dbsb3233

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It's odd that each state has their own rules that have to be legislated, so frustrating.
It's also odd that the law is so specific as to exclude internet sales. What could possibly have been the logic behind that decision? Probably no logic at all just lots of heavy lobbying by car dealers. But that means they had to get each state to pass the same legislation.
I know my dealership has an internet department that handles the incoming inquiries. You can basically lock in your price and do most of the negotiation no hassle before you come into the dealer. I am not sure if that is exclusive to them, or to California or not.
Nearly all these laws pre-date the internet. Buying from dealerships has simply the norm for ages. And most such commerce is regulated by states, which is usually a good thing.

As you say, most dealers have an internet sales department now. And more are shifting to a fixed-price model. Ford may just be providing a common system to still work within that framework (like they already have with the current order book, except this new thing appears to extend to the customer as well).
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Yeah, the vehicle that this is going to replace has a lease expiration date of 12/19. I really don't want to extend that lease by a month.
I've extended my wife's lease twice so far on her Escape because we're waiting for the Escape PHEV. It only took a 5-minute phone call with Ford Credit. They do it in 2-month increments.
 

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I've extended my wife's lease twice so far on her Escape because we're waiting for the Escape PHEV. It only took a 5-minute phone call with Ford Credit. They do it in 2-month increments.
Well, that's the problem. Depending on when I get the car, why would I want to extend a lease for 2 months? Our lease expires 12/19 and I have a FE ordered. Timing is important.
 

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Well, that's the problem. Depending on when I get the car, why would I want to extend a lease for 2 months? Our lease expires 12/19 and I have a FE ordered. Timing is important.
I'm betting you'll be just fine.

Just in case, can you make do with one car for a little while or rent as needed?
 

cjljr41

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Well, that's the problem. Depending on when I get the car, why would I want to extend a lease for 2 months? Our lease expires 12/19 and I have a FE ordered. Timing is important.
My dealer CLAIMS I can terminate the lease early on an extension and not pay any fees or penalties. Hope he's correct...
 


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I'm betting you'll be just fine.

Just in case, can you make do with one car for a little while or rent as needed?
I will be fine. It's my wife and daughter who will battle over the other car until the ME arrives. Wife is working from home, but she drives to a local park to sit in her car for lunch and breaks. Daughter taking a gap year right now from college. I drive 90 miles a day to and from work.
 

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I've extended my wife's lease twice so far on her Escape because we're waiting for the Escape PHEV. It only took a 5-minute phone call with Ford Credit. They do it in 2-month increments.
I have done the same with my Explorer and it was a pretty easy and accommodating process. This is also my third extension. However, Ford Credit allowed for 3 month increments the first two times. The only reason they recommended one or two months for the last one is that we are required to pay sales taxes for the selected increment. I don't want to pay for 3 months of taxes if the ME is arriving in 1 to 2 months.
 

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It's odd that each state has their own rules that have to be legislated, so frustrating.
It's also odd that the law is so specific as to exclude internet sales. What could possibly have been the logic behind that decision? Probably no logic at all just lots of heavy lobbying by car dealers. But that means they had to get each state to pass the same legislation.
I know my dealership has an internet department that handles the incoming inquiries. You can basically lock in your price and do most of the negotiation no hassle before you come into the dealer. I am not sure if that is exclusive to them, or to California or not.
Why Americans Buy Cars From Dealerships
 

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we have had replies with cat and dog pictures so if you even start a word with "car" you are just fine :)

Did you have some back and forth on the price or just accept what they offered in person?
Hi Janitorjim, the price they quoted was over KBB, so we were happy with that and not having to hash it out in person or a private sale with tire kickers and lookie loos. They even gave an extra $300 if you let them leave with the car the same day the inspector came to view it. Very simple and quick process that was 99% contact free during these covid times.
 

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I found a Ford employee on LinkedIn who has shared the evbite.com story about the online purchase system. He's not a executive or high level manager, but perhaps this lends some amount of credibility? Here's what he shared:

Ford is pushing the limits to make the customer experience of buying a car better! #ford #mache #winning #customerfirst #customerexperience
 

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I know it isn't a lease. But a $300 per month difference is absurd, and the tax credit can't be rolled into the upfront cost. Moreover, it would take a year to get in my case since I would have to claim it on my income tax.
It is not absurd since comparing it to a lease is an apples vs. oranges comparison. It really is just a more flexible purchase arrangement. For now, there is no lease option from Ford for the Mach E.
 

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It is not absurd since comparing it to a lease is an apples vs. oranges comparison. It really is just a more flexible purchase arrangement. For now, there is no lease option from Ford for the Mach E.
A $300 monthly payment difference between a MME and a Mercedes S-Class would not be absurd, regardless of how it's financed. A $300 monthly payment difference between two equivalent vehicles in the same class IS absurd.
 

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Nearly all these laws pre-date the internet. Buying from dealerships has simply the norm for ages. And most such commerce is regulated by states, which is usually a good thing.

As you say, most dealers have an internet sales department now. And more are shifting to a fixed-price model. Ford may just be providing a common system to still work within that framework (like they already have with the current order book, except this new thing appears to extend to the customer as well).
Michigan law prevents manufacturer direct sales dating back to people nearby plants that could get cars cheaper and no delivery fees, leaving dealerships in the cold. Dealer associations lobbied for the law to level the playing field. Tesla tried to change things in MI without luck. To work around it, they tried opening "part manufacturing" plants in MI that would also have a dealership showroom. That too has fallen flat. We will see if us Michiganders can do all online purchase or not.

On side note, I wonder how many people will spend $3,500 on Premier Mantenance for lifetime oil changes and air filters for their EV?
 

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Michigan law prevents manufacturer direct sales dating back to people nearby plants that could get cars cheaper and no delivery fees, leaving dealerships in the cold. Dealer associations lobbied for the law to level the playing field. Tesla tried to change things in MI without luck. To work around it, they tried opening "part manufacturing" plants in MI that would also have a dealership showroom. That too has fallen flat. We will see if us Michiganders can do all online purchase or not.

On side note, I wonder how many people will spend $3,500 on Premier Maintenance for lifetime oil changes and air filters for their EV?
But here's the thing. This online process is not direct sales through Ford, it's through your dealer. So any dealer that can legally do online sales today (which they are doing in MI), could do the Mach-E as well if they are EV certified by Ford. Ford is setting up the online process and systems for it, but it all runs through the dealer. You may not physically go to the dealer, but they are handling all of the required paperwork.

As we saw in the first post the dealer has some activation work to do starting now in September and must be complete in November (assuming by the OKTB date). The dealer (not Ford) sets the online pricing for the vehicle, accessories, dealer fees, maintenance plans and warranties, etc.

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021 Mach-E Mustang Online Buying Process Detailed 1600341179588



https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/2021-mach-e-mustang-online-buying-process-detailed.1396/
 

Tsand4

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But here's the thing. This online process is not direct sales through Ford, it's through your dealer. So any dealer that can legally do online sales today (which they are doing in MI), could do the Mach-E as well if they are EV certified by Ford. Ford is setting up the online process and systems for it, but it all runs through the dealer. You may not physically go to the dealer, but they are handling all of the required paperwork.

As we saw in the first post the dealer has some activation work to do starting now in September and must be complete in November (assuming by the OKTB date). The dealer (not Ford) sets the online pricing for the vehicle, accessories, dealer fees, maintenance plans and warranties, etc.

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021 Mach-E Mustang Online Buying Process Detailed 1600341179588



https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/2021-mach-e-mustang-online-buying-process-detailed.1396/
You are correct about the online sales still going through a dealership. I was just providing a bit of the background behind the laws requiring the dealerships as part of the process.
 
 




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