I want to verify what a dealer told me. Let's say I order a truck today and there are $1,000 rebates available today. The dealer says I don't get that rebate...but rather I get whatever rebates are in place at the time I take delivery of the truck. If the rebates are better at the time of delivery, that's obviously good for me. But if there are no rebates, that is bad for me. So, is it true that you only get whatever rebates are in place at the time you take delivery? I would tend to believe the dealer on this one, but I thought I better run it by you all and see if anyone has seen anything different. Thanks

 

Yes, that is FORD'S policy, but that doesn't mean the dealer can't have their own. For example, at my dealership, we special-order a lot of the vehicles we sell. It's less expense for us, so we offer something a little different: we guarantee your rebate. Let's say the rebate is $1,000 when you order, but the rebate program is set to expire in a week. No way I can get you a truck in one week. So, we'll guarantee that your rebate will be AT LEAST $1,000 when your truck arrives. If it dropped to $500, that's our problem; we'll make up the difference. If it stayed at $1,000, then you get $1,000. If it goes to $1,500 (or more), then you get $1,500. Please keep in mind that this is the policy of A SINGLE DEALERSHIP, and it has nothing to do with Ford. And it only applies to the "standard" rebate, not special FMCC incentives, college grad, etc... You may want to ask your dealer if they'll consider something like this.

 

Thank you...and too bad you're dealership isn't in my area because I'd surely buy it from you! The guy I talked to yesterday evening seemed nice enough and not very evasive, but this was just a 'get to know you' meeting since I won't be ordering until April. He did give me a printout of the price he was offering right now and that was good to see because I get to see what's on their price sheet, like the FDAF or whatever it is. They charge you $295 for that. The carbuyingtips.com website said I may be able to get them to drop that and I'll see if I can do just that. Every little bit helps. They also had a $52 charge for fuel. But those were the only two things I saw out of the ordinary.

 

Of course, ANYTHING is negotiable, but you'll find almost every dealer considers the FDAF and fuel charges as part of the cost of the vehicle. Which means you'll get them to "waive" the FDAF...and they'll just charge more for the truck to make up the difference. Bottom line: What will any Ford dealer sell you the truck for, NOT including rebates or incentives. It's the selling price that counts; don't let them confuse the issue by including rebates or trade-ins. Those get figured in later, and will be EXACTLY the same (rebates, not trade-in) no matter where you purchase the truck.

 

Thanks and good point. It IS a little confusing when they start mixing in all the numbers. I've learned a lot in the last month or two by doing research on the net. I want the dealer to make a profit because they have to, but I also want the best price I can get. If I hadn't researched this on the net, I'd be much worse off. I know quite a bit about how the dealers work and it's pretty easy to tell almost immediately which dealers are willing to deal or not...or at least it easy to see how they want to start out (high or low). I think I'll leave the FDAF and fuel alone...leave it in the price. Those are the only 2 extras I saw on a quote last night. It was pretty good.

 

When I ordered mine the rebate was $1000 and they locked that in the deal that i got that or the current deal if it was better. Fortunatly for me when it arrived it was 1500 rebate so I made out but the dealer guarenteed me the $1000. I would ask them to do that and if they wont I would go to another dealer who will and make sure you get it in WRITING!!