Cancelling COVP order

[jblas16]

Are there magic words I need to tell a dealer to cancel a "confirmed and locked" order through the COVP program? I ordered a 2022 Escape PHEV on 10/3/21 and ended up buying an in-stock 2021 Escape PHEV last night from another dealer. I requested that my 2022 order be cancelled last night with dealer #1 and I'm getting told that Ford would need to make an exception to cancel the order.

 

My understanding is production does not start until 11/2 and my order does not have a VIN and has not been assigned a production date at this point. Is this really a difficult process to cancel the order or is the dealer playing games with me? I feel that I'm giving the dealer more than fair notice that the order should be cancelled and we're still extremely early in the process. Thanks.

[mink]

I wouldn't worry about it. the dealers are having a hard time getting vehicles so they will just bring it in and sell it. I canceled my F250 order and received my deposit back and I'm still get the emails from Ford about build dates still getting moved back at some point it will be built and the dealer will have one to sell.

[ice-capades]

3 hours ago, jblas16 said:

Are there magic words I need to tell a dealer to cancel a "confirmed and locked" order through the COVP program? I ordered a 2022 Escape PHEV on 10/3/21 and ended up buying an in-stock 2021 Escape PHEV last night from another dealer. I requested that my 2022 order be cancelled last night with dealer #1 and I'm getting told that Ford would need to make an exception to cancel the order.

 

My understanding is production does not start until 11/2 and my order does not have a VIN and has not been assigned a production date at this point. Is this really a difficult process to cancel the order or is the dealer playing games with me? I feel that I'm giving the dealer more than fair notice that the order should be cancelled and we're still extremely early in the process. Thanks.

 

There is no such thing as an unscheduled order being "confirm and locked" and needing an "exception" from Ford to be cancelled. An order without a VIN number is NOT scheduled and can be cancelled at any time. 

[jblas16]

46 minutes ago, ice-capades said:

 

There is no such thing as an unscheduled order being "confirm and locked" and needing an "exception" from Ford to be cancelled. An order without a VIN number is NOT scheduled and can be cancelled at any time. 

 

Thanks. The Sales Manager sent this as well: "If we are able to pull the order I will let you know. Otherwise if we are locked in and can't cancel that will take up our allocation and Ford will penalize us because its a COVP that will not be delivered to the customer who ordered it."

 

I assume this is just BS based on what you said. It's really disappointing that some dealers are playing games like this.

[balthisar]

On the contrary, the dealer should be happy that he's getting a vehicle in addition to his allocation.

[ice-capades]

1 hour ago, jblas16 said:

 

Thanks. The Sales Manager sent this as well: "If we are able to pull the order I will let you know. Otherwise if we are locked in and can't cancel that will take up our allocation and Ford will penalize us because its a COVP that will not be delivered to the customer who ordered it."

 

I assume this is just BS based on what you said. It's really disappointing that some dealers are playing games like this.

 

Just to make sure I wasn't missing anything, here's a copy of the COVP program that was updated as of 06/09/2021.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

REASON FOR SUPERSEDE:
• Updating EFC09208 with violation policy and updated documentation required for CVOP approval.
 

WHAT IS HAPPENING
• The Customer Order Verification Program (COVP) will be opening to all unscheduled orders on all vehicle lines (excluding Mach-E, Bronco and specialty units)
• Verified orders will receive priority scheduling and will receive incremental allocation
• The required documentation for COVP approval will again require a signed and dated buyers order along with a copy of the customer’s driver’s license. A WBDO Screenshot or DORA is no longer adequate documentation for approval.
• Any previously approved retails will not have to be resubmitted
 

SUMMARY
Dealers will be able to utilize the existing COVP website on https://cni.dealerconnection.com to register retail orders for all vehicle lines (excluding Mach-E, Bronco and specialty units). Verified orders will receive priority scheduling and will receive incremental allocation. Vehicles that are not verified will still be scheduled but will be scheduled within the dealer’s regularly earned allocation.
 

Note that while this program utilizes the same process as the Retail Order Incentive, only previously communicated vehicle lines are eligible for the incentive. Please check SmartVINCENT for incentive eligibility.
Retail Order Prioritization Violations
 

This program is built on trust and cooperation between Ford and our dealer partners. There will be a zero tolerance policy for dealers if it is determined that false retail orders were submitted in order to receive incremental allocation. The program will be audited by a third party to ensure consistency and compliance. One violation will result in the dealership being excluded from the Retail Order Prioritization program moving forward.
 

ELIGIBLE VEHICLE LINES
All vehicle lines (excluding Mach-E, Bronco and specialty units) are eligible for verification and incremental allocation through the COVP process.
• Mustang (Non GT500 or Mach 1)
• EcoSport
• Escape
• Edge
• Bronco Sport
• Explorer
• Expedition
• Transit
• Transit Connect
• Ranger

• F150
• Super Duty
 

COVP PROCESS
• Customer places eligible retail order through their local dealership
• Dealership will enter retail order into COVP website located at https://cni.dealerconnection.com

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Considering that the order is unscheduled, the dealership should not have a problem. Your order was legitimate and, if necessary, you can provide the appropriate documentation showing that you purchased a vehicle from another Ford dealership. It certainly can't be the first time a customer cancelled an order!

 

Ford's making a complete mess of the retail ordering and scheduling process with all the documentation required, rules, revised allocation, etc. 

 

Hope this helps. 
 

 

Edited October 20, 2021 by ice-capades
Format

[jblas16]

11 hours ago, ice-capades said:

 

Just to make sure I wasn't missing anything, here's a copy of the COVP program that was updated as of 06/09/2021.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

REASON FOR SUPERSEDE:
• Updating EFC09208 with violation policy and updated documentation required for CVOP approval.
 

WHAT IS HAPPENING
• The Customer Order Verification Program (COVP) will be opening to all unscheduled orders on all vehicle lines (excluding Mach-E, Bronco and specialty units)
• Verified orders will receive priority scheduling and will receive incremental allocation
• The required documentation for COVP approval will again require a signed and dated buyers order along with a copy of the customer’s driver’s license. A WBDO Screenshot or DORA is no longer adequate documentation for approval.
• Any previously approved retails will not have to be resubmitted
 

SUMMARY
Dealers will be able to utilize the existing COVP website on https://cni.dealerconnection.com to register retail orders for all vehicle lines (excluding Mach-E, Bronco and specialty units). Verified orders will receive priority scheduling and will receive incremental allocation. Vehicles that are not verified will still be scheduled but will be scheduled within the dealer’s regularly earned allocation.
 

Note that while this program utilizes the same process as the Retail Order Incentive, only previously communicated vehicle lines are eligible for the incentive. Please check SmartVINCENT for incentive eligibility.
Retail Order Prioritization Violations
 

This program is built on trust and cooperation between Ford and our dealer partners. There will be a zero tolerance policy for dealers if it is determined that false retail orders were submitted in order to receive incremental allocation. The program will be audited by a third party to ensure consistency and compliance. One violation will result in the dealership being excluded from the Retail Order Prioritization program moving forward.
 

ELIGIBLE VEHICLE LINES
All vehicle lines (excluding Mach-E, Bronco and specialty units) are eligible for verification and incremental allocation through the COVP process.
• Mustang (Non GT500 or Mach 1)
• EcoSport
• Escape
• Edge
• Bronco Sport
• Explorer
• Expedition
• Transit
• Transit Connect
• Ranger

• F150
• Super Duty
 

COVP PROCESS
• Customer places eligible retail order through their local dealership
• Dealership will enter retail order into COVP website located at https://cni.dealerconnection.com

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Considering that the order is unscheduled, the dealership should not have a problem. Your order was legitimate and, if necessary, you can provide the appropriate documentation showing that you purchased a vehicle from another Ford dealership. It certainly can't be the first time a customer cancelled an order!

 

Ford's making a complete mess of the retail ordering and scheduling process with all the documentation required, rules, revised allocation, etc. 

 

Hope this helps. 
 

 

 

Thank you for the information. Very helpful!

[ice-capades]

From the COVP Dealer Guide...

 

Canceled – Program Headquarters can cancel an enrollment on behalf of the dealer. (To cancel, send email to ....@.com) E-mail address redacted for security.

 

Simple process to cancel an unscheduled order submitted to the COVP program. No "exception" required from Ford! 

Edited October 21, 2021 by ice-capades
Additional content

[jblas16]

14 minutes ago, ice-capades said:

From the COVP Dealer Guide...

 

Canceled – Program Headquarters can cancel an enrollment on behalf of the dealer. (To cancel, send email to ....@.com) E-mail address redacted for security. 

It sounds like it's not possible for customers to directly contact Ford to cancel the order, is that correct? Thank you again for your help!

[ice-capades]

37 minutes ago, jblas16 said:

It sounds like it's not possible for customers to directly contact Ford to cancel the order, is that correct? Thank you again for your help!

 

Correct.

[Frog_Legs]

I’m new to the order process so bear with me if this has been answered somewhere else. What constitutes a “buyers order” and is my cost locked based on the signed build sheet? 
 

I went into my dealer and we went through the options and selected those for my truck. The dealer printed out the detail sheet which I signed. I also gave them a copy of my drivers license. The sales manager entered the order including my information and I received a confirmation email from Ford. 
 

The dealer didn’t request a deposit. Since that time I’ve heard rumors of other dealers adding a “market adjustment”  fee to the cost at delivery. I know in the Texas market some dealers are adding 10k plus to their advertised price. 
 

I’m not in a hurry and I’ve also discovered I can qualify for X-plan pricing by the time the truck is actually built. I figured as long as the final price fell somewhere between X-plan and MSRP, we would come to a happy medium. 
 

Any help from the knowledge trust would be greatly appreciated. 

[akirby]

Doesn’t sound like you agreed on the price yet.  The buyers order should detail the vehicle and the price including doc fees and any other fees,   You need to confirm if they are charging you MSRP or X plan or something else and make sure the current incentives have been locked in (if they’re better when you take delivery you get those).  If they won’t confirm the price in writing then you are likely to get ripped off - go somewhere else.

 

Note that even with a price in writing they could still force a $10k adm on you at the last minute at which point you can walk away or try to fight it by taking them to small claims court or getting assistance from Ford, BBB or consumer groups.

[Frog_Legs]

 Thanks for the information akirby. I just got home from a week down in the Rio Grande valley so I’ll swing by and make sure we are straight on the money. 
 

FWIW, I’m dealing with the GM and his new car sales manager and they have been nothing but helpful. I’ve purchased a fair number of trucks over the years (all three major brands) and I don’t try to beat up on the sales guy. I want my guys to make money and be there when I need them. Starting a business relationship from an adversarial position isn’t the way I work.