Word of Warning for the Charlotte, NC Area

[Cigargoyle]

Wow. Bought mine from them and had no issues using x-plan. Easiest vehicle purchase I've had.

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[jimcebula]

https://www.fordpartner.com/partnerweb/jsp/howitworks/fordpartner_rules.htm

Dealer does not have to accept x plan, however if they do the doc fee is capped at $100.

Sorry to hear your dealer was not cooperating. I purchased two special order Mavericks (one 23 and one 24) both on x plan and got the x plan price listed on the original order sheet. So on each order I got the x plan price savings, the doc fee at $100 instead of the dealers normal $499 and also got the applicable price protection (didn’t pay the mid year price increase on the 23 and got the private offer on the 24 since it was a rollover order from 23). No hassle or haggling.

I ordered a new XLT Maverick back in February through Capital Ford of Charlotte. They agreed on doing X-Plan. Five months later, the truck was delivered. I requested the final price to get a check cut which listed a $800 document fee. Then a back and forth email thread ensued as they would not budge. The guy just kept saying that everyone pays the fee (said he even paid the fee using D plan...). I even contacted the support line for X-Plan (who offered to clarify for the dealer) to triple check. The dealer refused (the discussion was with the sales manager) saying they "checked with the owner and corporate lawyers" and then flipped to "we don't have to accept X-Plan at all." (which is true). So, now I'm stuck having wasted 5 months waiting for this truck to come in just to start back over. During this escapade, my dad ordered a Maverick through another dealer that's about 45 minutes from me a month after I did using X-Plan with $150 dealer fee and got the truck a month earlier than my order came in. I'm sure that's in part because of options (he picked up a Lariat).

 

[BradnChristine]

https://www.fordpartner.com/partnerweb/jsp/howitworks/fordpartner_rules.htm

Dealer does not have to accept x plan, however if they do the doc fee is capped at $100.

Sorry to hear your dealer was not cooperating. I purchased two special order Mavericks (one 23 and one 24) both on x plan and got the x plan price listed on the original order sheet. So on each order I got the x plan price savings, the doc fee at $100 instead of the dealers normal $499 and also got the applicable price protection (didn’t pay the mid year price increase on the 23 and got the private offer on the 24 since it was a rollover order from 23). No hassle or haggling.

Same here with Thunder Basin Ford in Gillette, WY. A 2023 and later a 2024...both X-plan, both $100 doc fee instead of the normal $599. Nice, no hassle dealer. The Doc fee and the X-plan price was listed on my DORA when ordered.

 

[prsncat]

Why report when the Dealer did nothing wrong or illegal. OP should have done his homework and got a complete quote with tax and fees. $800 is high but not in that market so you have to shop

The simple answer is that others should be forewarned before placing Retail orders with this dealership. It's not about what the OP should or should not do. It's about reasonable expectations, and the terms of the Ford X-plan are pretty straightforward. This dealership chose to charge a fee in violation of these terms. Thus, others should be forewarned when dealing with this dealership to avoid encountering a similar problem.

At no time is anyone saying, "Don't buy from them." The idea is to flag dealerships where the Retail ordering process didn't go as expected or agreed upon. As a result, people are better prepared when placing orders with this or any other dealership on the list flagged with a warning.

There are several dealerships on the list with both recommendations and warnings.

 

[prsncat]

Wow. Bought mine from them and had no issues using x-plan. Easiest vehicle purchase I've had.

This should also be logged using the Google Form.

It's okay for a single dealership to have recommendations and warnings.

 

[Starlord214]

I ordered both my Mavericks 2023 and 2024 through Mooresville ford. There where no hidden fees or dealer addons. the price they where when i ordered was the price i payed. Ryan the salesman was amazing and kept me up to date.

 

[WNYEscapee]

I ordered a new XLT Maverick back in February through Capital Ford of Charlotte. They agreed on doing X-Plan. Five months later, the truck was delivered. I requested the final price to get a check cut which listed a $800 document fee. Then a back and forth email thread ensued as they would not budge. The guy just kept saying that everyone pays the fee (said he even paid the fee using D plan...). I even contacted the support line for X-Plan (who offered to clarify for the dealer) to triple check. The dealer refused (the discussion was with the sales manager) saying they "checked with the owner and corporate lawyers" and then flipped to "we don't have to accept X-Plan at all." (which is true). So, now I'm stuck having wasted 5 months waiting for this truck to come in just to start back over. During this escapade, my dad ordered a Maverick through another dealer that's about 45 minutes from me a month after I did using X-Plan with $150 dealer fee and got the truck a month earlier than my order came in. I'm sure that's in part because of options (he picked up a Lariat).

And this BS is why people hate dealerships. It's why they get referred to as "Stealerships." Sure, some are honest and consistent, but others are total rip-off artists. And don't get me wrong -- most are rip-off artists, it's probably just not that obvious they're doing it, but they probably are.
I've worked in numerous dealerships, so I'm more than certain of this; there's more than a few ways they try to get into your wallet, and they'll try it every chance they get. And let me add, if they're a large auto group and using local celebrities in their advertising, they're definitely doing it, and doing it with a smile on their face while making you happy to pay for it.

 

[Art Vandelay]

That's pretty much it and the Ford rep said there's basically nothing they can do about it. I would think the only recourse would be to buy the truck, then hit them up after the fact about the dealer charging extra. I can only imagine what a nightmare that would be though and it would be dependent on making extra sure they fill out all the X-Plan paperwork.

I would say the chances of recouping it are almost zero. The thing is the dealership kind of has you stuck because they aren't required to honor X Plan so they know if you're going to argue they can just say they aren't going to honor the X Plan pricing.

I guess you could look at this another way if you really want the truck. I know $600 is a lot of money but if you're financing the truck then it's almost an insignificant increase on a monthly payment. The truck is exactly the truck you ordered and wanted right? If the dealership is not adding any other bogus mandatory added things (mandatory warranties, mandatory appearance packages, etc) then it might not be that awful to pay the doc fee to still purchase the truck at the X Plan pricing but with the extra doc fee.

And I understand it's probably just of the point of it more than the money and I get that, ultimately it's up to you. If it were me I would look at the big picture and probably pay it rather than wait another several months. That would also depend on other factors such as how much do you actually trust this dealership. If you do end up purchasing it just make sure to read the contract very thoroughly to make sure they aren't adding any other bogus fee's or mandatory add ons to price of the truck.

No matter what you decide to do you should leave a very detailed and nice but scathing review on Google, Yelp and even their Facebook page after everything is all set and done.

 

[Darnon]

https://www.fordpartner.com/partnerweb/jsp/howitworks/fordpartner_rules.htm

Dealer does not have to accept x plan, however if they do the doc fee is capped at $100.

It's up to $150 since December, 2023.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Isn't that the whole point of X plan?? No dealer BS, just pay for the vehicle and go home happy.

Does FORD give a rats' a** about this behavior? Despite thier past public relations rhetoric regarding dealers behaving badly, they apparently don't.

Yes, that is the exact point of X Plan, to make everything non negotiable with a small discount.
I do believe that Ford is not happy about dealers pulling stuff like this but there really isn't a lot they can do. In the case of the X Plan, it's always been optional for the dealership to accept it so they have an out. If it was mandatory then Ford would likely have some options if they wanted to punish the dealership.

 

[ABTremor]

One thing to keep in mind is that on an XL model you save more with the $500 farm bureau, veteran or college grad discounts. On an XLT model the X plan savings are pretty close to the same as those programs depending on the options you ordered. The Maverick is not a high margin vehicle for dealers.
The biggest savings is the limit on documentation fees.

If you ordered a truck, sign up for one of those discount programs and bring your certificate with you. If the dealer says they don't participate in X plan - which you probably should verify prior to ordering, which is part of the program rules if I'm not mistaken - use one of the other programs to save a few bucks.

 

[jaybird]

I ordered a new XLT Maverick back in February through Capital Ford of Charlotte. They agreed on doing X-Plan. Five months later, the truck was delivered. I requested the final price to get a check cut which listed a $800 document fee. Then a back and forth email thread ensued as they would not budge. The guy just kept saying that everyone pays the fee (said he even paid the fee using D plan...). I even contacted the support line for X-Plan (who offered to clarify for the dealer) to triple check. The dealer refused (the discussion was with the sales manager) saying they "checked with the owner and corporate lawyers" and then flipped to "we don't have to accept X-Plan at all." (which is true). So, now I'm stuck having wasted 5 months waiting for this truck to come in just to start back over. During this escapade, my dad ordered a Maverick through another dealer that's about 45 minutes from me a month after I did using X-Plan with $150 dealer fee and got the truck a month earlier than my order came in. I'm sure that's in part because of options (he picked up a Lariat).

I ordered a 2022 Maverick Lariat gas and then a 2023 Maverick Lariat Hybrid from Mooresville Ford about 30 minutes up 77 from Capital Ford and they treated me right on both of them. Probably worth your trip.

 

[THagen]

I ordered a new XLT Maverick back in February through Capital Ford of Charlotte. They agreed on doing X-Plan. Five months later, the truck was delivered. I requested the final price to get a check cut which listed a $800 document fee. Then a back and forth email thread ensued as they would not budge. The guy just kept saying that everyone pays the fee (said he even paid the fee using D plan...). I even contacted the support line for X-Plan (who offered to clarify for the dealer) to triple check. The dealer refused (the discussion was with the sales manager) saying they "checked with the owner and corporate lawyers" and then flipped to "we don't have to accept X-Plan at all." (which is true). So, now I'm stuck having wasted 5 months waiting for this truck to come in just to start back over. During this escapade, my dad ordered a Maverick through another dealer that's about 45 minutes from me a month after I did using X-Plan with $150 dealer fee and got the truck a month earlier than my order came in. I'm sure that's in part because of options (he picked up a Lariat).

I have never heard anything good about Capital and would never do business with them again. Got minr at Vic Bailey (now Spartanburg Ford) no markups no hassle.

 

[Oscarcat]

I live in California and doc fees' are low here.



Everyone should do their homework on doc fee's before their Maverick arrives at the dealership.

https://www.capitalone.com/cars/lea...-documentation-fees-and-whats-negotiable/1207

RE: Do homework... YES! When people order or buy off the lot, ask for an ITEMIZED AND PRINTED out-the-door price BEFORE you agree to buy.

If the dealer won't do that or makes excuses then walk away. All this can be done by email before you set foot on the dealer's lot.

You are spending thousands of dollars. Any business that won't tell you in writing what you will be paying for is crap. Be willing to drive to the next village or even to Long McArthur if that is what it takes.

Some people bitch about the "administrative state". This is exhibit A as to how laws come about in the first place.

 

[dogtruck]

Lesson...always listen to your Father.

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