Dealer says GPS Tracker will be installed on all new build orders?

[jca]

Contacted a few Ford dealers listed in the "List of honest dealerships for Ford Maverick buyers" thread to place a new build order through (and hopefully avoid various dealer markups, etc.)

One dealer said that they install Apex GPS tracking systems on all new vehicles from their dealership. I'm not familiar with this at all -- I assume this is an "anti theft" dealer fee up-sell? I don't get the point of this at all other for them to get the fee and/or sell my info. It seems unnecessary with FordPass already monitoring everything.

I contacted the dealer and asked what the cost was and was it required, but haven't heard back. But it doesn't matter if there is a fee or not -- if it is installed my info is being bought/sold by all these third parties, on top of what Ford already monitors themselves. Not good.

How common is this kind of anti-theft GPS dealer fee? This was exactly the kind of thing I was trying to avoid by contacting recommended dealers.

Appreciate any help/info.

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[CTYankee]

I'd tell them it's a deal-breaker. They can require it, but you don't have to order the truck from them. Find a dealer who's not playing those sorts of games and, before you place your order, be sure to get a signed purchase agreement that includes everything you'll pay at time of delivery.

 

[Carlitos_92]

It's common, but that doesn't make it right. As CTYankee recommended, tell them no.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/dealer-location-device.49676/

 

[Bilbo_B]

Contacted a few Ford dealers listed in the "List of honest dealerships for Ford Maverick buyers" thread to place a new build order through (and hopefully avoid various dealer markups, etc.)

One dealer said that they install Apex GPS tracking systems on all new vehicles from their dealership. I'm not familiar with this at all -- I assume this is an "anti theft" dealer fee up-sell? I don't get the point of this at all other for them to get the fee and/or sell my info. It seems unnecessary with FordPass already monitoring everything.

I contacted the dealer and asked what the cost was and was it required, but haven't heard back. But it doesn't matter if there is a fee or not -- if it is installed my info is being bought/sold by all these third parties, on top of what Ford already monitors themselves. Not good.

How common is this kind of anti-theft GPS dealer fee? This was exactly the kind of thing I was trying to avoid by contacting recommended dealers.

Appreciate any help/info.

" anti-theft ... dealer fee " < Now there's an oxymoron if I've ever seen one.

 

[jca]

I contacted the dealer and asked what the cost was

$799 for a "3-year system", whatever that means. (I'm assuming the dealer and/or manufacturer will ask for a subscription fee after the 3 year period expires?)

 

[jerrisn]

Tell them that the Ford app already tracks the vehicle and your not buying redundant technology just so the dealer can make more money. Find another dealer if they insist, and then have them removed from the list you found them on and let them know you will do that.

https://apexprotectgps.com/dealer-services/#profit

 

[Carlitos_92]

$800 for a system you don't want. If they stick to that I'd walk.

Looks like there's more than one dealer in Mobile... The lists and ratings of dealers here on MTC are a decent starting point, but experiences can always vary based on salesperson, market conditions, or just personal priorities... You may end up having to travel a little to get the deal you want.

FYI, as I think I mentioned in the thread I linked earlier, it is fairly easy to remove those trackers, and they get installed for inventory control as much as a dealer money-grab. So if you did get the current dealer to take off the cost, you can still protect your privacy by removing the box itself. If you end up buying from a different dealer, it is a good idea to look for a tracker anyway.

 

[cavemold]

Ask to take it off if they refuse walk. My local dealer has this as well but it can be taken off if you chose to

 

[YazYaz]

These trackers are usually only "mandatory" if you are financing through the dealership and have poor credit. Are you financing through the dealer? Do you have poor credit?

 

[JBL14]

The Martians can probably track your smart phone. Unless you go off grid and drive an old car you will not escape their brain suction.

 

[Lobstah]

As pertains to "data"...
My other car is a Volvo. When we purchased it and contacted insurance, they wanted to know how many miles per year we were going to drive with the car.
I told them less than 10,000, which was true.
2yrs went by and grandbabies appeared 300mi away Very joyous event!

A year later, the insurance company reached out and said "We've become aware that your annual mileage is well above 10,000. Based on this, your new rate for this vehicle will be $XXX. If you wish to provide documentation to the contrary, please let us know."

My first thought was the dealership that does the service, but when I spoke with them about it, they showed me in writing that they do NOT sell customer data to anyone.

I think the only other entity that would know about the actual mileage is the State of Maine, through it's registration and inspection system. So did the state sell it?...must have.

 

[A Sturdy Beast]

Contacted a few Ford dealers listed in the "List of honest dealerships for Ford Maverick buyers" thread to place a new build order through (and hopefully avoid various dealer markups, etc.)

One dealer said that they install Apex GPS tracking systems on all new vehicles from their dealership. I'm not familiar with this at all -- I assume this is an "anti theft" dealer fee up-sell? I don't get the point of this at all other for them to get the fee and/or sell my info. It seems unnecessary with FordPass already monitoring everything.

I contacted the dealer and asked what the cost was and was it required, but haven't heard back. But it doesn't matter if there is a fee or not -- if it is installed my info is being bought/sold by all these third parties, on top of what Ford already monitors themselves. Not good.

How common is this kind of anti-theft GPS dealer fee? This was exactly the kind of thing I was trying to avoid by contacting recommended dealers.

Appreciate any help/info.

The main purpose of this is to make it easy for the repo guy to repossess your truck if you don’t pay. The icing on the cake (for the dealer) is the ridiculous selling price and the spyware that tracks your location and your driving habits. Unless you have awful credit, you should refuse this crap. And you’re paying $800 for the privilege of eating their crap. I’d be willing to bet that the dealer pays less than $50 for the tracker hardware.

If you do have bad credit, you may find that you don’t have much choice (other than paying cash for a cheap used vehicle that you can afford). Or try a Dodge dealer. They will finance anyone with half a pulse.

 

[Aherpa]

Contacted a few Ford dealers listed in the "List of honest dealerships for Ford Maverick buyers" thread to place a new build order through (and hopefully avoid various dealer markups, etc.)

One dealer said that they install Apex GPS tracking systems on all new vehicles from their dealership. I'm not familiar with this at all -- I assume this is an "anti theft" dealer fee up-sell? I don't get the point of this at all other for them to get the fee and/or sell my info. It seems unnecessary with FordPass already monitoring everything.

I contacted the dealer and asked what the cost was and was it required, but haven't heard back. But it doesn't matter if there is a fee or not -- if it is installed my info is being bought/sold by all these third parties, on top of what Ford already monitors themselves. Not good.

How common is this kind of anti-theft GPS dealer fee? This was exactly the kind of thing I was trying to avoid by contacting recommended dealers.

Appreciate any help/info.

Walk away.

 

[A Sturdy Beast]

As pertains to "data"...
My other car is a Volvo. When we purchased it and contacted insurance, they wanted to know how many miles per year we were going to drive with the car.
I told them less than 10,000, which was true.
2yrs went by and grandbabies appeared 300mi away Very joyous event!

A year later, the insurance company reached out and said "We've become aware that your annual mileage is well above 10,000. Based on this, your new rate for this vehicle will be $XXX. If you wish to provide documentation to the contrary, please let us know."

My first thought was the dealership that does the service, but when I spoke with them about it, they showed me in writing that they do NOT sell customer data to anyone.

I think the only other entity that would know about the actual mileage is the State of Maine, through it's registration and inspection system. So did the state sell it?...must have.

Very likely, Ford Corporate sold your driving data to your insurance company. You agreed to it with the Ford Pass Terms of Service. Ford is actually better than most companies. With GM and Toyota, data collection and distribution is manditory. Ford lets you opt out by not installing Ford Pass on your phone and not activating the modem in your Maverick.

Here’s an excerpt from a NYT article. The article is mostly about GM, but Ford is mentioned:

“In recent years, insurance companies have offered incentives to people who install dongles in their cars or download smartphone apps that monitor their driving, including how much they drive, how fast they take corners, how hard they hit the brakes and whether they speed. But “drivers are historically reluctant to participate in these programs,” as Ford Motor put it in a patent application that describes what is happening instead: Car companies are collecting information directly from internet-connected vehicles for use by the insurance industry.”

Here’s an archive of the article, so you won’t hit the NYT pay wall:

“Automakers Are Sharing Consumers’ Driving Behavior With Insurance Companies”

https://archive.is/0wqhh

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