SoCal dealer South Bay Ford sold my dad's Maverick without telling us it arrived

[mattfromca]

I posted last month about how South Bay Ford refused to install my options (my 16 month old order). They threatened to sell to someone else that same day if I didn't take it as-is. (I gave in.) That sort of ruined Thanksgiving.

Well, a month later, they ruined Christmas, selling my dad's order without even notifying us. The GM's excuse: "you already bought one." This was a confirmed, signed order I'd paid a deposit on.

Here's the whole maddening episode, if you want to go on a blood-boiling journey with me. South Bay Ford has screwed me over now on 2 of 2 orders. (The first was previously detailed here, and was mostly resolved until this.)

Note: I’m a former investigative journalist, so I’ve been documenting when dealerships are sleazy. I hate that I have to be like this, but it’s now been very helpful to have notes when I contacted Ford CEO Jim Farley (who responded to me, by the way. I have a feeling this dealer took vengeance by selling my dad's order).

So here’s the story:

Back in June 2022, I contacted South Bay Ford in Southern California to place a Maverick order for me and my dad both. South Bay Ford (which reviews and some of you have indicated was relatively good) took two deposits (of $100 each). When MULTIPLE sales people stopped responding to my emails I demanded both be refunded. Two days later, the sales person emailed me “The order banks have opened. Would you like to place an order? Sorry I dropped the ball on you.” As Ford announced it was closing Maverick orders, I thought, why not? The sales person again asked me to “Please sign two.” For me and my dad. Then charged my credit card $500, inexplicably. When I asked, I was told in writing: “Ford requires for a build to be $500.00 100% refundable deposit… Ford verifies that you are a legitimate client, and not the dealership just placing orders to gain inventory.”

Provable lies, as anyone here knows.

As order books had now closed, and this was maybe mh only chance at a Maverick, I didn’t reply. A few months pass, and they try to sell me marked up Mavericks other customers didn't pick up. I decline.

I asked for them to make changes to both orders, for me and my dad’s specs. They agreed this time and had me sign updated forms. They again went silent for nearly 6 months until November, when my Maverick order actually shipped.

This begins my first Maverick order #0500, as described in the other thread. I am also notified around this time that my dad's order, #0515, will be arriving soon.

In short, they hadn't installed my options, and South Bay Ford’s sales manager Gabino Barerra called me unreasonable for asking that it be done, and then threatened to sell my Maverick if I didn’t take it as-is (without their dealer add-ons being installed). I can hardly describe the level of dishonesty on this guy, but here's him at his best on the South Bay Ford website:

Not wanting to lose my Maverick, I gave in — and sales agent Jose Perez asked me what I would do with my other order coming in soon. I said my dad wanted a Maverick.

Fairly frustrated at being out $500 for options not installed, I also said “or I might just try to flip it for a profit.” I probably shouldn’t have taunted a sleazy company with that, as they are truly the professionals at screwing customers. And they would again!

Alright, well a week passes. I report my first experience to Ford, Jim Farley personally, Mike Levine, several others. Farley's office calls me. Levine emails me. The dealership GM finally emails ann apology an offers to pay me for the add-ons they didn’t install, and give me a maintenance package. He says he’s meeting with Gabino Barerra to make sure it won’t happen again. What would be the odds, right?

So, I get the email from Ford that my other Maverick is on the way to the dealership, and they'll notify me when it's ready. A month passes. I noticed the South Bay website lists it online for sale (with a “call for price”) note on it. I email the GM and Jose to ask about when it’ll be available, and if I can get it for my dad by Xmas. Jose says it's there and he's going to check on it.

The VIN for that one is 3FTTW8M37RRA14909. The next time I checked it said "SO

I sent this (above) screenshot and asked if it was a mistake. GM Adolfo Toledo responds to say "has been Sold already we did not know you want 2nd Maverick since you already bought one. Look like everyone got the impression you not buying this one."

My dad is supremely mad at this dealership for not only screwing me (which I whined about loud enough for them to make right), but now also him. He will not be getting his order (waited two years for) which he has come to fall in love with.

I suspect that South Bay did this on purpose, to get me back for complaining about them not doing my (fully paid) add-ons. But, perhaps it's just a coincidence that they did exactly what they'd threatened me with a month before.

TLDR: these were both COVP confirmed rollover orders from two years ago. They used my drivers license and signatures to confirm an order multiple times, and then they sold to someone else without telling me, as Ford told me they would.

So here are my conclusions as an investigative journalist:

1. Dealers are abusing Ford’s drivers license verification system, so they can gain more inventory, which sells at a markup, and simply tell Ford that the customer canceled the order. This is lying, cheating, and in some ways also stealing.
2. This dealership was aware before, during and after I visited them that I wanted this order. They were certainly aware or should have been aware, and opted to sell it instead.
3. This is a big problem for Ford as well. Ford assures customers that “Your dealer will inspect your vehicle and contact you to arrange a pickup time when it’s ready," which did not happen here.
4. How can customers buy a vehicle without having Gabino Barerra (a sales manager!) try to bend you over and yell at you as being unreasonable for asking for what you paid for? Or Jose Perez lie to you repeatedly, or GM Adolfo Toledo then sell another order out from under you.
5. South Bay Ford deserves to be cut off from Ford entirely. SoCal would be better off having one less Ford dealer. (The problem obviously is that many others are sleazy too.)

TLDR: South Bay Ford threatened to sell my first order to someone else at markup (if I didn't take it without them doing their add-ons I paid Ford for, which are still not installed). And then, after the GM was aware, they actually did sell my dad's Maverick to someone else.

Not much I can do at this point but try to make people aware of their scam. If you happen to have an order there, DO NOT BE AFRAID to ride them very closely to make sure you actually get your order.

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[BearyArizona]

I would be LIVID.

Report them for everything, to anyone who will listen. Ford themselves, any local commissions, spam them with hateful reviews on every website possible, get your friends to do the same, hell even the BBB might hear some of my thoughts at that point.

So sorry you're going through this, those guys sound like garbage.

 

[mattfromca]

I would be LIVID.

Report them for everything, to anyone who will listen. Ford themselves, any local commissions, spam them with hateful reviews on every website possible, get your friends to do the same, hell even the BBB might hear some of my thoughts at that point.

So sorry you're going through this, those guys sound like garbage.

The biggest frustration is knowing that my anger has nowhere to go that will actually help me. The best advice is probably to just let it go, because the system is indeed rigged against me. But I can at the very least let others know as a warning. Hopefully my experience saves someone else, and costs these cheaters some sales.

 

[mechatron_prime]

Complete with mug shots

 

[fossil]

anyone wonder why the FTC has their eyes on these crooks?

 

[gwrace14651]

Just wondering if you tried to track the order. I knew before our dealer when my truck was scheduled for delivery. Using Fords pizza tracker, railroad tracking then calling the trucking shipper. We drove down and looked at it on a Sunday while the dealer was closed. Then picked up the following Wed.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Sooo glad my dealer wasn't absolute scum, like southbayford.com .

 

[FamousAmos]

Complete with mug shots

I have to laugh at the 3 photos. They remind me of the old Richard Nixon photo with the caption, "Would you buy a used car from this guy?"

 

[Jackovalltrades]

There's a lot of Ford complaints in these forums and some are more compelling than others. This case with all of the evidence provided is pretty damning. It's really unfortunate dealers do this to customers who are loyal enough to the Ford brand to wait years for a custom order. Hopefully someone in Ford management takes action in this situation. I realize it's too late for the OP but if this has now happened twice to him, it's likely happening to others there.

 

[ValenciaOrange]

Just be careful these guys don't show up at your front door.

 

[Ron Neal]

Sounds like you need to have another chat with Mr Farley, I certainly would.

 

[mattfromca]

Just wondering if you tried to track the order. I knew before our dealer when my truck was scheduled for delivery. Using Fords pizza tracker, railroad tracking then calling the trucking shipper. We drove down and looked at it on a Sunday while the dealer was closed. Then picked up the following Wed.

I did not know I could track the railroad shipping. I got the regular updates from Ford when it shipped, and in that Ford promised the dealership would let me know. I guess, having never been burned this way, and having paid a deposit for the order, I expected to hear from them. Can't trust anybody!

 

[mattfromca]

There's a lot of Ford complaints in these forums and some are more compelling than others. This case with all of the evidence provided is pretty damning. It's really unfortunate dealers do this to customers who are loyal enough to the Ford brand to wait years for a custom order. Hopefully someone in Ford management takes action in this situation. I realize it's too late for the OP but if this has now happened twice to him, it's likely happening to others there.

The sad reality is, I'm not sure if there is anything Ford can do at this point. Dealers are such a protected cartel, especially in California.

 

[mattfromca]

Just be careful these guys don't show up at your front door.

I think my dad would enjoy that actually.

 

[JBEN110]

I posted last month about how South Bay Ford refused to install my options (my 16 month old order). They threatened to sell to someone else that same day if I didn't take it as-is. (I gave in.) That sort of ruined Thanksgiving.

Well, a month later, they ruined Christmas, selling my dad's order without even notifying us. The GM's excuse: "you already bought one." This was a confirmed, signed order I'd paid a deposit on.

Here's the whole maddening episode, if you want to go on a blood-boiling journey with me. South Bay Ford has screwed me over now on 2 of 2 orders. (The first was previously detailed here, and was mostly resolved until this.)

Note: I’m a former investigative journalist, so I’ve been documenting when dealerships are sleazy. I hate that I have to be like this, but it’s now been very helpful to have notes when I contacted Ford CEO Jim Farley (who responded to me, by the way. I have a feeling this dealer took vengeance by selling my dad's order).

So here’s the story:

Back in June 2022, I contacted South Bay Ford in Southern California to place a Maverick order for me and my dad both. South Bay Ford (which reviews and some of you have indicated was relatively good) took two deposits (of $100 each). When MULTIPLE sales people stopped responding to my emails I demanded both be refunded. Two days later, the sales person emailed me “The order banks have opened. Would you like to place an order? Sorry I dropped the ball on you.” As Ford announced it was closing Maverick orders, I thought, why not? The sales person again asked me to “Please sign two.” For me and my dad. Then charged my credit card $500, inexplicably. When I asked, I was told in writing: “Ford requires for a build to be $500.00 100% refundable deposit… Ford verifies that you are a legitimate client, and not the dealership just placing orders to gain inventory.”

Provable lies, as anyone here knows.

As order books had now closed, and this was maybe mh only chance at a Maverick, I didn’t reply. A few months pass, and they try to sell me marked up Mavericks other customers didn't pick up. I decline.

I asked for them to make changes to both orders, for me and my dad’s specs. They agreed this time and had me sign updated forms. They again went silent for nearly 6 months until November, when my Maverick order actually shipped.

This begins my first Maverick order #0500, as described in the other thread. I am also notified around this time that my dad's order, #0515, will be arriving soon.

In short, they hadn't installed my options, and South Bay Ford’s sales manager Gabino Barerra called me unreasonable for asking that it be done, and then threatened to sell my Maverick if I didn’t take it as-is (without their dealer add-ons being installed). I can hardly describe the level of dishonesty on this guy, but here's him at his best on the South Bay Ford website:

Not wanting to lose my Maverick, I gave in — and sales agent Jose Perez asked me what I would do with my other order coming in soon. I said my dad wanted a Maverick.

Fairly frustrated at being out $500 for options not installed, I also said “or I might just try to flip it for a profit.” I probably shouldn’t have taunted a sleazy company with that, as they are truly the professionals at screwing customers. And they would again!

Alright, well a week passes. I report my first experience to Ford, Jim Farley personally, Mike Levine, several others. Farley's office calls me. Levine emails me. The dealership GM finally emails ann apology an offers to pay me for the add-ons they didn’t install, and give me a maintenance package. He says he’s meeting with Gabino Barerra to make sure it won’t happen again. What would be the odds, right?

So, I get the email from Ford that my other Maverick is on the way to the dealership, and they'll notify me when it's ready. A month passes. I noticed the South Bay website lists it online for sale (with a “call for price”) note on it. I email the GM and Jose to ask about when it’ll be available, and if I can get it for my dad by Xmas. Jose says it's there and he's going to check on it.

The VIN for that one is 3FTTW8M37RRA14909. The next time I checked it said "SO

I sent this (above) screenshot and asked if it was a mistake. GM Adolfo Toledo responds to say "has been Sold already we did not know you want 2nd Maverick since you already bought one. Look like everyone got the impression you not buying this one."

My dad is supremely mad at this dealership for not only screwing me (which I whined about loud enough for them to make right), but now also him. He will not be getting his order (waited two years for) which he has come to fall in love with.

I suspect that South Bay did this on purpose, to get me back for complaining about them not doing my (fully paid) add-ons. But, perhaps it's just a coincidence that they did exactly what they'd threatened me with a month before.

TLDR: these were both COVP confirmed rollover orders from two years ago. They used my drivers license and signatures to confirm an order multiple times, and then they sold to someone else without telling me, as Ford told me they would.

So here are my conclusions as an investigative journalist:

1. Dealers are abusing Ford’s drivers license verification system, so they can gain more inventory, which sells at a markup, and simply tell Ford that the customer canceled the order. This is lying, cheating, and in some ways also stealing.
2. This dealership was aware before, during and after I visited them that I wanted this order. They were certainly aware or should have been aware, and opted to sell it instead.
3. This is a big problem for Ford as well. Ford assures customers that “Your dealer will inspect your vehicle and contact you to arrange a pickup time when it’s ready," which did not happen here.
4. How can customers buy a vehicle without having Gabino Barerra (a sales manager!) try to bend you over and yell at you as being unreasonable for asking for what you paid for? Or Jose Perez lie to you repeatedly, or GM Adolfo Toledo then sell another order out from under you.
5. South Bay Ford deserves to be cut off from Ford entirely. SoCal would be better off having one less Ford dealer. (The problem obviously is that many others are sleazy too.)

TLDR: South Bay Ford threatened to sell my first order to someone else at markup (if I didn't take it without them doing their add-ons I paid Ford for, which are still not installed). And then, after the GM was aware, they actually did sell my dad's Maverick to someone else.

Not much I can do at this point but try to make people aware of their scam. If you happen to have an order there, DO NOT BE AFRAID to ride them very closely to make sure you actually get your order.

you should copy and paste this whole experience to their review page

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