Disappointed with salesman

[JimG]

My MME is due this week, after ordering in January. Salesman said my MME should be here any day. He, however, will not give me an appraisal on my trade in, until the MME is in and we are ready to sign the paperwork. I don’t think this is fair, as he could low ball me and give me no choice, but to take his offer and sign for my new car. I do have an idea of it’s worth, through CarMax and another dealer, but I cannot give the car up as I don’t have another car and I need one.

If I knew his offer was within $1500-1800 (what I would pay on taxes if I sold it outright) of my other offers, I would gladly trade it in. But, if his offer is far less than what I need for the car, I am stuck. Also, if his offer is unacceptable, is it ok for me to say let’s sign this paperwork tomorrow, as I want to sell my car outright?

One way or another I want to avoid the taxes, or get more money by selling it to compensate for the taxes. Also, I asked him to run the program Smart Vincent to see what the interest rate is for the Ford Options plan and to see if there is an incentive added for the month of January 2022, in Illinois. He responded that they could do that when I come in for the paperwork to purchase the MME.

Any suggestions? Thanking you in advance.

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[FirstPony]

My MME is due this week, after ordering in January. Salesman said my MME should be here any day. He, however, will not give me an appraisal on my trade in, until the MME is in and we are ready to sign the paperwork. I don’t think this is fair, as he could low ball me and give me no choice, but to take his offer and sign for my new car. I do have an idea of it’s worth, through CarMax and another dealer, but I cannot give the car up as I don’t have another car and I need one.

If I knew his offer was within $1500-1800 (what I would pay on taxes if I sold it outright) of my other offers, I would gladly trade it in. But, if his offer is far less than what I need for the car, I am stuck. Also, if his offer is unacceptable, is it ok for me to say let’s sign this paperwork tomorrow, as I want to sell my car outright?

One way or another I want to avoid the taxes, or get more money by selling it to compensate for the taxes. Also, I asked him to run the program Smart Vincent to see what the interest rate is for the Ford Options plan and to see if there is an incentive added for the month of January 2022, in Illinois. He responded that they could do that when I come in for the paperwork to purchase the MME.

Any suggestions? Thanking you in advance.

Here's what I do, in case it helps (and I too am in Illinois)...

Within a few days (less than 7) of going to get my new car, I take my trade-in to Carmax and get their appraisal (which is good for 7 days). Then, if the brand I am trading in isn't the same as the dealer brand, I also find a local, well-reviewed dealer of the trade-in brand and get an appraisal from them too. That second part is because there is evidence that dealers will tend to offer a little more for same-brand vehicles.

Take the value of the higher of the two appraisals, and reverse the math to determine how much the Ford dealer would need to give you to make it same or better to trade in after the tax effect (equation: appraisal * (1/1+tax rate)). This is your line in the sand so to speak.

Then you go to the dealer on delivery day, carrying the appraisals with you, but do NOT tell them you have them. Just give enough information for them to tell you have a pretty good idea what the car is worth. They appraise it and give you a number. If it is above your sand line number from above, take it! Or the same, even. If it is lower, *then* you explain you have a still-valid appraisal from X Dealer for such-and-such amount, and you need the trade in to meet a certain tax-adjusted number to make it worthwhile to trade in. Probably they will come up to meet your number at that point. If not, just be prepared to write a check or whatever instead.

Best of luck!

 

[Blue highway]

Here's what I do, in case it helps (and I too am in Illinois)...

Within a few days (less than 7) of going to get my new car, I take my trade-in to Carmax and get their appraisal (which is good for 7 days). Then, if the brand I am trading in isn't the same as the dealer brand, I also find a local, well-reviewed dealer of the trade-in brand and get an appraisal from them too. That second part is because there is evidence that dealers will tend to offer a little more for same-brand vehicles.

Take the value of the higher of the two appraisals, and reverse the math to determine how much the Ford dealer would need to give you to make it same or better to trade in after the tax effect (equation: appraisal * (1/1+tax rate)). This is your line in the sand so to speak.

Then you go to the dealer on delivery day, carrying the appraisals with you, but do NOT tell them you have them. Just give enough information for them to tell you have a pretty good idea what the car is worth. They appraise it and give you a number. If it is above your sand line number from above, take it! Or the same, even. If it is lower, *then* you explain you have a still-valid appraisal from X Dealer for such-and-such amount, and you need the trade in to meet a certain tax-adjusted number to make it worthwhile to trade in. Probably they will come up to meet your number at that point. If not, just be prepared to write a check or whatever instead.

Best of luck!

+1 this is good advice.

Despite the likelihood that the dealer is simply a slimeball, it is possible the issue is just timing. Used car prices are cratering falling after a couple years of going way up. What a trade is worth this week will different than what a trade is worth in a couple of weeks. brave new world.

 

[lucky13]

My MME is due this week, after ordering in January. Salesman said my MME should be here any day. He, however, will not give me an appraisal on my trade in, until the MME is in and we are ready to sign the paperwork. I don’t think this is fair, as he could low ball me and give me no choice, but to take his offer and sign for my new car. I do have an idea of it’s worth, through CarMax and another dealer, but I cannot give the car up as I don’t have another car and I need one.

If I knew his offer was within $1500-1800 (what I would pay on taxes if I sold it outright) of my other offers, I would gladly trade it in. But, if his offer is far less than what I need for the car, I am stuck. Also, if his offer is unacceptable, is it ok for me to say let’s sign this paperwork tomorrow, as I want to sell my car outright?

One way or another I want to avoid the taxes, or get more money by selling it to compensate for the taxes. Also, I asked him to run the program Smart Vincent to see what the interest rate is for the Ford Options plan and to see if there is an incentive added for the month of January 2022, in Illinois. He responded that they could do that when I come in for the paperwork to purchase the MME.

Any suggestions? Thanking you in advance.

I have encountered something similar with my salesman when trying to set up an appraisal for my current vehicle.

I haven't pushed back yet and may just show up at the dealership once I get confirmation the Mach E has left KC and is headed east.

I don't expect to get a lot for my current vehicle (current estimates from CarMax, Carvana, Driveway, etc. range from $4K - $5K), but would like to know ahead of time if the Ford dealer is going to come in on the low or high end.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Your salesperson sounds perfectly reasonable to me so far.

As others stated, come to the table with alternative options at the ready. If the dealer doesn't provide the option you prefer, take your used car elsewhere.

 

[Nygman]

I really don't think this is shady, used car prices have been going down for the last few months and any quote today may not be the same as when your car comes in. In fact based on this I traded in my car already and use the amount as a deposit and down payment. I do have an extra car so we're down to two which is fine. By doing so I fix the value, and I'm glad I did this but values have gone down.

As others have said you can protect yourself with offers and estimates about a week before you're ready to trade so you know the value. I don't think he's trying to screw you I just think he's trying to protect himself.

 

[lucky13]

I really don't think this is shady, used car prices have been going down for the last few months and any quote today may not be the same as when your car comes in. In fact based on this I traded in my car already and use the amount as a deposit and down payment. I do have an extra car so we're down to two which is fine. By doing so I fix the value, and I'm glad I did this but values have gone down.

As others have said you can protect yourself with offers and estimates about a week before you're ready to trade so you know the value. I don't think he's trying to screw you I just think he's trying to protect himself.

I'd be fine with trading it in now ahead of delivery or even getting an appraisal 3-5 days ahead of time. Just not a fan of the saleperson saying we'll take care of everything at one time once your Mach E gets here

 

[Logal727]

Your salesperson sounds perfectly reasonable to me so far.

As others stated, come to the table with alternative options at the ready. If the dealer doesn't provide the option you prefer, take your used car elsewhere.

Read the other thread about the dealer holding the new car hostage unless the buyer trades in their car with them at their lowball offer, that would be my biggest worry

 

[macchiaz-o]

Read the other thread about the dealer holding the new car hostage unless the buyer trades in their car with them at their lowball offer, that would be my biggest worry

That's not my BIGGEST worry when buying a car, but yeah that sounds like a miserable experience.

Hopefully @JimG did his due diligence back in January and got some agreement on pricing and acceptable levels of dealer-shenanigans (i.e. zilch) in writing.

The stuff he's worried about now is reasonable to be worried about. I'd be worried about the same things. But it's also reasonable for the salesperson to politely decline to hand out hypothetical wishy washy numbers that potentially will lead to customer disappointment when the final numbers end up less favorable.

Also, Jim's car might arrive this week. It's not here yet... Something might be wrong with it when it arrives (dead 12V battery, scratched paint, etc). It could turn out to be an additional two weeks before Jim can actually complete the purchase. So the risk of having disappointing changes to today's hypothetical valuations is increased.

 

[voxel]

My MME is due this week, after ordering in January. Salesman said my MME should be here any day. He, however, will not give me an appraisal on my trade in, until the MME is in and we are ready to sign the paperwork. I don’t think this is fair, as he could low ball me and give me no choice, but to take his offer and sign for my new car. I do have an idea of it’s worth, through CarMax and another dealer, but I cannot give the car up as I don’t have another car and I need one.

If I knew his offer was within $1500-1800 (what I would pay on taxes if I sold it outright) of my other offers, I would gladly trade it in. But, if his offer is far less than what I need for the car, I am stuck. Also, if his offer is unacceptable, is it ok for me to say let’s sign this paperwork tomorrow, as I want to sell my car outright?

One way or another I want to avoid the taxes, or get more money by selling it to compensate for the taxes. Also, I asked him to run the program Smart Vincent to see what the interest rate is for the Ford Options plan and to see if there is an incentive added for the month of January 2022, in Illinois. He responded that they could do that when I come in for the paperwork to purchase the MME.

Any suggestions? Thanking you in advance.

Yeah your Ford dealer isn't the best. Mine provided an offer ONE MONTH in advance and said they could revaluate the week before - but honored the very good trade in offer.

I'd visit CarMax and get offer from GiveMeTheVIN, Driveway, Carvana, etc. or any of these places:

https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/list-of-places-to-sell-or-value-your-car-online/396451

As for Options... yeah the rate will definitely be lower and there will be some incentive/rebate. I guarantee it will be a better deal than today's rate even if the rebate is zero. And it works like a lease in that if you only wanted the MME for 3 years you could just return it.

 

[MachKet]

Your salesman is perfectly reasonable. Yesterday's price is not today's price. How are you stuck? You are not forced to sell the car to them. Sell to whoever gives you the most net money at the end, don't focus on the tax savings on a trade in so much

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