Another dealership victim

[JBrew]

More from the dealer's side:

Hi Bronco Enthusiast,

Due to a recent post on a Bronco forum, we felt it was necessary to make some clarifications regarding our pricing. One of our customers was not able to accomplish the payment they desired for their pre-ordered Bronco. The customer posted online that Ricart was charging over MSRP to customers when their Bronco arrived. This is not the case. We have made a promise to honor MSRP and qualified employee/retiree pricing for your arrived pre-ordered unit.

We have no idea why this customer decided to target us and state this inaccurate information. Please be assured we are keeping our promise to all of you. We understand many dealers are charging over MSRP. We are NOT one of those dealers. We appreciate you have trusted us with your reservation and we will not disappoint you.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

Zach Bowens
Sales Director
Ricart Ford

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[Kel]

What exactly is a purchase agreement without putting something down? For example, I went in to my dealership and built it out and had them print the build out and give it to me with my final price. It isn’t signed by them or me, but the guy I’m dealing with I also followed to this new dealership and he has assured me more than once I won’t be susceptible to markups because of our relationship.

What if he does not work there anymore when your bronco comes in or forgets your spoken agreement ?

 

[RobbyBronco]

If you were to take a dealer mark up to court before a judge, he or she would box your ears for not having a contract.

You should avoid the appearance of offering legal advice.

 

[MJ14]

I'm from Central Ohio and I can confirm dealers have been difficult to work with here - however - I would have never ever worked with RIcart. I have had issues with both Germain and Roush but ultimately have my order opened with Germain but I cannot currently confirm it with Ford (error on their end - or just refusal to accept other orders).

Still - can confirm - Ricart is the worst and I don't doubt what he said is true.

I live in Central Indiana and have made the drive 3 times for vehicles in Central Ohio. And it has been a mistake every single time. They must have some kind of deal between each other, because their prices are always about $3000 less than dealers around me. Except when I get there and they bring me a payment plan the vehicle magically goes up like $5000 in price before taxes. And there is always some kind of hidden fees that they try to not disclose. Like I'm not going to know the difference between a payment on $20,000 vs $25,000? This has happened at 3 different central ohio dealers.

I specifically will not drive to any dealer in Ohio for this specific reason. I also won't deal with my local Ford dealer either because they aren't quite as bad, but they also are always higher and have a worse trade in. I've tried 4 different times to use my local dealer and it's never gone well. But they're still nowhere near as bad as central ohio dealers.

Edit: Editing to say that the customer might be wrong on this one. Ricart may very well be selling close to MRSP with titles and "fees". I will agree with others that it seems like the bronco was later sold for $44,000 plus their tax, title, and fees. But a high interest rate doesn't make the vehicle cost more. It just makes the payment higher. The salesman specifically states fees. But what are the fees? Not saying the customer is right here, but we have no idea what the fees ended up being. I will stand behind that I have had 3 bad experience in Ohio where there were all of a sudden $1000s in fees when they brought me out a final sheet before going to finance.

 

[Bronc-O]

Wish I had known flexpay 84mo was an option when I proposed to my wife...

Side note: I am happily married

I never heard of an 84 month flexbuy. I know there's a 66 month flexbuy. I bought an 07 MKX using that.

 

[rutherk1]

I have been buying vehicles from Ricart since the early 1990s. Their commercials are terrible but they have always been fair. I usually see small dealers pulling this kind of stuff. Ricart is such a huge dealer that I cant seen them doing this. Hell, in the 1990s, they were giving away a free ford escort with every F150 you bought. Not calling anyone a liar, just really surprises me they would do this.

 

[UtahLars]

Oh you mean like the mob. We get it.

I cannot believe that there are people who think they can avoid signing a binding contract on something they want to buy, and yet somehow be protected from any subsequent changes in the terms that were in their head the day they talked to the dealer. Is everyone now a snowflake millennial?

If you go into a dealer, or any business, and just talk about possibly buying a product and what that might cost, all you have is the memory of having had a conversation about possibly buying a product and what it might cost. You literally have nothing else. You have not agreed on any terms, including the MSRP from the manufacturer that happened to be in effect that day. You want to have a firm deal, then enter into a firm deal. It really is not that complicated.

For the few who possibly do not know, the dealer and the manufacturer are separate businesses. As Ford always says, the dealer sets the final deal terms. Everyone should know that by now. The "S" in MSRP stands for - get ready - "suggested."

A business needs to sell actual products that are available for it to sell to the highest bidder. If you somehow think you can talk to a dealer about a car and walk in there 2 months later and be guaranteed the same deal, its likely because up til now you've been looking at cars that nobody wants and that the dealer today remains more than happy to sell you at that price you talked about way back when.

When you get a desirable vehicle, the whole equation changes. Dealers who have not committed to sell a vehicle previously pursuant to a binding contract can, and SHOULD, seek to get the best possible deal for themselves on that vehicle, regardless of how many vague conversations they've had about that model with prior widow shoppers in the past.

No, that does not make them the mafia. No, that does not make them sleazy. (Not to say that other stunts dealers pull can and do!) No, it is not "blaming the victim" if someone gives you the (very good and valuable) advice that you should get your deal in writing. Dry your tears and thank them.

Millennials!

 

[indio22]

I cannot believe that there are people who think they can avoid signing a binding contract on something they want to buy, and yet somehow be protected from any subsequent changes in the terms that were in their head the day they talked to the dealer. Is everyone now a snowflake millennial?

If you go into a dealer, or any business, and just talk about possibly buying a product and what that might cost, all you have is the memory of having had a conversation about possibly buying a product and what it might cost. You literally have nothing else. You have not agreed on any terms, including the MSRP from the manufacturer that happened to be in effect that day. You want to have a firm deal, then enter into a firm deal. It really is not that complicated.

For the few who possibly do not know, the dealer and the manufacturer are separate businesses. As Ford always says, the dealer sets the final deal terms. Everyone should know that by now. The "S" in MSRP stands for - get ready - "suggested."

A business needs to sell actual products that are available for it to sell to the highest bidder. If you somehow think you can talk to a dealer about a car and walk in there 2 months later and be guaranteed the same deal, its likely because up til now you've been looking at cars that nobody wants and that the dealer today remains more than happy to sell you at that price you talked about way back when.

When you get a desirable vehicle, the whole equation changes. Dealers who have not committed to sell a vehicle previously pursuant to a binding contract can, and SHOULD, seek to get the best possible deal for themselves on that vehicle, regardless of how many vague conversations they've had about that model with prior widow shoppers in the past.

No, that does not make them the mafia. No, that does not make them sleazy. (Not to say that other stunts dealers pull can and do!) No, it is not "blaming the victim" if someone gives you the (very good and valuable) advice that you should get your deal in writing. Dry your tears and thank them.

Millennials!

Yes it amazes me some people are making one of the largest purchases in life, and yet seem so uninformed and unprepared. I bought my first new car from a dealership last year, and beforehand read up on how to buy a car, discussed with knowledgeable people, and watched videos about what to do and look out for. I'd highly recommend people do that, to avoid having issues and making assumptions. Definitely don't make assumptions when it comes to a deal and price.

 

[Hoss360]

More from the dealer's side:

Hi Bronco Enthusiast,

Due to a recent post on a Bronco forum, we felt it was necessary to make some clarifications regarding our pricing. One of our customers was not able to accomplish the payment they desired for their pre-ordered Bronco. The customer posted online that Ricart was charging over MSRP to customers when their Bronco arrived. This is not the case. We have made a promise to honor MSRP and qualified employee/retiree pricing for your arrived pre-ordered unit.

We have no idea why this customer decided to target us and state this inaccurate information. Please be assured we are keeping our promise to all of you. We understand many dealers are charging over MSRP. We are NOT one of those dealers. We appreciate you have trusted us with your reservation and we will not disappoint you.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

Zach Bowens
Sales Director
Ricart Ford

I received this same email today. I haven't purchased a new vehicle since 1998 and have never worked with Ricart before. But this email makes me hopeful. If nothing else, we now have "not over MSRP" in writing.

 

[DadLife]

What if he does not work there anymore when your bronco comes in or forgets your spoken agreement ?

We have been in communication throughout so he won’t forget! However, him leaving could be a problem for me. Oh well! If they don’t honor it I won’t buy it…. I’ll take my money elsewhere. That simple

 

[Kel]

We have been in communication throughout so he won’t forget! However, him leaving could be a problem for me. Oh well! If they don’t honor it I won’t buy it…. I’ll take my money elsewhere. That simple

Get something in writing now that your bronco has not been delivered

 

[Onehrdfrst]

There is it's called customer awareness/education. It's the customers fault for not getting everything in writing before hand. If it's their first purchase I can see where they might not know this but it looks like they've leased before. You never wait until the end to seal the deal (on anything) and always make sure everything is in writing.

This more so now than ever because with the chip shortages dealers are trying to make up for lost sales any way they can. Sure the dealer is a slime ball for doing this but in the end it's your fault for not be prepared.

I totally disagree,
If a dealer expects to charge over MSRP they should tell you when you order.
when you go buy gas they don’t let you pump it with out telling the cost per gal, you don’t get up-charged for steak when you go to the register because it’s Saturday and everyone is out grilling. You all are giving the dealer way to much leeway here. It’s just a car/truck there are others coming off the assembly line each day .

 

[Kevers]

Well, since no one gets a VIN when they get a written agreement on price, legally the dealership has committed to nothing. If the Bronco you ordered comes in, and you don't like it, or your circumstances change and you can't afford to buy your Bronco, do you think the signed document on price you have legally binds you to buy it at that price? Do you think the dealer would take you to court and have a judge legally force you to buy the Bronco at the agreed to price?

Until you have a sales contract with a VIN attached to it, the written and signed price agreement you got in Jan - March is worth the signed paper it's printed on.

Yes, this! Not having an agreement gives the buyer some protections as well. i.e. the ability to walk away.

 

[Hoss360]

I know this is an older thread, but I just picked up my Wildtrak from Ricart today. Drew and the staff were absolutely professional and great to work with. No markups or unexpected fees.

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