lock in rebate on an order?

78bigbronco · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 11:33 PM

My truck ('09 F350) is scheduled to be delivered on July 6th, just after the current rebates expire. I was wondering does anyone know if there is a way I can lock in the current rebate? I cant afford to loose it. Unless of course it increases, but I'd assume the deal can be redone if it actually increases. Any advice appreciated...

galaxie641 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-13-2009, 03:45 PM

They should give you whichever rebate is best.

BIGKEN · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2009, 06:09 PM

I believe that "Select Dealers"...smaller ones who don't actually receive visits from their Ford Reps...can guarantee programs in effect at time of order. This provides protection if they go down...and...that has happened recently as the "Days Supply" has leveled out.

I don't believe that larger "Contact Dealers" can do this.

You are correct in your assumption that you would be eligible for new programs if they in fact got better.

78bigbronco · #4 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 12:37 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. Guess I'll call the dealer next week and see what they do. At 'time of order' they told me the rebate is what is at the time of deliverey. I told them I cant afford to loose that money if it would drop to zero (although unlikely) they would probably be keeping my F350 and deposit. I aksed about locking in the current rebate and he started to think for a minute but said they need to take things one step at a time because they were thinking it was a higher probability the truck would not get built. Now I have a scheduled build date so I guess I need to pressure them in to something. Was just trying to see what my options were before just asking them.

Deluxe05 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 05:00 PM

Depends on how flexible the dealership is in this regard. The dealer could work up the sales paperwork to reflect a purchase date that is earlier than the your truck would actually be there. That would lock in the current sale incentive. If that incentive gets better or a new, better incentive is introduced, the dealership can redo the sales paperwork to reflect a sale within that offer's time frame.

Per Ford's corporate policies, I doubt this is legal to the letter, but it has & will continue to happen.

galaxie641 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 10:45 PM

I have been told personally by dealers I have worked with that they will adjust the date on the bill of sale for the better rebate should it become an issue. Only time it even was an issue the dealer screwed around for a few days and the day the paper work was signed a $1K rebate came out and the paper work was done again, since the dealer doesn't get any more or less money no matter what the rebate is they don't/shouldn't care.

78bigbronco · #7 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaxie641

I have been told personally by dealers I have worked with that they will adjust the date on the bill of sale for the better rebate should it become an issue.

But will they only adjust it one way (to the current rebate, rather than to the older one)? I mean if it comes July and the rebate drops will they go back and date the sale on June? Or do I have to sign all the paperwork now in June first... I guess my main concern is for one thinghaving time to go down there this month though that shouldnt be too huge an issue, and also not having my full down payment ready this month (not sure if I would have to fork over the down payment to sign the paperwork to lock inthe rebate)?

Deluxe05 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 11:01 AM

Keep in mind that while the dealerships carry Ford's name & logo they are not actually Ford owned. They are simply franchises which pay Ford for the use of the name & logo. As such, each dealership has a local management influence which will dictate how they operate.

To that end, the best advice that we can really give is to suggest that you talk with your sales rep or the dealership's sales manager. He/she will have the final say in how "flexible" the dealership will be in locking in your rebate. Chances are they will be willing to move the date which ever direction helps you out the most.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you (and the dealership) lock in a June 30th sales date (to secure the current offer) that starts the clock on your temporary tags. Hence, if your truck does not show up until mid-July, you will have already burned through two weeks of your time before even take custody of the truck.

78bigbronco · #9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 02:13 PM

Well I just got off the phone with the dealership... they say that you cannot 'lock in' current rebates. They said rebates are based on time of delivery only and didnt seem interested that I said others have 'locked in' or backdated sales to get certain rebates. They are telling me about 2 more weeks on delivery... Guess I'll find out what happens tomorrow on the rebates.

78bigbronco · #10 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 11:34 PM

Well I might have spoke too soon. When I got home tonight my wife said the dealership called back and said they were wrong and locked in the rates as of the time I ordered. So at least I should be covered if the rebates go down.