Help! Dealer says they didn't get Price Protection rebate from Ford

[AKgrampy]

Ford Resources is apparently some internal term that they use to refer to their regional representatives, or so I gather - they used that term with me before, too. I've sort of accepted that I'm not going to get that $2,000 adjustment. Originally I was pinning it purely on the dealer, but now I am blaming both Ford and the dealership. I think Ford tried to do a good thing here but they've botched the implementation so badly.

When you placed your order the dealer should have started a file on your order. It should include the as ordered MSRP. Print a copy of the PP e-mail that can be found elsewhere on the forum. Then go into the dealer and speak to the sales manager or GM. If they have problems understanding how to claim the PP then have them call their Ford rep while you are there. The stupid thing is the dealer is not harmed and gets the reduced MSRP so I do not understand their push back. Of course they are out of pocket for 45 - 90 days until they receive the payment from Ford.

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[Socalsp3]

When you placed your order the dealer should have started a file on your order. It should include the as ordered MSRP. Print a copy of the PP e-mail that can be found elsewhere on the forum. Then go into the dealer and speak to the sales manager or GM. If they have problems understanding how to claim the PP then have them call their Ford rep while you are there. The stupid thing is the dealer is not harmed and gets the reduced MSRP so I do not understand their push back. Of course they are out of pocket for 45 - 90 days until they receive the payment from Ford.

I'm going to make a visit with that email. Thanks!

 

[Reign of Ravens]

When you placed your order the dealer should have started a file on your order. It should include the as ordered MSRP. Print a copy of the PP e-mail that can be found elsewhere on the forum. Then go into the dealer and speak to the sales manager or GM. If they have problems understanding how to claim the PP then have them call their Ford rep while you are there. The stupid thing is the dealer is not harmed and gets the reduced MSRP so I do not understand their push back. Of course they are out of pocket for 45 - 90 days until they receive the payment from Ford.

I did both - showed them that memo and, at Ford's advice, asked them to call the regional representative. The regional representative told them to look in Smart Vincent and that if there was no incentive listed there, then I didn't qualify. I was there in person when we initially looked at the Smart Vincent screen and indeed, there were no incentives listed that applied to me - because for what ever reason, Ford has decided to make this a completely different process than what the dealers are used to.

The push back makes sense for three possible reasons, and it could be a combination:
1) The dealership is relying on Ford to pay them back. That can be a scary place to be, especially for my dealership, which claims it will lose money by selling at MSRP. (I don't know if that's true or not but it's what they're saying.)
2) It's extra work to learn an unusual process that doesn't apply to many people.
3) If I don't get that $2,000 back but Ford sends them a check anyway... finders keepers? Pair up with #1 and they can justify it to themselves as Ford making things right with them since they were "losing money" by selling this car.

It's frustrating, but what can you do? The dealership did almost everything I asked them to try, and at the end of the day, Ford gave them the wrong info. What am I supposed to do, tell them to call again, or tell them that the regional representative was wrong? I'll print the memo out and bring it with me to try it one last time but I've sort of accepted that it's not going to happen for me. I can afford it, but boy, is it just one more bad taste in my mouth about this whole sales process.

Thanks for the support, and for letting me vent...

 

[AKgrampy]

I did both - showed them that memo and, at Ford's advice, asked them to call the regional representative. The regional representative told them to look in Smart Vincent and that if there was no incentive listed there, then I didn't qualify. I was there in person when we initially looked at the Smart Vincent screen and indeed, there were no incentives listed that applied to me - because for what ever reason, Ford has decided to make this a completely different process than what the dealers are used to.

The push back makes sense for three possible reasons, and it could be a combination:
1) The dealership is relying on Ford to pay them back. That can be a scary place to be, especially for my dealership, which claims it will lose money by selling at MSRP. (I don't know if that's true or not but it's what they're saying.)
2) It's extra work to learn an unusual process that doesn't apply to many people.
3) If I don't get that $2,000 back but Ford sends them a check anyway... finders keepers? Pair up with #1 and they can justify it to themselves as Ford making things right with them since they were "losing money" by selling this car.

It's frustrating, but what can you do? The dealership did almost everything I asked them to try, and at the end of the day, Ford gave them the wrong info. What am I supposed to do, tell them to call again, or tell them that the regional representative was wrong? I'll print the memo out and bring it with me to try it one last time but I've sort of accepted that it's not going to happen for me. I can afford it, but boy, is it just one more bad taste in my mouth about this whole sales process.

Thanks for the support, and for letting me vent...

I do not think they are being totally honest with you. Also I do not think the Price Protection is in the Smart Vincent program. Our local dealer did make a mistake on Bronco PP. It was noticed by accounting that they were receiving large payments from Ford and they investigated and realized they were related to PP. They cut checks and refunded the funds to the purchasers.To be clear PP is a normal occurrence but normally in smaller amounts and shows up in the monthly true up. It is unfortunate that they are unwilling to honor PP with you.

 

[Reign of Ravens]

I do not think they are being totally honest with you. Also I do not think the Price Protection is in the Smart Vincent program. Our local dealer did make a mistake on Bronco PP. It was noticed by accounting that they were receiving large payments from Ford and they investigated and realized they were related to PP. They cut checks and refunded the funds to the purchasers.To be clear PP is a normal occurrence but normally in smaller amounts and shows up in the monthly true up. It is unfortunate that they are unwilling to honor PP with you.

You're correct that in this instance, price protection is not in Smart Vincent. My dealer told me that for the Broncos there was some sort of incentive or protection that was in Smart Vincent... I don't know. I am suspicious but I have to give people the benefit of the doubt. We have some absolute horror stories on this forum that are rare, but this price protection thing has been a major headache for a lot of people. Sure, I wish the dealerships were fully up on how this whole thing works, but it seems my dealership is in very good company on this one. As such, I think Ford deserves most of the blame here. They already have a system in place for incentives and price adjustments, so why the heck didn't they use it?

Either way, I asked one last time, they'll look into it, and we'll see... who knows, some people reported back that their dealer found some information at the last minute and gave them the reduced price. I'm not going to get my hopes up, but what can you do? $2,000 is a nasty number to pay if you don't need to, but it doesn't make or break the purchase for me.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Some people have reported that their dealers didn’t get their reimbursement for PP until closer to the end of the 45-90 day window. Maybe it’s still being processed. ?‍?

 

[AKgrampy]

You're correct that in this instance, price protection is not in Smart Vincent. My dealer told me that for the Broncos there was some sort of incentive or protection that was in Smart Vincent... I don't know. I am suspicious but I have to give people the benefit of the doubt. We have some absolute horror stories on this forum that are rare, but this price protection thing has been a major headache for a lot of people. Sure, I wish the dealerships were fully up on how this whole thing works, but it seems my dealership is in very good company on this one. As such, I think Ford deserves most of the blame here. They already have a system in place for incentives and price adjustments, so why the heck didn't they use it?

Either way, I asked one last time, they'll look into it, and we'll see... who knows, some people reported back that their dealer found some information at the last minute and gave them the reduced price. I'm not going to get my hopes up, but what can you do? $2,000 is a nasty number to pay if you don't need to, but it doesn't make or break the purchase for me.

Best of luck! I actually ordered mine not realizing I would qualify for the tax break so I agree that the $2000 would not be a deal breaker for me either.

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