2023 dealer shenanigans?

[Rpgonzalez]

I went to pre-order a 2023 Mach-e and ran into some questionable behavior. It’s fine if the salesman was an idiot, but what is he up to?

-First when I walked in I asked a sales rep, “can I pre-order 2023 Mach-e”? He says, you can’t pre-order those cars, who told you that? When I told him about the website having all of the details he acted like he had no idea about how it all works (keep in mind that this was on September 9) But then later started bragging about how he does pre-orders all day long

-I mentioned this price increase for next year, and he says it’s OK if you account for the packages that were available for the 2022s, but are now included for 2023. Note: This is for a premium, and I’m pretty sure that’s not the case.

-on my deposit receipt it says “for 2022 Mach-E”

Anyway, excited to get into a Mach-e next year. Hopefully some respite from the uneven gaps, odd rattles and questionable build quality of my Model 3. If not, whatever… I need a hatchback for gigging as a drummer. Wish me luck.

Sponsored

 

[phil]

Wish me luck.

Good luck.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

I went to pre-order a 2023 Mach-e and ran into some questionable behavior. It’s fine if the salesman was an idiot, but what is he up to?

-First when I walked in I asked a sales rep, “can I pre-order 2023 Mach-e”? He says, you can’t pre-order those cars, who told you that? When I told him about the website having all of the details he acted like he had no idea about how it all works (keep in mind that this was on September 9) But then later started bragging about how he does pre-orders all day long

-I mentioned this price increase for next year, and he says it’s OK if you account for the packages that were available for the 2022s, but are now included for 2023. Note: This is for a premium, and I’m pretty sure that’s not the case.

-on my deposit receipt it says “for 2022 Mach-E”

Anyway, excited to get into a Mach-e next year. Hopefully some respite from the uneven gaps, odd rattles and questionable build quality of my Model 3. If not, whatever… I need a hatchback for gigging as a drummer. Wish me luck.

Good luck, but honestly, I'd find a different dealership. If not, then at the bare minimum (at whatever dealership you go to, get a fully itemized Order Summary. It should look like this:

Better yet, get the dealership to commit to the final price, in writing.

 

[Mr_Brown]

Too many red flags. Place your order online and route it to a different dealership.

 

[ripperAZ]

Do it online. Your dealer’s current nitwit pinhead dip shit behavior does not bode well for the future.

Jes sayin. Avoid knuckleheads if possible.

 

[Rpgonzalez]

Good luck, but honestly, I'd find a different dealership. If not, then at the bare minimum (at whatever dealership you go to, get a fully itemized Order Summary. It should look like this:

Better yet, get the dealership to commit to the final price, in writing.

I did get that pre-order sheet, but the bottom says that it’s not an invoice and that my car has not been submitted to Ford (or some wording).

the damage is done I think. I don’t want to cancel and reorder… that might put me further back in line? I don’t know.

So when they transmit my order to the bank, I should get something in writing? Like a letter or invoice.

Are you guys saying that I could wait until February and then have them do a last minute “market adjustment” on me. He did say “it’s cool of you cancel, because then we can sell it for a markup later.” Maybe the angle is being so terrible at his job that I cancel?!?!

 

[phil]

I don’t want to cancel and reorder… that might put me further back in line?

You can reorder without canceling. Two deposits are just as refundable as one. See which order comes in first/best.

 

[Vulnox]

I did get that pre-order sheet, but the bottom says that it’s not an invoice and that my car has not been submitted to Ford (or some wording).

the damage is done I think. I don’t want to cancel and reorder… that might put me further back in line? I don’t know.

So when they transmit my order to the bank, I should get something in writing? Like a letter or invoice.

Are you guys saying that I could wait until February and then have them do a last minute “market adjustment” on me. He did say “it’s cool of you cancel, because then we can sell it for a markup later.” Maybe the angle is being so terrible at his job that I cancel?!?!

Sometimes it's just laziness unfortunately. I would get clarity on if you will get the price noted on that form, no ADM or anything. Our dealer has a similar attitude to what you noted at the end, they don't mess with customer orders by any measure. No added underbody protection or VIN etching or ADM, none of it. BUT... since dealers can't do many stock orders right now, if someone has to walk away from a deal, the next person may not get the same price. Not that they would tack on $20k adm or some of the insanity we have seen, but our MSRP went up $2k from the December 2021 price increase, we are price protected for it, but a future buyer if we walked away from the deal wouldn't be.

So what he says about it being cool if you cancel, that seems to be a pretty typical attitude, and I don't blame them. It works out for you and them. There was a time, not even that long ago, where Ford vehicle forums like this were full of people asking if it's normal for their dealer to ask for a $1000 deposit on an order and all that. This was because the dealers almost exclusively ordered vehicles for their lot based on the configurations they know are popular for their region. Someone coming in asking for a regular cab 4x2 F-150 in Michigan, where it's about 80% Crew Cab 4x4s, might mean the dealer asks someone to put skin in the game because selling that truck if the buyer walks will be a struggle.

But that math has changed. Ford is pushing dealers to let customers custom order instead doing dealer stock orders, and vehicles are sitting on lots for so little time the dealer is ready to order whatever you want, because at worst they get a vehicle for the lot.

The rest though is shaky, maybe the salesman is just trying to play it really cool, or didn't realize that order banks just opened on the Mach-e because they may not sell a ton of them, it's tough to say. I would just get in writing what you can.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

I did get that pre-order sheet, but the bottom says that it’s not an invoice and that my car has not been submitted to Ford (or some wording).

the damage is done I think. I don’t want to cancel and reorder… that might put me further back in line? I don’t know.

So when they transmit my order to the bank, I should get something in writing? Like a letter or invoice.

Are you guys saying that I could wait until February and then have them do a last minute “market adjustment” on me. He did say “it’s cool of you cancel, because then we can sell it for a markup later.” Maybe the angle is being so terrible at his job that I cancel?!?!

If your pre-order sheet has a Sales Code and an Order Code you can check the status of the order at Ford via chat. I recommend you do that. They can tell you whether the order has been accepted, and I think they may also be able to confirm the configuration of the car ordered.

But honestly I would suggest you order online instead of going to a dealership to place your order. You'll need to assign the order to a dealership, but by ordering online you'll get more information directly from Ford as the order progresses. (Not that you'll get a lot, mind you. But it will be a bit less bad than ordering directly at the dealership.) Also, when you select your dealership for the order, try to find a big one that does a LOT of Ford sales. My understanding is that these dealerships have higher allocations than smaller ones, so those dealerships get their orders filled more quickly.

I like Phil's idea of placing a second order. If you do that, do it online and assign it to a different dealership.

I ordered a 2022 Premium through a dealership in January of this year and it still hasn't been scheduled and is now been converted to a 2023 in a different color. I've had almost no info from Ford not the status of the order, and the process has been very opaque. I wish I'd ordered online.

 

[Southern92]

Most dealerships have some sort of online department. I would email them and directly ask if they will sell an ordered MME at MSRP with no add-ons. (Add the specifics for your order.) If they answer Yes, then GREAT! You now have it in writing. If they can't (or won't) answer Yes, then move on to another dealership until you get a YES!
The dealership where I ordered my MME initially (Verbally) told me the would sell at MSRP. . . . fast forward 8 months & that person didn't work there anymore! The GSM initially gave me a song & dance about how they couldn't sell at MSRP, but eventually (after about a week) they did honor MSRP.
I will be very hesitant about doing business with them again (my Lightning reservation is with a different dealership.)

 

[Rpgonzalez]

You can reorder without canceling. Two deposits are just as refundable as one. See which order comes in first/best.

Ok, so I took your advice. I feel really slimey though. I’ve pretty much guaranteed that one dealership will now have the opportunity to gouge someone.

 

[phil]

Ok, so I took your advice. I feel really slimey though. I’ve pretty much guaranteed that one dealership will now have the opportunity to gouge someone.

Well, perhaps it will ease your conscience to consider that you're just doing the best you can within the sales process Ford and its dealers have established. You are not responsible for Ford's extremely slow, and seemingly randomly-prioritized deliveries. Nor are you responsible for the fact that sometimes dealers can not be trusted to deliver cars at the agreed-upon pricing. They require refundable deposits, and you gave them refundable deposits. I don't think you're doing anything wrong.

Good luck!

 

[MyLittlePony2022]

Run...run away as fast as you can. If they are like this now, wait the 30 plus weeks until they get the car and have you by the short hairs. It will be even harder to get what you want and you are not going to want to walk away. If you do walk away, they will be happy and get $20K ADM from someone else.

If you want to give them another chance have them put everything in writing and sign the document. Otherwise...say adios.

 

[4sallypat]

Can you change dealers after you have placed your $500 deposit with another ?

I have a 2022 order being pushed into 2023 and my dealer is playing the let's start a new order route.

 

[Rpgonzalez]

Can you change dealers after you have placed your $500 deposit with another ?

I have a 2022 order being pushed into 2023 and my dealer is playing the let's start a new order route.

Yes it says somewhere in an FAQ that you can call/chat Ford and have your dealer reassigned.

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to... ID, vehicle details, or associated timestamp.

Sponsored