawaii dealers doing a mark-up. As stated in another thread, managed by sheer force of obstinance to whittle that down enough to meet my lowered expectations (different metric from my full satisfaction).

Among other cards played as the hours ticked by :

1) I always try to support local businesses whenever I can
2) Without my placing a reservation you wouldn't have a Maverick to sell to anybody at any price. Penalizing me so heavily for bringing business to you is unacceptable
3) Don't give a fig what "the market" is now, what was it when the order was placed in good faith?

There comes a point when one can sense they'll dicker, but no further. Still, I made the call after all documents signed and keys in hand in order to inform Ford of my distaste.

 

[DryHeat]

[The form was signed] Just by me. In the normal world that is enough because its their form with their Company name on it which does make it binding but the automotive world plays by a different set of rules.

I don't think that's right.

In the "normal world" that I'm familiar with, a writing has to be signed by both parties to be binding on both parties. There are exceptions, such as when the contract contains all the essential terms and the parties begin performance as if a contract existed. But your "contract" lacked an essential term -- the purchase price (as you mentioned above).

I wish these "orders" were binding. I think it's unethical for dealers to add ADM and other stuff when the truck comes in. But legally I think it's a difficult case.

 

[Renho17]

Yes, this happened to me. Wouldn’t give me a invoice or buyers agreement and said we only do that when truck comes in. So that made me worry. Then months later they wanted to add a Adm but didn’t state that when I ordered. So I went to Twitter and found Mike Levine (North American communications director) I posted on one of his maverick posts and told him my story. First ford, first new vehicle purchase and getting screwed.
He then DM’ed me and asked for my details. Within a hour he wrote me back saying the owner of my dealership will be calling me to lock in MSRP. He made quick work of it and I LOVED getting the call from the dealer stating I would be getting MSRP

 

[jrhawaii]

Yes, this happened to me. Wouldn’t give me a invoice or buyers agreement and said we only do that when truck comes in. So that made me worry. Then months later they wanted to add a Adm but didn’t state that when I ordered. So I went to Twitter and found Mike Levine (North American communications director) I posted on one of his maverick posts and told him my story. First ford, first new vehicle purchase and getting screwed.
He then DM’ed me and asked for my details. Within a hour he wrote me back saying the owner of my dealership will be calling me to lock in MSRP. He made quick work of it and I LOVED getting the call from the dealer stating I would be getting MSRP

Thanks for the info, in fact I was just reading about it on reddit and was planning to Twitter him on Monday, hopefully he isn't getting overwhelmed with people like us and can do the same for me as he did for you. Mahalo

 

[Mav2Scamp]

XLT hybrid AREA 51 - Lux + 360

Ordered July 8. After all the wait, salesman sent a text (04/08) and says its getting here next week and since the vin has been assigned we can get the paperwork started. Was like wow not even going to let me see it or test drive it but unless something was wrong with it I had planned on just going down and buying it. Being that I planned to pay cash I asked for the out the door price so I could transfer funds into my checking account. Guy says ok and that he wasn't at the office but would send me the total when he got in. Next he tries pushing extended warranty on me and claims its for another 6 years (claims 6 more on top of the 3 Ford gives so total of 9 years) and comes with lifetime oil. I ask how much, he says $5200 but let him see what he can do. I text back and say sorry but I pass for now because that's over my budget at this time. Now the next text says "this is crazy, there are a bunch of callers (I talked to 5) who called in for your Maverick. They think its for sale... Told them NO. Lol... boy they are very insistent". How is it that I cant see that it was even on the ship to Hawaii and others know its coming? Next text ask if I did a deposit (was told deposit wasn't needed) and he's looking for the doc but can't find his copy (HMMM). Next I get a pic of the price - selling price $35,000, taxable fees $25.00, doc fee $395.00, tax $1668.99, reg fee $413.50 - unpaid balance 37502.49 WHATIII I text back and say you sure about that price, thought Ford requires you to hold to MSRP on special order vehicles?

Next he calls me (guess doesn't want to give me more evidence of his wrong doings) and claims that when I came down to order the vehicle he explained to me that they add on a $5995 addendum and a $2000 arctic blast (what the BLEEP is that BS) to all vehicles, I stop him and told him that he did not tell me that and that I had asked for the price and he didn't want to give me the price. He then goes on again about not being able to find the documents again. We exchange a few more words and he tries to get me to stop in so we can talk, I tell him ya when I have time.

When I got home a few hours later I texted him the email and the build sheet I signed and emailed back to him. He text me back saying this wasn't the original build sheet we did and that one had the estimated MSRP, the HI Market Adjustment $5995 and Arctic Blast $2000. Well the only other thing I signed for and at the dealership was the online order form, which I sent him and that showed nothing about what he is saying. It's funny how I send him 2 documents that 1. he made me sign and even copied my drivers' license at the dealership and 2. he emailed me to again sign and send back to him. I got all my documentation so how is it that he is still trying to claim we agreed to $10,000+ more when he can't find his copy!

This is the FIRST time I am trying to buy a FORD product and right now I feel so violated by this Dealership and salesman that I don't even want to deal with him anymore but I am not willing to give up this truck without a fight because this is just not right!

I am just so frustrated and having a hard time finding all the right post to find the information I need to get this moving forward, so I'm posting this in hope that some kind people will understand and help out. Yes I know Tim got a lot of good information and I need to look over his youtube videos again... I hope Ford or anyone can help...

Call Ford , don’t let get away with Maverick.

 

[AnthonyMav]

Go to the dealer with the signed papers and speak to the GM only. Explain that you had a salesman agree to MSRP plus tax, dmv, and doc only. If they give you some line about everybody paying a markup, say you’ll be getting in contact with your attorney today.

the truck has your name on it and they cannot sell it to anyone else. They also don’t want to deal with a court date.

 

[Deleted member 9552]

The window sticker indicates special order. The window sticker states a price. The order number ties the truck to your name as validated by a supplied copy of your drivers license, This was a dealer assisted order process put in place by Ford which was necessary to custom order YOUR truck. The order could not have been placed without your involvement. My little pea brain thinks that this should carry a little weight considering contract law.

 

[James D]

Don't let them bully you because that is exactly what is happening to you!

The first thing I would do is demand to speak to the owner of the dealership. If he or she is a chicken sh*t and won't come out, contact Ford's Assistant to the CEO and ask to speak to him or someone on the Board of Directors. Make them uncomfortable.

Check with your atty but IMO basic business law tells me the dealer's order form (Offer) + Your signature (Acceptance) = Contract.

A contract does not need to be 10 pages of fine print to be valid. For example, a seller has to honor the price on a single page Purchase Order when a business buys everything from inventory to fleet trucks.

If your signed order form at MSRP meant nothing it would be the BAIT. Then if the dealer tried to unilaterally make a one-sided decision on some random future price increase after you sign, that would be the SWITCH. Think about it, if your signed order means nothing, then the dealer would not call you when your truck arrived and sell it to some sucker on the lot +15k.

Don't let them bully you into agreeing to a new price by saying they will sell it to someone else if you do not buy it. Don't get mad and walk either, they will probably laugh as you leave. They will tell Ford you canceled and will then have no obligation to you any more.

If they still do not budge, file a small claims case it is easy. Someone wrote that he won a court case just based on text messages. You have much more than that, a signed order for a truck built specifically for you. I bet they would not want to have to explain to a court judge why your original order with the price and options you signed for, now somehow means nothing.

 

[jc888888888]

Get a hold of Levine ...Dealers have been told by ford to cut THIS SHIT OUT . OP YOU NEED TO GET LOUD AND NASTY real quick. Complaint line, the Levine guy, social media ,(they hate that the most). If you are quite and civil you will lose your truck

 

[Dun4791]

Just walk away and never buy a ford ever.

Farley isn’t doing what he said.

 

[CSmith]

@jrhawaii that Hawaii Market Adjustment has gone up over the years. I bought an Expedition from Windward Ford in '86. The HMA was $2,000. Every dealership, for all brands, had it and none would budge.

You stated, "Just was hoping someone on here, hears and has power with the right people or could provide assistance while I wait for Monday to come. " Plenty of people gave you advice to start the social media bashing. That is what you should start today. Call the dealership and let them know you will be complaining direct to Ford about these additional charges that weren't disclosed when you ordered the truck.

If you post the name of the dealership then several of us forum members can help with the bashing. As a fellow Maverick Truck Club member I consider you a good friend and my post would state that, xxx Ford dealership ordered my good friend a Maverick for MSRP as agreed. It is about to arrive and now the dealership is adding over $5,000 of additional markup! Be careful doing - or just don't do - business with xxx dealership.

If they get straight with you we can all delete our posts or edit them to show the dealership returned to good faith dealings.

 

[F1PRB22GA]

Googling "Artic Blast" indicates it may be an AC service, worth about $70(?).

 

[999]

Words have meanings.

This would not be criminal.
What CRIME would you say this is, in your mind?

Officer I'd like to report a.... what?

It may possibly be a civil case. That is, if the OP has a contract signed by both parties. But, if he ends up not buying the truck, I think it would be hard to define monetary damages in a civil suit.

You can't file suit for disappointment.

You picked the wrong dealer.
contact Ford, a lawyer, the BBB, and take to social media including their website.

Attack. Smear their name everywhere and anywhere that you can.
Don’t be nice! Crush these assholes everywhere and anywhere that you can. This is is criminal and make Ford look bad.

 

[999]

Many on here seem to have a tenuous understanding of bilateral contracts. OP never had an agreement on the selling price of the ordered vehicle.

OP cannot unilaterally dictate what the dealer must accept now anymore than Ford can unilaterally rewrite their franchise agreements!

Yup, well maybe instead of limiting allocation for these know unethical dealership they should just allow them 1 vehicle a month max! Or better yet rewrite the franchise laws/rules so they can control or even fire these dealerships.

Sponsored