Deanh

correct to a point...I PERSONALLY could not be moved forward...Ford does in fact set priorities NOW because of commodity issues, perhaps not so much in the past but times have changed and theres different circumstances ...we literally get told to delete certain options if they want to move forward or have their priority changed...so yes...they can and do set order priority...Ive had 10s go to 12s and 19s and then cancelled...changes NOT instigated here at the Dealer level, we can jimmy here and there but that's based on allocation ( and that's something else controlled NOT by the Dealer ) . VVR...ok, you really want to go down that road? Its wholly inaccurate and the info doesn't come from the Dealer in any way or form, we can only relay what we can look up and 99% of the time it makes us look like bloody idiots, so Ill raise my hand and state Im literally hesitant...I could give you a run down of the VVR on my Bronco Sport for proof if you wish...total JOKE. Or, let be more current, the truck I had arrive today that on VVR shows is still in Kansas on a rail car? as for conveying bad info or just being too lazy to look it up , that's another issue, but flip is you CAN realy the provided info and then look like a friggen dumb ass. I do get your points akirby, but theres a LOT of comments posted that reflect a customer "victim" mentality that borders on intolerable....and its ALWAYS the Dealers fault, and granted sometimes that is the issue, just not 100%. The ONLY thing youll ever read on forums and the likes are people complaining basically, so yeah, I avoid them, they complain specifically thinking it will make some sort of difference, majority of the time it doesnt. I personally hate that whiney bullshit, especially when the individual relays its because they cant get catered to in specific manners they expect as THEIR time is incredibly valuable and they don't want it wasted, or if they have to make any effort at all, OR if it takes longer than they thought it would..... funny how that relates to some Customers AND some Dealers, like I stated...two sides to the coin.... patience and manners are dying habits on both sides...maybe next time youre in the market you should head down here...lol...seriously I don't have the time or patience for all the BS you've outlined, let alone experienced first hand..

at least at our place you pretty much described the process. We get what is called Mannequins which are avail as rentals for those that come into service...weve had Bronco Sports/ Broncos and we have an incoming Lightning...The ordering process you described is spot on and after signatures we download onto Ford with copies of the order and Drivers lic. Its a shame as described by akirby for instance SOME dealers deviate based on nothing more than their own greed...and we know for a fact they basically just don't care what anyone, including what Ford thinks. And as Ive mentioned...don't think Ford is innocent here and completely in the Consumers corner...they aren't, and habitually cant organize there way out of a plain paper bag.

not managing priorities on retail orders , Not telling customers where they are in the order queue...based on first hand experience with both my Bronco Sport and full-size...the answer to those two queries land fully at FORDs front doorstep...I could share several stories and the Zones reps complete inability to answer both queries and literally giving up, we as a Dealer had absolutely ZERO control over scheduling or prioritizing..and that's being a Dealer....status's were manually changed several times by Ford themselves , commodity issues I believe and chip shortages. And FYI...there IS some irony here....everything you mentioned is exactly what I try to avoid for my own customers...and YES doing that works in terms of repeat business and referrals...I wouldn't have been doing this as long as I have without a loyal customer base. So, NO...Im not missing anything...

all valid points, but theres two sides to every coin, some we like some we dont...lets analyse...one can calculate rough OTD prices rather easily if you know your selling price and tax rate...or am I missing something?. Trades...understand that completely...but low balling aside how do you value a car now given a 6 month wait between order date and delivery...and theres also CARMAX if you want a bid date. Clueless sales people and managers...no excuse barring what I stated about job longevity, and that will continue to decline given Income declining due to ever decreasing profit margins. Not a career I would recommend in the slightest. Not managing priorities on retail orders?...lost me there, but not sure how someone can or should be moved up the line over someone else that potentially ordered earlier or doesn't have any commodity issues. VVR...FORD manages Vin Verification not the Dealers, and thgey screw it up regularly ...Price Protection...with you 100%, I think some dealers are gobbling it up...I know we are actually scared of Fords promise it will turn up in the statement in 3 or so months as we have had to fight tooth and nail to be re-imbursed SEVERAL times only to be turned down....if we pass that on and don't get re-imbursed...who eats it?...yep...the Dealer...so that's an ongoing issue, and I have one Transit where the difference is $3900...so what do we do?...that's HUGE!. Not telling customers where they are in the cue????? get back to me on Broncos etc that are pulled at FORDs whim and prayer...we have ZERO idea, especially now with all the supplier issues. Pushing marked up ESPs...totally agree...but they are avail online. Forcing customers to wait several hours?...yep...lets just kick out whos in Finance if its a busy day because youre here...understand people don't want to wait, thius my comments regarding lack of patience...but sometimes that happens...especially on busy days..personally I try and have everything ready before clients arrive...but occasionally I get buried and that doesnt happen...Hey, I here where you are coming from...just realize not everything is perfect and revolves around you. I just went through selling a house and it was a bloody nightmare, but realized, and more importantly ACCEPTED that there would be speed bumps and patience tried..lets not mention some of the erroneous charges...sometimes we need to grow a set and deal. And come on Kirby...DONT use Tesla as the ideal model...you should hear some of the horror stories, its most definitely NOT all roses

you need to re read ...Ive stated , pretty much every time that Im fully aware of SOME dealers that do exactly what akirby states...both him and slvrsvt have had personal experiences, and not ONCE have I excused said practices, you are more than welcome to copy/ paste and make me eat crow, but youll be hard pressed as I know I do not excuse that behavior at all. ...and yes...and my point is , you can avoid the issue through pulling finger and making an effort , y'know...old school...right now, given these scrupulous dealers effort is necessary...sorry bout that.

Well stated...yep...the supply issue has had some dealers show their hand as such. But don't feel for a second that Ford has your back and is in no way partly responsible ....some of the Dealers utilizing these practices are also "Heavy Hitters"...yet Ford hasn't cut back on their allocation as rumored at all, and they are still at or right at the top of the Sales charts......there in lies a BIG issue in my opinion and is exceptionally two faced on Ford s behalf....you cant bemoan questionable business practices and announce youre clamping down, and punishing, only to continually reward said Dealers with larger allocations....IMO part of this online process being thrown around is the result of these ludicrous Addendums and questionable practices some are embracing... on the surface it sounds like a good concept but will come with its own set of issues, human nature is to look for the soft underbelly...someone somewhere will find it if the Business model changes...ugh.

Personel make the difference Harley...NOT the final product if in fact said product is precisely the same between stores ( well Im a Filet of Fish addict and there is one McD's in particular that's just better ) ...and yes, its easy for me to say as I have clients that go back 25 plus years.....I think a BIG issue is you wont find many representatives that have been at the same store for any extended period, cant build up a long term relationship with a guy that leaves after 6 months...so, riddle me this....why is that lack of experience becoming so common place?.....

you cannot tell me this is more common than not...just because this situation happens now and then does not make it a norm, as some here are making it out to be...I would say the percentage most definitely leans the other way. I know this shit gos on....we have basically 10 -15 dealers here within a 80 mile radius, so I hear all the stories...but thats Ford....not Lincoln as such where theres less choices so the situation is somewhat different. I suggest you look up the glorious YELP ratings to do some homework before you venture out...As for the online, that will come with its own set of issues for people to gripe about so careful what you swish for. As for expecting every store to be exactly the same experience no matter where you go...that's, sorry...extremely naïve...

Really?....yes you do...is that unfortunate ? or is it a pain in the ass having to do what you perceive as un-necessary legwork? ...I liken it to going out for Dinner...you find the one you like...they are all in the same business...why is one significantly better than the other ?...no two business's even if they supply the same product, are exactly the same...never have been never will be, because , and Ive said this before as well....its the personnel and employees that make the difference.....you are welcome to correct me if you think Im wrong....but that's like stating every customer should be easy to get financed because everyone should just be a clone of each other.......

where the hell do you live to encounter such antique practices?....that's nuts, but yes..still happens...but realize that's ONE dealer ...theres how m any in the country?

LIKE I WILL RE-STATE...find the right Dealer....that's on you , but sorry...may require some leg work....ahem....( more bloody sarcasm ) I find it interesting people so hell bent on the conveininet lifestyle of cell phones and the ENTER button on their Computer, and ironically the same individuals so eager to post an online review....perhaps don't utilize that very avenue to research local dealers....too much work again? ( and that's not directed at you personally akirby..its DIRECTLY at the lazy bastards that are preaching convenience and NOT having to lift a finger )...analogy...Id like to be a scratch Golfer without having to put any work in either....

you bought the car from Amazon remember, they have a free return policy...( sarcasm ) and you guys may like this, buts as of late it truly seems like Ford Corporate is hell bent on making life difficult for their Dealer base...soi far everywhere they have interjected has been basically a total failure, but the picture being painted does NOT bode well for the Dealership body...its almost like they are deliberately trying to make life difficult....we shall see...

no ...its not skewed at all...every dealer is different, and your experiences are most likely dependent on your location... theres good and bad Dealers, I don't deny that, and the experience can be horrid...so NO its NOT skewed in the slightest, Im a realist, nothing more nothing less........but YOU guys are most definitely skewed with blanket statements..I understand FULLY the desire for convenience from a customers standpoints, its basically exactly how I maintain my own clients, they are typed and are in and out in 15 minutes...it DOES promote customer loyalty and referrals. That said this "all about me " mentality Im witnessing from "newer" buyers in some cases has become somewhat extreme...and the "wish lists " are missing an AWFUL lot of details that are glossed over in the interests of ones own convenience...and lets face it, like to admit it or not...basic laziness. Ok...lets take this online BS everyone thinks is the greatest thing since sliced bread...lets compare it with buying a handsaw from Amazon, and SPECIFICALLY how Captain P4G stated he would love to order a truck from Amazon, I can get on there and do that in 10 minutes right?...sounds like a GREAT way to order a 100k F450….Does that handsaw need to be PDI'ed"....does it have a 55 page ordering guide?...does it incur State AND county taxes?...do you need to supply a Federally accepted form of ID and Drivers licence to purchase? Does it require a trip to the DMV to registed? Does it require a full blown Credit application AND bank approval if being financed...after all, its a tad different that breaking it up into 4 $37 payments.....does it require Insurance? …. but no...god forbid you need to spend some of your precious time completing the second largest acquisition of your life....jeez. The Amazon business model may appeal to you guys, but its not happening soon and is absolutely raft with potential issues, some which may be as unpleasurable as whayt you outlined...so for right now its nothing more than a pipe dream, so I would suggest you guys adamant about "convenience " pull the pants up a bit and deal with it..you do NOT have to put up with the BS you outlined, and seriously half the stuff mentioned...is that seriously STILL around?...that's as bad as "etch a glass and undercoating " You guys got electricity yet, and running water?...lol...I do think Ford will simplify the process, but they will firstly need to simply there ordering matrix's, BUT theres no avoiding certain process that are incurred when purchasing a vehicle...its not just hitting "ENTER" on a keyboard...there HAS to be accountability, espec ially given all the "flakes" we encounter with massive dreams and no ability to fufil them....So, you can state my view is "skewed" but I literally deal with it day to day...do you guys?...anyone?...or are you just basically voicing your OWN skewed opinions...I think we may perhaps BOTH be a tad guilty...rant over. Fiesty?...lol...you try living with being White ( racist ) Hetrosexual ( lack of empathy ) working ( lean Republican ) AND being a sales rep for 30 plus years ( scumbag just a step above Lawyers )

fantastic...now what if theres an issue and you need to send it back....LMAO....BIG difference between basically ANYTHING you can purchase on AMAZON and the second biggest investment of your life.....

conundrum...right now at least that is not legal...that would act as a deterrent though...a commitment!....