When does a MME ownership change from Ford to Dealer?

[Mrn]

In the MME supply chain, at what point does the dealer become the owner? I'm guessing it is when the vehicle rolls off the delivery truck at the dealership and a dealer rep signs for the car? And what does the dealer do if she notices damage to a car on the car carrier? I'm especially interested in the case where the car was ordered by a customer.

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[RickMachE]

If a vehicle is damaged enroute, the damage is repaired by the dealer (if it reaches them), and Ford pays for it. If it is damaged prior to receipt by the dealer, it can be repaired "in the field, i.e. at a train yard location (they likely take it elsewhere). In all cases, the vehicle should be repaired before the customer accepts delivery.

The repair is not entered into systems for tracking with things like CarFax, and no "diminished value" claims are valid, as the consumer accepts, or doesn't accept delivery.

Never accept delivery until the repair is completed to your satisfaction.

When the dealership is responsible for financing the vehicle, or legally owns the unregistered vehicle, has nothing to do with the repairs, unless they damage it after they receive it.

 

[O’Msjestic1]

In the MME supply chain, at what point does the dealer become the owner? I'm guessing it is when the vehicle rolls off the delivery truck at the dealership and a dealer rep signs for the car? And what does the dealer do if she notices damage to a car on the car carrier? I'm especially interested in the case where the car was ordered by a customer.

I’m sure there are some legal eagles on here who know the law by state but my novice knowledge says invoice or payment received dates. There has to be a black and white line of demarcation between the dealerships and FoMCo. I’d bet litigation has clearly established where ownership shifts.

 

[Mrn]

I'm possibly getting 'my' MME this week, according to BNSF railcar schedules. I have a 2k non refundable deposit on a basic Select. If I refuse a damaged car until repairs are satisfactory, could the dealership take their time fixing it and then sell it to someone else?

Sorry if I sound paranoid. I think Paranoia is a human evolutionary adaption to car dealerships ?‍?

 

[AKgrampy]

I'm possibly getting 'my' MME this week, according to BNSF railcar schedules. I have a 2k non refundable deposit on a basic Select. If I refuse a damaged car until repairs are satisfactory, could the dealership take their time fixing it and then sell it to someone else?

Sorry if I sound paranoid. I think Paranoia is a human evolutionary adaption to car dealerships ?‍?

I am not an attorney but if you have a non -refundable deposit I would think the dealer could not easily sell the car out from under you. Damage in transit is a regular occurrence so my guess if there is any damage is that the dealer will just take care of it and not play any games with you. Ford covers the repairs.

 

[Maquis]

To answer the original question, transfer of ownership of shipped goods depends on the INCOterms of the sales contract. It can be anywhere from when the goods leave the factory, to the point where the customer accepts the goods at the destination.
I have no idea what INCOterms Ford and their dealers have agreed upon, and as others have mentioned, it has no real bearing on repair of in-transit damage.

 

[RickMachE]

I'm possibly getting 'my' MME this week, according to BNSF railcar schedules. I have a 2k non refundable deposit on a basic Select. If I refuse a damaged car until repairs are satisfactory, could the dealership take their time fixing it and then sell it to someone else?

Sorry if I sound paranoid. I think Paranoia is a human evolutionary adaption to car dealerships ?‍?

That's a large deposit, and non-refundable is very unusual.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I'm possibly getting 'my' MME this week, according to BNSF railcar schedules. I have a 2k non refundable deposit on a basic Select. If I refuse a damaged car until repairs are satisfactory, could the dealership take their time fixing it and then sell it to someone else?

Sorry if I sound paranoid. I think Paranoia is a human evolutionary adaption to car dealerships ?‍?

Since the deposit is non-refundable, did the dealer not offer some sort of concession like the dealer not being able to sell the car out from under you? Seems like it would be a great way for a dealer to cheat a prospective customer by making the customer tender a non-refundable deposit then selling the car to someone else. ?‍?

When the car comes in to the dealer, I would go and inspect it immediately. If there is damage, get it in writing from the dealer that they are going to get it repaired and that you have first right of refusal on the car before they can even think of offering it to someone else, regardless of how long it takes to repair. ??

 

[Mrn]

The dealer wasn't very happy with Ford or me at the time.

In February I went in and asked to order the basic MME. The salesman wrote up the order and said ' Oh darn, I'm pressing the button and nothing happens'. That might be a slight paraphrase ?. Then he showed me all of the other orders they had and they were all much more elaborate versions.

Since I didn't take the hint, he said he'd keep trying to place the order and call back when he was successful. I waited about a week and crickets.

I was still following the MME in my news feed. Then I saw that Ford was removing the middle tiers in the MME line up to put some pressure on dealers, maybe to stop so so much upselling?

I called back the salesman and he was now willing to take the order, but he noted that it was quite a coincidence that I called him back at almost the same time he was hearing about the change himself?

So the button worked fine when I went back in, but he didn't seem very enthusiastic about the order. I think the 2k NRD was a bit of payback for the dealership loosing a bit of the golden goose.

 

[Mach1E]

I'm possibly getting 'my' MME this week, according to BNSF railcar schedules. I have a 2k non refundable deposit on a basic Select. If I refuse a damaged car until repairs are satisfactory, could the dealership take their time fixing it and then sell it to someone else?

Sorry if I sound paranoid. I think Paranoia is a human evolutionary adaption to car dealerships ?‍?

So…….. instead of speaking on hypotheticals and riddles, let’s lay out the facts:

Was your car damaged in transportation?

 

[Mrn]

I'll let you know after I get it.

 

[mburtsvt]

In the MME supply chain, at what point does the dealer become the owner? I'm guessing it is when the vehicle rolls off the delivery truck at the dealership and a dealer rep signs for the car? And what does the dealer do if she notices damage to a car on the car carrier? I'm especially interested in the case where the car was ordered by a customer.

FYI - The dealer never "owned" the car. They are financed by a 3rd party flooring company. The dealer orders the car and the cost is deducted from their "open to buy". The "MCO" (Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin) is sent to the flooring company until the dealer submits customer financing paperwork or, in the case of an all cash sale, sent to the customer, (in some cases the DMV), so the end customer can register the car and get insurance.

 

[Mach1E]

I'll let you know after I get it.

So in other words, you’re just wondering what happens IF it was damaged?

I would just cross that bridge if you get there. But it’s not super common, I wouldn’t spend another minute thinking about it.

The real answer is……. It depends.

But even if “non-refundable,” if damaged the dealer would likely let you back out and then they could sell it to someone else for a higher price.

 

[Jax_GT]

In the MME supply chain, at what point does the dealer become the owner? I'm guessing it is when the vehicle rolls off the delivery truck at the dealership and a dealer rep signs for the car? And what does the dealer do if she notices damage to a car on the car carrier? I'm especially interested in the case where the car was ordered by a customer.

My Arizona bound MME was damaged in transit. My dealer showed me the information from Ford and disclosed it. It's getting fixed by Ford before delivery.

I wouldn't worry about it.

I'm am confused on why they made you do a 2k deposit, though..


The only downside to these cars is that we have no leverage. My car was damaged and is getting fixed, but if that really bothered me what is my dealer going to do? They don't need to try to convince me to buy it. They'll just take delivery and mark it up 10k.

Odds are it's fine. Minor damage does happen and it gets fixed. AZ ones go to Sanderson Ford if it needs body work.

 

[Reign of Ravens]

Sorry if I sound paranoid. I think Paranoia is a human evolutionary adaption to car dealerships ?‍?

As the saying goes, it's not paranoia if they really are out to get you.

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