FDAF assessment

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Jan 23, 2004 | 02:23 PM

OTHG_MIKE

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From: Upstate New York

FDAF assessment

I just got off the phone with my dealer because the invoice price I was quoted by him was higher than the price I get online on the Ford or KBB web site. He Went over the price option by option then came to something called FDAF assessment. He said he wasn't sure what it was and that its a charge from Ford on all his vehicles. I think it may be advertising or something like that. My question is , should I be paying this on an ordered vehicle? It's almost 300 dollars and seems to be added profit that just fell from the sky. Let me know if anyone else had to pay that above invoice.
Thanks
Mike

Jan 23, 2004 | 02:26 PM

68torino

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From: South Dakota

Ford Division Alliances

I found this on the net. Looks like a Ford dealership allaince. Why you would pay what sounds like a membership fee or something similar is beyond me.

Jan 23, 2004 | 02:31 PM

1956MarkII

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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA

It's a fee that's added by Ford to fund local advertising. If you've ever seen an ad that ends with something like, "see your Tri-State/ Bay Area/ Northwest/ Niagara Frontier Ford Dealer Today," that's what the FDAF pays for. Sometimes, when there's extra money in the fund, we can use it to give additional rebates on vehicles that need some help in that area. Right around Christmas time, we were using it here in Western New York to give extra rebates on Taurus, Escape and Explorer. It's added to every invoice, and dealers consider it an expense that gets added to the cost of each vehicle.

Jan 23, 2004 | 04:18 PM

OTHG_MIKE

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From: Upstate New York

Should expect to pay this on top of the invoice price? So if they gave me three thousand more for my trade and sold the truck to me at MSRP I would never know I was paying the FDAF because it would be lost in the price. I guess I'll try to get it removed when my truck gets delivered. If they won't do it I'll still take the truck but don't tell them, OK guys.
Thanks
Mike

Jan 23, 2004 | 04:31 PM

1956MarkII

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Quote:

Originally posted by OTHG_MIKE
...I would never know I was paying the FDAF because it would be lost in the price. I guess I'll try to get it removed when my truck gets delivered...

Yeah, and so are all the other expenses Ford incurs. OK, let's say you live just outside the F-150 plant in Norfolk, VA. You notice on the invoice that there's a charge of $795 for "destination and delivery." To ship your truck across the street? Why should you have to pay that ? Because EVERYBODY pays that. None of us like it, and even us dealers question the value of the advertising that this fee pays for. But Ford puts it on the invoice, so ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, you're going to pay for it. Ford may just start burying it in the base price of the truck, and then you'd be paying for it without even knowing it. My advice: get over it.

Jan 23, 2004 | 05:25 PM

OTHG_MIKE

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From: Upstate New York

I guess I can get over it. I just hate asking a salesman what something is and he says "I'm not sure but its on all the invoices". If you know what it is he should too. Ever walk into a hardware store and ask if they have a 3/8x20 bolt and the kid behind the counter says "I'm not sure" and walks away. Go find out! Thats customer service.
Ok I'm done venting.
Thanks for the information Mark

Hey,I really think I'm over it!