I chose to go to a different dealer for my 2nd MME lease all because of Apple CarPlay

[Bonehead]

I had a 4 year lease on my '21 MME from Galpin Ford. They are farther from me than the much smaller Vista Ford, but I thought at the time that since Galpin is the #1 Ford dealer worldwide there might be some advantage.

For 3 1/2 years I've received regular communications from the salesman, Neil Stone, from emails to birthday/holiday cards and calendars in the mail, obviously hoping to cash in on a subsequent deal when my lease was up.

A couple of months ago, I had the car in (again) for PAAK and other issues at Vista and unfortunately got a service rep with a bug up his but who seemed like he was trying to talk me out of having them do the work. He kept emphasizing all the reasons that under the PremiumCare extended warranty might not cover the issues (like rats eating the wires), and straight up lied to me saying that I would not get reimbursed for car rental expenses. He said I might get better service bringing the car to Galpin since I bought it there, and suggested calling my salesman.

I've had really shitty service experiences at both places, but I called Neil and explained the situation to him. He said I shouldn't worry about the PremiumCare not covering the issues and led me to believe it was worth bringing the car there, but not wanting to waste a lot more of my day to do so, asked him to speak to the Vista service rep, thinking he could set him straight.

I handed my phone to the service rep who was standing next to my car. They spoke for a couple of minutes, and then the rep opened my car door and sat in the driver's seat. Then something happened that he clearly didn't anticipate. My car was still on, and while they were talking the phone connected to Apple CarPlay, and suddenly the conversation was getting played on my car speakers. I then heard Neil say to the rep "I'm totally on your side".

Aghast, I butt into the conversation and said "I heard that Neil, thank you". I had totally been planning on giving him my repeat business, but in that one second he lost me as a customer.

As many problems as I've had with the Vista service department, their sales department gets the best reviews of any of the LA based Ford dealers, which is why I lease my new '25 MME GT from them. I had a great experience and recommend them highly.

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[luckie]

I had a 4 year lease on my '21 MME from Galpin Ford. They are farther from me than the much smaller Vista Ford, but I thought at the time that since Galpin is the #1 Ford dealer worldwide there might be some advantage.

For 3 1/2 years I've received regular communications from the salesman, Neil Stone, from emails to birthday/holiday cards and calendars in the mail, obviously hoping to cash in on a subsequent deal when my lease was up.

A couple of months ago, I had the car in (again) for PAAK and other issues at Vista and unfortunately got a service rep with a bug up his but who seemed like he was trying to talk me out of having them do the work. He kept emphasizing all the reasons that under the PremiumCare extended warranty might not cover the issues (like rats eating the wires), and straight up lied to me saying that I would not get reimbursed for car rental expenses. He said I might get better service bringing the car to Galpin since I bought it there, and suggested calling my salesman.

I've had really shitty service experiences at both places, but I called Neil and explained the situation to him. He said I shouldn't worry about the PremiumCare not covering the issues and led me to believe it was worth bringing the car there, but not wanting to waste a lot more of my day to do so, asked him to speak to the Vista service rep, thinking he could set him straight.

I handed my phone to the service rep who was standing next to my car. They spoke for a couple of minutes, and then the rep opened my car door and sat in the driver's seat. Then something happened that he clearly didn't anticipate. My car was still on, and while they were talking the phone connected to Apple CarPlay, and suddenly the conversation was getting played on my car speakers. I then heard Neil say to the rep "I'm totally on your side".

Aghast, I butt into the conversation and said "I heard that Neil, thank you". I had totally been planning on giving him my repeat business, but in that one second he lost me as a customer.

As many problems as I've had with the Vista service department, their sales department gets the best reviews of any of the LA based Ford dealers, which is why I lease my new '25 MME GT from them. I had a great experience and recommend them highly.

Green and bronze GT, the very best choice IMO. way to go!

 

[stinsvic]

Green and bronze GT, the very best choice IMO. way to go!

Looks awesome!! Congrats ????

 

[ARK]

I love that bronze package on the green MME, it looks fantastic. Congratulations!

 

[dalola]

lol... long story short.... congrat's. ?

 

[Mach-Lee]

I hate to say this, but car salesmen are not your friend, even if it seems like it. They probably pegged you as a difficult customer behind your back, and I wouldn’t be surprised if your new salesman did the same (they crap talk about customers day long).

The service guy also did his job and got you to lease a new car after making warranty work sound like a hassle. I wonder how much he made off the deal?

And #1 this or that doesn’t mean much. Look for independent reviews.

 

[StevenC56]

There's a reason car dealers have such poor reputations. They mostly have no integrity and are rarely truthful. I'm sure a couple dealers have me tagged as difficult. The one I purchased my lightning from last fall ghosted me recently after I inquired about purchasing a Mach E and asked too many questions. Any customer that does their homework and expects a fair deal is going to get thrown into the difficult customer file. Or in service if you actually expect the service department to figure out an issue or care about you, they will do the same.

 

[Trick.Mach-E]

I had a 4 year lease on my '21 MME from Galpin Ford. They are farther from me than the much smaller Vista Ford, but I thought at the time that since Galpin is the #1 Ford dealer worldwide there might be some advantage.

For 3 1/2 years I've received regular communications from the salesman, Neil Stone, from emails to birthday/holiday cards and calendars in the mail, obviously hoping to cash in on a subsequent deal when my lease was up.

A couple of months ago, I had the car in (again) for PAAK and other issues at Vista and unfortunately got a service rep with a bug up his but who seemed like he was trying to talk me out of having them do the work. He kept emphasizing all the reasons that under the PremiumCare extended warranty might not cover the issues (like rats eating the wires), and straight up lied to me saying that I would not get reimbursed for car rental expenses. He said I might get better service bringing the car to Galpin since I bought it there, and suggested calling my salesman.

I've had really shitty service experiences at both places, but I called Neil and explained the situation to him. He said I shouldn't worry about the PremiumCare not covering the issues and led me to believe it was worth bringing the car there, but not wanting to waste a lot more of my day to do so, asked him to speak to the Vista service rep, thinking he could set him straight.

I handed my phone to the service rep who was standing next to my car. They spoke for a couple of minutes, and then the rep opened my car door and sat in the driver's seat. Then something happened that he clearly didn't anticipate. My car was still on, and while they were talking the phone connected to Apple CarPlay, and suddenly the conversation was getting played on my car speakers. I then heard Neil say to the rep "I'm totally on your side".

Aghast, I butt into the conversation and said "I heard that Neil, thank you". I had totally been planning on giving him my repeat business, but in that one second he lost me as a customer.

As many problems as I've had with the Vista service department, their sales department gets the best reviews of any of the LA based Ford dealers, which is why I lease my new '25 MME GT from them. I had a great experience and recommend them highly.

Wow I know Neil! Just got a birthday card recently from him with a free offer for a piece of pie from the Horseless Carriage restaurant at Galpin!

 

[Bonehead]

Wow I know Neil! Just got a birthday card recently from him with a free offer for a piece of pie from the Horseless Carriage restaurant at Galpin!

I never took advantage of the free birthday cake. Maybe that would have swayed me, but it’s unlikely!

 

[fkyct]

It’s interesting that the dealership uses the handicap parking spot for deliveries. Classless.

 

[Bonehead]

It’s interesting that the dealership uses the handicap parking spot for deliveries. Classless.

I thought so as well, that’s where they had it parked when I arrived. But in my defense, if you look closely in the photo you can see my handicap placard in my old car.

 

[Firefly Ship Works]

I had a 4 year lease on my '21 MME from Galpin Ford. They are farther from me than the much smaller Vista Ford, but I thought at the time that since Galpin is the #1 Ford dealer worldwide there might be some advantage.

For 3 1/2 years I've received regular communications from the salesman, Neil Stone, from emails to birthday/holiday cards and calendars in the mail, obviously hoping to cash in on a subsequent deal when my lease was up.

A couple of months ago, I had the car in (again) for PAAK and other issues at Vista and unfortunately got a service rep with a bug up his but who seemed like he was trying to talk me out of having them do the work. He kept emphasizing all the reasons that under the PremiumCare extended warranty might not cover the issues (like rats eating the wires), and straight up lied to me saying that I would not get reimbursed for car rental expenses. He said I might get better service bringing the car to Galpin since I bought it there, and suggested calling my salesman.

I've had really shitty service experiences at both places, but I called Neil and explained the situation to him. He said I shouldn't worry about the PremiumCare not covering the issues and led me to believe it was worth bringing the car there, but not wanting to waste a lot more of my day to do so, asked him to speak to the Vista service rep, thinking he could set him straight.

I handed my phone to the service rep who was standing next to my car. They spoke for a couple of minutes, and then the rep opened my car door and sat in the driver's seat. Then something happened that he clearly didn't anticipate. My car was still on, and while they were talking the phone connected to Apple CarPlay, and suddenly the conversation was getting played on my car speakers. I then heard Neil say to the rep "I'm totally on your side".

Aghast, I butt into the conversation and said "I heard that Neil, thank you". I had totally been planning on giving him my repeat business, but in that one second he lost me as a customer.

As many problems as I've had with the Vista service department, their sales department gets the best reviews of any of the LA based Ford dealers, which is why I lease my new '25 MME GT from them. I had a great experience and recommend them highly.

Sorry you had the negative experience. But now that that's behind you, any thoughts on the GT over your previous trim? Did you get the Performance upgrade?

 

[Bonehead]

Sorry you had the negative experience. But now that that's behind you, any thoughts on the GT over your previous trim? Did you get the Performance upgrade?

The '21 Premium was a fantastic vehicle. The GT is icing on the cake. Everything feels more refined - the ride, the handling, the seats. I also appreciate the updated features - the new gear stalk, the improved charging speed, and a bit of a range boost. Living in SoCal, the heat pump will only help out in the rare road trip occasions. I got the Performance upgrade which, for me, is only useful for one thing - doing launches to impress friends.

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