Dealers getting in the way

Steve-o

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
Sep 9, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
121
Reaction score
82
Location
New Jersey
Vehicles
2021 Grabber Blue MME-GTPE
Country flag
I like not having to haggle on a price (set from company), but agree there are dealers taking advantage. I saw one post talking about $1,000 for locking lug nuts and the dealer insisted upon it. Times are tough, but people won't take it sitting down.
 

Malacandra

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
128
Reaction score
190
Location
Sonoma County, CA
Vehicles
2021 Mustang Mach-E Premium RWD ER, DMG
Occupation
Web Development Director
Country flag
I'm new here and considering ordering a Mach-E from the Ford website… so is the implication here that the MSRP price that's listed when I place my order may not be honored by the dealer?

Or is this markup just something typically encountered by people who are trying to buy off the dealership's lot?
 


Malacandra

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
128
Reaction score
190
Location
Sonoma County, CA
Vehicles
2021 Mustang Mach-E Premium RWD ER, DMG
Occupation
Web Development Director
Country flag
Dealers add no value, I'd really rather just have a web site and buy button.
I think this is definitely the case with people who have done their homework and who often (typically?) know more about the EVs they're buying than dealerships.

However, with more traditional ICE cars, dealers can and often do know their inventory pretty well and can provide expertise for the low information buyer.
 

fayt349

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ben
Joined
Feb 27, 2021
Threads
24
Messages
406
Reaction score
612
Location
San Jose
Vehicles
BMW i4 eDrive 40 M-Sport
Occupation
Network Support Engineer
Country flag
I think this is definitely the case with people who have done their homework and who often (typically?) know more about the EVs they're buying than dealerships.

However, with more traditional ICE cars, dealers can and often do know their inventory pretty well and can provide expertise for the low information buyer.
It's hard for me to feel bad for low information buyers.

This isn't a sandwich at subway. Know what you're buying before spending thousands.
 

OON7

Well-Known Member
First Name
Evan
Joined
Jul 29, 2021
Threads
11
Messages
383
Reaction score
491
Location
Ohio
Vehicles
Current: 22 GTPE DMG // Previous: 21 Select CG
Country flag
I'm new here and considering ordering a Mach-E from the Ford website… so is the implication here that the MSRP price that's listed when I place my order may not be honored by the dealer?

Or is this markup just something typically encountered by people who are trying to buy off the dealership's lot?
There is basically a disclaimer stating as much when you reserve on the Ford website. Something like you are accepting what the dealer says the price will be. Doesn't mean a dealer would do that but certainly annoying.
 

scoopman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2021
Threads
60
Messages
2,769
Reaction score
5,797
Location
Bay Area
Vehicles
2023 KIA EV6 GT, 2021 VW ID.4 Pro S
Occupation
former electric pony jockey
Country flag
They'll help and then screw you out of thousands of dollars because of the information and power disparity. It's the people who unfortunately don't have the time or smarts to do tons of self education that dealers probably love the most.

There's definitely a need to have a showroom with people answering questions, but they shouldn't be able to engage in trickery to give different people different prices.

I've bought plenty of cars, and most salespeople know nothing about what they are selling me. Nothing.

I've also never had a car dealer finance person experience that wasn't a horrible one. I'm expecting nothing more when I go to pick up my car and the dealer presents me with financing for the first time on that day.

There's simply no other consumer goods purchase that operates with such levels of disparity between prices paid by consumers, and a lack of control over the purchase experience by the manufacturer.
 

GuliblGuy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Justin
Joined
Apr 8, 2021
Threads
20
Messages
657
Reaction score
1,249
Location
North Tustin, CA
Vehicles
Shadow Black 2021 Premium 4X Mach E
Country flag
I'm new here and considering ordering a Mach-E from the Ford website… so is the implication here that the MSRP price that's listed when I place my order may not be honored by the dealer?

Or is this markup just something typically encountered by people who are trying to buy off the dealership's lot?
Get in writing from your dealer that they won't add any markup, that it will be MSRP, and while you have the time get them to agree to X-Plan pricing, sign up at Mustang Club of America so you will be eligible for X-plan by the time the car comes in, and you should be good.
 

Malacandra

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
128
Reaction score
190
Location
Sonoma County, CA
Vehicles
2021 Mustang Mach-E Premium RWD ER, DMG
Occupation
Web Development Director
Country flag
Get in writing from your dealer that they won't add any markup, that it will be MSRP, and while you have the time get them to agree to X-Plan pricing, sign up at Mustang Club of America so you will be eligible for X-plan by the time the car comes in, and you should be good.
This is excellent advice: thank you!
 

scoopman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2021
Threads
60
Messages
2,769
Reaction score
5,797
Location
Bay Area
Vehicles
2023 KIA EV6 GT, 2021 VW ID.4 Pro S
Occupation
former electric pony jockey
Country flag
This is excellent advice: thank you!
Yes this. Then you should save the email where you got this in writing to send back to them in case the dealer "forgets" when your car arrives...
 

MaggieBk

New Member
First Name
Maggie
Joined
Sep 17, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Location
New Jersey
Vehicles
Integra
Country flag
Get in writing from your dealer that they won't add any markup, that it will be MSRP, and while you have the time get them to agree to X-Plan pricing, sign up at Mustang Club of America so you will be eligible for X-plan by the time the car comes in, and you should be good.
So, another newbie here, and I am seriously interested in the Mach E. (Almost certainly the Premium ER AWD).

I am going to test drive the Mach E at my local dealer— so, while I am there I should ask them to put in writing that *when I do an online order they won’t charge ADM or any silly add ons…?
Have folks had success with that?
It sounds to me, from what I have been reading on the forum, that dealers sometimes (routinely?) change their position on markups when the car actually arrives (the smell of extra profit, I guess).
If they are crabby/hostile about it (or dismissive- I am a woman and I do meet that, on occasion) I know I can choose a different dealer on my order process but who’s to say they will be any better?

And-
What does the X-plan provide?
Thanks
 

BMT1071

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Mar 21, 2021
Threads
61
Messages
3,076
Reaction score
4,223
Location
Glendale, AZ
Vehicles
21 MME SR RWD, 23 MME GTPE
Occupation
Machine Control Specialist
Country flag
So, another newbie here, and I am seriously interested in the Mach E. (Almost certainly the Premium ER AWD).

I am going to test drive the Mach E at my local dealer— so, while I am there I should ask them to put in writing that *when I do an online order they won’t charge ADM or any silly add ons…?
Have folks had success with that?
It sounds to me, from what I have been reading on the forum, that dealers sometimes (routinely?) change their position on markups when the car actually arrives (the smell of extra profit, I guess).
If they are crabby/hostile about it (or dismissive- I am a woman and I do meet that, on occasion) I know I can choose a different dealer on my order process but who’s to say they will be any better?

And-
What does the X-plan provide?
Thanks
There have been very very few reports of dealers trying to renege on the price agreed to when placing an order on Ford.com. Virtually every ADM horror story is from someone trying to buy an orphaned order off the lot. That said, I recommend you get everything you want agreed to in an e-mail prior to placing your order.
X-Plan provides a 2% discount and caps doc fees at $100. There is a $275 admin fee, so you don't end up getting a full 2% off. The doc fee savings can be substantial, depending on what your dealer normally charges. Regardless, you will save a lot more than the $35 membership fee to the MCA. Heck, you might be eligible based on your employer or Ford stock ownership.
 

GuliblGuy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Justin
Joined
Apr 8, 2021
Threads
20
Messages
657
Reaction score
1,249
Location
North Tustin, CA
Vehicles
Shadow Black 2021 Premium 4X Mach E
Country flag
X-plan gives you several hundred dollars off the price of the car, and limits the dealer doc fees to $100. You are eligible for the plan after 90 days from signing up at the mustang club (must be digital member):
https://mustang.org/about/benefits/

A good starting point for a dealer that won't add fees is to look at this post:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/official-list-no-adm-mach-e-ford-dealers.95/
and/or do a search on these forums for dealers in your area and see what others are saying about them. Yes get in writing after the test drive that they will not add ADM, and they will want you to order right there with them, but you will have somewhat better order tracking if you go home and order through the Ford website. If anything comes up Ford can switch your reservation to another dealer.
Sponsored

 
 




Top