Tips for avoiding dealer shenanigans? Oct production date

[Tremelune]

I called Ford today, and to my surprise my truck has a VIN, Oct 17 production date, and a delivery window of 10/27-11/2. My dealership (Galpin in CA) has shot pretty straight so far, but they haven't had to actually do anything, and I don't believe I have a real contract in place, so I'm preparing for the worst.

Right now I have a "purchase confirmation" for my $500 deposit and a "preview order" which lists all the options and costs, with a final "total" that has my signature on it for some reason.

This is what I'd like to do:

1) Get a purchase agreement with all final numbers in place as a legally-binding document, locking in the price I'll pay the dealer.

2) Pay for the truck, any time before delivery.

3) Do all this online without setting foot in the dealership until it comes time to take delivery.

What do I do when they try to add that TruCoat™ etc?

What do I do if they try to make me come into the dealership for paperwork or just to chat about life?

Sponsored

 

[Tremelune]

Are these dumb questions? Isn't everyone else in this situation when they order as well?

 

[Deleted member 5597]

I would call and talk to the sales manager and ask those questions. I would also have him verify that your build has exactly what you ordered. I had received a build date of 19 Sept. I was super excited and surprised!! That excitement turned out too good to be true. I called the sales manager to make sure the order had everything I chose, and he said he personally removed the Lux pkg and CP off of my order to get it into production for ‘22. I was extremely disappointed and canceled my order. That is not good business, and I will never do business with them ever again!!

 

[MLowe05]

Anyone who passes up the chance to purchase a Maverick at MSRP is crazy, even if it is not exactly what you want.

But yes - these are questions for the dealership. They're not going to let you pay for a car that is not built yet, though.

 

[fordtoughwait]

On my pick-up day, I was ready for a fight! Dealer gave me MSRP, offered the 1.6% finance and did a soft sell on the extended warranty. No shenanigans! Hope your day is the same.

 

[Bubba]

Join mustang club of America. Use xplan pricing.

done.

 

[Tremelune]

Is this a thing? Why would Ford let me pay $100 to save...how much more...? Why would any dealership honor it?

 

[Darnon]

Your dealership might not--plan pricing is optional--especially since you're technically supposed to disclose that at time of ordering.

Joining a Farm Bureau like Illinois for $20 is less hassle for $500 off and only 30 days wait instead of 90 for X-plan with MCA. Probably a bigger discount on an XL than X-plan would be anyways. Although it wouldn't be easily compatible if you were planning on using the Ford Financing rates from 2021.

 

[Finnster]

I called Ford today, and to my surprise my truck has a VIN, Oct 17 production date, and a delivery window of 10/27-11/2. My dealership (Galpin in CA) has shot pretty straight so far, but they haven't had to actually do anything, and I don't believe I have a real contract in place, so I'm preparing for the worst.

Right now I have a "purchase confirmation" for my $500 deposit and a "preview order" which lists all the options and costs, with a final "total" that has my signature on it for some reason.

This is what I'd like to do:

1) Get a purchase agreement with all final numbers in place as a legally-binding document, locking in the price I'll pay the dealer.

2) Pay for the truck, any time before delivery.

3) Do all this online without setting foot in the dealership until it comes time to take delivery.

What do I do when they try to add that TruCoat™ etc?

What do I do if they try to make me come into the dealership for paperwork or just to chat about life?

I currently have a 2023 Maverick pre-order in with a local Internet dealer, so I also don't have a truck yet! Full disclosure.
I have dismissed 3 local dealers because of their inability to answer simple questions about their ordering process. One dealer said "What is this COVP?"
The other two were ridiculously evasive! So I have a few thoughts on this issue.

First of all, You already have a relationship and a "handshake" deal with this dealer! It's too late for you to set the ground rules, and trying to do so will ensure that they screw you!
You need to patiently await delivery of the truck being as nice as you can be to see what your "deal" really is. Then you will need to decide if you will take the deal, rationally bargain for a better deal, or just walk away - letting them know that you will give them a full review on Yellow Pages(YP) and other rating sites! You are simply not in a position of power.

I would do what I have outlined above, but I would also order a 2023 Maverick from a local or close-by Internet Dealer! That way, you will have a back-up Maverick, if necessary.
My local Internet Dealer took my Deposit, Drivers License, and email address over the phone in 15 minutes after answering all my questions on the phone the day before. You must talk to their internet sales person!
Realize that an internet sales manager and possibly even an internet salesperson, has to have all the answers right now in-order to process orders on the spot! They don't have to call anyone for help because they heard all of your questions a hundred times before!
The time to ask all the tough questions is right up front, first thing, before anything else!
Good luck! and let us know how it goes.

 

[Lonnied94]

I currently have a 2023 Maverick pre-order in with a local Internet dealer, so I also don't have a truck yet! Full disclosure.
I have dismissed 3 local dealers because of their inability to answer simple questions about their ordering process. One dealer said "What is this COVP?"
The other two were ridiculously evasive! So I have a few thoughts on this issue.

First of all, You already have a relationship and a "handshake" deal with this dealer! It's too late for you to set the ground rules, and trying to do so will ensure that they screw you!
You need to patiently await delivery of the truck being as nice as you can be to see what your "deal" really is. Then you will need to decide if you will take the deal, rationally bargain for a better deal, or just walk away - letting them know that you will give them a full review on Yellow Pages(YP) and other rating sites! You are simply not in a position of power.

I would do what I have outlined above, but I would also order a 2023 Maverick from a local or close-by Internet Dealer! That way, you will have a back-up Maverick, if necessary.
My local Internet Dealer took my Deposit, Drivers License, and email address over the phone in 15 minutes after answering all my questions on the phone the day before. You must talk to their internet sales person!
Realize that an internet sales manager and possibly even an internet salesperson, has to have all the answers right now in-order to process orders on the spot! They don't have to call anyone for help because they heard all of your questions a hundred times before!
The time to ask all the tough questions is right up front, first thing, before anything else!
Good luck! and let us know how it goes.

What exactly is an internet dealer, and how do I find one near me?

 

[FordDiehard]

Are these dumb questions? Isn't everyone else in this situation when they order as well?

I don't consider these dumb questions at all. This is fairly new territory for many of us.

 

[Finnster]

What exactly is an internet dealer, and how do I find one near me?

An Internet dealer is any dealer, local or from afar, that has an Internet sales division.
To find one, you call each and every Ford dealer in your area and ask if they have an internet sales manager, or if they take internet orders over the phone!
This will cut out any and all Bullcrap that you will likely run into walking into a dealership! And that often includes these same "Internet" Dealers!
Stay out of the dealership! Do it all on the phone! Ask all of your critical questions upfront - If your phone contact is evasive - Keep looking!
Good luck, let us know how it goes!

 

[Timothyd]

I called Ford today, and to my surprise my truck has a VIN, Oct 17 production date, and a delivery window of 10/27-11/2. My dealership (Galpin in CA) has shot pretty straight so far, but they haven't had to actually do anything, and I don't believe I have a real contract in place, so I'm preparing for the worst.

Right now I have a "purchase confirmation" for my $500 deposit and a "preview order" which lists all the options and costs, with a final "total" that has my signature on it for some reason.

This is what I'd like to do:

1) Get a purchase agreement with all final numbers in place as a legally-binding document, locking in the price I'll pay the dealer.

2) Pay for the truck, any time before delivery.

3) Do all this online without setting foot in the dealership until it comes time to take delivery.

What do I do when they try to add that TruCoat™ etc?

What do I do if they try to make me come into the dealership for paperwork or just to chat about life?

For #1, You should have gotten all the details, everything, down and documented at the time of ordering. If you haven't done it yet do it ASAP. Everything. Start a notebook. Thoughts, questions for the dealer, things you learn, etc.
And, you shouldn't be afraid to come into the dealership to chat go over documents, ask questions and learn. I go into the dealership all the time and try and squeeze some information from them.
One thing I have to do is make a checklist of things to look at/for before I accept my XLT.

 

[Bubba]

Your dealership might not--plan pricing is optional--especially since you're technically supposed to disclose that at time of ordering.

Joining a Farm Bureau like Illinois for $20 is less hassle for $500 off and only 30 days wait instead of 90 for X-plan with MCA. Probably a bigger discount on an XL than X-plan would be anyways. Although it wouldn't be easily compatible if you were planning on using the Ford Financing rates from 2021.

You can do both farm bureau and xplan.
And since it takes more than 3 months to get a Maverick, you can join MCA today and still get your discount.

Sponsored