Can someone please explain Employee Pricing for All

[TheHappyHooker]

Hi. I'm new to MTC, so thanks for having me. I currently drive a 2008 Subaru Outback with 234K miles on it. She's my 3rd Subie, and they've all been good workhorses. My last (2001 Forester) was at 422K when the transmission tore apart. She was at my independent Subie mechanic waiting on a rebuilt tranny when vandals chopped the cats out of 15 cars, mine included.
At 18 years old, my current Subie's beginning to need some very expensive work done, like a new rack, new cat, rear main seal... and I've been wanting a small pickup now that I've retired.

I've decided that a Maverick Lariat Hybrid is where I'm headed. (It will be the first new vehicle I've bought since 1994) I plan to order, since the only options I want are the 4K Tow and (maybe) Azure Grey Metallic Tri-coat. Trouble is, my local dealer keeps shifting the prices on me.

So, my questions: How is Employee Pricing for All (A/Z) plan calculated? Is it a % off Dealer Invoice (I've heard 4% and 5%), or is it this formula that I found on a dealer website in Ohio: A/Z-Plan Pricing: Dealer Invoice – Holdback (2-3% of invoice) – Advertising Fee (~$700-1,000) + $275 Program Fee. Example for F-150 XL (Invoice ~$35,375, Holdback $1,074, Ad Fee $716): $35,375 – $1,074 – $716 + $275 = $33,860. (Plus destination fee ~$1,595, taxes, etc.) And, is there a cap of $150 on doc fees, as I found in another thread?

Since I'm looking to pull trigger before the promo ends, any help is greatly appreciated. FYI, I live in the foothills of WNC, so I can easily check dealers in both SC and NC.
Cheers!

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[prsncat]

This is an excellent question for Tim Bartz at Long McArthur Ford in Salina, Kansas, to answer via a YouTube short video and maybe a reply here as well (@fordvideoguy).

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Here's an example of one of my invoices, since I am eligible for true Employee Pricing, thanks to a family member. At the bottom of the Dealers invoice, there is a value called A & Z-Plan, this is the Employee price. I do not see non-Plan members being eligible for the Doc fee cap.

The MSRP (Window Sticker) including Dest was $40050.

If the dealer won't show you this invoice, walk away.

HRG

 

[scharris99]

It's marketing BS. They are showing a discount off MSRP, but not cutting any of the pure overhead markup crap that they allow dealerships to tack on. You still have to find a dealer who will provide the best out the door price. It sets a fixed starting point better than MSRP, but that's all. True "plan" pricing either limits or completely removes the overhead BS depending on the plan.

 

[TheHappyHooker]

Thank you, Terry! Until about 5 minutes ago I was planning to order, but found a hybrid Lariat about 70 miles away with just the 4K tow package. Not the color I wanted, but I'm talking to the dealer now to get a OTD price from him.
I have an 18 yo Subaru. Needs work. But, considering SCHarris99's comments, I'm wondering now if I should hold and wait for end of year?

 

[SVTRIDE]

I plan to order, since the only options I want are the 4K Tow and (maybe) Azure Grey Metallic Tri-coat. Trouble is, my local dealer keeps shifting the prices on me.

Since Ford is offering “employee pricing” for all…that means you’ll get “A” plan pricing…this is what employees get [details of A Plan specifics are readily avail online]…AND since you plan to special order a truck the dealer will enter your order into Ford order system…next day or so the Dealer will receive a DORA document that they should share with you (the order can be canceled if you don’t like the pricing or whatever)…on it, the specific cost are itemized and the A-Plan price is clearly listed at bottom. That’s what you’ll pay for vehicle & destination..add to that doc fee (Ford limits doc fee), sales tax, tags and title fees.
I live in the Detroit area and a lot of employee sales happen so dealers know the routine and rarely play $ games on Plan sales. I have relatives in NC that their dealers have played around with what they want to charge when they used A/Z, X plan purchases as I suspect they play on peoples ignorance. It is a very clean cut process, don’t let sales person mess with you. If your dealer refuses to show you DORA pricing, challenge management or go to a different dealer. I’ve done special orders dozens of times and most orders took place via email with my salesperson. He’d email me the DORA.
attached example from my special order ’24 Maverick DORA.
Yes the DORA does claim $ can change but in my years of experience, $ have never deviated at delivery…matter of fact, my Maverick actually came in cheaper than stated even after waiting 8 month for build.

 

[TheHappyHooker]

This is an excellent question for Tim Bartz at Long McArthur Ford in Salina, Kansas, to answer via a YouTube short video and maybe a reply here as well (@fordvideoguy).

Thanks!

 

[TheHappyHooker]

Since Ford is offering “employee pricing” for all…that means you’ll get “A” plan pricing…this is what employees get [details of A Plan specifics are readily avail online]…AND since you plan to special order a truck the dealer will enter your order into Ford order system…next day or so the Dealer will receive a DORA document that they should share with you (the order can be canceled if you don’t like the pricing or whatever)…on it, the specific cost are itemized and the A-Plan price is clearly listed at bottom. That’s what you’ll pay for vehicle & destination..add to that doc fee (Ford limits doc fee), sales tax, tags and title fees.
I live in the Detroit area and a lot of employee sales happen so dealers know the routine and rarely play $ games on Plan sales. I have relatives in NC that their dealers have played around with what they want to charge when they used A/Z, X plan purchases as I suspect they play on peoples ignorance. It is a very clean cut process, don’t let sales person mess with you. If your dealer refuses to show you DORA pricing, challenge management or go to a different dealer. I’ve done special orders dozens of times and most orders took place via email with my salesperson. He’d email me the DORA.
attached example from my special order ’24 Maverick DORA.
Yes the DORA does claim $ can change but in my years of experience, $ have never deviated at delivery…matter of fact, my Maverick actually came in cheaper than stated even after waiting 8 month for build.

Thanks! I haven't placed the order yet. This is what they gave me, telling me it came from Ford. It does not include the $500 doc fee and taxes. When I mentioned the $150 limit on doc fees for A plan, I was politely told that was "not the case here". So, it's an extra $1700 I have to pay for sales tax and doc fees. Maybe a plus the dealer is including a lifetime power train warranty at "no charge".

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Thanks! I haven't placed the order yet. This is what they gave me, telling me it came from Ford. It does not include the $500 doc fee and taxes. When I mentioned the $150 limit on doc fees for A plan, I was politely told that was "not the case here". So, it's an extra $1700 I have to pay for sales tax and doc fees. Maybe a plus the dealer is including a lifetime power train warranty at "no charge".

That's the DORA that's created when vehicle is ordered. If they have the one you want on the lot, there should be an actual dealer invoice.

HRG

 

[tpollauf]

So, my questions: How is Employee Pricing for All (A/Z) plan calculated? Is it a % off Dealer Invoice (I've heard 4% and 5%), or is it this formula that I found on a dealer website in Ohio: A/Z-Plan Pricing: Dealer Invoice – Holdback (2-3% of invoice) – Advertising Fee (~$700-1,000) + $275 Program Fee. Example for F-150 XL (Invoice ~$35,375, Holdback $1,074, Ad Fee $716): $35,375 – $1,074 – $716 + $275 = $33,860. (Plus destination fee ~$1,595, taxes, etc.) And, is there a cap of $150 on doc fees, as I found in another thread?

HH'er .... welcome to this great site. We have a bait shop in my area named after your user name!

Anyways I see you referenced Ohio (old info by the way) so I'll give you a good recent (one month old) example with real numbers for the similar ride you'll hopefully be getting.

Factory MSRP: 2026 Lariat $44165 which includes the Destination & delivery of $1845 plus (Options: Orange Fury Metallic $495 +Blackout package $1645 + Moonroof $995 + 4k tow $745 + rear slider $350 ... was free in 2025!)

All of that is then reduced by exactly 5.5% down to the sale price of $4173.60

Then Ohio taxes at 7.75% = $3238, then the ugly "add ons" ...... Doc fee $398 maximum by law. This amount went up specifically for the employee pricing duration only but likely will not come down. Registration, E-title, paper title, adds another $98. Total out the door price where you drive off the lot with the vehicle = $45461 ... Ouch! It's exactly what my son wanted so we drove down to Columbus to pick it up. Cut a check on site and it was his free & clear! Drove it home.

Hope this helps a bit in the pricing structure.

 

[SVTRIDE]

Thanks! I haven't placed the order yet. This is what they gave me, telling me it came from Ford. It does not include the $500 doc fee and taxes. When I mentioned the $150 limit on doc fees for A plan, I was politely told that was "not the case here". So, it's an extra $1700 I have to pay for sales tax and doc fees. Maybe a plus the dealer is including a lifetime power train warranty at "no charge".

That is the DORA for your prospective truck before ordering. The A/Z plan price is what you’ll pay. Taxes, if any, are additive, always have been. That's not dealer driven. Tags and Title are also additive...
Seems A-Plan doc fees are capped at $275...https://mullinaxford.com/ford-a-x-z-d-plan-pricing-eligibility-details. My dealer charged me $75 doc fee.
Ford specially calls out doc fee cap in their A-Plan rules, have dealership show you otherwise. You can always shop other dealers if you feel they’re playing you. Comparison shop.

 

[DinoLord]

That is the DORA for your prospective truck before ordering. The A/Z plan price is what you’ll pay. Taxes, if any, are additive, always have been. That's not dealer driven. Tags and Title are also additive...
Seems A-Plan doc fees are capped at $275...https://mullinaxford.com/ford-a-x-z-d-plan-pricing-eligibility-details. My dealer charged me $75 doc fee.
Ford specially calls out doc fee cap in their A-Plan rules, have dealership show you otherwise. You can always shop other dealers if you feel they’re playing you. Comparison shop.

Doc fee isn't capped for the general public. This is "a-plan pricing", not *actually* A-plan usage.

 

[DinoLord]

Thanks! I haven't placed the order yet. This is what they gave me, telling me it came from Ford. It does not include the $500 doc fee and taxes. When I mentioned the $150 limit on doc fees for A plan, I was politely told that was "not the case here". So, it's an extra $1700 I have to pay for sales tax and doc fees. Maybe a plus the dealer is including a lifetime power train warranty at "no charge".

Doc fee is what it is at each dealer.
Feel free to shop around for a lower one or just ask for a discount. Worst they can say is no.
Taxes and any other gov't fee relevant to your location is just a fact of life.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

That is the DORA for your prospective truck before ordering. The A/Z plan price is what you’ll pay. Taxes, if any, are additive, always have been. That's not dealer driven. Tags and Title are also additive...
Seems A-Plan doc fees are capped at $275...https://mullinaxford.com/ford-a-x-z-d-plan-pricing-eligibility-details. My dealer charged me $75 doc fee.
Ford specially calls out doc fee cap in their A-Plan rules, have dealership show you otherwise. You can always shop other dealers if you feel they’re playing you. Comparison shop.

The $275 refers to an Administration fee (now $375 for 2026), not the Doc fee for A/Z-Plan purchases that is capped at $150.

HRG

From the March 2026 Plan rules document;

 

[SVTRIDE]

I hadn’t seen recent Plan rule updates/limits…thanks for confirmation.
I just associated “employee pricing” as synonymies with "A-Plan". Figures Ford Marketing would mislead.

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