ADM is now a Ford problem

[Contact]

Ask yourself this, is Ford selling the vehicle to the public or is it the dealership? The dealer is purchasing from Ford for resale. The agreement/contract should be between the buyer and the dealership. I don't see how Ford is responsible, legally, to instruct, or enforce the dealer to sell the vehicle for a specific price. Mind you, I'm just looking at this from a business standpoint.
Who dictates the selling price? Basically, you better get the deal in writing, not an order, but a purchase agreement that details the total deal. Even a $1 deposit on top of that would help solidify the agreement.

Sponsored

 

[DrewBronc21]

I long for the day I can order my car on Amazon and it’s on my doorstep the next day.

There is no other purchase that is as dysfunctional as buying a car.

ADMs, extreme lowballing on trade ins, hidden fees, BS add ons etc, it’s just a sleazy industry and always has been, with some exceptions. If there are a few dealers that can be truly honest and transparent, why not more?

OP paid the $5k ADM further rewarding bad behavior. I dont know what I would have done.

Dealers are franchises and represent Ford. They ARE Ford to customers who buy and have their vehicles serviced at dealerships. Ford is absolutely affected by how dealers treat their customers and Ford should care About what’s going on.

 

[Bronco Snow Dog]

Perhaps Ford should deliver direct to consumers in some cases. When you reserve a vehicle on line, there is no way the dealer should be able to add an ADM. That particular dealer would never, ever get my business again. Not only vehicle purchases, but service as well.

 

[Newbie]

I read Ford's email prior to ordering which stated to have a purchase agreement with the dealer prior to ordering. So, that's exactly what I did and what they and I signed. My local dealers would not sell at Invoice, so I shopped around and went with a dealer who would...even though that dealer is about 500 miles away.

 

[cowman]

The key word is "suggested." A dealer is free to set the retail price of the products it sells. A dealer can set the price at the MSRP or at a different price, as long as the dealer comes to that decision on its own. However, the manufacturer can decide not to use distributors that do not adhere to its MSRP.

 

[PrepVet]

This is still not a Ford problem.

 

[2021badlands bronco bob]

100% not a dealer here and I think it’s shady if a dealer raises your price IF you have an agreement. That being said I actually do feel bad for sales folks right now. I deal with local dealerships and live in a relatively small community. I'm dealing with people i know i see them around town, i legitimately don't think they are trying to rip people off. They are trying to make a living and support their families and they are in a very tough position right now. I was on two car lots today one had 8 new cars the other had 11, both the dealerships both normally have over 100 cars. If your livelihood is based on moving product and you have no product to move it's a tough situation to be in. I think there are some bad apples out there (there is one dealership around me i 100% wouldn't deal with) but in 2021 with the amount of information that is available on the internet both for pricing and dealer reviews I don't think it behooves a dealer to try to rip people off. I try to live my life by the golden rule and think you can find a lot of honest dealers out there that a handshake is still enough to honor a deal.

I understand what you are saying. The irony to all of this is that it wouldn’t matter if they had hundreds of cars on their lots you can bet your backside that they would be doing the same thing as they are right now , they would stick an ADM all over that Bronco and laugh all the way to the bank. Keep it real.

 

[flatlander40]

Ford is going to move toward more of a special order system as they can probably save tons of money avoiding discounted vehicles. As we are in the very beginning stages of this now, I feel like the online Ford pricing vs. increased Ford Dealership pricing is something Ford will be addressing at some point.

 

[PrepVet]

Ford is going to move toward more of a special order system as they can probably save tons of money avoiding discounted vehicles. As we are in the very beginning stages of this now, I feel like the online Ford pricing vs. increased Ford Dealership pricing is something Ford will be addressing at some point.

Ford can’t sell directly to customers so there is little to nothing they can do.

 

[SuperFord]

The worst part, I moved my early reservation from one dealer (that was non-response) to this dealer.

I’m sorry that your 2nd dealer took advantage of the situation. That is sleazy. Maybe your original dealer wasn’t so bad after all…

 

[Tadel001]

There are many dealers that are honest and reputable. They build their business on loyalty. Those are great. There are others that have managers looking for the quick money. If you have a signed agreement, the Bronco shows up, and the dealer can sell to someone else for $10k more. The original ordering customer has two options: (1) pay the ADM; or (2) walk away and sue the dealer. Now for all the legaL scholars on this thread... what are the breach of contract damages? If they are more than the ADM, then you are in big claims (discovery, motions, etc... over a year normally but in COVID 2 years). If you are only claiming the ADM amount, you are in small claims, no truck, maybe a judge buys that is the damages (likely not).

So, is your signed contract really that great for you In that situation? The only hammer is Ford. The number of people that think suing is a practical solution are delusional.

 

[flatlander40]

Ford can’t sell directly to customers so there is little to nothing they can do.

I understand this, but I feel like it’s an issue they will approach or try to improve.

Or, they won’t do a damn thing at all lol

by the way, no they can’t sell direct, but they do a lot of -if you want that, you have to do this

 

[RobbyBronco]

Please explain. Most of use have no issue saying who we are and here to help folks either with an order or information. When other dealers f customers it turns into, “all dealers are crooks”, and is a ladel we have to push back against.

I’m referring to those stellar individuals who come here to complain about customers complaining, or to berate customers about how little they know.

You are not at all whom I was referring to, Flip. Thanks for your many contributions, seriously.

For the simple reason alone that Ford would be putting the already faulty tops fate and ultimate customer satisfaction squarely on the shoulders of dealers who - did not create the problem, may not be properly trained to handle installations and/or have the capacity to, and do not want to be the QC police for Ford.

For a company that dropped the ball on the initial QC. Passing the QC buck on to dealers and shipping out vehicles that are currently substandard quality to the public that is already weary of production issues would be suicide.

Hard no from me - but I'm also not part of #badbatch and would probably feel different if my vehicle were sitting at the lot.

As painful as it could be for processing. Ford ought to give those with built vehicles the option to choose.

So your proposal is to ship not-yet-completed Broncos that have not been released from manufacturing to dealerships so the dealership can store the Bronco at their storage lot vs. Ford's.

Then have a bulky top be shipped to dealers all over North America for installation.

That, versus storing the unfinished production near the MAP production facility, which has an addendum 1.3M square foot assembly facility that was set up by FoMoCo specifically for installing post-production accessories. So, instead of shipping replacement MIC tops in bulk from the nearby Webasto production facility to the MAP addendum facility, you think it is less expensive for Ford to create a logistics nightmare and disperse top shipments all across North America.

Good plan.

 

[flip]

I’m referring to those stellar individuals who come here to complain about customers complaining, or to berate customers about how little they know.

You are not at all whom I was referring to, Flip. Thanks for your many contributions, seriously.

I get that, just wondered who the other dealers were that haven’t ID’d themselves as such and are stirring the pot.

 

[Gloff]

Happy to have some extra encouraging news....you aren't planning on leaving Serramonte any time soon are ya?

Nope, in it for the long haul!

Sponsored