Thank You Forum Members! You saved me $$$

[TimK]

I wanted to express my gratitude to everyone who has been contributing to this forum.
Especially around the price protection and Ford options, it really helped me when I got the car, as dealers are not all aware.
Also, special thanks to @hybrid2bev for reaching out to his contacts!

Here's my situation:
I ordered mine in September, it arrived on Monday.
First, dealer didn't know how to do Price Protection.
Second, dealer didn't know how to do Ford Options Financing.
As a result, took until Friday to get it all worked out and get the car.

At first on Monday, the invoice didn't reflect any incentives or the price protection.
So I pointed that out. They went into their system, and came back with the $750 rebate (2022 Model Year RCL Customer Satisfaction Private Offer).
They said the price protection didn't show up in their system so they couldn't do it.
So I told them that it doesn't show up with the other incentives, but I gave them my order sheet with the $2,000 lower price, and I pointed out the original price level (215). And that they should contact VOPC for confirmation and steps on how to do it.

Meanwhile for financing, they kept on asking me what monthly payment I was looking for.
I brought up Ford Options again as I cared more about the $2,000 rebate for my region.
They wrote that down on their paper and would look into it.

I went home and contacted a few folks at Ford who confirmed the price protection, but that the dealer should figure that out with their rep.
So I sent the following to the dealer the next morning:

• Most importantly reach out to the VOPC (Vehicle Order Processing Center) as they can confirm and let you know about the steps to make it happen.
• There's a Dealer memo from December 3 about the new price levels on December 8, that also mentions price protection.
• There's a 'Price Protection' topic in the 'Dealers Ask Ford' section of FMC Dealer that mentions that they get refunded.

On Tuesday afternoon, they let me know they got confirmation from the VOPC on the price protection.
But instead of adjusting the price now, they went with the 2nd option, they would refund me once they receive the refund from Ford.
This is fine, and I agree to come in the next day, appointment at 10am.

When I arrive on Wednesday, I see that there must have been some miscommunication, because they're clearly not ready.
Also my sales rep is not in that day. So they scramble get a different sales rep, who keeps us busy till they get the finance manager.
He also already had another sheet with lower monthly payments, but I referred back to Ford Options and pointed out we already noted that on the previous sheet that they gave me with higher payments.
Finally, the finance manager comes down and says: "I understand you want to do Ford Options, why is that exactly?" So I point out the incentives.
Then he says ""We have ran the numbers before for other customers, but typically it's better to do conventional" I point out the incentives, and unless there are other incentives for conventional financing, it would be hard to beat.
Then later he mentions "We tried Options a few times before but there issues/glitches with the system, so it never really worked" and they might have to update some systems.
They can't do it that day, so would have to come back later.
Then again "Or again, if you want to do conventional financing, we can do that right now, and you'll be out the door in 30min"
So I leave.

Next 2 days, I call dealer finance manager, ford credit,... etc.
Now they can't find the $2,000 incentive for my car with Ford Options.
A lot of back and forth.
Finally I send them this screenshot of Smart Vincent and tell them:
"please run a report that includes Options financing, and do one for sale date and one for protection date, and see which one gives the better incentives.
If none of the Smart Vincent reports show the $2,000 Ford Option Retail Bonus Cash, please share it with me and I will let my contacts at Ford look into the discrepancies."

30 minutes later I get a call that they figured it out, they found the incentive and will apply it, I can come in later that day to get it all done!

So again thanks to everyone for their contributions.
Without the forum, I wouldn't have been aware what to look out for in the first place!
Either I would have given up after a few days of reaching out to Ford (and them giving me useful info, but always refer back to the dealer),
or I would have left the car (although that would have been hard to do)

In case anyone is still reading this long story,
here's my Mach-E California Route 1:

I know it's not a GT, but the kids still love it when I put it in Unbridled mode

And talking about kids, all 3 fit, and already making a mess:

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[WNKent]

Beautiful Car, congratulations! I will be going through the same thing when my CaRt1 drops. I have a question for you. I ordered my car on 12/3/21, not long after you and never got an order sheet til March 2022, when I asked why I did not get one on 12/3, I was told that the guy in charge of that, "is no longer with Ford". So on my print of the order sheet, is shows the new price, which is $2000 more than that car was on order date and a "price level" of 220 and wonder if I may have been a 215, because my order date was 5 days before the effective date of 12/5. How was "price level" explained to you? I believe that OCT 21 orders got the cash offer of $750 to help cover costs because you were converted to a 22 model year; was there any price increase for you, other than the 12/8 $2000? My dealer is real shifty, saying that PP is the $750, and I don't qualify for it, because my order was never converted and quickly changes the subject when I bring up the $2000. I haven't shared YET, that I have that 12/3 memo from Ford and a copy of the letter that you got, mentioning the $750.... I did ask if I could get an order sheet, back dated to 12/3 and he sheepishly said, yes. I am thinking that this might be another tool for my tool box, as I help them, help me.

 

[ripperAZ]

Well Done!
She’s a beauty. Well stocked back seat too!??
Get a sunshade for your roof the kids will appreciate it on trips if they want to use their devices. Less glare more contrast. Keeps it cooler when preconditioning. Several custom ones out there

Jes sayin

 

[TimK]

Beautiful Car, congratulations! I will be going through the same thing when my CaRt1 drops. I have a question for you. I ordered my car on 12/3/21, not long after you and never got an order sheet til March 2022, when I asked why I did not get one on 12/3, I was told that the guy in charge of that, "is no longer with Ford". So on my print of the order sheet, is shows the new price, which is $2000 more than that car was on order date and a "price level" of 220 and wonder if I may have been a 215, because my order date was 5 days before the effective date of 12/5. How was "price level" explained to you?

Thanks!
Price level was never explained to me, I just figured that out going through these 'price protection' threads. Before Dec 8 it was 215, after it became 220.
BTW, your order date might be different than when you got the order summary sheet from the dealer. I got my order summary sheet only in November, but in the system, my order date was still September.
(in fact, my order date was exactly the same as my reservation date, but this might not be the case for everyone???)

I believe that OCT 21 orders got the cash offer of $750 to help cover costs because you were converted to a 22 model year; was there any price increase for you, other than the 12/8 $2000? My dealer is real shifty, saying that PP is the $750, and I don't qualify for it, because my order was never converted and quickly changes the subject when I bring up the $2000. I haven't shared YET, that I have that 12/3 memo from Ford and a copy of the letter that you got, mentioning the $750.... I did ask if I could get an order sheet, back dated to 12/3 and he sheepishly said, yes. I am thinking that this might be another tool for my tool box, as I help them, help me.

There was no other price increase for me.
The $750 is " 2022 Model Year RCL Customer Satisfaction Private Offer", which is indeed different from the price protection.
They see this $750 in the SmartVincent (I guess not in your case if you already ordered the 2022 model), but not the $2,000 price protection.
But most importantly, if they're willing to call the VOPC, they should get the price protection and process explained.

 

[TimK]

Well Done!
She’s a beauty. Well stocked back seat too!??
Get a sunshade for your roof the kids will appreciate it on trips if they want to use their devices. Less glare more contrast. Keeps it cooler when preconditioning. Several custom ones out there

Jes sayin

Thanks Ripper!
I'll look for some.
Are there any that people recommend over others?

We definitely won't need it much for the heat here in WA (vs AZ )
But I can see the potential glare issue!
Right now the kids are happy with the view,
plus begging me for unbridled mode and looking for the next stoplight!

 

[WNKent]

Thanks!
Price level was never explained to me, I just figured that out going through these 'price protection' threads. Before Dec 8 it was 215, after it became 220.
BTW, your order date might be different than when you got the order summary sheet from the dealer. I got my order summary sheet only in November, but in the system, my order date was still September.
(in fact, my order date was exactly the same as my reservation date, but this might not be the case for everyone???)



There was no other price increase for me.
The $750 is " 2022 Model Year RCL Customer Satisfaction Private Offer", which is indeed different from the price protection.
They see this $750 in the SmartVincent (I guess not in your case if you already ordered the 2022 model), but not the $2,000 price protection.
But most importantly, if they're willing to call the VOPC, they should get the price protection and process explained.

Yeah, I had no "reservation" it went straight to "order", and I got the email from ford, thanking me for my order on 12/3... everything for me was on 12/3, including the date that the dealer accepted the order. Yes, the "SmartVincent" is for special offers, incentives and interest rates, not the PP, as you state.

I'm thinking that I am a 215 and only because of the print date of 3/2022.

I'd certainly be asking the dealer all this stuff, but I am sure i'd get, like Sgt. Schultz in Hogan's Heros, I know see and hear nothing.

 

[ripperAZ]

Thanks Ripper!
I'll look for some.
Are there any that people recommend over others?

We definitely won't need it much for the heat here in WA (vs AZ )
But I can see the potential glare issue!
Right now the kids are happy with the view,
plus begging me for unbridled mode and looking for the next stoplight!

This one has worked well for me

Blazeray for Ford Mustang Mach E Sunshade, Mach-E Accessories,Foldable Glass Roof Sunshade with Sunroof Reflective Covers,Blocks 99% UV Rays and Keep Cool(White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PHNF381/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3A4YAV9SY4A2PH5YZWXB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[RickMachE]

Thanks Ripper!
I'll look for some.
Are there any that people recommend over others?

We definitely won't need it much for the heat here in WA (vs AZ )
But I can see the potential glare issue!
Right now the kids are happy with the view,
plus begging me for unbridled mode and looking for the next stoplight!

My advice would be to be nothing until you decide for yourself if it's needed. Besides different locales, you need to see if it's your perspective that it is an issue.

I've seen many posts from people that didn't yet own the Mach-E saying they had to get the roof glass tinted immediately because of where they lived, until people who lived there and already had the vehicles said "nope, not an issue".

Similar to some other things you see discussed. Decide if it's an issue for you. For example, to me, the center armrest compartment is very small and near useless. Having a compartmental divider in there, or a two level shelf, is also useless. To access it, I have to raise up the armrest and open the drawer. To lift a shelf out, I can barely get my arm to that position while driving. Put less in it, use the door storage, use the lower level of the trays up by the dash, etc.

So use it first, then decide.

 

[TimK]

I'd certainly be asking the dealer all this stuff, but I am sure i'd get, like Sgt. Schultz in Hogan's Heros, I know see and hear nothing.

Yes, I got a lot of that.
"You can't believe everything you find on forums"
"You can't believe what Ford Customer Service or other people at Ford say, because you get 5 different people saying 5 different things when you call them." (which is kinda true too)
"We've sold 1000s cars, we know how it works, if it doesn't show up in the system, we can't give it to you"

But I think you should be OK, if the order was before December 8.
Hopefully a little smoother for you.
Again, if they're willing to contact VOPC, they should get the Price Protection part figured out quickly.

In the end, I think some better training/communication from Ford could help.
I'm a software trainer, and I'm already envisioning simulated systems training or at least step-by-step guides with nice screenshots!

Good luck with your order!!

 

[TimK]

Thanks @ripperAZ and @RickMachE,

I'll wait until I get some feedback from the kids.
I don't think it bothers me in the front, but I could see how it could affect those in the back.
We'll see If I do need one, then that Blazeray one seems well made.
Thanks!

 

[JediGamerCT]

Thanks for this post - hopefully my dealer is on it and doesn’t require me to help him jump through all these hoops when mine gets delivered in the next two weeks.

 

[MachKet]

Great post and good on the dealership for learning and following through your requests

 

[TimK]

Thanks for this post - hopefully my dealer is on it and doesn’t require me to help him jump through all these hoops when mine gets delivered in the next two weeks.

Might be good to confirm a few things before?

I forgot to mention, I went into the dealership the week before.
I was in the neighborhood and thought I would be good to quickly check if they were good to go when the car arrived and talk me through the process.
My assigned sales rep was not in, so I asked to speak with Sales Manager to go through the purchase process, and maybe someone from Finance around Ford Options.
I only got a Sales person, and they said the purchase process is super simple, doesn't see any issues. When I brought up Price Protection, also no issues, they had done those things before.
For Ford Options, I'm not sure what the sales rep knew or didn't, but yes again, they do all kinds of financing, should be smooth sailing when the car arrives.
Finally they offered to track the vehicle and gave me he history printout for the car and with its last location.

I left somewhat satisfied, but they never went into the details.
Given what I'd seen on the forum before, I probably should have pressed a little more to get all the info, especially around Ford Options.
That probably would have saved me some time and frustration this week.

 

[TimK]

Great post and good on the dealership for learning and following through your requests

Thanks!
And yes, I think the dealership was trying hard at the end to make it work.
The only time I felt that they were pushing me in something I didn't want, was in the early stages of the Ford Options discussion. I definitely felt they were discouraging it, which might make sense if they get better commissions through their retail lender.
After that, they agreed on Ford Options, but then couldn't find me the $2,000 incentive for my region. That was a back and forth until I requested again to do that Smart Vincent report, which they immediately did, and they found the incentive.

So I don't think they were trying to play games,
I think a lot of this is lack of clear communication and training between Ford an dealers as well.
I know both Ford Options and Price Protection are very niche topics now, but they'll get a lot more of this with the Lightnings and Broncos as well, so a little training campaign could be beneficial.

 

[Mach-Lee]

To be clear, were you able to get both the $750 and the $2000 cash applied together in addition to the price protection?

I also thought the options bonus cash was either $1000 or $2500 depending on state, I didn't think $2000 was one of the options?

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