Ferman Ford Clearwater - Bait and Switch - My Complaint to Ford

[YOBY]

I think I'd have to have a gun to my head to even consider paying a rip-off price increase of even 25%. Good luck on getting it sorted out...

You would be wasting a bullet on the wrong head.

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[asel3121]

Just had a great experience with the scumbags at Ferman Ford in CLearwater. The following is the complaint letter I sent to Ford - I was pretty damn mad - I plan on lodging a complaint to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles just to be a pita to them - This is my Greenlady story hahaha. Thought yall might find it interesting. Wondering when Ford will switch to a direct to consumer pricing to end all this crap. Just to be clear, I wasnt upset at the additional ADM of 5K - I was upset at the end they tried to add ANOTHER 5K - half the MSRP of the vehicle in "Market Adjustments" .

Hello Ms Ford,

Usually I just let things go and not complain, however when conduct of a business becomes "bait and switch" and pretty much fraud I felt the need to notify someone at Ford corporate.

Last August I ordered a Maverick from my local Ford dealer - Ford of Franklin. I am needing a service truck for my business. I was told by my salesman that yes, it will arrive in November or December. A few months later I got a call - uh yeah it's delayed now it's going to be February or March. I still haven't received a build date and scheduling is going on for May build - I'm honestly not sure if Ill even get a truck this year. With that in mind I searched dealer sites to see if any had a Maverick for sale. This is how I came into contact with Ferman Ford of Clearwater.

Ferman Had an XL Hybrid in white listed on their site for 26,900. I realized they had added 5000 dealer mark up and due to my need I was OK with that- After what Jim Farley said about Dealers and unreasonable markups I thought it was sad but like I said, I need a truck. I emailed the dealership asking about availability and was answered by a pleasant person named Heather and after a few text messages she did indeed confirm the truck was on the way, was available and that she would forward my info to the sales manager - Awesome ! Next I received a call from John McVey, one of their salesmen. He was a very nice guy - he told me the truck is on the way and as soon as it hit the lot he would call me and send the paperwork for purchase and I would be the first one it was offered to. Great ! Fast forward to today ( Saturday 3/12/22 ) I get a phone call from the sales manager - hey the truck will be coming in soon we can go ahead and finalize the paperwork if you want to buy it !! I said Awesome !!! Send it on over Ill pay half down and finance the rest. He said great I then asked if it will be Ford Motor Credit ( My credit is somewhere in the 820's ) I said I saw they had some pretty good rates on the Maverick and he told me uhh yeah we don't go thru them usually we get better rates with a local bank ( First lie ) . Ok great - Id cross that bridge when I came to it anyway ....
Imagine my surprise when I received a proposal for the truck I had inquired about including a vin number for 10,0000 OVER MSRP. I called him back and said hey that's not the price you had on your website !! First Uh yeah we cant keep those trucks off the website until they are delivered .... I asked then why isnt is just listed as MSRP if it is a customer order - not 5K over ? He then started the heavy lying- he said uhhh yeah the truck you mentioned was already sold - ( how indeed did he a few minutes earlier send me a proposal to sign for that truck then right ? ) He then goes on to tell me uhh the truck we can sell you is a Silver XL base model. I said uh huh he said now we buy these trucks from other dealerships and it cost us 10,000 to get it so we cant offer any discounts off that. As I strongly disagreed with him and said how in the world could you charge 10K over on a 20K truck. He informed me that if I knew about how business worked I would know they made money on their financing not the sale of the trucks. I said this is dishonest and he said well take it or leave it.

I then complained to Jason Bray the general sales manager - he also said yeah we pay 10K over for these trucks. He then backed up the story that the white truck - the one I had gotten a proposal to sign on a few minutes earlier .... was sold " And " sorry about the confusion. I then said well there's no confusion on my part - I called on a truck advertised on your website with a vin , your folks told me it was available, your folks called and said it was in, you sent me a proposal to buy it and when I pointed out it wasn't the price AS ADVERTISED - you then said uhhh the truck is sold. Scam artists.

So Ms Ford thats my story. I'm disappointed in many aspects - first I still havent even gotten a build date for my Lariat - however I can understand that as far as supply chain, chips - I get it. Hopefully I may get a build date soon. What is more troubling is that there are Ford dealers that are actually committing FRAUD - advertising trucks not only for 5000 over MSRP but at the last moment adding ANOTHER 5000.00 to the price and if you compain its somewhat like the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld - No Maverick For You .... ( sorry that just popped in my head lol ) I am exploring who else to complain to about this particular dealership and their bait and switch tactics - I felt someone at Ford Corporate might also address their dishonesty as well.

I have included with this email documentation of my dealings including the advertisement on their website and the proposal today for the Maverick XL Vin # 3FTTW8E33NRA18268 I have more documentation of my conversations if needed.

Thanks so much for your time.

David W Sutton

Florida Ford dealers are the biggest scumbags. I still haven't seen a single Maverick anywhere on the road in South Florida yet I'm seeing more and more Santa Cruzes. I ordered my Maverick in July, never got a build date, dealer stopped taking my calls/texts/emails, and this was a guy who came highly recommended from a trusted relative. I'm guessing the scumbag figured he could get a much better price out of someone else who hadn't already locked in a price. I still love the look of the Maverick and wish my order had worked out, but I'm guessing I dodged a major bullet. They've lost me as a customer forever (have had issues with them before) unless they miraculously transition to direct-to-consumer pricing.

 

[Redneck Garage]

Unless I'm missing it, it looks like they've removed your review already. Only seeing 5 star reviews as of the past week. What a surprise.

Dave

Still seeing it - sort by lowest and see

 

[Mike D.]

I would have a similar action and response if it comes to any markup for my special order Maverick. Thanks for letting people know what to look for. We have news teams up here in Michigan that will "shine a light" on businesses that tend to show bad ethics. Good luck, shouldn't happen like this.

 

[uh50]

Here's my motto - LOL

I want them to say down there in Old Clearwater - what the ^&@& has that idiot in Tennessee done now ?????????

I'm not sure the goal be for revenge. Yes, anger makes us want to get revenge, but the longer goal is for enough adverse attention to be placed on the dealership that Ford Corporate exercises their dealer franchise muscles to stop fraudulent practices.

It might seem that such complaints, and as I suggested an ad in the local paper outlining fraudulent and ripoff practices, are revenge for a wrong done. In fact, we should be hoping that the next guy will get treated properly. I noticed that the Ferman Ford General Manager was active on their Google review website. This is good news as he seemed like he wanted to solve issues posted there. Adverse attention affects his job directly, so he should be compelled to pay attention to the complaint to resolution. Hopefully that is the goal.

 

[Redneck Garage]

I'm not sure the goal be for revenge. Yes, anger makes us want to get revenge, but the longer goal is for enough adverse attention to be placed on the dealership that Ford Corporate exercises their dealer franchise muscles to stop fraudulent practices.

It might seem that such complaints, and as I suggested an ad in the local paper outlining fraudulent and ripoff practices, are revenge for a wrong done. In fact, we should be hoping that the next guy will get treated properly. I noticed that the Ferman Ford General Manager was active on their Google review website. This is good news as he seemed like he wanted to solve issues posted there. Adverse attention affects his job directly, so he should be compelled to pay attention to the complaint to resolution. Hopefully that is the goal.

Id agree 100% about Ford corporate "flexing its muscles" just like Jim Farley said ........ HOWEVER - the threat of " dealers loosing allocations" is like him saying we are going to sprinkle those dealers with fairy dust - When I complained to @Ford on Twitter I received this response from Will A.

" Hello, David. Thank you for taking the time to send us a message. My name is Will and I'm a Social Media Specialist for Ford. Ford shares recommended pricing for all vehicles with dealers and customers. Ultimately, customers and dealers will agree to the final pricing. As each Ford dealership is independently owned and managed, we are unable to intervene with the situation. "
So ........ the big headlines -

Ford’s CEO Isn’t Happy With Dealer Markups
Thankfully, however, there’s one automotive industry executive who isn’t a fan of dealer markups, and that would be Ford CEO, Jim Farley. During a recent interview with Fox Business, the Ford CEO reaffirmed his commitment to eliminating "unreasonable markups" that some dealers have been charging to its customers.

This is nothing more than a PR stunt - no dealers will loose ANYTHING. Which IS sad. As far as the "revenge" sign that is more of a joke. Im more about showing Ferman Ford some people get pissed when you try and take advantage of them. Just today someone there had to answer my BBB complaint AND The State of Florida called and said they had officially opened my complaint.

All Scumbag Ferman Ford has to do really, is ADVERTISE what price they are actually asking then I really dont have a complaint. Would they get fewer phone calls if they list an XL for 40K - Ill bet they would.

 

[DavesMav]

Still seeing it - sort by lowest and see

It's not there. No matter how I sort, there's no review from a David in the last month even. I bet it's been deleted or I'd be happy to thumbs it up for you. You might try clearing your cache and loading their reviews again, but I'm positive yours is not there anymore.

Dave

 

[Redneck Garage]

It's not there. No matter how I sort, there's no review from a David in the last month even. I bet it's been deleted or I'd be happy to thumbs it up for you. You might try clearing your cache and loading their reviews again, but I'm positive yours is not there anymore.

Dave

Wow Ill clear and look again

I cleared everything and it show up there - possibly becuse Im logged into Google ?

https://www.google.com/search?q=fer...8#lrd=0x88c2ee1b933dc707:0x6d43c3e1202972b4,1,,,

 

[jbpoole]

I'm not sure the goal be for revenge. Yes, anger makes us want to get revenge, but the longer goal is for enough adverse attention to be placed on the dealership that Ford Corporate exercises their dealer franchise muscles to stop fraudulent practices.

It might seem that such complaints, and as I suggested an ad in the local paper outlining fraudulent and ripoff practices, are revenge for a wrong done. In fact, we should be hoping that the next guy will get treated properly. I noticed that the Ferman Ford General Manager was active on their Google review website. This is good news as he seemed like he wanted to solve issues posted there. Adverse attention affects his job directly, so he should be compelled to pay attention to the complaint to resolution. Hopefully that is the goal.

As much as I would like to think otherwise, FoMoCo will do absolutely nothing to protect customers from unethical dealers. Why should they? They will sell every vehicle they make and the Ford execs, employees and stockholders are happy. Nothing else matters.

Maybe some severe adverse action by a government agency would get their attention. Or perhaps if mainstream media latched on to the slimy dealership part of the industry, the backlash could be cause for some FoMoCo intervention.

Otherwise, it's business as usual.

 

[uh50]

Id agree 100% about Ford corporate "flexing its muscles" just like Jim Farley said ........ HOWEVER - the threat of " dealers loosing allocations" is like him saying we are going to sprinkle those dealers with fairy dust - When I complained to @Ford on Twitter I received this response from Will A.

" Hello, David. Thank you for taking the time to send us a message. My name is Will and I'm a Social Media Specialist for Ford. Ford shares recommended pricing for all vehicles with dealers and customers. Ultimately, customers and dealers will agree to the final pricing. As each Ford dealership is independently owned and managed, we are unable to intervene with the situation. "
So ........ the big headlines -

Ford’s CEO Isn’t Happy With Dealer Markups
Thankfully, however, there’s one automotive industry executive who isn’t a fan of dealer markups, and that would be Ford CEO, Jim Farley. During a recent interview with Fox Business, the Ford CEO reaffirmed his commitment to eliminating "unreasonable markups" that some dealers have been charging to its customers.

This is nothing more than a PR stunt - no dealers will loose ANYTHING. Which IS sad. As far as the "revenge" sign that is more of a joke. Im more about showing Ferman Ford some people get pissed when you try and take advantage of them. Just today someone there had to answer my BBB complaint AND The State of Florida called and said they had officially opened my complaint.

All Scumbag Ferman Ford has to do really, is ADVERTISE what price they are actually asking then I really dont have a complaint. Would they get fewer phone calls if they list an XL for 40K - Ill bet they would.

Very well said, I too took the revenge sign as a joke. But given what I do now-a-days with my time, I couldn't resist my post. It's never mean't as personal, just informational—if that.

I noticed a headline on Automotive News that is interesting:

Ford council backs withholding allocation over price markups
Council chairman Tim Hovik said the automaker is right to do so, but it must also ensure that dealers can make a fair profit.


March 14, 2022 12:00 AM
MICHAEL MARTINEZ

However, I could not read the article since I don't subscribe to the news site. None-the-less, I find it interesting while Will A. could not do anything about the situation, Ford can withhold allocation of new vehicles to an offending dealership. Ultimately, it's harder to stay in business if you can't get new product to sell. Of course, Ford already has a problem in delivering new product just as most other manufacturers.

Back in 2001, I purchased a new Dodge Grand Caravan for my wife and had the dealer put a light weight aftermarket trailer hitch. I specified a two inch receiver and when I picked up the van, it had a 1" receiver. I complained but the dealer said the margin was so low on the sale, there was nothing they could do. So, I wrote a letter to the owner to let him know that he risked losing a good customer and outlined the new vehicles I had bought from his dealership and from Chrysler through the years. Like you, I received a contact from the owner's corporate public service office. However, they called to elicit a customer review of the sale. When I told them of my problem, they told me they really couldn't do anything about the problem. I asked them why they even called me.

I did not buy another vehicle from them until the dealership was sold, and then only one more car. In the years from the time I stopped dealing with them until they sold, I purchased six new vehicles personally, and five new trucks for my construction group's management staff. Did they notice. No. No one called to see why I had stopped buying my fleet trucks nor personal vehicles. They just didn't care. Sad to say the company are out of business now, however the new ownership is much more customer friendly.

So much mess about a $100 trailer hitch.

Hopefully, Ferman learns its lesson. To think, that they are willing to risk business "Good Will" reputation over the sale of one vehicle is just ridiculous.

 

[Redneck Garage]

As much as I would like to think otherwise, FoMoCo will do absolutely nothing to protect customers from unethical dealers. Why should they? They will sell every vehicle they make and the Ford execs, employees and stockholders are happy. Nothing else matters.

Maybe some severe adverse action by a government agency would get their attention. Or perhaps if mainstream media latched on to the slimy dealership part of the industry, the backlash could be cause for some FoMoCo intervention.

Otherwise, it's business as usual.

100% agree JB. I talked to a dealer today and asked - why do you put mavericks on your website if they are customer orders and not available. He said that's a Ford thing and they have no control over it because Ford basically forces the trucks to be displayed even customer orders - I asked why ? It seems that wastes everyone's time. He agreed. - Is that true ? Who knows it was a car salesman and his lips were moving ..... hahahaha

The sales model definitely should change as Ford goes to a customer order system and the truth is there is no need for dealers in a new car sales model. Yes, still need a service center ( another way to rape consumers after warranty ) but how can you take a product that sells for lets say 21,000 and mark it up to 41,000 and call it "market adjustment" Yes supply and demand still but I would contend that dealers really havent done anything to deserve that kind of profit and Ford could / should remove the "middleman" .

 

[Redneck Garage]

Very well said, I too took the revenge sign as a joke. But given what I do now-a-days with my time, I couldn't resist my post. It's never mean't as personal, just informational—if that.

I noticed a headline on Automotive News that is interesting:

Ford council backs withholding allocation over price markups
Council chairman Tim Hovik said the automaker is right to do so, but it must also ensure that dealers can make a fair profit.

Hopefully, Ferman learns its lesson. To think, that they are willing to risk business "Good Will" reputation over the sale of one vehicle is just ridiculous.

I agree sir
That's a funny headline. "but it must also ensure that dealers can make a fair profit."
Who sets the MSRP of the vehicle ? Ford Corporate does duh. Honestly, Id say they have the Hybrid Maverick a bit underpriced on the MSRP. If Ford had made the hybrid priced XL 23K and the dealer got to keep 2K more on customer orders - would that not "ensure fair profit " ? They would certainly still sold as many as they could make and deliver. The dealers sure as hell understand supply and demand - Does Ford ?

FYI - The " Ford council " is made up of car dealers and Tim Hovik is a car dealer himself with less than stellar reviews online. I imagine they WOULD say that as a group. That's like having a group of wife beating husbands setting the criminal penalty for beating your spouse - Uh Yes, The "Beaters Council" agrees that there should be a penalty for hitting your wife but they want assurances that the penalty is not too severe and no jail time ......... ridiculous.

 

[PriusHater]

100% agree JB. I talked to a dealer today and asked - why do you put mavericks on your website if they are customer orders and not available. He said that's a Ford thing and they have no control over it because Ford basically forces the trucks to be displayed even customer orders...

Partly true. Yes, the newly arriving vehicles are posted by Ford as available inventory. However, a good dealer will go in and pull the customer orders off the website very quickly. My dealer's internet sales manager had mine pulled so quickly that I never even saw it show up in either website – Ford's nor the dealer's.

 

[uh50]

100% agree JB. I talked to a dealer today and asked - why do you put mavericks on your website if they are customer orders and not available. He said that's a Ford thing and they have no control over it because Ford basically forces the trucks to be displayed even customer orders - I asked why ? It seems that wastes everyone's time. He agreed. - Is that true ? Who knows it was a car salesman and his lips were moving ..... hahahaha

The sales model definitely should change as Ford goes to a customer order system and the truth is there is no need for dealers in a new car sales model. Yes, still need a service center ( another way to rape consumers after warranty ) but how can you take a product that sells for lets say 21,000 and mark it up to 41,000 and call it "market adjustment" Yes supply and demand still but I would contend that dealers really havent done anything to deserve that kind of profit and Ford could / should remove the "middleman" .

That's interesting because the dealer where I ordered mine did not ever show it on his website.

 

[Redneck Garage]

Partly true. Yes, the newly arriving vehicles are posted by Ford as available inventory. However, a good dealer will go in and pull the customer orders off the website very quickly. My dealer's internet sales manager had mine pulled so quickly that I never even saw it show up in either website – Ford's nor the dealer's.

That totally makes 100% more sense to me. Looks like dealers allow the trucks to be used as a tool to get contact then try to switch to something else because trucks are rarely available. The real time waste is the consumer's thinking the dealership might actually be selling retail what they advertise on their website ....... jeeez one more slimy dealer trick. Lets make a list - 1) Nitrogen in tires for a fee ............ lol

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