Before I ordered my truck, I told the salesman I wanted the split bench option on the xl. He told me I couldn't get it and it was evident he wanted my sale. At the time I believed him about the option (perhaps he simply did not look at the option sheet). I placed the order exactly one week ago. Now I find out that I COULD have got this option. He says too late. They have locked in my order and Ford can not change it. I think I'm getting the brush off with this and am not sure I believe him. The dealer is out of state and they have my $500 deposit and $199 Doc. fee. Am I getting a line of crap or is it legit no changes can be made? I went out of state because this dealer gave me a great deal and wanted to work with me (which can be another topic!). However, after the order things have gone cold. Please advise with your opinions. Thanks

 

Check any paperwork you signed, see if you're able to get a refund on your deposit. The dealership won't want to give it up, but if you fight hard enough you might be able to get it back.

 

I just got a 2002 Ranger XL, base model, and the 60/40 split bench seat came standard. Are you sure that yours isn't going to have it?

 

What truck did you order, I will be able to find out if its available. If it is then I would tell them to get stuffed and keep the truck and your deposit and doc fee better be refundable. If you put up a fight you will win, they don't want to lose your business.

 

I decided to buy this truck way out of state for adventure of going to get it, and the deal this Virginia dealer gave me. If they wanted to keep the deposit and doc fee, I would have to travel down there to fight it most likely. I am trying not to let it sour things too much to take the pleasure out of buying the truck. The option to go fron cloth/vinyl bench front seat to a split cloth 60/40 front seat with arm rest costs around $320 xplan cost. Even with that I WOULD STILL retain the cloth/vinyl back seat which would not match completely. I found an auto parts place near 30 miles from South Bend IN that has new take out seats for Ford trucks. I found brand new factory in the wrapper front XLT cloth 60/40 front and cloth rear bench with arm rest. I could resell my new front and rear bench seat and be into the XLT seats for say only a couple hundred more than the $320 and they would match. I ordered the XL (with XL Decor) model because I didn't want to spend the extra 2-3 thousand on electric windows, chrome wheels (I found some new deluxe lariet wheels for $300) and carpet. I'm still quite a bit of money ahead..(I found a new take-out chrome xlt grill for $100). In four weeks I should get the truck. Aside from a lazy salesman with the one issue, I can't wait and hope everything goes well. Thanks, Kurt

 

Did you go to your dealer that is close to your home with the price they offered you. It bugs me when people purchase out of town, especially during times like this when the economy is down. I don't mean to insult you but unless your dealer did something to bug you or anger you then why did you not try there with the same numbers?

 

Good point. However, if you talk to a salesman he is laible to tell you that truck sales are better than ever. "There gone before we get them off the truck." So I wonder why your lot is overflowing with new cars and trucks? "Oh, that because we just got a new shipment in."

Car salesman are the greatest!!! A bit of advice, I have purchase too many new cars in the last few years, and in that time I have learned one thing. Never deal with car salesman. Only deal directly with the sales manager. Same goes for used cars.

Also, I will never buy a new car a gain. What a huge waste of money. Buy a nice two or three years old used truck with low miles and $14,000 less than the exact same truck new.

Sorry for the soapbox

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Oct-02 AT 05:48 PM (EST)]>
>Car salesman are the greatest!!! A bit of advice, I have
>purchase too many new cars in the last few years, and in
>that time I have learned one thing. Never deal with car
>salesman. Only deal directly with the sales manager. Same
>goes for used cars.
>
>
Kurts50: Car salesman can be a asset to you just as they can be a problem to you, as you have found out. I am not a car salesman, nor am I in any vehicle sales. However, I think if one finds a good dealership, and forges a relationship with a Professional Salesperson, then you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

As you have seen from your current experience, you have "made your bed" and now you have to lie in it. You outsmarted yourself by going out of your locality to get your deal. It is kind of like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. If you have to go looking for a good deal beyond your backyard, then you never really lost a good deal at all.

Give your local people a second chance. Try striking up a relationship with a Professional Salesperson. They want you to return with new business and work to earn that business. It is the way they are successful. Play the game, play it local, and you will play it smarter. Ask Canadianfordman, he is a Professional. Allow yourself to give the Professional some respect, and you will be surprised at what you can do.

As for your current dilemma, why don't you try and consult with a local dealer, and see what they think. You have nothing to lose. Also Ford Motor Corp. maintains regional managers for these types of problems. Ask for the name.
Good luck.


>
>

 

>What truck did you order, I will be able to find out if its
>available. If it is then I would tell them to get stuffed
>and keep the truck and your deposit and doc fee better be
>refundable. If you put up a fight you will win, they don't
>want to lose your business.


It is a f350 CC, v10, ls, xl, 4x4, white, off road package, snow plow package, sliding rear window, cassette radio, air, tilt cruise, xl decor. What other info do you need? A dealer in Virgina placed the order. I would like to get the CD option if possible too.

 

>Did you go to your dealer that is close to your home with
>the price they offered you. It bugs me when people purchase
>out of town, especially during times like this when the
>economy is down. I don't mean to insult you but unless your
>dealer did something to bug you or anger you then why did
>you not try there with the same numbers?

I tried with 4 different dealers (one within 5 miles from me). I send them the request for quote form with all the information. I even called and left messages for them to contact me. Some didn't even respond back after two emails ( I am unable to contact by phone during the day). Some wouldn't even consider the x-plan pricing that my wife can get. I even went to buy an extended cab (they said they would take the snow plow off) after we agreed upon the price. I show up and they say I have to take it with the plow! My wife then had to drive back home 2 hrs. The salesman just gave me some song and dance with no "I'm sorry". Yes, I tried to purchase locally. This has been most discusting working with these people. All they want to do is sit back and make money without having to put any effort in.

 

>>Did you go to your dealer that is close to your home with
>>the price they offered you. It bugs me when people purchase
>>out of town, especially during times like this when the
>>economy is down. I don't mean to insult you but unless your
>>dealer did something to bug you or anger you then why did
>>you not try there with the same numbers?
>
>I tried with 4 different dealers (one within 5 miles from
>me). I send them the request for quote form with all the
>information. I even called and left messages for them to
>contact me. Some didn't even respond back after two emails
>( I am unable to contact by phone during the day). Some
>wouldn't even consider the x-plan pricing that my wife can
>get. I even went to buy an extended cab (they said they
>would take the snow plow off) after we agreed upon the
>price. I show up and they say I have to take it with the
>plow! My wife then had to drive back home 2 hrs. The
>salesman just gave me some song and dance with no "I'm
>sorry". Yes, I tried to purchase locally. This has been
>most discusting working with these people. All they want to
>do is sit back and make money without having to put any
>effort in.

I think you made the right choice if this is the case. Let me find out what I can about the seat for you then you will have the truth.

 

>Car salesman are the greatest!!! A bit of advice, I have
>purchase too many new cars in the last few years, and in
>that time I have learned one thing. Never deal with car
>salesman. Only deal directly with the sales manager. Same
>goes for used cars.

I would like to apologize on behalf of the salespeople you have dealt with in the past because I will bend over backwards for my customers because they are the ones that pay me my paycheque. I am unsure of other dealerships but at my dealership if I don't sell any vehicles i don't get paid so why wouldn't I do whatever it takes to make the customer happy so they would tell there friends and family about there experience.

>Also, I will never buy a new car a gain. What a huge waste
>of money. Buy a nice two or three years old used truck with
>low miles and $14,000 less than the exact same truck new.

I sure hope that you are not the type of person that expects the perfect used vehicle, because theres no such thing. I love the customer that comes in and says hey this 1999 F350 4x4 has a scratch in it. I hate to break it to people but used vehicles are just that, USED. I suppose it all depends on what you are looking for. If you don't like the GAS and GO stage with warranty, road side assistants and lower interest rates then a new vehicle would not be the way to go but if you like any of those things then maybe its something to think about.

 

Here in Southern California and, I suspect, most large markets in the US, there are two basic "styles" of new car dealerships that you can spot just by driving past. If you see a bunch of young men in cheap new suits standing around the entrance, just keep going and find another dealership. You can get a good deal there, but it is painful.

I prefer the low-key approach, where you have to walk into the showroom and ask for a sales person. Even so, don't expect to come back in a few years to buy again and find the same salespeople and manager, they move around a lot.

With a lot of family owned dealerships being sold out to corportations, plus the growing amount of internet sales, I think new types of "delivery and service centers" may spring up and replace some of the traditional ones. Also, there are some dealerships here that specialize in the large Latino and Asian populations, some taking unfair advantage of non English-speaking customers.

Any comments from the professional about these issues?

Jim

 

>Here in Southern California and, I suspect, most large
>markets in the US, there are two basic "styles" of new car
>dealerships that you can spot just by driving past. If you
>see a bunch of young men in cheap new suits standing around
>the entrance, just keep going and find another dealership.
>You can get a good deal there, but it is painful.

First of all I have never dealt with anyone at a dealership in California but when you say young men with cheap suits I am confused, that seems stereo typical to me, but what would I know I am still a teenager. What do you mean by painful? I treat customers the way they treat me, if someone comes in and puts down the vehicle I am trying to sell and all they have to say is bad stuff about everything to do with my dealership and how there are betters deals are elsewhere why would I work extra hard for them? If a customer wants to be a professional then I will do whatever it takes to get them the deal they want.

>I prefer the low-key approach, where you have to walk into
>the showroom and ask for a sales person. Even so, don't
>expect to come back in a few years to buy again and find the
>same salespeople and manager, they move around a lot.

What do you prefer about this? As a Sales Consultant its my job to give 100% of the options to 100% of the people 100% of the time. In my opinion it would be much nicer to buy a vehicle do regular maitenance at the dealership then come back a couple years later to find that your salesperson still remembers your name.

>With a lot of family owned dealerships being sold out to
>corportations, plus the growing amount of internet sales, I
>think new types of "delivery and service centers" may spring
>up and replace some of the traditional ones. Also, there are
>some dealerships here that specialize in the large Latino
>and Asian populations, some taking unfair advantage of non
>English-speaking customers.
>
>Any comments from the professional about these issues?
>
>Jim

I am realizing how bad the car business used to be and that this has scared a lot of people. Its funny when you start talking to a person on the lot and the first thing they say is oh I am just looking, well no kidding thats what you do on a car lot, then as soon as they realize theres no pressure then they loosen right up and tell you exactly what they are looking for. I have some awesome relationships with people I haven't even sold a vehicle too, and they have even offered to write me recomendation letters. I am just starting out in this business and it is a struggle from the begininng, but I know I won't get anywhere by pressuring people into buying vehicles because when people aren't happy they talk. Thank you for the proffesional comment I really do appretiate that.
Have a great day.

 

I've been a Ford salesperson for 16 years,and here's the scoop on the split-bench seat in an F350 XL: yes the seat is technically available for order, but Ford won't even be building any with one until mid-December (some problem at the seat manufacturer, which is a supplier to Ford). With the Christmas shutdown, that means they won't even get to the dealers until January, if you're lucky. So, if you've come up with an acceptable seat to add to your truck, then you're doing OK, otherwise you would have had to wait until next year.