Dealership Deposit Blackmail

[joes723]

Last sentence is conjecture. Ford did not say they would cancel allocations for the rest of the year.

"He went on to reference a section of the Sales and Service agreement that says Ford Dealers 'shall avoid in every way any 'bait,' deceptive, misleading, confusing or illegal advertising or business practices," and said any outlet found in violation may lose their entire allocation of trucks for the year.'"

While specifically calling out the Lightning, it speaks to the larger issue; that they need to be in compliance with their Sales and Service agreement the dealerships are required to sign or there could be consequences.

Sponsored

 

[LeWe]

Also, get it changed to Ford Store Morgan Hill. Confirm but they are not adding ADM to the MSRP and are high volume and therefore get favor with allotment. It was my first choice but since I was 3 hrs away I opted for closer and still got msrp but extra 2 mos wait due to allocations. If shenanigans were at play with closer dealer (48 miles away) -- I would have gone to FSMH (130 miles away) where I bought prior several cars at $400 above invoice in the past.

How do you figure out which dealers are high volume?

 

[RickMachE]

That referred to

"He went on to reference a section of the Sales and Service agreement that says Ford Dealers 'shall avoid in every way any 'bait,' deceptive, misleading, confusing or illegal advertising or business practices," and said any outlet found in violation may lose their entire allocation of trucks for the year.'"

While specifically calling out the Lightning, it speaks to the larger issue; that they need to be in compliance with their Sales and Service agreement the dealerships are required to sign or there could be consequences.

You are conflating two different things. The letter was sent to dealers regarding Lightning buyers on the reservation list being charged additional deposits or payments. "withholding opportunity to convert reservations to orders."

This order was already accepted. Dealer is trying to increase deposit after the fact. Total BS, but not the same thing.

 

[joes723]

That referred to


You are conf,acting two different things. The letter was sent to dealers regarding Lightning buyers on the reservation list being charged additional deposits or payments. "withholding opportunity to convert reservations to orders."

This order was already accepted. Dealer is trying to increase deposit after the fact. Total BS, but not the same thing.

I hear what you are trying to parse, and yes, this was in reference to the lighting. However, the most important part of that communication was not that particular section. The most important part was, "...Ford Dealers shall avoid in every way any 'bait,' deceptive, misleading, confusing or illegal advertising or business practice."

Calling to extort more than the minimum required deposit in order to maintain the reservation or order would definitely fall under the broader language in the Sales and Service agreement for the dealership, regardless of the model that specific communication was referring to.

 

[RickMachE]

Maybe. But Ford hasn't said that. They've said they don't like ADM also, but haven't said that is against the agreement either.

 

[mamejunkie]

Yup, it was Freakmont Ford.

Corrections. It is..

Mission Valley Ford
780 East Brokaw Rd
San Jose, CA 95112

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Corrections. It is..

Mission Valley Ford
780 East Brokaw Rd
San Jose, CA 95112

@mamejunkie May I suggest that you go back and (if it's possible) edit your previous statement about the other dealership? (I have nothing pro or con either of the dealerships, but think it's important to correct the record as much as possible.) Just trying to be helpful...

 

[Mawby]

How do you figure out which dealers are high volume?

When I lived closer they told me they sold around 300 cars a month. 10 per day is pretty decent volume for a destination dealership that was known for below msrp pricing. Their sales people are paid by volume and not per car for new. Used is a different play.

 

[toggleE]

+1 for Ford Store Morgan Hill. They do not go over MSRP, even on Mach E's off the lot

 

[agoldman]

I really hate dealers. I hope that one day they are a thing of the past.

 

[strangeengine]

I really hate dealers. I hope that one day they are a thing of the past.

Oh, it's just a matter of time.

 

[Logal727]

Report them so Ford can send them their punishment…. a strongly worded letter!

 

[YunniorO]

Dealer calls up….Get them to write in an email……Then contact Ford.

Agreed. Ask for it in writing and then ghost them until you can get in contact with Ford. You could also file a BBB complaint with the dealer, but it’s likely they just won’t respond and I’m not sure if filing a BBB complaint with Ford will get you a timely response or even one that is beneficial to you in this situation. I always like to say it can’t hurt to exhaust all options though.

Sponsored