Ordered Maverick, dealer added on $2.5K of features. What should I do?

[Dun4791]

Thanks for your OPINION. Don't know what was so funny about my post. When you speak with Ford about any issue you're having with a dealer, they will create a case about it. You don't think Ford cares about customer experience when they walk into a Ford dealership? They recognize, like every other auto maker, that most people don't see dealerships as privately owned companies but see them as a reflection of the brand. I believe that if enough people complain about the same issue Ford will be inclined to do something about it to keep their brand reputation from being too tarnished from this. If you disagree because apparently you have such vastly greater knowledge than the rest of us, great, everyone is free to have their opinions.

Actions speak louder than words, and fords actions show they don’t care.

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[jbpoole]

Actions speak louder than words, and fords actions show they don’t care.

This is my understanding of FoMoCo regarding their franchisees:

1. For the most part, Ford does not regulate or police their franchisees.
2. The Ford executives, board and stockholders are happy with the status quo.
3. I am unaware of Ford intervening on the behalf of any MTC member.
4. Ford (all) dealers have been slimy for decades. It's their business model.
5. Yes, Ford creates "cases" based on complaints. Then what? Seemingly nothing.

Ford is not hurting. They are producing a fraction of what they could sell.

It ain't broke and they ain't fixin' it.

 

[Sivart]

I would go in assuming you'll walk away without making a deal. But first I would negotiate negotiate negotiate until their heads explode. Piss them off negotiating. Then if you're able to negotiate anything close to a deal you can live with, buy it. If not walk away. Good luck!

 

[Champ]

Let's see all of the actual paperwork presented to you by Ford and the dealer throughout the ordering and tracking process that we all on this forum know so well! Who would ever accept this extortion bull? This looks like a made up story as it is so full of "buyer" missteps. Hard to believe anyone would even consider accepting it! But I do have a bridge for sale!

 

[tmac1945]

So I ordered a Maverick XL in January and it just came in. I got the base model upgraded with the gas engine, a tow hitch, and tail gate lock which made the truck about $22K. Dealer told me that their markup was $3995 due to the high demand and limited supply of this truck. This wasn't going to be open to negotiation. I knew the market situation is what it is but I was really looking forward to this truck so I said ok and signed the order form. No down payments, just the price of $26K and it also said "*plus taxes and fees".

Well the truck came in, I test drove it, and there was $2,500 in additional costs. totaling over $28,000 WTF?!
$400 for VIN etching on the window
$500 for cleaning fee (covid related)
$1500 for ceramic coating.

I am pissed now because I didn't order or want any of that. I thought taxes and fees were sales taxes and registration fees, not add-ons. A ceramic coating isn't even a fee like a cleaning fee, it is a product! The salesman's boss said he could take $500 off the ceramic coating but I told him I didn't want to pay for a ceramic coating at all and even said I was willing to pay for the cleaning and VIN etching. I said I would come back Monday (tomorrow) so the wife could see the truck but basically I have to decide by tomorrow. I want the truck because I am tired of throwing 2 sheets of plywood and logs on my SUV roof but our current cars work fine and we aren't in need of a new car. What do you guys think I should do?

1. Pay the price
2. Demand they take off the dealer add-on costs and threaten to contact the BBB and leave negative Yelp reviews if they don't comply? (The have a wait list and know they can get full asking price so the only real bargaining weight I have is bad press)
3. Buy the truck and try to turn around and sell it for a small profit
4. Walk away, wait an additional 6+ months to order a new one and specify no dealer add ons. (dealer mark up may be higher in future depending on demand/supply, they were talking about increasing markup by another $2K)

At a minimum, lodge a complaint with the BBB.

 

[JASmith]

Sorry to hear. I'd walk away. Check the durability of that coating with a key on your way out

Yeah, and its not ceramic at all. They'll use a $10 "ceramic" quick detailer spray after washing, or even easier just wash it with the Meguires wash that has "ceramic wax" and call that ceramic coating. There's no real legal definition of what "ceramic" is, so might as well go the cheapest route.

 

[NJ Pinelands]

So I ordered a Maverick XL in January and it just came in. I got the base model upgraded with the gas engine, a tow hitch, and tail gate lock which made the truck about $22K. Dealer told me that their markup was $3995 due to the high demand and limited supply of this truck. This wasn't going to be open to negotiation. I knew the market situation is what it is but I was really looking forward to this truck so I said ok and signed the order form. No down payments, just the price of $26K and it also said "*plus taxes and fees".

Well the truck came in, I test drove it, and there was $2,500 in additional costs. totaling over $28,000 WTF?!
$400 for VIN etching on the window
$500 for cleaning fee (covid related)
$1500 for ceramic coating.

I am pissed now because I didn't order or want any of that. I thought taxes and fees were sales taxes and registration fees, not add-ons. A ceramic coating isn't even a fee like a cleaning fee, it is a product! The salesman's boss said he could take $500 off the ceramic coating but I told him I didn't want to pay for a ceramic coating at all and even said I was willing to pay for the cleaning and VIN etching. I said I would come back Monday (tomorrow) so the wife could see the truck but basically I have to decide by tomorrow. I want the truck because I am tired of throwing 2 sheets of plywood and logs on my SUV roof but our current cars work fine and we aren't in need of a new car. What do you guys think I should do?

1. Pay the price
2. Demand they take off the dealer add-on costs and threaten to contact the BBB and leave negative Yelp reviews if they don't comply? (The have a wait list and know they can get full asking price so the only real bargaining weight I have is bad press)
3. Buy the truck and try to turn around and sell it for a small profit
4. Walk away, wait an additional 6+ months to order a new one and specify no dealer add ons. (dealer mark up may be higher in future depending on demand/supply, they were talking about increasing markup by another $2K)

If you decide to buy it, insist they take every rebate you can find and are eligible for and tell them you want them stacked—Veterans, Farm Bureau, First Responders, X Plan, New grads, etc.

 

[KenJ45]

Actions speak louder than words, and fords actions show they don’t care.

And it's likely due to the majority of people having this opinion and doing nothing that perpetuates this. I mean, it literally costs nothing to contact someone. But if that's really just too much back-breaking work for everyone then hey, I get it, typing on a keyboard is just so tedious.

 

[NJ Pinelands]

Almost every town of more than 5,000 people now has a weekly community paper. Contact them and get one of the writers to accompany you to the dealer. Many of the writers of these newspapers are just out of college or Moms who write while their kids are at school. They are often very easy to get in touch with.

 

[Chicago Mike]

This is my understanding of FoMoCo regarding their franchisees:

1. For the most part, Ford does not regulate or police their franchisees.
2. The Ford executives, board and stockholders are happy with the status quo.
3. I am unaware of Ford intervening on the behalf of any MTC member.
4. Ford (all) dealers have been slimy for decades. It's their business model.
5. Yes, Ford creates "cases" based on complaints. Then what? Seemingly nothing.

Ford in not hurting. They are producing a fraction of what they could sell.

It ain't broke and they ain't fixin' it.

Reference #3 above, I reached out to various Ford Leadership contacts that I found online and they did respond to my issue and the District Manager contacted me and my dealer and I ended up getting the BS 3rd party extended warranty refunded. So if you find the right POC's and have a legitimate argument there can be a resolution.

 

[HowzitSD]

At the bottom it said "*plus taxes and fees". This was never laid out specifically.

It isn't a markup I am pissed about it was dealer add-ons which are additional things dealers add on which are not Ford factory options. So the ford factory didn't add ceramic coating, the dealer themselves had it added at the dealership. The salesman told me the features are standard on all the cars on their lots. He also said all the dealerships do that.

I see you live in Kailua, thats where I am currently dealing with so be forewarned.

“Aloha Tax”

When I called windward ford, the guy told me the same thing about the 3995 markup. I know you’re not upset about it but it concerned me right off the bat. I’m assuming you’re talking about the same one right next to EasyQue?

I would still try to negotiate but be prepared to walk away.

 

[Champ]

Almost every town of more than 5,000 people now has a weekly community paper. Contact them and get one of the writers to accompany you to the dealer. Many of the writers of these newspapers are just out of college or Moms who write while their kids are at school. They are often very easy to get in touch with.

Ha ha, just see who the advertisers are before you bother with the 'free' press!

 

[NJ Pinelands]

Bring your cell phone with you, tell them you are recording the entire conversation, and post it here, on YouTube,Yelp,send to Ford execs, etc.

 

[NJ Pinelands]

Ha ha, just see who the advertisers are before you bother with the 'free' press!

If it is like around here, it is a bunch of small businesses, not car dealerships.

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