Costco Car Buying Service - Anyone Tried This Angle Yet?

[uturn]

My local dealer agreed to X Plan but then added a $491 doc fee despite the plan rules clearly limiting the fee to $100. When I caved anyway and went in to sign the order form they surprised me with another $750 paint and interior 3-year beauty lux protection fee, nitro tire fee, and floor mat fee, and said this was non-negotiable. They said that X Plan allows dealer add ons (and it does allow negotiated add ons like extended warranties and etc, but of course does not allow non-negotiable add ons). I think with the fees, the price actually may approach or exceed MSRP that I'd pay without X Plan (I was ordering a Premium RWD STD Space White w/Interior Protection).

I have read in the F150 forum that the Costco buying service actually results in lower purchase price than X Plan anyway and the contracted price is prenegotiated and fixed, so I'm wondering if anyone has tried this route to just buy one off the lot or to place an order? Thanks.

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[Iknownothing]

You can contact Ford corporate. They generally dislike this game by dealerships and will make the dealership’s life less comfortable (I believe this can impact allocations, etc.). I suspect if you were to mention that you were contacting Ford to clarify pricing/Xplan details, they may find that they are much more willing to negotiate on these details.

I’d also hammer the crap out of the dealership on post-sale survey for this behavior. If state dealership laws weren’t so dealership friendly, Ford would be extremely aggressive towards this behavior. It only hurts the brand.

 

[uturn]

You can contact Ford corporate. They generally dislike this game by dealerships and will make the dealership’s life less comfortable (I believe this can impact allocations, etc.). I suspect if you were to mention that you were contacting Ford to clarify pricing/Xplan details, they may find that they are much more willing to negotiate on these details.

I’d also hammer the crap out of the dealership on post-sale survey for this behavior. If state dealership laws weren’t so dealership friendly, Ford would be extremely aggressive towards this behavior. It only hurts the brand.

Thanks. I may do that. When I told the sales rep he could not foist that $750 fee on me under X Plan, he jumped up and replied, "I used to be a police officer, and I resent you calling me a liar," which was (1) comical in a crooked cop sort of way, but (2) perhaps intended to be intimidating and downright bizarre. It definitely has dampened my enthusiasm for the Ford ownership experience.

In fact the more I think about it, the more freaked out I am getting. I'm still laughing. But I am also glad I have a live monitored home security system, TIDELANDS FORD IN PAWLEYS ISLAND..... lol.

I think I will do that right away, thanks.

EDIT: there was more than just the one totally inappropriate comment going on over there. I will report them to corporate.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I have read in the F150 forum that the Costco buying service actually results in lower purchase price than X Plan anyway and the contracted price is prenegotiated and fixed, so I'm wondering if anyone has tried this route to just buy one off the lot or to place an order? Thanks.

I've used this once and it was a pleasant experience until the dealer started trying to get around the Costco agreement and adding all of their extras. Then it turned into a huge fight with three parties (Me, Costco, and the dealer), which just made communication and everything more difficult and take longer. I eventually ended up with the vehicle as I had originally ordered it, but it turned out not to be worth the extra stress in my particular instance.

 

[uturn]

I've used this once and it was a pleasant experience until the dealer started trying to get around the Costco agreement and adding all of their extras. Then it turned into a huge fight with three parties (Me, Costco, and the dealer), which just made communication and everything more difficult and take longer. I eventually ended up with the vehicle as I had originally ordered it, but it turned out not to be worth the extra stress in my particular instance.

Thanks

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Thanks

To be sure, this was something like 20 years ago, so it could very well be different now than it was at the time. Note also that not every vehicle nor every dealer is covered under the Costco auto buying program.

 

[Iknownothing]

Thanks. I may do that. When I told the sales rep he could not foist that $750 fee on me under X Plan, he jumped up and replied, "I used to be a police officer, and I resent you calling me a liar," which was (1) comical in a crooked cop sort of way, but (2) perhaps intended to be intimidating and downright bizarre. It definitely has dampened my enthusiasm for the Ford ownership experience.

In fact the more I think about it, the more freaked out I am getting. I'm still laughing. But I am also glad I have a live monitored home security system, TIDELANDS FORD IN PAWLEYS ISLAND..... lol.

I think I will do that right away, thanks.

EDIT: there was more than just the one totally inappropriate comment going on over there. I will report them to corporate.

This sounds terrible and so stupidly short sighted on the dealership’s part. It is tough times for car sales right now but that’s inexcusable. You are absolutely correct to expect nobody should add anything extra to your car you don’t want. You ordered something specific from Ford; your dealer agreed, by taking the order, to deliver that to you. Period.

Complain to Ford Corporate with fury. They can’t do as much as we/they would like, but they aren’t helpless.

 

[t12g]

@Ford Motor Company Do you have any suggestions? What is the proper way to escalate issues like this?

 

[uturn]

@Ford Motor Company Do you have any suggestions? What is the proper way to escalate issues like this?

They haven't taken the order yet. I called them and asked if they accepted X Plan and they said yes. It was just a bait and switch. Once they said they accepted X Plan, I asked on the phone for their Doc Fees and they said $491 and I said, "but it is limited to $100," and they said, "state law allows it," and I said that the plan rules do not. I read the rules from Ford's website, which updated them May 2021. But they said that they knew more about X plan than I did, and that they could not charge more than $100 on the other plans but could on X Plan. But nonetheless I said that they were right down the street from my house, and times were tough, and I did not not mind paying a little more for the convenience of having a local small town dealer right nearby, who had many favorable reviews from locals on Google generally (although they have some about bait and switching regarding x-plan, which is why I asked).

So then I went in to place the order in person, and knew exactly what I wanted, so it should have been a quick 5 minutes, they had few cars in stock and no customers in the building. Anyway, they added another $750 Luxcare interior and paint coating and 3-year warranty on interior and paint surfaces from Assurant, and tire nitro, and floor mats, and it was mandatory. I said no-thanks but they would not remove it.

They were extremely scary about this stupid Luxcare thing, telling me that "You should be grateful to get X Plan at all," which really offended me because with $1200 in added fees the "X-Plan" pretty much equalled MSRP, and aside from that X-Plan is not a handout to welfare recipients but given to people who have corporate relationships or longstanding business and customer affiliations that Ford apparently VALUES but the internet manager and sales manager let me know DO NOT and expect MY GROVELING GRATITUDE and $1200 BUYOFF TO RECEIVE. This in addition to that intimidating opening salvo of, "I used to be a policeman and I resent you calling me a liar," for saying that they can't force me to pay $750 in unwanted warranties and $491 in doc fees under the plan rules. My reply to that was, "I'm a disabled veteran and I resent you lying to me." It was somewhat hilarious in its unexpected cringey ridiculousness but also, I have NO CAR!

I also advised them that they should not be sending some sales guy around to intimidate customers by claiming to be a policeman while throwing mandatory extended warranties at them. And the warranty is not even extended, it is the same three years on the paint that the car is already covered under warranty! $750!!! And I get free nitro at Costco. And again, I would be paying I am pretty sure MSRP for the car and not X Plan at all.

I shudder to think about broaching the topic with them of throwing the Disabled American Veterans version of X Plan down on their desk which has an additional amount off over X Plan! They might get out a crossbow or something. Anyway, they told me that if I didn't want to pay the $1200 in mandatory X Plan fees, and was ungrateful, "You can leave." So I did. They had NO CUSTOMERS and would rather continue to play dueling banjos amongst themselves all day, then sell a car at X Plan pricing. But they claim to take X Plan. Anyway. I can't buy a Ford and expect to have it serviced there either obviously.

There is another dealer in town about 30 miles away. But they actually told me that the guy who "has my name as dealing with me" is on vacation until next week or something and would get back to me. TO SELL ME A CAR. NEXT WEEK. lol. They don't have kids to feed I guess. ASTOUNDING. Do their owners care at all? That guy said all that in a live chat that I printed out!

Thanks for the opportunity to explain, I didn't know Ford was here. I thought that Ford would like to know. I really am very put off by this to the point of stepping back off of buying the car now for awhile. It has fried my nerves to have sales guys yelling at me, jumping up in righteous indignation and announcing their bullsh*t police authority, really rattled my cage more than I realized. Physically aggressive. I am publishing this out loud. That was totally insane behavior toward a female customer. Totally inappropriate and illegal under the X Plan contract and also obviously under South Carolina law to spring that police officer crap on a female alone in a dealership with a bunch of good ol' boys. CRAZY TRAIN. REEVALUATE YOURSELVES FROM YOUR WIVES' PERSPECTIVE. Don't raise your voices. Don't march around in circles aggressively with shoulders up like bulldogs. Don't say "If you don't like it you can leave" and other such nonsense to a lady alone in a room with five guys. BE PROFESSIONAL. TIDELANDS FORD.

 

[Pushrods&Capacitors]

????????

 

[JB20]

No matter what brand I have tried, all of the ones Costco have said are taking their deal are not. "Market Conditions" is what most have stated. As far as the add on's just tell them you will meet the delivery truck there before they do their PDI and it is not necessary to add all that BS stuff. If they refuse then find another dealer.

 

[ChuckA]

They haven't taken the order yet. I called them and asked if they accepted X Plan and they said yes. It was just a bait and switch. Once they said they accepted X Plan, I asked on the phone for their Doc Fees and they said $491 and I said, "but it is limited to $100," and they said, "state law allows it," and I said that the plan rules do not. I read the rules from Ford's website, which updated them May 2021. But they said that they knew more about X plan than I did, and that they could not charge more than $100 on the other plans but could on X Plan. But nonetheless I said that they were right down the street from my house, and times were tough, and I did not not mind paying a little more for the convenience of having a local small town dealer right nearby, who had many favorable reviews from locals on Google generally (although they have some about bait and switching regarding x-plan, which is why I asked).

So then I went in to place the order in person, and knew exactly what I wanted, so it should have been a quick 5 minutes, they had few cars in stock and no customers in the building. Anyway, they added another $750 Luxcare interior and paint coating and 3-year warranty on interior and paint surfaces from Assurant, and tire nitro, and floor mats, and it was mandatory. I said no-thanks but they would not remove it.

They were extremely scary about this stupid Luxcare thing, telling me that "You should be grateful to get X Plan at all," which really offended me because with $1200 in added fees the "X-Plan" pretty much equalled MSRP, and aside from that X-Plan is not a handout to welfare recipients but given to people who have corporate relationships or longstanding business and customer affiliations that Ford apparently VALUES but the internet manager and sales manager let me know DO NOT and expect MY GROVELING GRATITUDE and $1200 BUYOFF TO RECEIVE. This in addition to that intimidating opening salvo of, "I used to be a policeman and I resent you calling me a liar," for saying that they can't force me to pay $750 in unwanted warranties and $491 in doc fees under the plan rules. My reply to that was, "I'm a disabled veteran and I resent you lying to me." It was somewhat hilarious in its unexpected cringey ridiculousness but also, I have NO CAR!

I also advised them that they should not be sending some sales guy around to intimidate customers by claiming to be a policeman while throwing mandatory extended warranties at them. And the warranty is not even extended, it is the same three years on the paint that the car is already covered under warranty! $750!!! And I get free nitro at Costco. And again, I would be paying I am pretty sure MSRP for the car and not X Plan at all.

I shudder to think about broaching the topic with them of throwing the Disabled American Veterans version of X Plan down on their desk which has an additional amount off over X Plan! They might get out a crossbow or something. Anyway, they told me that if I didn't want to pay the $1200 in mandatory X Plan fees, and was ungrateful, "You can leave." So I did. They had NO CUSTOMERS and would rather continue to play dueling banjos amongst themselves all day, then sell a car at X Plan pricing. But they claim to take X Plan. Anyway. I can't buy a Ford and expect to have it serviced there either obviously.

There is another dealer in town about 30 miles away. But they actually told me that the guy who "has my name as dealing with me" is on vacation until next week or something and would get back to me. TO SELL ME A CAR. NEXT WEEK. lol. They don't have kids to feed I guess. ASTOUNDING. Do their owners care at all? That guy said all that in a live chat that I printed out!

Thanks for the opportunity to explain, I didn't know Ford was here. I thought that Ford would like to know. I really am very put off by this to the point of stepping back off of buying the car now for awhile. It has fried my nerves to have sales guys yelling at me, jumping up in righteous indignation and announcing their bullsh*t police authority, really rattled my cage more than I realized. Physically aggressive. I am publishing this out loud. That was totally insane behavior toward a female customer. Totally inappropriate and illegal under the X Plan contract and also obviously under South Carolina law to spring that police officer crap on a female alone in a dealership with a bunch of good ol' boys. CRAZY TRAIN. REEVALUATE YOURSELVES FROM YOUR WIVES' PERSPECTIVE. Don't raise your voices. Don't march around in circles aggressively with shoulders up like bulldogs. Don't say "If you don't like it you can leave" and other such nonsense to a lady alone in a room with five guys. BE PROFESSIONAL. TIDELANDS FORD.

Your comment is too long. Bottom line, if your dealer is a CROOK, have Ford Marketing recommend a better dealer. Your understanding of x-plan is correct, $100 doc fees, no adding items you don’t want, no ADM. I didn’t notice, was he selling you Luxcare by Ziebart?

 

[RetiredDP]

I've used this once and it was a pleasant experience until the dealer started trying to get around the Costco agreement and adding all of their extras. Then it turned into a huge fight with three parties (Me, Costco, and the dealer), which just made communication and everything more difficult and take longer. I eventually ended up with the vehicle as I had originally ordered it, but it turned out not to be worth the extra stress in my particular instance.

Ahhh, but imagine the stress if you didn't have Costco on your side. My GTPE is about to be delivered to me. I'm buying it with X-plan, and have already provided the Sales Mgr. with proof of X-plan eligibility (my Ford-provided xplan pin number), and Mustang Club of America membership.

I'm going to go in with a video camera rolling, and inform the salesman, sales manager and finance that I'm going to record all aspects of the transaction. This is going to be FUN!

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

They haven't taken the order yet. I called them and asked if they accepted X Plan and they said yes. It was just a bait and switch. Once they said they accepted X Plan, I asked on the phone for their Doc Fees and they said $491 and I said, "but it is limited to $100," and they said, "state law allows it," and I said that the plan rules do not. I read the rules from Ford's website, which updated them May 2021. But they said that they knew more about X plan than I did, and that they could not charge more than $100 on the other plans but could on X Plan. But nonetheless I said that they were right down the street from my house, and times were tough, and I did not not mind paying a little more for the convenience of having a local small town dealer right nearby, who had many favorable reviews from locals on Google generally (although they have some about bait and switching regarding x-plan, which is why I asked).

So then I went in to place the order in person, and knew exactly what I wanted, so it should have been a quick 5 minutes, they had few cars in stock and no customers in the building. Anyway, they added another $750 Luxcare interior and paint coating and 3-year warranty on interior and paint surfaces from Assurant, and tire nitro, and floor mats, and it was mandatory. I said no-thanks but they would not remove it.

They were extremely scary about this stupid Luxcare thing, telling me that "You should be grateful to get X Plan at all," which really offended me because with $1200 in added fees the "X-Plan" pretty much equalled MSRP, and aside from that X-Plan is not a handout to welfare recipients but given to people who have corporate relationships or longstanding business and customer affiliations that Ford apparently VALUES but the internet manager and sales manager let me know DO NOT and expect MY GROVELING GRATITUDE and $1200 BUYOFF TO RECEIVE. This in addition to that intimidating opening salvo of, "I used to be a policeman and I resent you calling me a liar," for saying that they can't force me to pay $750 in unwanted warranties and $491 in doc fees under the plan rules. My reply to that was, "I'm a disabled veteran and I resent you lying to me." It was somewhat hilarious in its unexpected cringey ridiculousness but also, I have NO CAR!

I also advised them that they should not be sending some sales guy around to intimidate customers by claiming to be a policeman while throwing mandatory extended warranties at them. And the warranty is not even extended, it is the same three years on the paint that the car is already covered under warranty! $750!!! And I get free nitro at Costco. And again, I would be paying I am pretty sure MSRP for the car and not X Plan at all.

I shudder to think about broaching the topic with them of throwing the Disabled American Veterans version of X Plan down on their desk which has an additional amount off over X Plan! They might get out a crossbow or something. Anyway, they told me that if I didn't want to pay the $1200 in mandatory X Plan fees, and was ungrateful, "You can leave." So I did. They had NO CUSTOMERS and would rather continue to play dueling banjos amongst themselves all day, then sell a car at X Plan pricing. But they claim to take X Plan. Anyway. I can't buy a Ford and expect to have it serviced there either obviously.

There is another dealer in town about 30 miles away. But they actually told me that the guy who "has my name as dealing with me" is on vacation until next week or something and would get back to me. TO SELL ME A CAR. NEXT WEEK. lol. They don't have kids to feed I guess. ASTOUNDING. Do their owners care at all? That guy said all that in a live chat that I printed out!

Thanks for the opportunity to explain, I didn't know Ford was here. I thought that Ford would like to know. I really am very put off by this to the point of stepping back off of buying the car now for awhile. It has fried my nerves to have sales guys yelling at me, jumping up in righteous indignation and announcing their bullsh*t police authority, really rattled my cage more than I realized. Physically aggressive. I am publishing this out loud. That was totally insane behavior toward a female customer. Totally inappropriate and illegal under the X Plan contract and also obviously under South Carolina law to spring that police officer crap on a female alone in a dealership with a bunch of good ol' boys. CRAZY TRAIN. REEVALUATE YOURSELVES FROM YOUR WIVES' PERSPECTIVE. Don't raise your voices. Don't march around in circles aggressively with shoulders up like bulldogs. Don't say "If you don't like it you can leave" and other such nonsense to a lady alone in a room with five guys. BE PROFESSIONAL. TIDELANDS FORD.

Run, don’t walk. Go somewhere else. Even if it’s a straight MSRP dealer. Don’t deal with those evil clowns.

 

[uturn]

Your comment is too long. Bottom line, if your dealer is a CROOK, have Ford Marketing recommend a better dealer. Your understanding of x-plan is correct, $100 doc fees, no adding items you don’t want, no ADM. I didn’t notice, was he selling you Luxcare by Ziebart?

I don't know who does the Luxcare, it just says LUXCARE xt on the brochure and Assurant on the back, and that is that extended warranty company. 3 year appearance protection. No Ziebart mention. I've owned numerous new cars and never had any of them unravel on paint or interior during my time owning them, without adding any coatings to any of them.

I don't usually comment in long form. It was utterly insane and I wanted Ford to know about it. And I hoped when Tidelands reads it they will reflect on it from another perspective and not just do what they did while I was there, which is act like they are the high school football defensive line and resume attack mode, which will improve nothing. Otherwise why bother commenting at all.

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