Serramonte Ford Bronco Specialist to Answer Your Bronco and Ford Questions

[Heffe66413]

This is a start. It would help if you cleared up a few other things though.

Once the allocation information dropped, some dealerships came on here to spin the details to their favor, and with no official word from Ford to clarify those details and rebuke the misinformation, people became very frustrated and confused. They only have a few weeks left to pick a dealership, yet people are still coming on this forum acting like the voice of authority and saying things like "Those that got in (switched dealerships) early will probably be fine. Those that recently switched, probably not. They'll be waiting a while. This is like a freight train that they didn't see coming," and "You would likely have a better chance to get a Bronco order fulfilled if you choose a large dealer in a major market." These are actual quotes from people whose posts tend to follow the same repetitive theme, possibly in an effort to convince people that they're speaking facts - what we used to call "drip marketing" back in the day.

I haven't seen anything at all that lends credence to these types of statements, yet they appear again and again on this forum - often from the same people (big dealerships trying to scare people in large markets away from moving their reservations, while scaring people in smaller markets into moving their reservations to large ones?). One person even listed all the biggest dealers, suggesting people should switch their reservations. I realize that Ford can't track down every dealership owner and salesperson on the internet and control their messaging, but they could maintain a presence on forums like this one to keep this kind of spin at bay.

This misinformation really sucks for the smaller dealerships that have been providing local, personalized service to people they know in their small towns - people who have trusted them for years to give them a good deal, good service, and sensible delivery date. Meanwhile, the larger dealerships - many of which don't know the meaning of "friendly," "honest," or "timely" - are benefitting from the cavalcade of confusion. And the customer doesn't know which way to turn. They want to stick with their small, local dealer - or switch to a new dealer they just met and trust - but the continuous "spin" that has been left unchecked by Ford has them feeling pressured to go with a bigger dealer that they don't trust, and who may or may not give them the best deal. Otherwise, they're told, they could be waiting forever for their Bronco.

I don't know why someone from Ford can't just step up and clear this up for everyone. It seems you're "the guy" on here now. Can you tell us what's going on?

Thank you for listening.

I am all for the motto “ trust but verify. For many of us the choice comes down to actual cost savings on a new vehicle vs any perceived benefits from staying with a local dealer you know and trust . We live indifferent times. You can get on the internet find deals, Check references, look at a dealers BBB history, and read comments on forums such as this. Sad to say but for most of us, we have no personal or Cozy relationship with our dealer. We are just a customer and they are just trying to sell us cars. I gave up on my small dealership when I would drive an hour for a routine oil change and they could not complete it in less than an hour. I have nothing against any size of dealerships. But after all is said and done - it is really just business.

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[DonM]

Is there an "anticipated" date that B&P will go live?

 

[DC9atnight]

Thanks Sean! No big deposit needed in December will be nice. I am standing by to check the collective pulse of our buying group but you are the first dealer that had the guts to show your face in the Bay Area (perfect timing with all of us pissed at Ford that particular day ha ha). I can tell I’m going to have at least twenty questions when build and price hits regarding what a Ford service center can do and not do and what affects factory warranty and fog lights added to a modular steel bumper to an auxiliary switch and the list goes on! Having an interested partner in all of this is worth a ton to me.

PS. Regarding swag, I’m a size large in T shirts and jackets and prefer trucker style baseball hats LOL.

 

[sjp]

I am standing by to check the collective pulse of our buying group but you are the first dealer that had the guts to show your face in the Bay Area (perfect timing with all of us pissed at Ford that particular day ha ha).
...

No doubt. Sean logged in on the worst possible day and as a result, felt the full force of the forum's wrath (including mine). Honestly, I thought Ford had sent him to smooth things over after the previous day's total sh*tstorm, but maybe that wasn't the case at all. He could have been an unsuspecting dealer who just happened to show his presence that day. Props to him for sticking around, dealing with the anger, and apparently proving himself to be a worthy choice for his Bay Area client base.

Everyone willing to lay down big bucks for a Bronco deserves an honest dealership. Wish there were more on this forum - very glad I found one (even though I had to leave the state to find it!). Sounds like some people in Cali have too.

 

[Boston182]

I generally agree with your earlier posts, but this last one is a bit petty and won’t elicit what you’re looking for.

Truth be told, this thread has definitely been worthwhile and all the comments, even the colorful ones, have moved the conversation to a point where the Bay Area has its first palpable deal.

There is some truth in all of these comments. To the OP’s credit, I’m sure he has thick enough skin not to be offended, and handled It professionally enough. He doesn’t need apologies, he’s going to get more business now.

fwiw, I’ve got 2 reservations in the East Bay, and I’m content to watch the other dealers now try to compete before I make a switch. I appreciate the OP’s efforts as there’s finally a more competitive market in the Bay Area.

I don't think it's petty to admit when you are wrong, have done something wrong, or mistreat someone and apologize for your actions. You know, generally doing the right thing and remedy when you make a mistake.

But maybe I was raised differently.

 

[Gloff]

I am all for the motto “ trust but verify. For many of us the choice comes down to actual cost savings on a new vehicle vs any perceived benefits from staying with a local dealer you know and trust . We live indifferent times. You can get on the internet find deals, Check references, look at a dealers BBB history, and read comments on forums such as this. Sad to say but for most of us, we have no personal or Cozy relationship with our dealer. We are just a customer and they are just trying to sell us cars. I gave up on my small dealership when I would drive an hour for a routine oil change and they could not complete it in less than an hour. I have nothing against any size of dealerships. But after all is said and done - it is really just business.

I will have been in the business a decade come February. All at this store. For a lot of people, it is just business, and that's ok! Others want someone knowledgeable and trustworthy, which we all know is difficult in a business known for high turnover.

Is there an "anticipated" date that B&P will go live?

Other than "mid-October" no, unfortunately. I'll be sure to share a date if I get one!

Thanks Sean! No big deposit needed in December will be nice. I am standing by to check the collective pulse of our buying group but you are the first dealer that had the guts to show your face in the Bay Area (perfect timing with all of us pissed at Ford that particular day ha ha). I can tell I’m going to have at least twenty questions when build and price hits regarding what a Ford service center can do and not do and what affects factory warranty and fog lights added to a modular steel bumper to an auxiliary switch and the list goes on! Having an interested partner in all of this is worth a ton to me.

PS. Regarding swag, I’m a size large in T shirts and jackets and prefer trucker style baseball hats LOL.

I'm here for you. As a quick hit, warranty is only void if the warranty provider (Ford in this case) can prove that your modification caused the failure. It also doesn't void everything, just the component in question. (I.E. A suspension lift can't void the warranty on the touchscreen.) The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act provides for that.

 

[LandCruiser]

Sean, here's a question, what kind of level of "engagement" are we to expect from a dealer up until now?

I have received ZERO emails and info regarding the Bronco from my dealer, Fairfield Ford, and the first thing they did was spam my email with offers for building the Bronco Sport. I have also not received any emails from Ford about B&P, and the only email I got from them was my reservation confirmation.

Is all this dependent on my dealer, Ford, or when I made my reservation?

Because it's been radio silence from my dealer so far and I'd rather change if it means I'd get more updates, or at least someone who seems to have their shit together more than my current reservation dealer.

 

[Gloff]

Sean, here's a question, what kind of level of "engagement" are we to expect from a dealer up until now?

I have received ZERO emails and info regarding the Bronco from my dealer, Fairfield Ford, and the first thing they did was spam my email with offers for building the Bronco Sport. I have also not received any emails from Ford about B&P, and the only email I got from them was my reservation confirmation.

Is all this dependent on my dealer, Ford, or when I made my reservation?

Because it's been radio silence from my dealer so far and I'd rather change if it means I'd get more updates, or at least someone who seems to have their shit together more than my current reservation dealer.

I can't speak for other dealers, but we are planning some email communication throughout the process. We also have some other stuff in the works for order conversion time. We sent out an email right after the reservations came through to acknowledge and thank for the reservation. Our goal is at least monthly communication, and Matt (or GM) and I are spearheading that. We are trying to work it into our normal duties as well, making it tough.

I read your post about the sport mix-up and imagine they will get it fixed. They are part of a dealer group, and as such I imagine they have a central IT, hence why they can't fix it in store.

 

[sjp]

I don't think it's petty to admit when you are wrong, have done something wrong, or mistreat someone and apologize for your actions. You know, generally doing the right thing and remedy when you make a mistake.

But maybe I was raised differently.

To be clear, if you're referring to my post, that was not an apology - merely an observation.

 

[Boston182]

To be clear, if you're referring to my post, that was not an apology - merely an observation.

You coming back to a dead thread a week later to reiterate that you're not sorry, despite almost everyone condemning your actions, merely shows what a petty person you are.

Congrats. Your life is awesome.

 

[Gloff]

To be clear, if you're referring to my post, that was not an apology - merely an observation.

You coming back to a dead thread a week later to reiterate that you're not sorry, despite almost everyone condemning your actions, merely shows what a petty person you are.

Congrats. Your life is awesome.

I think that's enough, let's just keep it civil from this point. Fair?

 

[Gloff]

Quick update for everyone. We'll be sending out some Serramonte Ford Bronco Magnets. We also have a surprise planned for every conversion, and a grand prize raffle after all the orders are in! More details will come with future communications. We're going to email out our first communications in the coming weeks, and we plan on staying engaged throughout the process with you.

Thank you Bronco6G!

 

[DC9atnight]

Quick update for everyone. We'll be sending out some Serramonte Ford Bronco Magnets. We also have a surprise planned for every conversion, and a grand prize raffle after all the orders are in! More details will come with future communications. We're going to email out our first communications in the coming weeks, and we plan on staying engaged throughout the process with you.

Thank you Bronco6G!

Thanks Sean for keeping us posted! It’s nice to have a little stability in this crazy roller coaster Bronco ordering process.

 

[calgecko]

Hey @Gloff ... I know you guys are probably reevaluating what to do with today’s news about x plan, any word if you’ll be able to offer anything?

 

[Gloff]

Hey @Gloff ... I know you guys are probably reevaluating what to do with today’s news about x plan, any word if you’ll be able to offer anything?

Gonna update the OP tomorrow our statement is: We will be honoring X-Plan with a valid pin for any existing customers or switchers from B6G if they notify me before 10/31. Edit: we are of course still honoring our $500 over invoice for B6G members that are not Xplan eligible.

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