ADM is now a Ford problem

[ric42pars]

That's not what price protection is. Price protection is that Ford won't raise the MSRP on your vehicle if you get bumped from 2021 to 2022 (or even 2023). That means, as long as you buy the exact same-equipped 2022 as your 2021 was configured, the MSRP will be the same and therefore your price with your dealer can remain the same, if you locked in your price. Any changes in your configuration will change your final price upward or downward, but the MSRP of those changes would be the same and therefore the net change to your price should align with that.

I completely understand what you're saying. But it doesn't change the fact that Ford is promising price protection that really doesn't have any meaning here. So the MSRP stays the same, it's still really a false promise to "end" customers because they really have no control over the pricing to "end" customers. In order for it to have any validity at all, your deal must be linked to MSRP (above or below). Most people ordering a Bronco, like myself, are most likely special ordering a new vehicle for the first time ever and price protection seems like a good promise. But most of us don't understand how this whole sham of middle men dealers work. Even if I have a price "deal" worked out with a "dealer", what happens if they say no "deal", it's now +10k. What recourse do I have. I have price protection from Ford that means absolutely nothing. That was really my point. I'm certainly not signing a contract for a vehicle before seeing it and no finance terms are worked out especially with no delivery date in sight.

I don't normally post much but this "price protection" promise kinda ruffled my feathers a little bit. Ford should promote that they offer no increase in price to the dealers. Otherwise it's a bit shady to me. Just expressing my feeling on the matter.

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[Tadel001]

I didn’t post this thread for the side-lawyer to lecture me on contract law. I am pretty confident that I would win my case. That isn’t the point. The point is that people shouldn’t have to resort tot that. Too many people hide behind lawyers. Do what is right. I posted the thread so Ford would take more aggressive action. There are a lot of people being taken advantage of. Again, I have my options, which I will not discuss here. What I will discuss is that the system is wrong.

Don’t hide behind the dealer can do what it wants. That attitude is a pretty lame excuse for corporate America. I have lived and breathed corporate responsibility over the past 18 months. I think Ford actually has strong corporate responsibility. It is unfortunate that some (and likely a fraction) dealers do not.

 

[Tadel001]

For those that got signed contracts in advance... glad you had choices on dealers that would do that. Good for you and good for the dealer.

But understand, claiming an enforced contract and getting the result you want are two very different things. If you haven’t litigated, you don’t know. If you have litigated, then you should understand the fallacy in having to enforce a contract for $5K. The dealers know it. That is why Ford has to step in. Suing over a contract is not a practical option.

 

[Ryuk]

If you are confident you would win, then sue them.
It's that's simple.
As far as getting opinions from people after you post on a public forum, well......
Welcome to the internet.

 

[Nellman]

Because Ford keeps touting Price Protection to order holders. Order holders do not have any price protection if the dealer can mark it up however they want.

How is this different if your Bronco was delivered today? Either find a dealership you trust, get a signed price in place when placing order before getting locked into dealership or deal with your lack of taking proper steps.

My original dealership wanted $5k ADM so I switched. Got MSRP agreement with new dealership, problem solved.

If you don't want to or decide not to negotiate with the dealership that is not a Ford problem that is your problem. This is not Walmart where you can't negotiate pricing.

If you are that worried about it why didn't or don't you switch to one of the many dealerships on this forum that won't change the price? If it is that important to you then do the proper work ahead of time.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

You didn't have a sign contract with the dealer setting the price?

He may have the concern I have and others have wondered about, I don't think my Dealer will do this. When I reserved my Bronco with the Dealer 13 months ago I got a signed letter from the Sales Manager, NO ADM. MSRP + 100.00 doc fee and that's it. Then when I ordered in February we signed an agreed upon MSRP price and they even signed a contract addendum I drew up with my clauses and attached it. That was on a 2021 Bronco. Now we (I) will be pushed to MY22, the original order as I understand it will be cancelled and a new order for a 22 will need to be placed. I believe my Dealer will uphold their commitment to only MSRP.....but....some Dealers may take this opportunity to add ADM on the new order. That IMO would be sleazy.... especially after all we have gone through.

 

[broncoj11]

Every make has dealers marking vehicles up, not just Ford.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

I've asked my dealer face to face 3x if they are going to mark up/ charge ADM when the Bronco eventually shows up and they have replied no each time. They admitted they will do that for stock units but claim orders will not be marked up. That's not to say they won't do it when the time comes but at this point I have no choice but to believe them. We shall see indeed.

Why not get them to put it in writing?! If not...log down date, time and who said it to you.

 

[hemiblas]

I agree with the survey comment. Those are very important to them. I would specifically outline what they did. You might even let them know that you are going to do that unless they remove the additional markup. Not a thread, but a kind reminder. I would also email Mike Levine and provide him the information you were given at the time of the sale. If you have anything in writing showing the price you would have paid, I bet they help you.

Granger has been nothing but awesome so far!!

 

[ric42pars]

How is this different if your Bronco was delivered today? Either find a dealership you trust, get a signed price in place when placing order before getting locked into dealership or deal with your lack of taking proper steps.

My original dealership wanted $5k ADM so I switched. Got MSRP agreement with new dealership, problem solved.

If you don't want to or decide not to negotiate with the dealership that is not a Ford problem that is your problem. This is not Walmart where you can't negotiate pricing.

If you are that worried about it why didn't or don't you switch to one of the many dealerships on this forum that won't change the price? If it is that important to you then do the proper work ahead of time.

I do. I'm not worried. I have mine ordered with Stephens and my point is not about me or my deal. It relates to Ford's guarantee that isn't a guarantee at all because they don't control the end user price. That's the only point I was trying to make. I feel like it is disingenuous and misleading to most.

 

[BlueBronco]

As hard it would have been, yes. A deal is a deal.
I guess we'll never know if the salesperson was just "fishing" or not.

Guaranteed he was absolutely "fishing" and hooked himself a big one at that. Would have been easy to demand to speak to the GM or tell them you need a few days to think it over while you get some advice and organize the media campaign against them.

I am no way saying what the dealership did was acceptable or right, but this is completely a buyer beware problem that could have been easily mitigated before the fact and could still have been resolved without the need to sue after the fact.

 

[Gumbeaux]

I am with @Tadel001 on this one. Wish Ford would find a way to mitigate this for reservation holders. But I guess the bottom line is Dealers can do what they want as long as they are comfortable with their consequences. I am optimistic my dealer will turn out to be honorable.

I know a dealer with a multi million dollar boat named "Doc Fees". Many dealers take pride in sticking it to people...(see my price quotation below...they arguably will make more profit on that than the vehicle itself!!!).

Now....the "side lawyer" in me is getting skittish with my build date pending soon.

I do not have a signed purchase agreement. I am tempted to go in to the dealer and ask for one...but.

What I do have is an email response to the question: "And what is the agreed price for this thing? I believe we discussed MSRP and some junk fees but wanted to be sure I understand exactly what this is going to be."

to which they replied in writing:

"The price will be MSRP plus ad valorem tax, doc fee of $699.99, and registration at $110 total. The MSRP was $62250 as built on the Badlands. Tax is based on trade difference, if you have a trade, at 6.6%."

To my non-legal eye, I have consideration in form of a deposit (charged by the dealer, not by Ford!) and a written contract by an authorized agent of that dealer. I am sure there are legal holes in all of this....but any reasonable dealer would know they screwed me for sure if they switch it up on me.

Now...the challenge will come if just like the OP here I am in the dealership and they pull a switch. I will be like the OP and over a barrel with no recourse other than to walk and subsequently attack them on social media or sue, neither of which seems fun or productive. But I will do it and sic my wife on them too That's the gamble some of the dealers are willing to take.

Anyway....we shall see soon enough. Good luck to you all.

 

[Philvis77]

The thing to keep in mind is the vast majority of people who have bought a new vehicle NEVER have encountered ADM charges. If you haven't and you were not visiting a site like this, the biggest price most expected was MSRP. You can shake your finger at someone all day long, but the truth of the matter is that for nearly all new vehicle buyers, MSRP is the highest price. If someone makes a post about a surprise ADM charge, they obviously didn't know about that possibility. If you're one of those impacted, I feel for you and welcome to the wonderful world of the Stealership Mafia!

 

[Bronc-O]

I'm failing to see how this is Ford's problem. Dealerships are Ford's customers. We're dealership customers.

I mean, yeah, it really sucks, but unless you're planning to bring a class action lawsuit against Ford this really is beyond their control, right?

I don't think Ford is able to do anything about this. There are laws protecting dealers. There's a word commonly used in the collectable vehicle world called "unobtainium". Dealers are well aware there are a lot of desperate people out there now. 5 minutes of reading this forum backs that up. Some dealers will take full advantage of this situation.

 

[Nellman]

For those that got signed contracts in advance... glad you had choices on dealers that would do that. Good for you and good for the dealer.

But understand, claiming an enforced contract and getting the result you want are two very different things. If you haven’t litigated, you don’t know. If you have litigated, then you should understand the fallacy in having to enforce a contract for $5K. The dealers know it. That is why Ford has to step in. Suing over a contract is not a practical option.

Why not small claims court?

I do. I'm not worried. I have mine ordered with Stephens and my point is not about me or my deal. It relates to Ford's guarantee that isn't a guarantee at all because they don't control the end user price. That's the only point I was trying to make. I feel like it is disingenuous and misleading to most.

That is a horrible point to try and make in the first place. Based on your argument everyone would pay the exact same price MSRP. If this isn't your point it is a have your cake and eat it to argument.

I want to be able to get it cheaper but want it maxed out at a certain price so I can't lose.

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