Dealer Value Added?

[Phil Mache]

I placed an order for a 2023 Mach-E through the Ford site last week and had to select a local dealer, which I did. I received a text from the their "business development specialist" telling me to contact them with "any information or questions about the Mach-E." Before I placed the order, I arranged to meet with a salesperson whom I was told "knew about the Mach-E. He new NOTHING and told me to look it up on the web. Finally, he said that the manager was the one who knew and gave me his phone number. Voice mail filled up, not accepting voice messages.

So, I was delighted when the business development specialist reached out and I called her with pretty basic questions. "I can't answer these, but I'll transfer you to someone who knows." No answer and I left a voice message 24 hours ago. No contact back.

What is the value added by the dealer? Do they receive any portion of the selling price? Is this bad experience unique?
Thanks for any input you can provide.

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[MachKet]

Cancel the order and pick a better dealer, imagine the headaches you will have at the time of delivery with rebates/rate locks etc.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

My experience with many vehicle purchases over the years is that there's no value added by a dealer. Unfortunately, most states have laws that require vehicle manufacturers to sell to dealers who then sell to consumers. The dealer makes money from the sale. That middle operator means we spend more money for no added value.

 

[4sallypat]

These days, most dealers are not very communicative.

It's like pulling teeth to get any updates for me.

I feel like if the customer places an order, that's the easiest sale IMO.

But my dealer can't pull a VIN View on my ordered car that is 10 months now...

Hope yours arrives sooner!

 

[hybrid2bev]

I placed an order for a 2023 Mach-E through the Ford site last week and had to select a local dealer, which I did. I received a text from the their "business development specialist" telling me to contact them with "any information or questions about the Mach-E." Before I placed the order, I arranged to meet with a salesperson whom I was told "knew about the Mach-E. He new NOTHING and told me to look it up on the web. Finally, he said that the manager was the one who knew and gave me his phone number. Voice mail filled up, not accepting voice messages.

So, I was delighted when the business development specialist reached out and I called her with pretty basic questions. "I can't answer these, but I'll transfer you to someone who knows." No answer and I left a voice message 24 hours ago. No contact back.

What is the value added by the dealer? Do they receive any portion of the selling price? Is this bad experience unique?
Thanks for any input you can provide.

What is the value added by the dealer?
Dealer franchise laws.

Do they receive any portion of the selling price?
The dealer receives the whole portion of the selling price. The dealer buys the vehicle from Ford and sells it to you.

Is this bad experience unique?
No. Ford provided lots of training for the dealers, it's up to the dealer to take it and use it.

 

[yngwenli]

Before the Internet existed, there was probably value in the dealer network since there were really no places to discuss, research, compare, you can add the hundreds of things where information wasn't easily available then, but is available now.


You then add in a very obsessed/engaged community (like folks here) and really, any/all other car forum or any topic in life and there is no way any car salesperson will know more than most anyone here.

Remember, folks here spend their free time while to a lot of car salespeople, it's their job where they're forced to be there for a living...and they have to know/sell every single Ford vehicle. Also, one day you sell Ford ICE cars, then Ford EVs, then next week, you're pushing Jeeps, etc.

They can't win I think usually when it comes to knowledge vs. people who are obsessed about their purchase and will spend time researching all aspects of it because it affects their pocketbook.

 

[Logal727]

Before the Internet existed, there was probably value in the dealer network since there were really no places to discuss, research, compare, you can add the hundreds of things where information wasn't easily available then, but is available now.


You then add in a very obsessed/engaged community (like folks here) and really, any/all other car forum or any topic in life and there is no way any car salesperson will know more than most anyone here.

Remember, folks here spend their free time while to a lot of car salespeople, it's their job where they're forced to be there for a living...and they have to know/sell every single Ford vehicle. Also, one day you sell Ford ICE cars, then Ford EVs, then next week, you're pushing Jeeps, etc.

They can't win I think usually when it comes to knowledge vs. people who are obsessed about their purchase and will spend time researching all aspects of it because it affects their pocketbook.

I’ve seen plenty of salesman just walking around an empty dealership joking with each other, they certainly have the time to learn about the vehicles, they just don’t care

 

[Fremont Kid]

Before the Internet existed, there was probably value in the dealer network since there were really no places to discuss, research, compare, you can add the hundreds of things where information wasn't easily available then, but is available now.


You then add in a very obsessed/engaged community (like folks here) and really, any/all other car forum or any topic in life and there is no way any car salesperson will know more than most anyone here.

Remember, folks here spend their free time while to a lot of car salespeople, it's their job where they're forced to be there for a living...and they have to know/sell every single Ford vehicle. Also, one day you sell Ford ICE cars, then Ford EVs, then next week, you're pushing Jeeps, etc.

They can't win I think usually when it comes to knowledge vs. people who are obsessed about their purchase and will spend time researching all aspects of it because it affects their pocketbook.

These are great arguments for the value of the Ford EV dealer program discussed on another thread. However, Ford should have 'primed the pump' by providing incentives to dealers to train their salesforce, service techs, etc. I agree with the sentiment to route your order through another dealer. My dealer has been great. Salesperson was knowledgeable about most features but was not the resident EV expert, but he brought the EV expert with him during our MME training.

 

[Logal727]

These are great arguments for the value of the Ford EV dealer program discussed on another thread. However, Ford should have 'primed the pump' by providing incentives to dealers to train their salesforce, service techs, etc. I agree with the sentiment to route your order through another dealer. My dealer has been great. Salesperson was knowledgeable about most features but was not the resident EV expert, but he brought the EV expert with him during our MME training.

I’ve only run into one Ford EV tech on the forum so far. They all just need to be on here, it’s easy to learn all this stuff.

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