How did you all pick a dealer

[deadduck]

I have 2 local dealers, 2 semi local dealers, 2 in the longer range, then a whole bunch.

So, first stop, because it's in the ordering process, is the stars on the zip code selector. Nope, I don't think every Ford dealer is 4.5 or 5-stars, just seems unlikely for some reason.

Then I went to dealerrater.com. Hmmm, again, so many good ratings, or no rating for luddite places like I live in, which is ironic given where I live.

Next, I went to yelp, ah, the sweet scent of honesty. 5's become 3's, 4.5's become 2.5 and the dealer I have history with, only went 5 > 4.5, but like I said, history. It was a long time ago and new owners but it's also a small place. I doubt very much they'll be rolling Mach E's in and out on a daily basis.

So, how did you pick yours? I have no local loyalty, bought my Accord from 100 miles away, was stunned by a price that none of the locals would touch. On the other hand, I've always tried to buy local, because you will go there for service, but the locals always make it hard, and you have to shop for the best price (sort of does and doesn't apply with a Mach E).

Oh, and can you switch dealers once you've ordered or are you locked in to the bitter end.

Thanks!

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[exact33]

My choice was easy - only one dealer close to me.

 

[macchiaz-o]

I have 2 local dealers, 2 semi local dealers, 2 in the longer range, then a whole bunch.

So, first stop, because it's in the ordering process, is the stars on the zip code selector. Nope, I don't think every Ford dealer is 4.5 or 5-stars, just seems unlikely for some reason.

Then I went to dealerrater.com. Hmmm, again, so many good ratings, or no rating for luddite places like I live in, which is ironic given where I live.

Next, I went to yelp, ah, the sweet scent of honesty. 5's become 3's, 4.5's become 2.5 and the dealer I have history with, only went 5 > 4.5, but like I said, history. It was a long time ago and new owners but it's also a small place. I doubt very much they'll be rolling Mach E's in and out on a daily basis.

So, how did you pick yours? I have no local loyalty, bought my Accord from 100 miles away, was stunned by a price that none of the locals would touch. On the other hand, I've always tried to buy local, because you will go there for service, but the locals always make it hard, and you have to shop for the best price (sort of does and doesn't apply with a Mach E).

Oh, and can you switch dealers once you've ordered or are you locked in to the bitter end.

Thanks!

I picked a dealer near where I work, for convenience and to keep things simple. I emailed the Mach-E specialist at the dealer and asked her to confirm that they'll honor X-plan pricing on the Mustang Mach-E.

She confirmed. I was all set.

 

[physib]

Ask around on the forums. Find people here who live near you and ask how their experience was.

 

[krafty81]

No ADM, accepts X Plan, gives 1500 CA rebate.

 

[shadowsjc]

If you qualify for X plan (or similar), then it's easy - go to whichever dealer accepts X plan. Of 40-50 dealers I called within a 50 mile radius, only a handful participated in X plan.

Other than that I would just go to whichever one is closer.

 

[NoVAguy]

Asking the right questions via email is key when it comes to picking a dealership.

1. Do they honor X-Plan pricing?
2. Is there a ADM (after dealer markup)?
3. Is the deposit refundable? (I've gotten some crazy responses as to why it wouldn't be.. but bottom line is if you don't sell me a car, you don't get to keep my money)
4. Do they participate in all the applicable state incentives?
5. Are they aware of Ford options?

The dealership that gives you all the right answers to those questions is the one you want. And having the email to point to as proof that they agreed to the terms in writing is even better, in case they try to pull any typical dealer shenanigans!

 

[Kevmont]

Asking the right questions via email is key when it comes to picking a dealership.

1. Do they honor X-Plan pricing?
2. Is there a ADM (after dealer markup)?
3. Is the deposit refundable? (I've gotten some crazy responses as to why it wouldn't be.. but bottom line is if you don't sell me a car, you don't get to keep my money)
4. Do they participate in all the applicable state incentives?
5. Are they aware of Ford options?

The dealership that gives you all the right answers to those questions is the one you want. And having the email to point to as proof that they agreed to the terms in writing is even better, in case they try to pull any typical dealer shenanigans!

In my case the answer to all of those 5 very important questions was “yes”. I have purchased 3 previous Fords from this dealership and always enjoyed working with them. I never felt like I was being “sold to”, rather it was more like friends helping me get the car I want. The Gen Mgr of the dealership also got personally involved with every customer ordering a Mach-E and proactively notified me of my order status at each step along the process, build week, VIN# etc.. Knowing that my scheduled build was still weeks out, this Mgr called me one evening to tell me he had received a car like the one I ordered except it was Infinite Blue instead of Space White, and offered to hold it overnight for me If I was interested. I went down the next day and bought it! In my opinion, all manufacturers are notoriously bad at communicating directly with customers and this unnamed dealer (Walnut Creek Ford) is the very example of why dealers can be the best way to buy a car.

 

[Sneezy]

I don't like the Ford dealer close to me. They have burned me a few times and are very IGNORANT in the service department and usually spew out lies and then back track.

I bought my 2000 Trans Am from a local dealer and was treated well. (still have it). We got a Saab from them later on, then I got a 2014 Camaro SS followed by a 2017 Camaro SS. I will admit, service didn't listen to me as much as they should have...(key recall on the 14). They no longer doubt me. Anyway, sciatica makes it so I can't drive a stick and I really liked the Caddy XT4. They gave me 3K more than any other dealer was offering. The Chevy side bought it, the Caddy side was 3K lower. They really took care of me. They acquired a Ford dealer a few years ago and while it's 40 miles away, I can use the same salesman I have been. Which ever branch of the conglomerate will get me the best trade in, they will do that for me.

I got a friend of mine to buy cars from then and he won't buy anywhere else now.

And when they got their first C7 Vette in stock, they called me to come drive it, threw me the keys and said the plate was on it.... Don't wreck it but you have 30 minutes.

Yeah, I like my dealer.

 

[JamieGeek]

Easy for us: We just went to the same dealer we've been using for 20 years now. No hassle, no fuss...

 

[Timelessblur]

I picked the one closes to me and turns out to of been a mistake. I learned that they are the WORSE ford dealer in the area. Only after it was to late did I learn that. Multiple ones of my wifes coworker who love ford complained about that dealer saying the other are a lot better.
I have to agree with them. At the very least go visit the dealership and get a the vib of they are like. The first time I set foot in the one I had to buy my car from I got the slimmy car dealer vib. The others were not that way.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I originaly put the one closest to me that was EV-certified (note that is not the closest Ford dealer to me; they are the dealership that Ford's web site guided me to) onto my reservation. I hate that dealer because of my experience in purchasing my '14 Fusion Energi from them. I just converted to a dealer that is an hour and a half from me who has at least one person who posts regularly to the Mach-E Forum and seems like an OK person. I am hoping that this impression is solid and that my purchasing experience will be a good one.

I guess I'm a grumpy old man. "Get off my lawn you pesky kids!"

 

[supertramp]

Didn't have a clue about dealers in my area. Bought only one vehicle here long time ago and it was just a simple Civic, got the price quote online back then and the buying experience was OK. This time, I thought I will send emails to all dealers around me - there were 5 of them, with questions about MME and then decide. I've never bought Ford in my life, so, I had no knowledge about none of the dealers. My way of selecting the dealer turned out to be a full success. The first dealer who answered within couple of hours was actually the closest one and he also sounded the most knowledgeable one - he answered all the questions, all the answers were positive (no ADM, X-plan, rebates, participation in Clean Vehicle rebate program), he told me back then when demo cars are coming (he was off by more than a month, but it was due to the delays Ford had with MMEs). He never asked me to call him, so he would tell me the price . We exchanged few emails back and forth and his response was always within few hours or a day - max. No pressure, no trying to add some services I didn't ask. The other four dealers were not that good - some better, some terrible. Livermore Ford, for example, sent me a message without answering my questions and offered me to talk to a sales person, one other dealer also didn't answer any of my questions - only responded that MME is not for sale yet . San Leandro Ford was pretty good but the response was always kind of delayed and not as full as the dealer I chose at the end - Walnut Creek Ford - I am currently still waiting for the vehicle (ETA - end of May), but I already have some kind of draft invoice from them, so, do not think there will be any surprises. They already sold about 10 MMEs and I also talked to an MME owner who bought a vehicle from them and he confirmed they are solid.

 

[deadduck]

Thanks for all the replies.

When I bought my Accord I wound up going 100 miles for an incredible deal, but I'd have bought locally for more, if any of them (4 semi sort of local), and I mean any, had responded to email I sent to them from their websites. I didn't even get a "come in and talk to a salesman". Covid may have changed them, a little bit, but I bet if it's not the same now, or once we all get double-tapped on the arm it will be. And the Ford dealers are probably worse. At least the Honda dealers looked modern.

I also don't know how to test service departments before buying which is where the big problems can happen. Sales is a pain in the ass but can be wrangled down, service can make your life an ongoing hell, and a bad service writer can ruin you.

Again, thanks for the replies.

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