I wonder how their service dept. works?

This is a mess for sure and I hope you can decide on what to do in regards to your personal satisfaction.

 

Yesterday I cruised thir lot and while I was there I went through their service area. Besides seeing most everyone hanging out and all but one service bay was empty at the time. I saw no sign of the truck.
I have not dedcided weather or not to accept the truck as is, as the Dealer offered but, I have decided to make him produce it before I decide. I plan to check the VIN and see if its the same truck.
I have a gut feelimng that what happened was something like the truck arrived and the dealer sold it to someone else. I am prone to paranoia on these things and I haver no proof as of yet.Producing the truck with the matching VIN will pretty much clear the dealer from my point of view. I will give him every benefit of doubt that he has treated me fairly until I have concrete evidence pointing to otherwise.
F3

 

I have a gut feelimng that what happened was something like the truck arrived and the dealer sold it to someone else.

I would say that this would be a strong possibility. Someone is definitely jerkin your chain and I would bet it's the dealer.

 

1-24-03
Update
I sent e-mail stating," I will accept the truck as is. When can I pick it up?"

Dlr responded
"I have notified ford rep and told him you want the truck as is ASAP
I think its in Kentucky right now so they will have to load it up on a train and send it west."

If the VIN on the truck does not match the VIN I was given I will know something is going on.


Q: Should an individual need to have an investigator in order to buy a truck?
I think I need a representative to deal with the sales representative.
SHOW ME THE TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!

 

I would say at this point, go to another dealer and order another truck. I use to sell (Chevy) cars. As soon as it arrived, I was excited to call the customer and have them look at their new baby.

A lot of times, someone buying a car will notice a little scratch or blemish that someone accepting the car will not. A customer who notices a little scratch on the car BEFORE you got it will be a lot easier to deal with then someone who says "you painted my car, what else was wrong with it".

The memory of being jerked around with this bunch will never leave the vehicle. This is America, go order from someone that wants your business and will work to keep it.

Two things probably happened:

1) The truck was damaged in transit. New parts are not in stock and to keep costs down they ordered it on a stock order since Ford will not pay for the two day shipping. They are waiting for the parts to fix it and it is buried somewhere in or near the body shop.

2) They are lying for whatever reason and something happened to the truck. Either they sold it again by accident or they damaged it somehow on the lot. If they damaged it, they are waiting for you to go away so they can make it a demo and then submit (false) claims on it for whatever damage they did. Ask Ford for Ford's records on the in service date and what was done.

Get it with the factory moon roof. Three years from now if there is an issue with the factory moon roof, including leaking and structure issues, with the factory you have a case. Aftermarket, you have nothing. Suppose three years from now, you need one part and ASC is out of business. Ford replaces it free, you pay $$$ if you had it installed.

One reason moonroofs cost so much is the warranty costs. It can cost a bit to maintain and repair during the warranty period compared to other items. You are much better off with a factory installed option.

Good luck.
There are excellent dealers out there. Blue Oval certified dealers will work much harder to keep customers happy then those that are not. I worked at a Blue Oval certified Ford dealer, having even one unhappy customer was NOT considered an option. Use Blue Oval and how many years in business as a starting point for ordering a truck. Then check the BBB for that dealer BEFORE you order the truck again as a double check.

 

How about Sturgis, SD? Jacobsen-Ford Mercury in Sturgis, SD. They are awesome! 605-347-3662 or 800-289-3662

 

I did that.
The dealer has been under the same ownership in the same location for 40+ years. They are Blue oval certified. And I'm getting the truck for a substantial amount below invoice, in the thousands below as a matter of fact due to incentives, rebates and Z plan pricing.
I had the VIN checked for registration and found out it is not registered in this state at this time.
There is a good chance everything the dealer is telling me is true and that the fault lies with Ford itself in manufacturing.
The very first thing I intend to do is check the VIN on the truck versus the VIN on my paperwork (Original order confirmation) to see that they match. If they don't then I know that my chain is being yanked and I will move on.

I will keep you all posted
Thanks for the input you may be the only rational minds at work here.
F3

 

Couldn't agree more with rebocardo. Do not go for an aftermarket sunroof, make sure it comes from the factory! Better to be safe than sorry! If it takes another 6-8 weeks complain till you are out of breath and demand a lower price than you were quoted. The squeaky wheel gets the grease

 

After sleeping on it I decided to take your advice.
I notified the dealer by e-mail that I will accept only what I have ordered. Then I sent another e-mail to FCR demanding the "truth", about the truck. Where is it what happened etc.
Also stating that I want the order for the new truck expedited.
I'm going to keep applying pressure until I find the soft spot and then I'm going to pound it.
P.S. I had the VIN checked for registration and it does not show ever being registered in this state anyway. However no assurance that the dealer did not sell it to someone else ands hasn't made it to DMV yet.
This will all work out at some point in the future.

Q: Where else can a guy go and b***h about this kind of stuff and actually have people interested in helping him out with advice and experience at no cost?

FTE the best there is.
Thanks for all your effort.
F3

 

F3;

Check your other post for my thoughts on your truck.

Ford Customer Service SUCKS! I really don't believe they give a damn

Any of my conversations with that dept. have left me cold! I wouldn't waste my time on 'em. All they would tell me was "Ask your dealer". Well, I'm talkin' to you 'cause my dealer can't get me the answers!

Have you got some form of Better Business Bureau there? What about a Consumer Affairs Dept. or Ombudsman. The local news guys here have an investigative reporter who'll go to bat on things just like this.

Time to get LOUD, man!

Good Luck,

Rick

 

I live in a small town with a small Ford Dealership that has been
in business for close to 65 years now. Me and my family have
bought every vehicle we have ever owned there (all Fords by the way) and are treated like royalty. Its a great place to do business.
I suggest calling Fords customer service center and complain about your experience.

Ford is Number 1 in Central Pennsylvania!!

2002 Ford Explorer XLT
2000 Ford F-150 XLT
1992 Ford F-150 Custom
1992 Ford Ranger Sport
1983 Ford Ranger 2WD
1996 Ford Mustang GT
1999 Mercury Cougar
1993 Mercury Topaz
1974 Ford Gran Torino Elite
1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone

 

Well Karic I would now have to concur with you regarding customer relationships Center, Should be renamed customer lip-service. I have point blank asked them to tell me what happened to the truck and they have point blank ignored the questions and told me, " Your dealer can give you better help. " My dealer says ,"I didn't screw up your order why should I pay for it." He's got a point. I did however get a sort of cryptic response from my latest e-mail. I was told "This will be our last written communication regarding this issue, However if you call us we could discuss it further." I had to read it several times but it almost seems that they might have some information but not for the record.
I'm going to call them in the morning further postings here to follow.
I did'nt have the heart to tell them that I'm sharing my truck buying experience online in detail.
I actually feel kinda sorry for them in that they have absolutely no power to resolve anything. All they do is make records of customer issues and records that they spoke to the customer regarding an issue.
You wanna know the really wierd thing,
They're in Ontario!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

>They're in Ontario!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well thats the problem! They don't speak English J/K

Chris

 

Another small suggestion on complaining about the truck dealer. Post your commentary on a site called cardealerreports.com. Help others avoid the dealer. A lotm ore people are researching that kind of thing these days.

Also, if you have the spitefullness in you, take the GM's advice and go to court. ONly you won't need an attorney. File a small claims casea against them and make them tiake some of their time to go to court and explain it. Sometimes a judge will see through the BS and make them commit to the employee's oral obligation he made. Ask about "agent superior" doctrine or research it. Makes an employer bound by an employee's oral representations. No, I'm not a lawyer.

I know you won't be going to the dealer's service deprt for service.