Hidden Fees When Picking Up Custom Order?

[Libertas]

Odd experience - just wanted to see if this has happened to anyone when ordering - - -

I speced out a custom order and several local dealers give me their "best quote." At least three were within $500 of each other, all significantly below "invoice" (and below x plan).

Then I walked into the dealer I really wanted to buy from - around the corner from my office. I presented them with the three quotes (all printed out emails) and they said they couldn't beat or match those. They said all three were losing money on the deal.

Here is the kicker - this dealer said that all three of the other dealers would not actually sell me the car for the quoted price - even if that showed up on the DORA. Instead, they would have me wait for 8-12 weeks and when the car showed up, they would tell me that there were extra "fees" they had to charge if I wanted to actually buy the car. I would be faced with a dilemma. Either buy the car I have been eagerly awaiting for months and just pay the extra thousand + in fees, or walk away and they would be happy to refund my deposit. This dealer told me that it was a "game" these other dealers played and that virtually everyone bends over and just pays the extra money to drive off in the eagerly awaited car.

They actually encouraged me to call one of the dealers on my cell phone and and - sure enough - the dealer admitted to me that their quote had them selling at a loss to earn my future business - especially so I would use their service department.

The dealer telling me this (the one around the corner from my office) was willing to have me walk out the door and go to another dealer - they said they simply couldn't match the deal.

I did walk out. Waited 48 hours. Had no contact from them. Then walked back in and bought the car from them for a bit more than I was quoted by the other dealers. I bought at the X plan price.

They earned a lot of credibility with me because they let me walk out the door. I assume they would have tried to contact me fairly quickly if they "found a way to match the other guy's deal", so after two days it seemed they were being straight with me. Also, they are a very small local dealership that has been in town for nearly 80 years.

Did I get double snookered? Or does this stuff really happen when people pick up their cars?

This was definitely a different buying experience (way sleezier) than any other car I have ever purchased (never purchased American before).

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[Zelek]

So the quote is on paper... I'd be firm with the price that was given at that time and don't play the games. This is probably common because of the emotions that are there when your car is ready for you. They think they can tag on a few thousand to get you in the car right away because of your excitement.

This is also pretty sleezy. A good dealership would not scam their customers like this when putting in an order and be up front. The fact someone said they would sell it to you at a loss because you would be in at the service department is laughable. I do all my own service so I'd tell him, sure!

 

[ElAviator72]

Certainly sounds unprofessional, and it reeks of the Shennanigans that old school dealers play with their customers :doh:

I would have held them to their old numbers...

They certainly found out how badly you wanted the car you ordered ;)

This is the danger inherent in a custom order: the dealer gets the upper hand the second they get the exact car you want :frusty:

 

[Wblv17]

They can go under xplan easily.

 

[Road Dog]

That is interesting. My experience was the opposite. The local dealer could match but their salesman was an idiot. I ordered and bought from a different dealer and the actual price on delivery was lower than the original quote. I now get the car serviced at my local dealer with no issues at all.
:ford:

 

[ElAviator72]

When you get your sales satisfaction survey, make sure to mention your experience and the individuals involved ;)

 

[mmdpg]

When I ordered the dealer listed the cost of the new car, my trade, documentation fee and it said I will owe sales tax and registration fee. The only variable is what rebate from Ford will be in effect when I take delivery. At the time of order it was $500, now it's $750. If it's higher or lower when I take delivery I get that amount. I'm hoping with all this in writing they won't try and add on fees when the car comes in.

 

[Freedom]

They have holdbacks. They're still making money. You played yourself.

 

[MikeD1]

^^^ This !

 

[Fantom928]

I think the bigger the dealer (higher volume sales), the more extra cash they earn from Ford - so a smaller dealer can't match those prices.

Also, remember that the $500 or $750 rebate is not available if you take the zero interest for 60 month financing - but zero interest is a better deal.

 

[Libertas]

I think the bigger the dealer (higher volume sales), the more extra cash they earn from Ford - so a smaller dealer can't match those prices.

Also, remember that the $500 or $750 rebate is not available if you take the zero interest for 60 month financing - but zero interest is a better deal.

You are correct about the 0% financing if you are buying an expensive model and can get 60 months. However, if you are paying less or can only get 36 months, the $750 might be more valuable.

You have to do the math.

For example, if you are financing $50,000 and you assume you can safely earn 2% per year - the 0% financing will save you about $2,000 against a 60 month amortization table. Since $2000 > $750, take the financing

However, if you are only financing $30,000 over 36 months with the same 2% assumed investment income, you will only save about $600 through 0% financing and the $750 cash back would be a better deal. Since $600 < $750, take the cash back.

 

[NHMustang]

You are correct about the 0% financing if you are buying an expensive model and can get 60 months. However, if you are paying less or can only get 36 months, the $750 might be more valuable.

You have to do the math.

For example, if you are financing $50,000 and you assume you can safely earn 2% per year - the 0% financing will save you about $2,000 against a 60 month amortization table. Since $2000 > $750, take the financing

However, if you are only financing $30,000 over 36 months with the same 2% assumed investment income, you will only save about $600 through 0% financing and the $750 cash back would be a better deal. Since $600 < $750, take the cash back.

This is exactly my case. I am only financing $21K out of 43K for 36 month at 2.11 so the interest is $690.

You have to run the numbers, it also depends on whether or not you qualify

 

[cobrakid]

with all the available info out there now on HOW car dealing really works, DELAERS just
are schooled now in new ways to screw people!

I was told my CA Special was super rare, and they bugged me for a month.
then I figured out a dealer 2 hrs away had the exact same car, and another 3 hrs away.
I got them to drop -$1,000 or I was going there. THEY still made money!

I hate dealing with them... unless you are rich, and can tell them to pack sand..
you have to play the game more or less.

 

[VinnAY]

I had similar with the S550, couldn't find the 15GT/PP that I wanted, color wise, tried to order it, 6 weeks later there was no car and no status on it. All based on numbers we verbally agreed to, a certain "deal" that I wanted. Told them to search again when they found a black one with the right equipment and that's when the well we can't do that and blah blah...I held their feet to the fire and was willing to walk when they came around with the deal that they "couldn't do" a day earlier. I didn't see it as a bad thing, third car from them, 2d from that salesman, I didn't think I was getting shafted it was just a matter of "you said would and that predicated the whole thing..."

 

[mikeyjobu]

I had similar with the S550, couldn't find the 15GT/PP that I wanted, color wise, tried to order it, 6 weeks later there was no car and no status on it. All based on numbers we verbally agreed to, a certain "deal" that I wanted. Told them to search again when they found a black one with the right equipment and that's when the well we can't do that and blah blah...I held their feet to the fire and was willing to walk when they came around with the deal that they "couldn't do" a day earlier. I didn't see it as a bad thing, third car from them, 2d from that salesman, I didn't think I was getting shafted it was just a matter of "you said would and that predicated the whole thing..."

Six weeks with no status? No matter what deal they'd have done, I probably would have walked anyway! Mine took 8 weeks -- but I at least saw stuff happening in COTUS now and then -- it would drop out, but the order was in. Did you put any down for the order? I had a similar situation where I wanted to get out the door for a specific price and "to do that we need $2000 down" -- and I was so emotional after my first ride in one, I got my card out and did it. The whole thing was totally nerve racking to me though -- the whole time -- right up to the day I took delivery, I wondered if they would try to screw me on price. In the end, I got the deal I shook on. I would have been willing to walk, but would have done so with my head in my hands, a grown man crying!

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