Has anyone spoken to a Ford salesman that actually knew as much as you do?

[Skip2a]

My salesman is fantastic and has helped every step of the way. He is a forum member and has always been able to answer any question that I have had. The entire process has been a pleasure.

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[DrewBronc21]

I never understood it. If you were paid to be THE guy at the dealer for a specific make and model, I would know every fucking thing about that vehicle. I never understood these guys who know less than me as the consumer on a product.

best way to earn my business? Know the product as well as I do and share my enthusiasm.

I had a Ford salesperson who had never even driven a GT350 try to help me with it. He knew nothing about the car. He did toss me the keys and directed me to some Open roads near by so I forgave him

I’ve also purchase 2 new Subaru STis over the years and the salespeople were clueless for the most part.

I think we enthusiasts will always know more. For me, I become a bit obsessed when I first start researching new cars and absorb a lot of info.

 

[jxc]

The crime is that (in the case of custom ordered vehicles such as Bronco) these dealerships( 99% of them) are basically adding minimal value - keying in an order, registering the vehicle, and doing a car wash. You can't even take one for a test drive -- For which they are compensated 1000s. It's unfortunate that Ford and the other legacy manufacturers are stuck with this inefficient business model.

 

[DeltaBravo]

I think we enthusiasts will always know more. For me, I become a bit obsessed when I first start researching new cars and absorb a lot of info.

dude it’s your job tho.... how much would you know about a specific vehicle if your mortgage payment depended on it?

 

[RiverRat001]

Not sure why people are defending the uneducated dealers here. “If they’re researching future vehicles, they’re missing opportunities to sell current vehicles”... the argument is pretty poor, and just defends dealer laziness. And just defends the dealer’s tendency to get middleman money without adding any actual value.

If you’re selling things that are equivalent to the average income... you better have at least one person on staff that thoroughly knows options and configurations. That goes for everything from Ecosport to F550. Specifically the Bronco, F-series, and Mustang have a massive influence over the future of the company, and are worth the extra effort.

I’m not saying they MUST memorize what specific alloy steel the frame is made out of, or the GVWR of every possible configuration. But dang, there should be a vehicle specialist that follows the major forum articles, is up-to-date on every Ford press release, and knows the B&P inside and out.

 

[PowPow]

yeah, the sales people are focused on one thing. Selling cars. They don't work for Ford. They work for a private dealership that is licensed (or whatever) to sell Ford products. They're job is to move the cars on the lot. Otherwise it costs the dealership money the longer they sit there.

When I deal with the sales person, the only thing I expect out of them is talking money. It's 100% transactional. He knows the lowest number he can get to, and it's my job to get as humanly close as possible to it. I've only owned GM cars bc my step dad is retired from GM, and I get the family pricing. It's be best car buying experience ever. The only thing you haggle on is the trade-in (if there is one)

As for features/options, I take it upon myself to educate.

I've said it a million times on this forum, but it's a broken, antiquated process. Private dealerships need to go. But they won't. Too many special interests.

 

[PowPow]

To add another point. I also think (but don't know) that the turnover rate is really high with car salesman. Hell, the guy I buy cars from at my Chevy dealership has changed 3 times since I bought my Tahoe is 2018. Therefore spending money on training costs a lot to only have them walk out the door. So it's up to the individual.

 

[Bronc-O]

To add another point. I also think (but don't know) that the turnover rate is really high with car salesman. Hell, the guy I buy cars from at my Chevy dealership has changed 3 times since I bought my Tahoe is 2018. Therefore spending money on training costs a lot to only have them walk out the door. So it's up to the individual.

That's one thing I like about my dealership. The sales manager has been there for 39 years. My first salesman was there 24 years before retiring due to health issues. My next salesman has been there 18 years and he just promoted to sales manager at the Lincoln store. My new salesman has been there a year and a half and is the Bronco specialist. He has a 2 door Badlands on order and follows this forum. He's been very good thus far.

 

[Walnut]

Interesting, I am at West Herr as well and they told me mid-February (email). Problem is, if we wait until March and they are not telling us the truth then there is little/no time to change dealers.

My concern: Ford customer service told me today they are making a lot of dealer changes because some are refusing to convert reservations to orders. They have discovered that if they only submit orders up to their allocation amount then they can cheat the time stamp and jump their preferred customers to the front of the line. Example - if they have 50 allocations and only submit 50 orders then those get filled and all they have to do is to not convert anymore reservations until after March or later. There is no way to force a dealer to convert any reservation to an order regardless of timestamp. Having a signed build sheet only confirms the price - it does not confirm when/if it will actually be submitted.

I have not had issues with this dealer in the past so I guess I have to decide if I am willing to take the risk and trust them or change to a different dealer.

Crazy to think I am so stupid love drunk for a Bronco that I am willing to beg to spend $57,000.

I don't understand this. How can a dealer know if all their customer's builds will be 2021? They don't. So if a dealer only submits orders equal to allocations, they may shoot themselves in the foot if some builds are pushed to 2022.

 

[Buffalo Bronco]

I don't understand this. How can a dealer know if all their customer's builds will be 2021? They don't. So if a dealer only submits orders equal to allocations, they may shoot themselves in the foot if some builds are pushed to 2022.

The « why » is speculation on my part. But, the Ford rep did tell me that there are a number of dealers who are refusing to convert reservations to orders and there is nothing that Ford or the reservation holder can do about it other than switching to a dealer that is willing. That is where I am at. I am a 7/16 reservation holder with a $57,000+ signed build sheet and it has been over three weeks since I met with them and the dealer will not submit the order. I have confirmed there are at least two others in the same situation at the same dealer.

 

[Zach@Granger]

I don't understand this. How can a dealer know if all their customer's builds will be 2021? They don't. So if a dealer only submits orders equal to allocations, they may shoot themselves in the foot if some builds are pushed to 2022.

They don't know and they haven't done their homework if that is their policy.

What happens if they are allocated 10 units and everyone orders a sasquatch? They only get 5 of those commodities available? Who gets their next order? You should convert 100% of what is available and let the cards fall where they may.

 

[Marauder]

My dude has been knowledgeable. Saved me la grand by not ordering the upgraded wheels on the Badlands.

I thought they’d be more inset like the Sasquatch wheels, but that wasn’t the case

 

[PSUTE]

My dealer knows that I know as much or more than he does, he knew about the 6 deadly sins, knew I had three of them, and didn't try to "educate" me about the possible delay they may cause. He has been totally transparent throughout the process, and said he'd put me at invoice which would be cheaper than X plan when X plan was withdrawn. He was right, and I steered some posters from up in here to him. Some dealers welcome educated consumers and some prefer mushrooms, the ole' keep 'em in the dark and throw some horse shit on them once in a while... (Shout out to Kennett Square PA, mushroom capitol of the world). The dealers who post up in here all seem to be straight shooters and have added immense value to the board, so shout out to them as well!!!

 

[Inmtns]

I knew I was screwed as soon as I saw the car sales lady that I had my appointment with. I handed her my build that I had printed out just a BL non sas vinyl with the upgraded wheels so pretty basic. She took it back to “the bronco ordering guy”. 2hrs later she brings me a printout of a build with sas included. I said I dont want sas, she went back to the “bronco guru” in the back. 1hr later she comes back and says you can’t get upgraded wheels without sas. As my daughter says my brain got red and I told the lady either I go meet with the “bronco guru” in the back or he comes to meet with me.
Anyway got it all squared away but very frustrating.

 

[Deleted member 18388]

Since the start of this journey, I have been to about 5 dealerships hunting down one thing or another. It amazes me how little salesmen know about the Bronco. It feels like the average salesman is five steps behind. Is it lack of briefing from corporate? Or is it my involvement on the forum that puts me five steps ahead? I am not sure.

Today's experience tipped the scales - I was seeking out carb gray on the explorer. Spoke to a salesman for a five minutes about when he thinks Bronco Sports will be coming to the lot so I could see Area 51. He spent three minutes trying to convince me that the color Area 51 is not a Ford color, and I was mistaken. Like with conviction - the color Area 51 does not exist, nor will exist on future models. Then when asked if he had the color binder, he also claimed no such thing exists. Not that his dealer didnt get them, but the book itself simply were never a thing....I have many other examples from other dealers, but this one was pretty eye popping.

Here I am, mapping out when each Bronco color will be coming out in conjunction with each model's estimated delivery date....and a salesman doesnt even know the #1 popular color for the Bronco even exists? It's such a crazy disconnect.

The reason this is somewhat concerning is that during the unknowns of the ordering process and dealer allocations, I find it hard to believe that when we are in need of answers, we'll get clarity from dealers. Luckily, my dealer is very knowledgeable, and I feel that I'm in good hands...but of the other 5 dealerships I went to, the lack of knowledge was incredible. That's 5 out of 6. I could see this becoming a little problematic, big picture...

My salesman insisted I could order the manual sasquatch immediately. And I repeatedly told him that it is not available until the 2022 model year. He still insisted. And then I get there and the build and price shows him exactly that. Then he says to me "you know more about this thing than we do." That is sad.... Needless to say, I switched dealers...

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