UPDATED!...HELP! Is this standard PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection)

[T_to the_A]

Apologies in advance - I can be a bit long winded.
I do believe it’s best to provide all details in teliing a tale, and this seems to be damn near complete fiction.
Here’s the groundwork.
Initial delivery email from Ford.com 2/2/21 “your vehicle has been built” current delivery estimate 3/6-3/12. Got the 3/2/21 email informing of the bonus 250 kWh of extra charging because of ‘ challenges we’ve faced in meeting demands...meticulous attention to detail...we know you are anxious’. Blah blah blah.
* *You will see in the photo why I have my indifference.

After all the hand wringing and constant PalsApp updating, constantly bugging my dealer sales rep every 3 to 4 days, my Mach-e was finally delivered on Monday 4/18/21 to my local dealer.
This btw is 3 days AFTER I receive the Ford.com email that says it was delivered to dealer on 4/15/21. Whatever. It finally arrived!

I was able to take a quick peek at it shortly after it was removed from the transporter, usual white stickers all over the car and coated in dust. It looked to me to be in about as good of shape as possible after it’s multi country and state journey(s). My sales rep was not present for this visit, the Sales and Leasing Consultant was and told me he’d think I’d be ready to purchase in 2 days (that would be today) after cleaning and PDI.
I took some pics as I’m very excited and went home and further cleaned out my garage.

Yesterday my sales rep phones me up and tells me that there’s damage to the car “from the transporter company, specifically refers to some ’paint scuffs’.“
I immediately cancel all plans (work) and warp speed up to the dealer. I, in all honesty, cannot say that I could see clearly with all the dirt coated on the car, the scuffs he referred to. I kind of wiped off what I could with my hand and some spit (gross, yah what ever— I’d have licked it off to get into the car and driven away, & purchased immediately) and then listened to him tell me that they’d not sell me a car with flawed paint, and that they want it to be perfect, and most importantly that the transport company will pay for the paint correction.
All of this occurred In the back lot and in not the most ideal light for me to further really inspect all the scuffs that he attempted to point out to me.

I must say I really couldn’t believe that they would’nt be able to have been polished out. I am no paint expert—but I’ve buffed out my fair share of scratches and these were topical and not through to ANY metal. I decided that I would just leave and wait for the next update from my rep.

OK —almost final destination on my diatribe.
Thanks for making it this far!

I decide to push the issue this afternoon. I ask and say I want to see the scuffs again. I also ask if it’s possible to get a loaner car as I’ve been waiting now FOR SO LONG. The reply is, ”Sure come by now, if you sign the sales paperwork (?) I can get you a loaner car”.
huh?.
Obviously I can’t take possession of my ordered Mach-e as it needs this paint “fix”.
So of course I show up late in the eve (8:00) My rep tells me that my car is in the PDI, but he then offers to let me see it, “even though he’s not supposed to”.

I get to go into the shop area, and I cannot even begin to focus on the ’paint scuffs’ because it appears my Mach-e is being dis-assembled.

PLEASE REASSURE ME I’M NOT FREAKING OUT UNNECESSARILY!

This does not look to me like a PDI—looks more like an autopsy. Yes it has auto in the word.

Shouldn’t a delivered, built, stuck in KC for 2 months vehicle be ready to roll?

Again....Help! I’m EXTREMLY unhappy right now.

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[jsteach]

Heart breaker!!! This is the first time these tech have had this model apart. The likely hood every last screw going back and unnecessary prying to get things apart . I would cancel my order for less. Tell the owner/general manager, having your car apart (lying , being mislead) was not part of the deal. Have him find you another one.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Get an answer from the dealer’s GM immediately. Write the customer experience executives at Ford an email. Be as concise and polite as possible and send them the pictures. Ask them to explain why you should accept this car. Then start looking for another dealer, even if it means waiting for a 2022 model.


https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/ford/

 

[db4z]

Sure looks like they were trying to fix something electrical. They may have just discovered a problem during PDI.

 

[SteelMach]

Heart breaker!!! This is the first time these tech have had this model apart. The likely hood every last screw going back and unnecessary prying to get things apart . I would cancel my order for less. Tell the owner/general manager, having your car apart (lying , being mislead) was not part of the deal. Have him find you another one.

Yup. Don't walk, run away from this dealer.

If they think they don't need to tell you about this level of work on your car, they don't deserve your money. Luckily there aren't that many different ways to build a Mach-E, I would look if a different local dealer has your car coming.

 

[machefan]

Apologies in advance - I can be a bit long winded.
I do believe it’s best to provide all details in teliing a tale, and this seems to be damn near complete fiction.
Here’s the groundwork.
Initial delivery email from Ford.com 2/2/21 “your vehicle has been built” current delivery estimate 3/6-3/12. Got the 3/2/21 email informing of the bonus 250 kWh of extra charging because of ‘ challenges we’ve faced in meeting demands...meticulous attention to detail...we know you are anxious’. Blah blah blah.
* *You will see in the photo why I have my indifference.

After all the hand wringing and constant PalsApp updating, constantly bugging my dealer sales rep every 3 to 4 days, my Mach-e was finally delivered on Monday 4/18/21 to my local dealer.
This btw is 3 days AFTER I receive the Ford.com email that says it was delivered to dealer on 4/15/21. Whatever. It finally arrived!

I was able to take a quick peek at it shortly after it was removed from the transporter, usual white stickers all over the car and coated in dust. It looked to me to be in about as good of shape as possible after it’s multi country and state journey(s). My sales rep was not present for this visit, the Sales and Leasing Consultant was and told me he’d think I’d be ready to purchase in 2 days (that would be today) after cleaning and PDI.
I took some pics as I’m very excited and went home and further cleaned out my garage.

Yesterday my sales rep phones me up and tells me that there’s damage to the car “from the transporter company, specifically refers to some ’paint scuffs’.“
I immediately cancel all plans (work) and warp speed up to the dealer. I, in all honesty, cannot say that I could see clearly with all the dirt coated on the car, the scuffs he referred to. I kind of wiped off what I could with my hand and some spit (gross, yah what ever— I’d have licked it off to get into the car and driven away, & purchased immediately) and then listened to him tell me that they’d not sell me a car with flawed paint, and that they want it to be perfect, and most importantly that the transport company will pay for the paint correction.
All of this occurred In the back lot and in not the most ideal light for me to further really inspect all the scuffs that he attempted to point out to me.

I must say I really couldn’t believe that they would’nt be able to have been polished out. I am no paint expert—but I’ve buffed out my fair share of scratches and these were topical and not through to ANY metal. I decided that I would just leave and wait for the next update from my rep.

OK —almost final destination on my diatribe.
Thanks for making it this far!

I decide to push the issue this afternoon. I ask and say I want to see the scuffs again. I also ask if it’s possible to get a loaner car as I’ve been waiting now FOR SO LONG. The reply is, ”Sure come by now, if you sign the sales paperwork (?) I can get you a loaner car”.
huh?.
Obviously I can’t take possession of my ordered Mach-e as it needs this paint “fix”.
So of course I show up late in the eve (8:00) My rep tells me that my car is in the PDI, but he then offers to let me see it, “even though he’s not supposed to”.

I get to go into the shop area, and I cannot even begin to focus on the ’paint scuffs’ because it appears my Mach-e is being dis-assembled.

PLEASE REASSURE ME I’M NOT FREAKING OUT UNNECESSARILY!

This does not look to me like a PDI—looks more like an autopsy. Yes it has auto in the word.

Shouldn’t a delivered, built, stuck in KC for 2 months vehicle be ready to roll?

Again....Help! I’m EXTREMLY unhappy right now.

Well maybe they heard the buzz and wanted to fix it? ?

Looks like your center screen in on the seat too. I am shocked and horrified at your experience, how can the dealer not tell you why your new car is torn apart?

Sad here for you but I feel like there is more to this story waiting to unfold.

 

[Mach-E-Fan]

Unbelievable! I know I would freak out, too. I hope you get a thorough explanation

 

[machefan]

Unbelievable! I know I would freak out, too. I hope you get a thorough explanation

I thought I responded to myself, guess you want to be a fan as well with a similar name.

 

[CHeil402]

Sure looks like they were trying to fix something electrical. They may have just discovered a problem during PDI.

Yea, that doesn't look like a normal inspection. I guess that paint scuff was deeper than they initially thought ?. While I would be happy that my dealer is being thorough and wants to deliver a product in good condition, they should communicate with you along the way.

Had they said "hey we found problem X during inspection and we need to take it apart to do Y" then I'd be ok with that, but just walking into the back of the dealership to seeing you car in pieces with test equipment lying around is not ok. Did you ever get a better explanation?

 

[ChasingCoral]

WTF?

Let us know what the GM says. Clearly they are checking something other than paint scuffs.

 

[Jimrpa]

Apologies in advance - I can be a bit long winded.
I do believe it’s best to provide all details in teliing a tale, and this seems to be damn near complete fiction.
Here’s the groundwork.
Initial delivery email from Ford.com 2/2/21 “your vehicle has been built” current delivery estimate 3/6-3/12. Got the 3/2/21 email informing of the bonus 250 kWh of extra charging because of ‘ challenges we’ve faced in meeting demands...meticulous attention to detail...we know you are anxious’. Blah blah blah.
* *You will see in the photo why I have my indifference.

After all the hand wringing and constant PalsApp updating, constantly bugging my dealer sales rep every 3 to 4 days, my Mach-e was finally delivered on Monday 4/18/21 to my local dealer.
This btw is 3 days AFTER I receive the Ford.com email that says it was delivered to dealer on 4/15/21. Whatever. It finally arrived!

I was able to take a quick peek at it shortly after it was removed from the transporter, usual white stickers all over the car and coated in dust. It looked to me to be in about as good of shape as possible after it’s multi country and state journey(s). My sales rep was not present for this visit, the Sales and Leasing Consultant was and told me he’d think I’d be ready to purchase in 2 days (that would be today) after cleaning and PDI.
I took some pics as I’m very excited and went home and further cleaned out my garage.

Yesterday my sales rep phones me up and tells me that there’s damage to the car “from the transporter company, specifically refers to some ’paint scuffs’.“
I immediately cancel all plans (work) and warp speed up to the dealer. I, in all honesty, cannot say that I could see clearly with all the dirt coated on the car, the scuffs he referred to. I kind of wiped off what I could with my hand and some spit (gross, yah what ever— I’d have licked it off to get into the car and driven away, & purchased immediately) and then listened to him tell me that they’d not sell me a car with flawed paint, and that they want it to be perfect, and most importantly that the transport company will pay for the paint correction.
All of this occurred In the back lot and in not the most ideal light for me to further really inspect all the scuffs that he attempted to point out to me.

I must say I really couldn’t believe that they would’nt be able to have been polished out. I am no paint expert—but I’ve buffed out my fair share of scratches and these were topical and not through to ANY metal. I decided that I would just leave and wait for the next update from my rep.

OK —almost final destination on my diatribe.
Thanks for making it this far!

I decide to push the issue this afternoon. I ask and say I want to see the scuffs again. I also ask if it’s possible to get a loaner car as I’ve been waiting now FOR SO LONG. The reply is, ”Sure come by now, if you sign the sales paperwork (?) I can get you a loaner car”.
huh?.
Obviously I can’t take possession of my ordered Mach-e as it needs this paint “fix”.
So of course I show up late in the eve (8:00) My rep tells me that my car is in the PDI, but he then offers to let me see it, “even though he’s not supposed to”.

I get to go into the shop area, and I cannot even begin to focus on the ’paint scuffs’ because it appears my Mach-e is being dis-assembled.

PLEASE REASSURE ME I’M NOT FREAKING OUT UNNECESSARILY!

This does not look to me like a PDI—looks more like an autopsy. Yes it has auto in the word.

Shouldn’t a delivered, built, stuck in KC for 2 months vehicle be ready to roll?

Again....Help! I’m EXTREMLY unhappy right now.

Holy cow! That’s NOT “paint scuffs” or (in my case), “water drops”. I’d demand to know WTF is going on, why the protective plastic was removed from the seats and bare metal parts are sitting on them, why the protective plastic was removed from the floor and why tools are sitting on the carpeting, and most importantly, when are you getting a new Mustang Mach E since, obviously, you are refusing delivery of this “service department learning experience”!

 

[Clydesdale]

Your story took quite the unexpected turn!

There’s a chance that with some care, they put it back together better than it was originally, but like others said, there’s a chance of loose or broken fasteners that could lead to rattles. Scratches to panels are difficult to avoid but you can inspect for that before delivery. Functionally though, once everything is connected, it should be fine.

It’s probably worse that you actually saw it in that state with your own eye. Sometimes, it’s better not to know these things!

 

[Jimrpa]

Oh, one other thing - everyone is saying to reach out to the dealer GM. Forget that - go straight to the dealership OWNER (I happen to know my dealership owner personally). Whine LOUDLY until you hear from him (at least a call or a letter).

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Oh, one other thing - everyone is saying to reach out to the dealer GM. Forget that - go straight to the dealership OWNER (I happen to know my dealership owner personally). Whine LOUDLY until you hear from him (at least a call or a letter).

I generally tell folks to go to the Gm first as many dealers are owned by corporations now rather than a single person (regardless of how he/she holds title to the dealership). That makes it harder to find an ultimately responsible owner. Talking to Ford Executives will result in some pressure from Ford and may bring about a quicker resolution to this.

 

[BMT1071]

Holy cow! That’s NOT “paint scuffs” or (in my case), “water drops”. I’d demand to know WTF is going on, why the protective plastic was removed from the seats and bare metal parts are sitting on them, why the protective plastic was removed from the floor and why tools are sitting on the carpeting, and most importantly, when are you getting a new Mustang Mach E since, obviously, you are refusing delivery of this “service department learning experience”!

What makes you think this is a "learning experience"? Vehicles occasionally arrive at the dealer with issues that need to be corrected prior to delivery. There certainly should have been more transparency here, but there's really nothing to get freaked out about.

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