Fords future

[airish1531]

As someone who enters a number of dealership on a regular basis. I heard about this for sometime. I think ford and other brands are trying to follow the carvana tesla model. My feelings are that this is going change how we purchase our future products. Please listen to this gentleman he makes valid points. Community's will suffer the most.

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[FordFreak]

Based off of the dealerships in my area, I'll take any pain from them going away as long as it absolutely hurts them

 

[dano42]

Interesting video. A lot of good points, most can be said about any responsible local business. The problem with dealers is that for some reason there seems to be an overabundance of unethical people working in them. I've bought new cars for 40 years, and it's always been the same. It's a huge investment, and you have to be very careful not to get taken advantage of.

 

[JDowns]

When I bought my vehicle back in November this is basically what the service manager told me was coming and they were preparing for. His take was that they would still have a few models on the lot for test drives and for in person viewing along with some select colors. Used cars would still be there, but newer vehicles would be based on orders only. Service departments would still be there and those with the best service in an area would end up winning out. They were very focused on customer service. They were also actively looking at ways to monetize the upcoming wasted lot space until their lease runs out and can relocate to a smaller lot.

 

[Jason B]

If the dealers are cut out and screwed on sales, who do you think is going to get screwed on repairs?

 

[Jon Olivier]

If the dealers are cut out and screwed on sales, who do you think is going to get screwed on repairs?

Yep. I live in a small town that had a Ford Dealership/Service Department until recently. Now if something major happens, that I can't fix, my nearest Ford dealer is just over 2 hours away.

 

[MoatCarp]

As someone who enters a number of dealership on a regular basis. I heard about this for sometime. I think ford and other brands are trying to follow the carvana tesla model. My feelings are that this is going change how we purchase our future products. Please listen to this gentleman he makes valid points. Community's will suffer the most.

Good.

To expand -- It's an antiquated business model that only rewards those willing to play their games. I do not want to spend my time and energy haggling prices with dealerships all over town. The lack of transparent pricing and normalized predatory practices (e.g., "market adjustment" gouging and nonsense dealer add-ons) have only accelerated their demise in the public's eye. No amount of charity or community involvement can change my stance that something needs to change. I'm not normally a bitter person. A really bad experience at a Ford dealership made me this way .

I only hope that a middle ground can be reached in which as many jobs are preserved as possible.

 

[AzScorpion]

I'll take my chances! With what these dealers are doing to customers now in this economy I hope they all go away! The price gouging is beyond crazy, $20K+ market adjustment for a Bronco? But as longs as there are those willing to pay for it they'll keep gouging us.

Besides if you're under warranty the dealer can't charge you any more, it's all covered through Ford. Hopefully there will be more "certified" shops opening up for service.

 

[Peragrin]

This is a long time coming.

Ever notice how stores used to have an after holiday or end of summer blow out sale?

Ever notice that 99% of those sales are now gone? ever notice how christmas stuff is gone dec 26? and by August Summer stuff is all but impossible to find? being replaced for fall?

Inventory costs money.

The downside is last minute same day sale and drive make up a significant portion of sales with those gone who knows how that will shake out. (my wifes last car was bought in hours as her car failed inspection horribly, a strut was pushing through the body and we bought a car that afternoon)

 

[TomC]

As it stands I can't get an appointment for the next 3 weeks to get my wife's explorer looked at (airbag issue), and the launch of the bronco and lightning and the ensuing dealer shenanigans have totally soured me on my Local Ford Dealers. Ford better figure this out quickly cause there are other choices.

 

[AzScorpion]

There will always be someone who needs a car now, not later.
I am hereby announcing the RangerPride network of dealerships
You need it now, I got it now.

I think we need something a little more reliable.

 

[wanted33]

Sadly I would bet that the shaddy dealers will find a way to turn this into an advantage. The amount of customers out there that know you can even special order a vehicle is very low. And those that know how dealers can screw them without a kiss is even lower. You can bet it will be a bigger fiasco than the Bronco launch if this new plan comes to fruition.

 

[dtech]

Good.

To expand -- It's an antiquated business model that only rewards those willing to play their games. I do not want to spend my time and energy haggling prices with dealerships all over town. The lack of transparent pricing and normalized predatory practices (e.g., "market adjustment" gouging and nonsense dealer add-ons) have only accelerated their demise in the public's eye. No amount of charity or community involvement can change my stance that something needs to change. I'm not normally a bitter person. A really bad experience at a Ford dealership made me this way .

I only hope that a middle ground can be reached in which as many jobs are preserved as possible.

You think Ford dealerships are bad - try a Hyundai or KIA dealership , although it's been over 10 yrs I did visit a half dozen or so of those dealerships and it was an experience I'll never forget, the collective IQ of the sales people I dealt with was on the lesser side of 100 . Appalling.

Maybe if Elon Musk can't land Twitter he might possibly amuse himself by buying Ford, with the stock sinking he might be hunting for a "bargain" - or a tax write down. . The downside for me would be that I've never seen much chrome on Tesla's .

 

[lazynorse]

As I understand it, many if not most dealerships make most their money from the service department anyway. Take away the new cars sales, keep the service department. A dealership owner may not like that but I don't care about them.

Auto sales is just about the last remaining shenanigan-filled niche in a world that turned to more straight forward and transparent sales.

I'll add to the chorus - I've yet to meet a dealership sales person who knew any critical details about the product they sell. In 'sales' I suppose there's some tradition, pride and science behind 'close that deal, screw that customer.' How about they just accept a fair profit margin and ring me up at the register?

My most dishonest experience in a decade occurred this year at Sound Ford of Renton WA. Outright lies on the phone, 180 turns against verbal and written agreed upon terms and conditions.. basically got me in the door then said 'well, we're adding $1500 to the price, take it or leave it.' That was after a number of other outright lies leading up to. Why should that person, their boss and their company enjoy employment in this day and age? I'd love an answer to it.

 

[Langwilliams]

Another rare agreement with RP. If you suffer a engine or transmission loss or are in an accident you don't/can't wait weeks (months during the chip shortage) for a replacement.

Before the interweb an googles there were more shenanigans. Now you can get the msrp an dealer costs off the web. Read reviews an see what others "claim" to have paid an have a good idea of what a good/fair price is before you walk on the lot. I say claim because we all know that guy that got 17 thousand dollars off a 23 thousand dollar car with his brilliant negotiation technique. It seemed to me there were two types of dealerships...ones that tried to screw you an max out profit on every deal an those that sold a ton of cars with lots of repeat business that gave a fair deal to everyone. People also forget a lot of the profit is generated in the sales managers officer after the car an price is settled on with ad on's warranties.

The big money is in the buy here pay here where they rip off people with poor credit desperate for a car.

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