Ford Dealers Got Greedy

[Ranger Lariat]

Buying a vehicle should be no different than buying a toaster or TV.

And…. Just like a toaster or TV, if it’s defective you should be able to return it for a FULL refund or replacement.

Of course this is coming from someone that had to get a lawyer to make them (auto maker that makes a “truck” that is actually higher rated midsize truck than a Ford).

Sponsored

 

[ppfd]

Deals are out there, you may have to search a little more and drive a little farther. But, they are out there.
I found a Ford dealer in WV that I never heard of 2 hours from me.
They had 3 or 4 tremors, under sticker, Ford had a $1000.00 off and I got $500.00 1st responder discount. Came within a $1000.00 on my paid off trade and I was happy with it.
No pressure to buy, no nonsense after we agreed on a price.
Salesman texts me a few times a year to catch up and see how the truck is doing.

 

[Markubis]

I remember my brother buying a white F-150 in the mid to late 80s for around $10,500. He got a break on the price because he wanted a manual.
I can't believe how much they cost now. It's insane.

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/1985/ford/f150/1-2-ton-pickup-styleside

 

[AzScorpion]

Sure there are deals out there and I am willing to travel. The point is you shouldn't have to do this! I bought my Jeep from Granger For at 4% UNDER invoice just last year. Everyone here was above MSRP so even after shipping it was still much cheaper. I'm all for free market and capitalism but what most dealers are doing now is just bad business practice. If they think they had a bad name prior to this they better look and see what most think of them now because it's a lot worse. It really is getting to the point where many are being priced out of vehicles especially new ones.

Being a small business owner for 36 years I never try to wish bad on any business. But with the economy the way it is and a recession right around the corner I really hope all these slimy dealers get stuck sitting on all their inventory. Especially all the ones with Broncos! Adding $10K-20K for a Bronco is just crazy. But there are to many out there who were willing to pay for them so they also share the blame. I hope they're all enjoying their higher payment while seeing the same Bronco going for MSRP now.

 

[jsphlynch]

I was at the local Kia dealership a few months ago for a recall, and while I was waiting I took a stroll around the showroom. Almost every vehicle was marked "sold." They had a wall where they posted the window stickers for all the cars that hadn't arrived yet, also almost all marked sold. Asked the manager (he came over to tape up a couple more "sold" stickers) if they ever get Carnivals on the lot as we're interested in a minivan. He said all Carnivals, and nearly all other vehicles, are sold well before the truck brings them in. He said all the other dealers putting markups on their vehicles means he can sell all inventory before it even becomes inventory without even trying simply by selling at MSRP, with many customers flying in from out of state. At one point he remarked "I know I'm leaving some meat on the bone with this strategy, but I sure get a lot of bones this way," which sounded like a cheesy rehearsed line but is probably true.

 

[AzScorpion]

I was at the local Kia dealership a few months ago for a recall, and while I was waiting I took a stroll around the showroom. Almost every vehicle was marked "sold." They had a wall where they posted the window stickers for all the cars that hadn't arrived yet, also almost all marked sold. Asked the manager (he came over to tape up a couple more "sold" stickers) if they ever get Carnivals on the lot as we're interested in a minivan. He said all Carnivals, and nearly all other vehicles, are sold well before the truck brings them in. He said all the other dealers putting markups on their vehicles means he can sell all inventory before it even becomes inventory without even trying simply by selling at MSRP, with many customers flying in from out of state.

At one point he remarked "I know I'm leaving some meat on the bone with this strategy, but I sure get a lot of bones this way," which sounded like a cheesy rehearsed line but is probably true.

For sure it's true and people will remember this. If he's selling all his units before they even arrive that means he literally has zero carrying cost. The dealer marking them up and having them sit for months is eating away at his profits because they're paying for these vehicles months. Sure they might still sell for a good profit but they won't be selling as many units as the one selling for MSRP. So in the end the Kia dealer will make a lot more.

I've used a similar business strategy my whole career. I've always kept my prices reasonable and was always the one in the middle when customers were getting estimates. Yes there wee times when I raised them (building booms) but never to the point where I felt like I was intentionally screwing someone. I guess it worked well because I've worked through the recessions. Even the '08 one I made it through and while things slowed considerably we still went to work while many lost their business.

 

[rydfree]

I remember my brother buying a white F-150 in the mid to late 80s for around $10,500. He got a break on the price because he wanted a manual.
I can't believe how much they cost now. It's insane.

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/1985/ford/f150/1-2-ton-pickup-styleside

My '97 F-150 XLT was around 16k and back then I thought that was too high ,LOL . My 2007 KR F-150 was $34k and now one would set you back around @80k !

Still drive my '91 2WD manual Ranger to work most days and I paid $7800 for it if my memory is correct . Over 330k and still going strong. I think I got my moneys worth from that old girl .

 

[VAMike]

Thats what's sad Mike is most don't know that customer service and repeat customers is everything!

I doubt that's actually true--people don't live in one place and buy cars frequently enough for repeat customers to be a major factor in sales revenue.

 

[Friday yet?]

But there are to many out there who were willing to pay for them so they also share the blame.

While I am really ticked off at the slimeball dealers doing this market adjustment crap, your comment is what we all need to remember. If idiots would just say no, the dealers would have no choice but to stop their bullshit. But while we whine, some clown somewhere is getting out his check book. Just stupid.

 

[AzScorpion]

I doubt that's actually true--people don't live in one place and buy cars frequently enough for repeat customers to be a major factor in sales revenue.

Not everyone moves. I have friends and family back in Ma that have been there their whole life. Besides even though I moved away from there I still have friends ask me for referrals. Referrals are the lifeline of every business.

 

[Canadian Ranger]

They've always been greedy.
Things change so I don't know if this is still the case, but time was, when a lease is returned to the dealer and they put it on their used car lot, 100% of the selling price goes to dealer. A two year lease has paid for initial cost to build the vehicle. Do the math on that when you purchase a new vehicle and get your payments and interest spread out over 4-5-6 years, or purchase that previously leased vehicle.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

While I am really ticked off at the slimeball dealers doing this market adjustment crap, your comment is what we all need to remember. If idiots would just say no, the dealers would have no choice but to stop their bullshit. But while we whine, some clown somewhere is getting out his check book. Just stupid.

MSRP stands for 'Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price', meaning Ford (and any other manufacturer) recommends what the vehicle should be sold for, but its not a hard cost. I've said it before, and I will say it again, if you have to hand write your adjustment price on the sticker, you are a scummy jackwagon. That being said, people are paying these prices. I could probably count, on one hand, the number of people in the US that NEED a new vehicle so badly that they HAVE to pay the inflated prices. The guy paying $100,000 for a Bronco that should be $60,000 doesn't need the vehicle. He wants it and he paid way too much for it so he could brag about having one.

Do we blame sellers for listing their houses far too high when they sell? No. We blame the market and we blame the buyer for paying over asking. Why would we hold the dealer as the only accountable party?

Back to vehicles. I have a friend who is the GSM of a local dealer. He sold 2 Broncos for MSRP to the original orderer (who didn't want the vehicle), bought them back for $20k over the original purchase price, and then sold them again for $100,000 in less than 24 hours.

Original buyer: $60,000
Buy Back (without being driven): $80,000
Second Sale: $100,000

Do I blame the dealer? No. If people are willing to do it, then why should you not do it? Consumers are the reason this is possible. Dealerships would have to knock this crap off if people weren't paying these insane prices.

 

[Friday yet?]

Consumers are the reason this is possible.

100%

 

[9zero1790]

Here is what mine looks like in the truck. To the left of the radio I installed 2 USB 3.0 ports in the lighter location. They plug into the back of the head unit. You can set the make of vehicle and correct logo shows (Ford) upon start up. It is completely self contained. I think I picked this one up in 2016 for around $100! With all the bits and pieces it came to ~$125.

I like the power on button.volume knob. I sent one back that was solely touchscreen. I found it less distracting to turn the knob up rather than look for arrows. It definitely interfered with my attention needed while driving. So I settled on this unit. It does not have a CD/DVD and I prefer my music and video to be on a large flash drive. I use the low profile flashdrives that are just big enough to pull out of the socket ~ .5"

My headunit brand is Corehan. They still make head units. Amazon has them starting at $91
You'll also need a Ford Radio extractor kit ($6), Metra 95-5600 Double DIN Installation Kit for select 1995-2008 Ford ($13.50), and a Metra Wiring Harness ($7.67) to make it plug and play with your Ford plug used by your existing radio.

Consider the Double USB port ($10.90) as well.

This should get you rolling. I had to do a bit of shaving to get it to fit, but not much. If you get into it and have trouble I have a few tips to make the fit look polished and professional.

Best of luck!

- T

excellent thank you Tony!

 

[FordFreak]

They all got greedy. I believe I'm done buying "new" vehicles from the dealerships. I'll get lightly used from private party, or CarMax-style places in the future.

Sponsored