I was by a large dealership about an 1.5 hour drive from my home and since the placed was closed, I checked out what was on the lot. I noticed on the window sticker that the dealer had already added the following to each of the trucks on the lot. 1- Undercoating @ $158, 2- Rustproofing @ $297, 3- Interior Treatment @ $199, 4- Exterior Treatment @ $299, and 5- Dealer Prep @ $287. I know what undercoating and rustproofing is, but what is involved in the other items? The dealer prep item didn't suprise me, but I'm appalled that the dealer had already done the other work without giving the customer a choice. I also realize that this is probably used to show a buyer that they are getting "more for the money" in the final selling price (more profit).
Is undercoating and rustproofing a good idea for me to consider or not on a new Super Duty that I plan to keep for many,many years? I live in central Kentucky, we get more small snowfalls and ice storms than deep snow. Roads are heavily salted every time it get slick.

 

yo Fred,
I wouldn't go for the UC. They rush that job usually and spray it on the exhaust, fittings, tubing and usually leave pinholes where gunk will hold moisture. The Ford corrosion warranty is ok and may suit your needs.

Also, ask for (in writing) what the "fianl" price will be and see how much they add-on for "clerical/messenger/and other fees. BTW, we bought the 97 f without dealer prep add-on. And our 96 Bronco bought new without any add-on's; the only additional charges to the neg. price was state taxes and $50.00 for the tags/reg.

Good luck!

 

>I was by a large dealership about an 1.5 hour drive from my
>home and since the placed was closed, I checked out what was
>on the lot. I noticed on the window sticker that the dealer
>had already added the following to each of the trucks on the
>lot. 1- Undercoating @ $158, 2- Rustproofing @ $297, 3-
>Interior Treatment @ $199, 4- Exterior Treatment @ $299, and
>5- Dealer Prep @ $287. I know what undercoating and
>rustproofing is, but what is involved in the other items?
>The dealer prep item didn't suprise me, but I'm appalled
>that the dealer had already done the other work without
>giving the customer a choice. I also realize that this is
>probably used to show a buyer that they are getting "more
>for the money" in the final selling price (more profit).
> Is undercoating and rustproofing a good idea for me to
>consider or not on a new Super Duty that I plan to keep for
>many,many years? I live in central Kentucky, we get more
>small snowfalls and ice storms than deep snow. Roads are
>heavily salted every time it get slick.

I would run and never turn back.

These guys are into the old-school dealer pack routine big time.

And in most cases, it isn't _actually_ already done. They just put it there in the hopes you will buy it and then they do the actual work.

Everyone has to go through this routine somewhere in the buying process, but these guys are really in-your-face.

When I went through checkout, I was offered these as well, but I said no once and that as the end of it. No pressure sales.

The only thing that I was offered that I was moderately interested in was the spare key, and I'm going to do that. The keys have chips in them that code them to the truck. You can cut a key that fits and operates the switch, but the truck will not start without the properly coded chip inside.

If you have BOTH original keys, like you would at the time of purchase, it only costs the price of the key. The reason is the programming procedure requires you to present TWO properly coded keys to make the third one.

If, however, you have already lost a key it is considerably more expensive because a lot more has to be done, and it involves dealer labor time as well as the key.

Larry

 

I worked at a dealership that did the exact same thing. Its total BS if you ask me!! The reason they do it is PROFIT. I saw firsthand what goes into their "undercoating" or "rust preventative" or "interior treatment"... Its a joke, probably costs them $20-30 in material and maybe another $20.00 for labor per vehicle. Another reason they do it is if another dealer wants to do a dealer trade, they have to pay for those accessories since they can't be un-installed...

I will never do business with a dealer that plays games like that. If you find a truck on their lot that you really want, tell them to get bent and that you won't pay a penny for their extra garbage they put on there.. In fact if you read over you warranty info close enough, they say right in their that they do not recommend any additional undercoating, etc.. Not to mention most manufactors these days warranty for 10years 100K miles on rust thru on the sheetmetal... On trucks with cloth seats, they already come right from the factory with Scotchguard.. What is the dealer applying to the interior if it has leather seats?? IF anything even gets applied its only to the carpet, and they probably still charge you the same amount as in the cloth seats. Best thing to do is buy some rubber floor mats for the winter months.... Much chaeper and lasts a heck of lot longer..

I have always tought undercoating is a good thing (I live in Michigan), but I think the cars of today are much better in their resistance against salt, etc. My '94 Ranger has almost 200k miles on it with NO rust anywhere on it, and it has never had the exta undercaoting, paint sealer.... Plus during the winter, I hardly even wash it because I put so many miles on it, it will be just as dirty in less than a day anyways..

In my opinion, If the dealer wants to offer those services to you as a option to be applied when they clean up your new car to take delivery of it, thats fine (still un-necessary) but at least give the customer an option!!!

 

The Undercoating is a good idea, not only does it protect the underneath of your vehicle (if applied right) but it also acts as a sound deadener not to mention makes the undercarage look much better.

 

I noticed on the window sticker that the dealer
>had already added the following to each of the trucks on the
>lot. 1- Undercoating @ $158, 2- Rustproofing @ $297, 3-
>Interior Treatment @ $199, 4- Exterior Treatment @ $299, and
>5- Dealer Prep @ $287.
> Is undercoating and rustproofing a good idea for me to
>consider or not on a new Super Duty that I plan to keep for
>many,many years? I live in central Kentucky, we get more
>small snowfalls and ice storms than deep snow. Roads are
>heavily salted every time it get slick.

YOUCH!!! Sounds like you found the Grand-Daddy of all Bad Boy dealers! (Are you sure you weren't at a Chevy dealer?) $287 for dealer prep!?! Ford pays us to prep the vehicles- there should be ABSOLUTELY NOTHING added for that. Ford also pays us to fill your gas tank- I suppose they want to charge for that, too. As to the rustproofing, let's look at a couple things. Ford's RUST-THROUGH warranty is for 5 years/ unlimited miles. If you develop a HOLE in the outer-body sheetmetal in that time, Ford will fix it. As you read on, you'll see that the warranty excludes rust caused by salt. So, if they use salt on your roads, and if you plan on keeping the truck longer than 5 years, then you should consider rustproofing, BUT NOT FROM THE DEALER. Dealers don't do it properly, and what do you do if the dealer goes out of business? The only company I've seen that knows what they're doing in this area is Ziebart. They'll gurantee your truck not to rust-through for as long as you own it, as long as you have them inspect it once a year. The inspection is done at no charge. We offer the complete Ziebart package to our customers for $489, which includes everything listed above PLUS a water-repellant treatment for the windshield. By the way, Ford does not use Scotch-Guard on it's interiors- GM owns the right to that process. So, you decide for yourself what to do, but one thing's for sure: Find another Ford dealer, 'cause the one you visited isn't worthy of yours or anyone else's business.

 

I thoiught those ripe-off 400% profit items went the way of the do do bird.

If they already put them on tell them thanks but don't pay for them, start all haggling from the msrp minus any holdbacks and rebates.

 

Thanks guys, I don't think I'll waste any more time on this lot.

 

Hey Fred, I live in central KY too, and I'm tellin' you that the extra prices on all those trucks for the stuff you mentioned is BS just like these guys are saying. The salt we have on the roads around here will not be a problem. We have trucks with tons of miles on them, and none of them show rust problems from road salt or anything else.

Additionally, several years ago automakers started coating body panels with zinc oxide or something like that so they will not rust nearly as fast as 70s or 80s models would. Anything "protective" that a dealer adds to the body is total BS and is simply a profit generating machine. I hate when dealers do this stuff....why can't they just be honest and sell the freakin' vehicles to people straight up...geez.

If you are looking for a SuperDuty, Lexington's dealers will rip you off as well...I would advise you to shop in a smaller town. Just my opinion.


:-X12 Happy Holidays

 

Back in '94 I was looking for a new truck and found the one I wanted at a local dealer. The total price was only around $13,500 but included "paint protection" at $200. I told the salesman I didn't want the "protection" and insisted they take it off the price. He refused. I told him it was a option I didn't want and that they should scrape it off cause I wasn't paying for it. Of course they refused again, so I drove 20 miles and found exactly the same truck without the "protection" and bought it on the spot.


On a related note, in '88 I bought a loaded Bronco II from Scaffidi Motors in Stevens Point, WI. It was being driven by the owner's daughter and was classed an "executive driven" vehicle. I paid almost $16,000 for it and when I picked it up they had syphoned almost all the gas out of what had been a full tank the day before. I never bought from them again because of that.
Since then I have purchased $88,000 worth of vehicles from other dealers and am planning on buying a new Focus for the wife tomorrow that will put that number over $100,000. Think they saved any money by syphoning out $10 worth of fuel?