[I need help with some serious false advertising]

3 hours ago, ice-capades said:

 

It's a bit surprising that the problem is with Gaudin Ford in Las Vegas. It's obviously a big market and very competitive. This year's situation is unprecedented with the plants being down for 2 months due to the pandemic, supplier issues and the matter of not just a model changeover but introducing a next generation F-150. Normally there would be a good supply of inventory at the end of the year but this isn't the case this year for obvious reasons. The vehicle you want to purchase shows in the Ford Vehicle Locator as being in stock for 90+ days. 

 

The issue of business practices by Gaudin Ford is a different matter and not one that is easily answered because of what I've seen in Ford's behavior in other situations. I've seen Ford totally ignore a situation where a Lincoln Dealer was delivering Ford's out of their Lincoln dealership when the Ford dealership was in a totally different sales region amongst other factors. A clear franchise violation that Ford chose to ignore because the Dealer Principal was a Ford employee 50 years ago!

 

I get annoyed (and more) when I see dealerships being deceptive in either their sales or advertising practices. The advertising regulations in most states are similar but not necessarily enforced on a uniform basis. 

 

I don't know who you contacted at Gaudin Ford but at this point, if you want to make noise, I'd be working my way up the management ladder. I'd talk or contact the Sales Manager, whoever their Internet or Advertising Manager is, the Fleet Manager, the General Manager and even the Dealer Principal. I would certainly contact Ford again as a follow-up and would tell them about the online pricing changes. The other options are to post a review on Yelp and/or to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

 

I recently left my dealership after nearly 35 years as the Advertising Manager and the manager that managed the new vehicle inventory responsible for ordering all the stock, retail and fleet orders.  

I have filed a complaint with the General Manager through Ford but have not heard back as of yet.  I have also sent the complaint to all of the fleet, sales and internet sales managers.  I would really like to get it to the principal but cannot find any contact information for them.  

[I need help with some serious false advertising]

2 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said:

Did you miss the part that said 2020s have been out of production for 2 months?  You can't expect dealers to keep every configuration of everything on their lot at all times. That's bad business to have something not commonly asked for to be sitting around for great lengths of time. 

 

I don't ( and never have) expected that. I am fully aware of limitations of stock.  What I DO expect is for a dealer to only advertise the vehicles they HAVE and at prices they intend to honor.  That is it.  I don't understand how those basics are hard to accomplish.  

[I need help with some serious false advertising]

I'm the first to admit that I have been looking to get a good deal on a 20 instead of ordering as there is a ceiling to my comfortable spending.  I didn't realize that what I wanted was such a unicorn.  Thankfully I am not in a real time crunch and can hash it out a bit more.  I guess I am expecting too much from dealers , it is pretty disappointing that business practices like this seem to have basically no repercussions.   

[I need help with some serious false advertising]

1 hour ago, ice-capades said:

 

Hmm... Earlier this morning it was on their site at MSRP. 

They had taken the lower price down due to my call I believe......now they have gone right back to this shady busniness

[I need help with some serious false advertising]

Here is the sticker that was attached to the vehicle.  This vehicle was listed specifically by this VIN and with a stock number on both the dealer's website and at cars.com.  The salesman admitted on the phone that this was a regular occurrence and couldn't understand why they kept doing it.  The posting on their website was complete with about 20 photos of a specific vehicle as well.  The entries onto the websites had to be specifically created.   Here is the vehicle still on cars.com  https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/824438183/overview/  After I called they did change the price on their own website but I have a screen shot of the same price on there as well.  

 

http://www.windowsticker.forddirect.com/windowsticker.pdf?vin=1FTEX1E55LKE65796

 

Like this truck ^^^  I am looking for an in stock 2020 F150, 5.0, supercab, LB, 4x4 with either the FX4 package or e-locker and skid plates individually and cruise control.  I am a no frills guy so not much else matters.  If anyone has a line on a similar vehicle I would appreciate it.  I am Retired from the Army and 100% VA so the best deal is fairly crucial to me.  I appreciate you all taking the time to contribute.

 

 

[I need help with some serious false advertising]

I have been trying to locate an F150 online and found what I THOUGHT was the truck in a different state.   I called and NO truck, NEVER had that truck, don't have anything remotely similar and the price listed (both on their site and cars.com) was a "fleet" price that would not honor.  I called Ford to file a complaint and they tell me they are sending it......to the DEALERSHIP general manager.  What?  Does anyone have contacts to Zone Sales manager contacts?  Thanks.