Tips for dealing with a bad dealer?

[IGNIGNXKT]

My dealer has been a royal pain so far. What concerns me is I have a long wait ahead of me, which means months of dealing with this type of behavior. Everything from not telling me they didn't order certain things on my Maverick that I was very clear (through multiple communication) that I wanted, never contacting me back despite promising, telling me items were no longer available for 2023 that ultimately wasn't true, to not adding things to my order despite asking them repeatedly. I've gone through the sales guy, the new car manager, doesn't matter.. same "service" for each. I know they're not getting my money until next year, but holy crap, you'd think with how bad these dealers are supposedly "suffering" they'd at least try to come off like they cared even slightly.

I feel stuck as I obviously can't just order it somewhere else as orders are closed. And what's worse is this is the Ford dealer in my area that actually wanted my business at all! The previous 2 dealers, when I contacted them a couple months ago in regards to ordering a Maverick, never got back to me despite me trying repeatedly (one simply never called me back after promising they would, the other gave me their mobile phone to text him about ordering, and would never answer his texts past the first intro ones back and forth). This was the only place that at first at least seemed like they wanted my business.

I know I'm not alone here as I've read some horror stories. If anyone has an experience and has any advice let me know. I'm stuck with this for the long haul, but at the very least I don't feel like I should have to wait for weeks for a simple reply to a request or question. And frankly, it makes me nervous that they'll provide my truck without any issue (I've read here about people saying the dealers suddenly demanded thousands of dollars in order to get their own order, etc).

Thanks in advance.

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[TonyS]

Given how this dealership has behaved so far, here is my counsel....

If you do not have a build sheet listing the vehicle, options, price and signed off on by the sales manager, you are ultimately going to get screwed on this deal. You might as well forget about the truck you ordered. If it works out, great. But don't expect it to work out. If you really want a Maverick, either plan on waiting until 2024 or go looking online for one for sale at a price (Additional Dealer Markup) that you can stomach.

If you have a build sheet signed off by the manager if/when your truck comes in they are legally obligated to sell it to you at that price. If they try anything otherwise, lawyer up and threaten to sue/sue for breach of contract.

 

[IGNIGNXKT]

I have the order confirmation from Ford, does that count?

 

[TonyS]

I have the order confirmation from Ford, does that count?

No.

The order confirmation from Ford means the dealership did submit your order. But given that so far you have experienced poor service from this dealership, you need something that states this is the truck and this is the price. Otherwise when your truck arrives - whenever that is - the dealership can price it at whatever price they want. Some call it Additional dealer markup. Some call it local market adjustment.

Go to or email your sales person, if need be go in person. Ask for a build sheet listing the price you will be paying for the truck signed off by a/the sales manager. Or you could also ask for something in writing that says you will not be asked to pay more than MSRP. The build sheet is the gold standard. The MSRP could go up before your truck is done.

A lot of dealerships will do the order just as you have done and at the end of the day (or month, year LOL) your truck arrives and you pay what you expect to pay. A lot of dealerships are not so nice and if you have nothing that legally obliges them to sell you that truck at MSRP or an agreed on price they will demand more or they just sell it to someone else if you won't pay what they want.

Given that you have found it difficult to work with this dealer so far, you need something legally binding on price.

If they balk at giving you that legally binding document, then you can cross your fingers and hope for the best. OR you can tell the dealership that if they will not commit to selling you the truck - in writing - at an agreed upon price (MSRP) that you will contact Ford customer service and cancel your order. If you can't get the truck at the price promised then they will not get the truck either. Everybody looses.

 

[IGNIGNXKT]

Got it. Thanks for the help.

 

[Poizon_iv_19]

From my understanding I think you were allowed to switch dealerships when doing the “rollover” process. If you had a ‘22 model, miss production then you have a credit in the ford system regardless of dealer. Not sure your situation but I’d go with Tim Bartz wether I had to drive 20 hours to pick up a truck or not. Anyways, other advice is to record EVERYTHING. They will probably try to call you a liar at some point (likely several) and if you have them recorded promising you things then it is actually binding in a way. Your buyers agreement is only preliminary. News stations love this kind of story so definitely look into that. Turn a problem into an opportunity keep other good folks in your community from also getting screwed by this dealership.

 

[Poizon_iv_19]

No.

The order confirmation from Ford means the dealership did submit your order. But given that so far you have experienced poor service from this dealership, you need something that states this is the truck and this is the price. Otherwise when your truck arrives - whenever that is - the dealership can price it at whatever price they want. Some call it Additional dealer markup. Some call it local market adjustment.

Go to or email your sales person, if need be go in person. Ask for a build sheet listing the price you will be paying for the truck signed off by a/the sales manager. Or you could also ask for something in writing that says you will not be asked to pay more than MSRP. The build sheet is the gold standard. The MSRP could go up before your truck is done.

A lot of dealerships will do the order just as you have done and at the end of the day (or month, year LOL) your truck arrives and you pay what you expect to pay. A lot of dealerships are not so nice and if you have nothing that legally obliges them to sell you that truck at MSRP or an agreed on price they will demand more or they just sell it to someone else if you won't pay what they want.

Given that you have found it difficult to work with this dealer so far, you need something legally binding on price.

If they balk at giving you that legally binding document, then you can cross your fingers and hope for the best. OR you can tell the dealership that if they will not commit to selling you the truck - in writing - at an agreed upon price (MSRP) that you will contact Ford customer service and cancel your order. If you can't get the truck at the price promised then they will not get the truck either. Everybody looses.

Sadly the build and price sheet will show the “current MSRP” when they print you a new one on pick up day. They had several price increases throughout the year so it went up each time. Ford promised to price protect the orders made before the Increases published but dealerships are playing dumb. Yes, ford will still send that dealership A check in the mail reimbursement for the price increase, and NO you will never see that money ever again. Such a dirty trick for a few measly thousand dollars on the grand scheme of things of car dealerships. Whatever. Record, record, record. I can’t wait to record my hybrid buy next month because I honestly feel like this dealership has been night and day so far from my last one. I want to show them off.

 

[gte105u]

The build sheet does not lock in price. It outlines what they are building and establishes MSRP. I would still push to get one. This is a standardized form from Ford the dealer prints with your order numbersl, their sales number, and all the order options. This is what you should be using to confirm that they have ordered the options you want. The order and sales numbers are what you can use to touch base with Ford direct until your VIN is created.

To establish a price with your dealer, it's a bit less concrete. There is nothing requiring your dealer to provide a sales agreement or similar with OTD pricing. You can try, and I did get one signed by the sales manager, but if they don't want to they won't.

 

[Ferdinand]

My 2 cents to your situation:

1. Check if you have a build sheet for your Maverick from the day you ordered it in 2022.
The prices on this build sheet are Ford protected, despite the fact that there have been several
price increases. If you are rolled over to 2023, you should get a private price offer from Ford,
which protect you, at least partially, from price increases.
2. Go into the Ford Chat and ask them for a status of your order (you will find the order number
on your build sheet). The Chat will conform if you have a VIN number or not.
3. If you do not have a VIN number at this date, your Maverick should have been rolled over to
2023, as long as your dealer has summited a new order. Ford Chat con confirm this.
4. With this information on hand, go to your dealer in person, and ask him for an update on your
order. Let him print out an updated build sheet. Don't do it over the phone., Go in person, and
ask for an updated print out of your build sheet.
5. If you are rolled over to 23, ask the dealer to confirm this roll over, as you where supposed to
sign the new order during the October week the order bank was open.
6. Your dealer might be a great dealer, and they just have a communication problem. Give them
a chance to sit down with you in person and talk to them, Post the results on this Forum and
many people can comment, as we all have been going trough this process withy different
experiences.

I have been waiting for my Mav for 15 month (since July.17.2021), and should be receiving it next month. I also ordered a second one, which I might receive next year. Same great dealer in central Florida.

Br patient and give your dealer a chance.
They need your business..
Have fun.

 

[unlimited]

Exactly what the others have said. Get the build sheet and then contact Ford to confirm and then wait and don't be surprised if it's a year or more before you actually get picked to be built. The dealership won't know any more than you can find out yourself through Ford Chat.

 

[martyi48]

I ordered in June 2021, a Lariat hybrid. Ford encouraged everyone to order via their website back then and they would send the order to a local dealer unless you specified one. Everything was done by internet due to Covid at the time. My dealer even advertised they would bring the vehicle to your home. All the price negotiations were done on line. I was sent the order form listing all prices, fees, taxes - everything but it was not signed by anyone. All three people I worked with from the salesman to the finance manager to the General Sales Manager have since left.

I am now working with a new Sales Manager and doubt he will honor the previous agreement, especially since it was not signed. The truck is supposed to be in this Friday (after numerous delays and push backs). We'll see what happens.

I bought an expensive Mercedes Benz once through the internet manager. I ordered what I wanted, gave him the price I was willing to pay and he had the exact vehicle shipped to his dealership from the factory. I never signed anything and the first time I ever saw the salesman and the dealership was the day I went to pick up the car. Boy, how things change!

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