Ford fuel surcharge
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
I used the term "surcharge" and perhaps I was mistaken. Ford adds a certain amount to each invoice for the fuel they put in the vehicle before it leaves the plant (they don't fill it, it's the dealer's responsibility to do that). It effectively becomes a surcharge in that they adjust the price according to current fuel prices. It gets added to the invoice by Ford, not the dealers, so it becomes a part of the cost of the vehicle.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 821
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From: Nashville
The dealer's factory invoice for my '04 shows a "29 U.S. GAL FUEL CHARGE" of $44.95, above and beyond the dealer invoice price. (This was from back in March '04, btw...wish I could buy it that cheap now!). The dealer didn't try to pass it on, but it was a leftover '04 when I bought it in Sept. and he sold it behind invoice anyway. He also topped off the tank for me.
I would think that the fuel charge should come out of the dealer's pocket. If I recall, Ford's customer satisfaction survey asked if the dealer filled the tank before delivery. Wouldn't make much sense to ask that if the customer was forced to pay for it.
I would think that the fuel charge should come out of the dealer's pocket. If I recall, Ford's customer satisfaction survey asked if the dealer filled the tank before delivery. Wouldn't make much sense to ask that if the customer was forced to pay for it.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 675
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Originally Posted by moebdick
The dealer's factory invoice for my '04 shows a "29 U.S. GAL FUEL CHARGE" of $44.95, above and beyond the dealer invoice price. (This was from back in March '04, btw...wish I could buy it that cheap now!). The dealer didn't try to pass it on, but it was a leftover '04 when I bought it in Sept. and he sold it behind invoice anyway. He also topped off the tank for me.
I would think that the fuel charge should come out of the dealer's pocket. If I recall, Ford's customer satisfaction survey asked if the dealer filled the tank before delivery. Wouldn't make much sense to ask that if the customer was forced to pay for it.
I would think that the fuel charge should come out of the dealer's pocket. If I recall, Ford's customer satisfaction survey asked if the dealer filled the tank before delivery. Wouldn't make much sense to ask that if the customer was forced to pay for it.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 821
Likes: 1
From: Nashville
Well, I can't rule that out (except that it doesn't actually say "FACTORY INVOICE" on it anywhere), but the numbers all matched what Ford Direct, Edmunds and other online car sites showed. Frankly, it seems like it would be pretty stupid for a dealer to just make up a factory invoice, when anyone with a computer can check those numbers on the 'net. I guess some people dont do that, though.
I couldn't figure out how to put it on this site, but this link is a picture of the dealer's invoice if you want to see it (dealer photocopied it and gave it to me):
http://home.comcast.net/~moebdick/Stuff.html
BTW, if anybody knows what the figures just above the "SOLD TO" part are I'd be interested to know. I know the 1367.00 is the dealer's holdback, but what's the 284.00, 8002.00, etc.?
I couldn't figure out how to put it on this site, but this link is a picture of the dealer's invoice if you want to see it (dealer photocopied it and gave it to me):
http://home.comcast.net/~moebdick/Stuff.html
BTW, if anybody knows what the figures just above the "SOLD TO" part are I'd be interested to know. I know the 1367.00 is the dealer's holdback, but what's the 284.00, 8002.00, etc.?
Last edited by moebdick; Nov 2, 2004 at 09:47 AM.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Hey Moe,
I have never seen a Ford invoice but have seen other manufacturers and this one doesn't look official. I see no Ford letterhead or watermark. Maybe Jeff can shed some light on the subject/costs.
I have never seen a Ford invoice but have seen other manufacturers and this one doesn't look official. I see no Ford letterhead or watermark. Maybe Jeff can shed some light on the subject/costs.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: "Garden State"
When I ordered my 2002 F-150 in October of 2001 the dealer conformation which showed "dealer" invoice costs and msrp showed a charge for 10 gallons of gasoline for $18.50. Of course gas was about a $1/gal then 
. This was charged to the dealer and not "listed" in the msrp. There also was a charge listed in the "dealer invoice" price for advertising from Ford, $220-FDAF Assessment. Again it was not listed in the retail/msrp price. Several different dealers printed out the same exact info they claim came from Ford. Unless all the local dealers are in cohoots I'd say Ford has charges they assess the dealer and it's then "built in" to the selling price by the dealer.
Whimsey
. This was charged to the dealer and not "listed" in the msrp. There also was a charge listed in the "dealer invoice" price for advertising from Ford, $220-FDAF Assessment. Again it was not listed in the retail/msrp price. Several different dealers printed out the same exact info they claim came from Ford. Unless all the local dealers are in cohoots I'd say Ford has charges they assess the dealer and it's then "built in" to the selling price by the dealer.Whimsey
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 821
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From: Nashville
DZari, it's a picture of a photocopy. Even if there was a watermark on the original, not sure it would copy over. Anyway, like I said, the invoice figures matched the online pricing services like Yahoo Auto, Edmunds, etc. and the invoice total matched FordDirect's invoice price. Why would a dealer fake an invoice and then use the authentic invoice figures on the fake invoice? 
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
That is an actual Ford invoice- the never have a Ford logo or watermark on them. As for the other numbers above "sold to," the $8002 is the total invoice amount of the options, not including freight. Subtract the $284 from the $1367 holdback, and you get the $1083 figure. What does that mean? I haven't a clue! Same for the other numbers; I've always figured they're some sort of internal accounting references for Ford.
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dylanellis
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Sep 4, 2011 12:14 AM
added, advertising, assessment, car, change, charge, dealer, deliveries, fdaf, ford, fords, fuel, invoice, pricing, surcharge
