Choose Your Own Adventure Book: Buying a Raptor

[OFC Ranger]

What was it like 4-5 years ago you could get a gen 2 "base" raptor for like 57k?

Hope you find your Ranger Raptor. Seems like you the shit you had in one hand is slowly stacking ? Have you called other dealers?

Not going to bother, sort of one of those "that boat has left the dock" things. There might be some obscure dealership out there that has not received an inquiry, but every hour since the banks opened I find it highly unlikely. Remember, 3,000 units total, 1 per dealer, terrible odds. I mean really attempting to buy from this dealership was one of those, "I don't need it, but it would be nice to have, meh I'll give it a shot."

I'll continue working on my current Ranger. It only has 17,000 miles after 3 years, so plenty of life left in it. Would have been nice to move from a pre-runner style RWD setup to 4x4 capable, but not the end of the world.

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[OFC Ranger]

Hahaha... change of plans.

I'll post an update in a few hours, I am taking a small 45 minute road trip somewhere.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

Anything is possible.

If I was going to cast a tin foil hate possibility, it is that the GM is not actually involved at all and this is all a master craft of the OM - for all I know the GM could find out about this and be like, "Are you F'n stupid? Why did you turn down $5,000 on a Ranger?"

For some clarity, he already told me they mark up their F-150 Raptors $10,000 (which they generally sell for)

I worked at a sales job for a long time. There was an assistant manager (basically a sales guy) who, when a customer would be wishy washy about a purchase would say 'let me talk to my manager'. Then he would go in the office, open a couple cabinet doors, look around, grab a drink of water and then open the door and say 'Are you sure you want to do that?' and come out and give the customer $50 off or something. There was never really a manager back there, but it created the illusion of 'manager approval'.

 

[Jason B]

Chapter 4: Response from FoMoCo:

They say they want to cut down on ADM, but that is just lip service.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Yeah, we will need a chapter 4, please sir

Ask and you shall receive.

Ignoring suggestions by another user to contact other dealers and my doubts. Well, I'm glad to be flat wrong in this case.

Chapter 4: " FAAFO " (Google if not familiar with the acronym)

I searched for the smallest Ford authorized dealer in a 50 mile radius. The first one came back with $20K ADM and $5k deposit. Using my verbal judo I advised them they were smoking crack in a professional manner. Next down the list and something magical happened. Well something is better than nothing, I got what I wanted, but $500 cheaper. What I really liked is I was in and out of the new dealership in 30 minutes. Yea it was a 30 minute ride there and back, but who cares at this point.

And thus...

Shelter Green bone stock no add-ons.

I even made sure that they got the proper priority code in for stock order, not retail.

 

[OFC Ranger]

And of course not wanting to ever speak to the old dealership again, I had to drop him a trolling text to bugger off. Nicely of course.

And thus concludes our story.

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

Congrats Jack!

 

[Chris M]

Nicely done.
Congratulations!

 

[9zero1790]

Chapter 3: " The Girlfriend Who Refuses to Break-up"

I had to run an errand this morning on the same side of town as the dealership. I decided the previous evening, to go ahead and push this poker game and call the cards and just wash my hands of the matter. I have been delaying other projects completely based on this whole rigmarole so as not to tie up money on things that may become irrelevant should a new vehicle purchase come to fruition.

I have the nice looking (I think that is a job requirement at dealerships) front desk lady page Mr. OM and he greets me in the front lobby.

"Hey Jack, what can I do for you?"

"I haven't received a call from you, I had errands, so here I am."

He leads me back to his office, which I have now affectionately named The Mustache Man's Dungeon and take a seat across from him. Looking to finish this matter quickly, I begin the conversation;

"Are you going to accept the $5,000 - yes or no?"

OM: "He's not going to accept that"

"Ok well, thank you for your time"

Mr. OM then experiences an OODA Loop glitch again.

He gives the stereotypical salesman chuckle, "Whoa Whoa hold on I am still working on it. We still have awhile to wait till the truck can even be made"

"Yes, I am aware of the newest bulletin pushing production to September 1st - but that doesn't mean anything to me, the order list is growing and this is just putting me further and further back on the list. I would just assume focus my effort's elsewhere."

OM: "I understand, but give me some more time."

"I'm not interested. No offense, but this is all completely short sighted (I will elaborate on this later) over $2,500.

OM: "Well its just we have been contacting other dealers in our network and getting feedback on their raptor sales"

"Well I am part of a community of customers that far exceeds your contacts and I know the average ADM is $5,000."

Silence.

OM: "Well I am going to keep working on this, don't give up on us yet, we want you as a customer."

"I'm making it clear, I will not pay anything more than what I've said. The supply and demand is not going to change anytime soon, I fail to see, no offense intended, how you are going to convince your dealership to take the $5,000 later."

OM: "I get where you are coming from, but its just Ford is making this such a rare thing to get a hold of"

At this point I have said what I want to say to terminate the relationship, but this clingy girlfriend ain't having none of it, so now I am going to shift to making him chose to terminate the relationship through passive aggressive trolling for my own entertainment.

"No, this has nothing to do with Ford. This is a dealership choice. Our conversation is not even about haggling MSRP, or removing add-ons, or junk fees. This is about this dealership wanting to squeeze an additional $2,500 in pure in the pocket cash money above the already $5,000 + kick backs. The rarity of this trim for the first few allocations is irrelevant to me. For all I know you are customer shopping right now between any number of other people. You are asking me to write a blank check with my fluid cash while you "work on" this. I am not doing that. I'll tell you what, I'll give till the end of today for them to make a final decision on the $5,000 offer"

OM: "Well he said he won't take the $5,000."

"Ok, well no hard feelings, thank you for your time." I stand up and extend my hand.

He hesitates, then realize it will be bad form not to shake my hand. As he does so he says, "Look I understand, but I am going to keep working on this for you. Just give me some time."

My final response is, "You do what you want, I've said my peace."

Is this guy bonkers? Its not like you will not be able to sell this thing. So I am a bit curious what he is worried about.

I will not be making any further initiated contact with this dealer regarding the Raptor, or any future Ford vehicles at any dealership for that matter. I will delay my projects one more week just to see if they crack, but in my mind the relationship is terminated.

After one week I will write an e-mail to Ford corporate to explain this story and that I will not purchase any of their products in the future because this kind of experience is completely unnecessary. This is not being done to have any influence over the dealership decision, but just so I can say I did my due diligence and let the company know how their brand is fucking up and deteriorating. If they choose to take my words, along with others, and implement real change than good for them, if my e-mail goes into an automated trash bin then no skin off my back.

Will there be a Chapter 4? Who knows, but one is not planned at this point.

no need for another chance for the dealer. they pissed the bed now they sleep in it. ive bought my last new ford. like you never ever had a single ford dealer provide a positive outcome or experience.

 

[Jason B]

Well done. Can I solicit your services on my next vehicle purchase?

 

[9zero1790]

victory! now we need pictures as soon as it shows up. gonna feel like a long long wait.

 

[Tracy Bowman]

Ask and you shall receive.

Ignoring suggestions by another user to contact other dealers and my doubts. Well, I'm glad to be flat wrong in this case.

Chapter 4: " FAAFO " (Google if not familiar with the acronym)

I searched for the smallest Ford authorized dealer in a 50 mile radius. The first one came back with $20K ADM and $5k deposit. Using my verbal judo I advised them they were smoking crack in a professional manner. Next down the list and something magical happened. Well something is better than nothing, I got what I wanted, but $500 cheaper. What I really liked is I was in and out of the new dealership in 30 minutes. Yea it was a 30 minute ride there and back, but who cares at this point.

And thus...

Shelter Green bone stock no add-ons.

I even made sure that they got the proper priority code in for stock order, not retail.

Congrats! Excited for you!

 

[OneMore]

Ask and you shall receive.

Ignoring suggestions by another user to contact other dealers and my doubts. Well, I'm glad to be flat wrong in this case.

Chapter 4: " FAAFO " (Google if not familiar with the acronym)

I searched for the smallest Ford authorized dealer in a 50 mile radius. The first one came back with $20K ADM and $5k deposit. Using my verbal judo I advised them they were smoking crack in a professional manner. Next down the list and something magical happened. Well something is better than nothing, I got what I wanted, but $500 cheaper. What I really liked is I was in and out of the new dealership in 30 minutes. Yea it was a 30 minute ride there and back, but who cares at this point.

And thus...

Shelter Green bone stock no add-ons.

I even made sure that they got the proper priority code in for stock order, not retail.

Outstanding.
The greatest satisfaction will be informing the original dealership you have secured an order from a, some what, local Ford retailer.
Oh, at $4,500 ADM. Not the 5k you were will to give.

Great job on your part.
Enjoy that new RR.

 

[RDJTX]

I disagree. Price gouging usually refers to raising prices on needed item such as food, water, fuel, etc., especially in a crisis. No one NEEDS a Raptor. They WANT a Raptor. The ADM is on this model because it's in high demand. Now, if they suddenly added $5-10K on all vehicles, that may be considered gouging or market manipulation.
Fuel is a needed commodity for most people. In Louisiana, we average $3.07 for regular gas, in California it's $4.80. Do you consider CA is price gouging on fuel costs with its 56% mark up? Or is it just supply and demand?

it is always about supply and demand. however you do you. I will stand by what I said

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

While Jack has his truck reserved and we are doing victory burnouts I'm gonna throw a boomerang off topic and point out that if you want to buy a Porsche GT car they will ask you to buy a Panamera and maybe also a base 911 first to show you are a good customer. Oh and you have to sign a document promising to sell said GT car back to the dealership when you are done with it - if you want another in the future.

Life ain't fair. $4,500k markup is a steal for a special vehicle. Congrats again Jack.

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