My Visit to Les Stumpf Ford in Appleton, WI.

I was searching some local delear inventories on Ford.com to find a 2005 F250 similar to one I wanted so I could take it for a drive. I phoned ahead and they assigned a saleswoman to my search. They didn't have the exactly what I wanted but they did have 12-15 other F250's so she's sure there something I could drive. So anyway, before I can take a drive they need a copy of my license. I was kind of offended since this is the first time I've been asked for this, and I read online recently that it's not necessary for them to have a copy (which I did ask for it when I left). Now we go out and open up the truck for drive, of course I can't go by myself. She want's to tag along in the back seat to tell me stuff I already know about the truck after all my research online.

So we get back to the office, I give them a printout of all the options (every option) I want with codes so I could get a price. After about 10 minutes, I'm greeted by the sales manager saying with the optons I chose they could not locate a truck and would need to order. I said I figured that so give me a price.
Then comes in either the general manager or 2nd guy down the ladder, asking if this truck was for a business, my responce was "no for personal use". His reply "Why do you need all these options?". Ah, because I want them. "Why do you need dual alternators? I only sees this in 1 out 0f 50 trucks". "Why do you need a PTO?", "What are you using the upfitter switches for?" I then asked if I could ad dual alts, upfitter switches and PTO provision a couple years down the road for the same price as invoice. "Well no, we couldn't do that".

It's pretty clear they wanted to get rid of in-stock inventory first. This is the 2nd time I've been to this dealer in the last couple years and they always rub me the wrong way. I won't be going back.

Anyway, just wanted to vent.

 

I wish more people would vent. There's no excuse for that, especially at the price these rigs go for.

 

Believe it or not, everything that dealer asked was legitimate, it's just the WAY they asked it that was so pathetic.

1) There's nothing wrong with a dealer making sure that you're a licensed driver before you test-drive a vehicle. They may be liable for your actions while you're driving it. As for her tagging along in the back seat, if you did get into an accident, wouldn't it be to your benefit to have a witness of your own if the other driver was at fault? If the other driver had a witness and you didn't, you're probably screwed.

2) The "20 Questions" was really to see how important these options were to you. If they could determine that some of them weren't absolutely necessary, then maybe they might have a truck in stock that would work for you. BUT- if you made it clear that every option was a must, then they know that ordering the truck is the only option.

It always amazes me how many dealers out there don't realize how many sales they talk themselves out of, every day of the week. Someone should go around and teach them how to talk to customers. Hmmm, there's an idea............

 

Jeff no ideas you stay right where you are. At least until I get my Hybrid.

 

In Oregon, it's state law that we need to verify insurance on anyone that drives off the lot with one of our vehicles- be they employees, service customers, prospective customers, or taking delivery of a new/used vehicle. That entails copy of drivers licence and copy of insurance card.

Are you sure it would do any good? Generally, how the salesperson handles the customer, whether on a purchase inquiry or service after the fact, comes down from upper management philosophy- whether outlined in black-and- white or just in practice (you knew that!). I'd be willing to bet you lunch that your dealership offers outstanding service because the dealer expects it, and, like in the army, it all rolls downhill.

 

I visited another dealer before this one. Met the salesman for a couple minutes, He pulled the truck around front and told me to have it back by 5:00pm. No license check. No ride along.

If we can get the numbers right, then this is where I will order from.

 

JefferyK,

As another North-East Wisconsin Cheese Head I have been having the same issues - They all want to make the truck they have work and cant understand why you would want upfitter switches and the Built in Trailer brakes - In their defense they have a job to do and its to sell trucks - But at 40K+ I want what I want.
May I ask the dealer you are working with?

Jeff- Did I see somewhere that you are back up to 500.00 under invoice?

Thanks

 

Washington has a similar law, although I am not sure about the insurance card - they didn't ask me. There was a sad case of a prospective buyer taking the salesman (I think it was a female) off the property and killing her - and the dealer did not have any information about the killer.

I HATE explaning to a saleman why I want a particular option, but there have been a few cases where my assumptions about an option were wrong and they were able to get what I really wanted versus what I was asking for Lets face it, most cusmoters are not using these forums to improve their knowledge.

Having said all this, there is probably a 95% change that you are right, and all they really cared about was selling you a vehicle. In that case, they get what they deserve with you buying it from someone else.

 

i have gone though the same things here in nj, in my mind i have been dealing with a bunch of good old boy rip offs in the past, my 05 is going to be from a local dealer only because i can't handle the drive to way upstate ny to deal with jeff ,i'm good for only one hour max on a drive from a major health problem, but with jeffs guiding me. we got close to his price and are happy. if you find a sales man like jeff or the one i found in a good dealer stay with him or her. even if they go elseware stay in touch.the honest ones are hard to find. my wife had never driven a s/d ford and i to ask the sales man to go with her and answer what ever she had in the way of ?'s. the gm or sales manager never came near us and every thing was done in 1 hour total. i mean it is possible to find a good deal and honest dealer/salesman, when we first went in the salesman did ask why the v10? i said 5k boat and sussex county nj mountains no more ?'s asked.
another thing i have to say these dealers don't know how many sales they loose by the above ?'s by to many people. i walked out on 4 of them. jeff is correct again as always

 

Well, I like to think of it as back DOWN to $500 below invoice, but that is correct. With the current $1000 Ford and $500 AQHA, it's actually $2000 below invoice.

 

I'm sorry but I don't think its ever appropriate for a sales person to ask why you need an option. They are there to sell trucks. I mean, would you except that if you went into an electronics store and the sales person asked you why you needed such big speakers? Or if the cashier at the grocery store asked why needed the potato chips AND pretzels?

I understand that sometimes they are trying to make sure that you're actually getting what you need, but especially in this case, with the options asked for, you would have to assume that you knew what you needed.

Personally I'm amazed the guy asked. I've never heard of a sales person trying to talk someone OUT of spending more money.

 

The law doesn't state that we need copies of licence and insurance- it states that we have to be able to document that we've verified the identity of the driver and that he has insurance. Naturally, all this only comes into play if something bad happens...

re: 20 questions. Over the years, I've found there's one question that needs to be asked, and can usually be done without offending the customer- "What do you plan on doing with your new truck?"

 

Quick Story: A couple of months ago, I witnessed an accident at one of the local Ford dealers. Someone was taking an '04 Mustang out for a test drive. While pulling out of the dealers' parking lot, the Mustang got hit by another car. Unfortunately, accidents do happen while taking a test drive.

 

The main thing is to sell trucks. Most salesman will try to sell you what they have in inventory. Thats natural. But if they dont have what your looking for there going to order you one or get one from another dealers inventory. No questions asked. Now there going to lose your business because of there treatment off you. Hey its there loss not yours. They didnt make anything off you. Go somewhere else most dealers aim to please. There job is to satisfy you and make a sale not to satisfy themselves. Why should you worry about there inventory all you worry about is that your happy. Thats what counts.

 

I did visit another dealer and they located a truck very close to what I want at another dealer. So I may deal on this one. Need to get my xplan price first.