Reservation Automatically Converted to Order Overnight

dbsb3233

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My reservation automatically got converted at an order overnight. Not by me. Did anyone else have this happen to them?

I had started a txt/email conversation with the internet sales rep at the dealership I originally designated on the reservation last Dec. Made it clear I was just researching info at this point and getting info from multiple dealers before deciding who to go with. I was awaiting a response from an email I'd send Sat with questions about X-plan pricing, ADM, refundability of dealer deposit, etc.

At 2:30am this morning, I get an email saying my order was placed. WTF??? I logged into Ford and it says:

Mustang Mach-E PREMIUM
In-Store Order
07/18/2020
Order Date
10029092

Order Number

with no other details (no configuration details, no mention of deposits (Ford or dealer), etc. So I emailed my dealership rep. Their reply: "All orders in reservation mode were converted so they can get the orders moving forward. This was requested by Ford Corporate. It doesn't mean you have to use our store. It is just the next step. "

Seems to suggest Ford did that for all pending reservations not converted to order yet, but I'm dubious since I'd expect to see many others reporting it here. Anyone else have similar experience today?
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Mine got converted to an order by my dealer. I had talked with them a few times and they finally connected me to the person dealing with reservations. We spoke on the phone and the next day when I checked my reservation online it showed as a completed order. Luckily I had added the extended range battery the day before so no changes were necessary. I missed out on clicking the "Order" button but no big deal.
 

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This is to have a large number of orders before earnings.
 

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I had actually wondered if any dealers would try and push customers with reservations to order without down-payments or even an interest to actually buy just so the dealer could possible have an extra or two to put on the lot. Not sure if it's possible, but maybe?
 
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dbsb3233

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I had actually wondered if any dealers would try and push customers with reservations to order without down-payments or even an interest to actually buy just so the dealer could possible have an extra or two to put on the lot. Not sure if it's possible, but maybe?
That's what I was worried about too. Or being vague and hiding any add-on price details initially, just hoping the reservation holder converts to an order where the dealer then controls the car. And then play their pricing games when the car arrives, hoping the buyer either gives in or walks away, where they then have the car to sell to someone with $5k-$10k ADM.

That's why I'm insisting on all dealer communications be by email, so I have a written record. And I'm trying to get them nailed down on all pricing aspects before placing the order. Or at least that was the plan before they latched onto my res and converted it to an order. I didn't even know they could do that. Kind of annoyed Ford's online system allows a dealer to hijack our reservations.

So far I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt, but I'm dubious of the "Ford Corporate" explanation and fear it's just a ploy to gain control of the vehicle. If I don't get good answers in the next few days, I'll call Ford and ask it get converted back to reservation status (if that's even possible).
 


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I seriously doubt Ford had every pending Reservation converted to an Order. Seems like that would cause them a massive headache and customer service disaster.
 

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I think that is more dealer driven. They know the car will sell either way, but it is a bad business model and subject to moral scrutiny.
 
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dbsb3233

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I seriously doubt Ford had every pending Reservation converted to an Order. Seems like that would cause them a massive headache and customer service disaster.
Yep. Even though her wording left a little up to interpretation, when she said "This was requested by Ford Corporate" I think she meant Ford (supposedly) pressured the dealership to get any MME reservations converted to orders. I suppose that could be true, although if true at all, I doubt it was very strong. And it surely wasn't intended to mean "just convert to an order without the customer's consent".

Although I more suspect the "corporate" thing was just an excuse. The lack of reports here that others had the same happen to them today is beginning to confirm that. I'll give them a day or two to respond to my satisfaction before calling Ford to try and remove them as my dealer.
 

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Stuff like this makes me glad I can wait until wide availability (wife doesn’t “need” it on a timeline).
 
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dbsb3233

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Stuff like this makes me glad I can wait until wide availability (wife doesn’t “need” it on a timeline).
That's still on the table for me too. I really don't need the vehicle by 1Q (which is probably where my Res# would fall). Or at all, for that matter.

However, if the MME proves to be a hot commodity, there's no guarantee that waiting will avoid ADM and other pricing games either. In fact it could be just the opposite if there's way more demand than the # of in-stock MMEs on lots. That's likely not a high probability, but it's a possibility nontheless.
 

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This is to have a large number of orders before earnings.
Quite alarmist! Not based on fact, or at least not based on facts in this scenario. The facts match the actions of other vehicle manufacturers.
 

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In fact it could be just the opposite if there's way more demand than the # of in-stock MMEs on lots. That's likely not a high probability, but it's a possibility nontheless.
Agreed. That's a risk I'm happy to take, though. Being an early adopter usually costs more.
 

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My reservation automatically got converted at an order overnight. Not by me. Did anyone else have this happen to them?

I had started a txt/email conversation with the internet sales rep at the dealership I originally designated on the reservation last Dec. Made it clear I was just researching info at this point and getting info from multiple dealers before deciding who to go with. I was awaiting a response from an email I'd send Sat with questions about X-plan pricing, ADM, refundability of dealer deposit, etc.

At 2:30am this morning, I get an email saying my order was placed. WTF??? I logged into Ford and it says:

Mustang Mach-E PREMIUM
In-Store Order
07/18/2020
Order Date
10029092

Order Number

with no other details (no configuration details, no mention of deposits (Ford or dealer), etc. So I emailed my dealership rep. Their reply: "All orders in reservation mode were converted so they can get the orders moving forward. This was requested by Ford Corporate. It doesn't mean you have to use our store. It is just the next step. "

Seems to suggest Ford did that for all pending reservations not converted to order yet, but I'm dubious since I'd expect to see many others reporting it here. Anyone else have similar experience today?
I might recommend contacting Ford, not the dealership, but calling the number you find in the FAQ about ordering. Cannot say if they will be helpful or not, but it is what I would do.

Sounds to me like the dealership or person at the dealership is either shady or misinformed, but those are just my guesses.
 

JCHLi

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Agreed. That's a risk I'm happy to take, though. Being an early adopter usually costs more.
I suppose you could also order the vehicle and then if the nightmare scenario of "the dealer is out to get me" pans out, you step away from the order and then wait for wide availability later.
 

silverelan

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@dbsb3233, this doesn't sound right to me. I wonder if your dealer is up to shenanigans? What did Ford MME helpline say when you asked them?
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