Some Westside Guy
Member
- First Name
- Steve
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2022
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 4
- Location
- Los Angeles Area
- Vehicles
- 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD ER Ice White
- Thread starter
- #1
Couldn't find a current thread so I'm making one (if there is one please close/merge @mods).
After ordering my 2022 Mustang Mach-E Ice White in October 2021, I finally picked it up in August 2022. After going through this whole ordeal I thought I would share my experience and things to look out for or push on if you find yourself in a similar predicament.
The experience started back in April 2022 (6 months after order). At this point, I felt there was a hold on my order. I called up the dealership and turns out the person managing my order was no longer there so it fell through the cracks. After a chat and signing a new build order with the Park Assist Prep Kit, my order was free and clear and scheduled for production shortly after.
Upon delivery, the internet sales rep handling my order was pretty pushy on getting me to sign stuff prior to coming into the dealership. By pushy, I mean the day the car arrived they wanted me to sign some documents as if I could drop everything on a Thursday/Friday, come in, and pick up the car. I filled out the credit application and other non-obligatory papers, but then they wanted me to sign a purchase sales agreement online (which once at the dealer was done via iPad via the same software). I kept pushing back that I am still coming in on X date and don't want to sign a purchase agreement without some addendum or reducing the price by the Price Protection amount. I then receive a call from the internet manager who then cleared up the confusion and said they would honor Price Protection by knocking it off the selling price directly, while also saying if I had X-Plan to to bring the PIN as well (I don't have X-Plan pricing unfortunately).
On the day of arrival, it was more or less smooth. I did have to wait for 1.5 hours before even finishing paperwork (sat down, was greeted promptly, took my DL and insurance, and then handed the keys preemptively). After waiting came straight to signing paperwork in the standard fashion (paid down payment half check half card), then got current Options pricing at 3.9% and $2000 incentive cash. One thing that rubbed me wrong was that the $325 Park Assist Discount wasn't on the paperwork, and I didn't notice until after I got home (so I mentioned that in the survey in hopes it changes the process in the future). One thing that was a bit weird is that I got a call from the dealer a couple days after that I didn't give them $500 as part of the down payment. Told the finance rep that my deposit should have covered that, so we had to do a roundabout process of refunding the original deposit and then charging my card again for the same amount. Not the worst thing but shows that Ford's process is not streamlined in the slightest.
Finally, once signing everything I set the car up with the sales rep, put in the weatherized floor mats (they weren't installed prior to delivery or by the dealer by they helped put them in after), and drove off the lot.
tl;dr
After ordering my 2022 Mustang Mach-E Ice White in October 2021, I finally picked it up in August 2022. After going through this whole ordeal I thought I would share my experience and things to look out for or push on if you find yourself in a similar predicament.
The experience started back in April 2022 (6 months after order). At this point, I felt there was a hold on my order. I called up the dealership and turns out the person managing my order was no longer there so it fell through the cracks. After a chat and signing a new build order with the Park Assist Prep Kit, my order was free and clear and scheduled for production shortly after.
Upon delivery, the internet sales rep handling my order was pretty pushy on getting me to sign stuff prior to coming into the dealership. By pushy, I mean the day the car arrived they wanted me to sign some documents as if I could drop everything on a Thursday/Friday, come in, and pick up the car. I filled out the credit application and other non-obligatory papers, but then they wanted me to sign a purchase sales agreement online (which once at the dealer was done via iPad via the same software). I kept pushing back that I am still coming in on X date and don't want to sign a purchase agreement without some addendum or reducing the price by the Price Protection amount. I then receive a call from the internet manager who then cleared up the confusion and said they would honor Price Protection by knocking it off the selling price directly, while also saying if I had X-Plan to to bring the PIN as well (I don't have X-Plan pricing unfortunately).
On the day of arrival, it was more or less smooth. I did have to wait for 1.5 hours before even finishing paperwork (sat down, was greeted promptly, took my DL and insurance, and then handed the keys preemptively). After waiting came straight to signing paperwork in the standard fashion (paid down payment half check half card), then got current Options pricing at 3.9% and $2000 incentive cash. One thing that rubbed me wrong was that the $325 Park Assist Discount wasn't on the paperwork, and I didn't notice until after I got home (so I mentioned that in the survey in hopes it changes the process in the future). One thing that was a bit weird is that I got a call from the dealer a couple days after that I didn't give them $500 as part of the down payment. Told the finance rep that my deposit should have covered that, so we had to do a roundabout process of refunding the original deposit and then charging my card again for the same amount. Not the worst thing but shows that Ford's process is not streamlined in the slightest.
Finally, once signing everything I set the car up with the sales rep, put in the weatherized floor mats (they weren't installed prior to delivery or by the dealer by they helped put them in after), and drove off the lot.
tl;dr
- When a dealer tries to get you to sign any purchase agreement, contract, or other paperwork (in-person or at home) that has the out the door price, scrutinize it carefully if you know that you are entitled to Price Protection or other discounts. Once this is signed, the dealer has a lot of leverage to not honor discounts and incentives beyond that.
- If you believe you aren't getting the correct purchase price (missing price protection, production discounts, etc...), push back before signing.
- If you are entitled to Price Protection or other point-of-sale discounts, try to get it knocked off the purchase price and let the dealer chase it from Ford. This will save you more in financing interest, taxes, and other state fees than just the $2000 (or other amount) alone.
- By choosing the Ford Options financing plan, attempt to see if they can backdate incentives via SmartVincent. My dealer wouldn't do it, but try with yours as interest rates have gone up 3% since I ordered in 2021 (originally 0.9% with $2500 cash, currently 3.9% with $2000 cash).
- Be clear with your dealer on where the money for the down payment is coming from, especially if you have a deposit. While doing the refund and repayment wasn't too much of a pain, it was more an inconvenience that didn't need to happen.
- Should you have ordered any accessory options, be aware it might not be installed on day of pick up.
- If you have Ford Credit financing (standard or Options Plan), don't wait for the mailer to link your account. Call the automated phone system with Ford Credit. Put in your social security number and the system will say your account number and other loan information. Use the account number said during the phone tree to link your Credit account with your Ford account to set up payments faster (thus saving on interest if you begin making payments faster). Wiki post on Ford Credit payment options to come
- Even if you are planning to do standard financing or all-cash payment, I recommend the Ford Options plan if there are any incentives. You can always choose this option and then do an immediate payoff on the loan or make larger monthly payments than required, thus pocketing the incentive off the car.
- Once in hand, fill out the dealer survey with your true thoughts! This is important as if you are truly wronged this is how dealers get punished by Ford!
- Enjoy your new Mustang Mach-E!
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