Price Protection- Dealer NOT Honoring

[BadSasG6]

I was in the same boat yesterday when I went in for delivery. I received my model year private offer, but I was not price protected for the current year. I mentioned this to my saleman, he went back and checked and was told that the private offer was my price protection. I explained that these were two separate things, and went through what I had been informed about each including a printout of how price protection was supposed to work.

He went back and I guess talked to a director, who told him that they had been offering the price protection and that supposedly Ford was not crediting it back to the dealer. He suggested contacting Ford, and I told him that their marketing department generally refers people back to their dealers. In compromise, I went ahead and purchased it without the price protection, with the understanding that they would refund that to me once Ford had credited it back to the dealership. I just asked that they advocate for me with Ford in the event it didn't get credited back, and in that case I will also be contacting Ford to find out what the issue is. I am curious who you contacted at Ford to resolve your issue, in case it does need to go that route. Hoping Ford and the dealership make things right, but I wasn't going to give them a chance to sell my Bronco to the highest bidder by refusing delivery over it.

Why was the dealer not going by the DORA price you signed when you ordered your MY23?

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[JDL]

I was in the same boat yesterday when I went in for delivery. I received my model year private offer, but I was not price protected for the current year. I mentioned this to my saleman, he went back and checked and was told that the private offer was my price protection. I explained that these were two separate things, and went through what I had been informed about each including a printout of how price protection was supposed to work.

He went back and I guess talked to a director, who told him that they had been offering the price protection and that supposedly Ford was not crediting it back to the dealer. He suggested contacting Ford, and I told him that their marketing department generally refers people back to their dealers. In compromise, I went ahead and purchased it without the price protection, with the understanding that they would refund that to me once Ford had credited it back to the dealership. I just asked that they advocate for me with Ford in the event it didn't get credited back, and in that case I will also be contacting Ford to find out what the issue is. I am curious who you contacted at Ford to resolve your issue, in case it does need to go that route. Hoping Ford and the dealership make things right, but I wasn't going to give them a chance to sell my Bronco to the highest bidder by refusing delivery over it.

So far, I don't have a resolution. I spoke to the gentleman who answered the marketing hot line 1-800-334-4375, don't ask for Pricing protection information or you go to the wrong place. Just hold on the line and you will be transferred to the right people. They opened a file based on my VIN and will follow my process and add pressure if things to work out. However, they pushed me back to the dealer indicating the dealers are independent operators. I do believe you took the right route and you should call Ford. And keep calling if nothing happens. Good luck and wish me luck, I think my road is going to be bumpy! Pun intended!

 

[Brian803]

Why was the dealer not going by the DORA price you signed when you ordered your MY23?

I had my printed DORA and made that same argument. All I could get is that Ford had not credited the dealer for the difference in some past deals and that they had to eat the loss. I've heard that some dealerships have done the price protection as an after the deal refund because of this. Still hopeful this will all work out.

 

[GucciFreshness]

I was in the same boat yesterday when I went in for delivery. I received my model year private offer, but I was not price protected for the current year. I mentioned this to my saleman, he went back and checked and was told that the private offer was my price protection. I explained that these were two separate things, and went through what I had been informed about each including a printout of how price protection was supposed to work.

He went back and I guess talked to a director, who told him that they had been offering the price protection and that supposedly Ford was not crediting it back to the dealer. He suggested contacting Ford, and I told him that their marketing department generally refers people back to their dealers. In compromise, I went ahead and purchased it without the price protection, with the understanding that they would refund that to me once Ford had credited it back to the dealership. I just asked that they advocate for me with Ford in the event it didn't get credited back, and in that case I will also be contacting Ford to find out what the issue is. I am curious who you contacted at Ford to resolve your issue, in case it does need to go that route. Hoping Ford and the dealership make things right, but I wasn't going to give them a chance to sell my Bronco to the highest bidder by refusing delivery over it.

I did contact Ford but kept getting referred back to the dealer. I got lucky that my sales manager went to bat for me and got Ford to fix my private offers. I only know he had to reach the assistant brand manager for Bronco to do this. I asked for her contact info but he said he couldn't give it out. As far as the retail price protection went, I did have to show him some forms and forward him a video after he acted like he didn't know about that and he backpeddled and took that off as well. Ford only wants to deal with the dealers. Hope you get reimbursed!

 

[HarrytheHammer]

This issue bothers me a lot. I’m waiting on mine to come in, ordered back in October. What I don’t understand is why I’m reading about guys having to talk to Ford. I don’t recall ever entering into an agreement with Ford. I have a signed purchase order, with the dealer’s letterhead, between me and the dealer. It has a price and two signatures- mine and the sales manager. My only agreement is with the dealer. He keeps his end of the deal and I keep mine. Seems simple to me. If the dealer breeches the contract, I’m going to lose my cool. The dealers paperwork woes are not my problem.

 

[LS2GTO]

It’s my understanding that the dealer is invoiced for the vehicle at the price level of the vehicle at the time that it’s ordered - ie, what’s on the DORA. Therefore, the dealer is never “reimbursed” anything from Ford for price protection with regard to model year ‘23 price increases that occurred after the time of order, because the dealer was never charged for those increases.

 

[BadSasG6]

This issue bothers me a lot. I’m waiting on mine to come in, ordered back in October. What I don’t understand is why I’m reading about guys having to talk to Ford. I don’t recall ever entering into an agreement with Ford. I have a signed purchase order, with the dealer’s letterhead, between me and the dealer. It has a price and two signatures- mine and the sales manager. My only agreement is with the dealer. He keeps his end of the deal and I keep mine. Seems simple to me. If the dealer breeches the contract, I’m going to lose my cool. The dealers paperwork woes are not my problem.

From what I understand…

Private offers are made to you by Ford. These have certificates specific to you and your vehicle. This includes MY transition offers and offers for removing constrained items. Ford specifically is reimbursing you for having to reorder or modify your order. If Ford does not have your certificate uploaded, your dealer cannot apply it to your vehicle. That’s why people are contacting Ford and one reason for the COVP process. If you did not order a vehicle in MY21 or MY22 or remove a constrained item, this does not apply to you. All MY transition private offers are set to expire after MY23.

Price protection is between you and your dealer for any price increases that occured after you signed your agreement for MY23. The dealer can offer this amount when you buy the vehicle or reimburse you when Ford reimburses them later. Does the dealer need to honor this price? Technically no, but it would be borderline unethical and a bad business practice.

 

[BadSasG6]

It’s my understanding that the dealer is invoiced for the vehicle at the price level of the vehicle at the time that it’s ordered - ie, what’s on the DORA. Therefore, the dealer is never “reimbursed” anything from Ford for price protection with regard to model year ‘23 price increases that occurred after the time of order, because the dealer was never charged for those increases.

I’ve heard it both ways. Hopefully, someone from the dealer side or who have experienced it can clear it up.

 

[BadSasG6]

From the ultimate price protection guide thread….

• Retail Price Protection - This price protection is automatic across all retail-ordered Ford vehicles, and is designed to protect you from any mid-year (within the 2023 model year) price increases Ford implements.
  • Feb 10th, 2023
    • This protection is available to anyone who had an 2023MY order placed prior to February 10th, 2023.
    • The amount is based on what you had on order as of February 9th, 2023.
    • If you change (or already changed) your order after this date, you may lose this protection if your body code changes. More information on that below.
  • Mar 15th, 2023
    • This protection is available to anyone who had an 2023MY order placed prior to March 15th, 2023.
    • The amount is based on what you had on order as of March 14th, 2023.
    • If you change (or already changed) your order after this date, you may lose this protection if your body code changes. More information on that below.
  • Apr 10th, 2023
    • This protection is available to anyone who had an 2023MY order placed prior to April 10th, 2023.
    • The amount is based on what you had on order as of April 9th, 2023.
    • If you change (or already changed) your order after this date, you may lose this protection if your body code changes. More information on that below.
  • If you qualify for one or both of these price protections your dealer shouldtake the amounts off the final selling price of the vehicle. However, some dealers have opted to wait until they are reimbursed by Ford before providing this price protection. Either way, you will NOT receive a check from Ford for Retail Price Protection, it comes from your dealer.

 

[Mason09]

The dealership is most likely telling the truth and there is no certificate linked. I work at a dealership here in CA and we have had this happen quite a few times now where no cert is found for the price protection for customer orders. I ordered in 22 and should have received $2400 price protection and even I didn’t get anything. When I bought my bronco in April, there was no cert linked to my name/order so I couldn’t claim anything. With that being said, a lot of times Ford will send the rebate to the dealership a few months down the road and it is up to the dealer to then cut the check to the customer. I’m praying Ford sends my $2400 so my GM can scratch my check. This exact thing happened with my expedition last year and I got a price protection check earlier this year for it.
Don’t bag on the dealer quite yet. I know there are slimy ones out there but they’re probably doing everything in their power to get you the price Protection. There isn’t much profit in these broncos so they also don’t have the option to discount on there end nor should they since they have to pay Ford the higher invoice price. Call Ford hotline or talk to the sales manager to make sure they keep a lookout for your cert/rebate in the future to claim it and get reimbursed.

 

[BigHoof]

It’s my understanding that the dealer is invoiced for the vehicle at the price level of the vehicle at the time that it’s ordered - ie, what’s on the DORA. Therefore, the dealer is never “reimbursed” anything from Ford for price protection with regard to model year ‘23 price increases that occurred after the time of order, because the dealer was never charged for those increases.

The dealer is invoiced at whatever the price is at the time of build and then when they show that the original person that ordered the vehicle buys it, Ford refunds the difference back to the the order date price. So if you do not pick up your special ordered Bronco, the dealer does not see the PP and gets charged the current price when built.

 

[FordVideoGuy]

The run around has begun! The Sales manager says I get the $2,500 certificate for changing my order to Non-Sasquatch, but none of the other certificates. Hmm, not sure what that means.

Not true, you get both. I got confirmation on this from the Bronco Brand Manager himself. I helped get another Bronco owner on this forum both offers not too long ago. Tell them to reach out to their Sales and Inventory Specialist or Sales and Inventory Manager to get the second offer honored. They may need to see the order with the Sasquatch on it before the offer was given and then what the order looks like now but once you can show both, they will get the offers loaded into SmartVincent for you.

 

[Cool Dog]

I assume due to the fact that you mentioned Stivers Ford that it is the dealership that placed your order. If so, I am having the same problem as you are. They aren’t honoring my price protection/rebate and seem totally unconcerned about it. I am beginning to wonder if perhaps they want customers to walk away from their orders so they can add an additional markup and make more money than they can from the customer that placed the original order. Stivers is the type car dealership that gives car dealers a bad name. I regret placing my order with them and never would have done so had their salesman not lied to me, telling me that their owner was on the Ford board of directors and that they could have Bronco orders filled quicker than any dealership in the country. If you have any success in obtaining a rebate or having price protection honored, please post a follow-up message.

 

[FordVideoGuy]

I sent an email to my contact with Ford, and ask for him to reach out to the Rep in your dealer's Region. Hopefully, they will reach out to your dealer very soon and get it all cleared up for you. Crossing my fingers for you.

Your dealer should be giving you the price on your order from 10/11/22 plus the transition private offer from haveing a 22MY order and the order modification offer of $2500 for making the changes that Ford asked you to make to get it scheduled.

 

[OrlandoOBX]

I had my printed DORA and made that same argument. All I could get is that Ford had not credited the dealer for the difference in some past deals and that they had to eat the loss. I've heard that some dealerships have done the price protection as an after the deal refund because of this. Still hopeful this will all work out.

This why my dealer said they don’t sign the dora, they go by window sticker, they have had to take a loss in the past. I told him that was bogus because ford gives it back to the dealer.

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