Taking Delivery---tips, dos, don'ts...

[doulos4jc]

I have a 'hands off' agreement with my dealer...no detailing, no dealer stickers/tags, no lot boy raping it around the block. Hopefully I will be there when it rolls off the truck. Panel gaps and paint are the first things I will check out. What else should I be looking for?

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[oyitsagreen]

General scratches on the paint....other blemishes from various fluids , bug guts, bird crap, etc.

Stains in the carpet from trucker feet, scuffs on door, stuff like that.

Most of the time the cars are fine. Some marks even appear after protective plastic covers are taken off...but come out easily. Mostly sticky residue.

Those plastic door guarđs can scratch! The ones on the edge of the door that act as buffer should someone carelessly fling the door open. Don't know if Ford uses them.

Most of the stuff that occurs isn't a big deal and are small easy fixes. It's pretty rare for one to be damaged off the truck unless the trucker screws up unloading it. They are always pretty careful, but shot happens.

 

[JoeySD]

no front plate bracket ~~~ throw it in the trunk lol

 

[doulos4jc]

Check for leaks under car.

 

[MikeAZ]

Here's a pretty good list from carclicks.com:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]HOME[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Spot Deliveries:[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] When it comes to delivery of your car, the very first thing you need to be aware of, and know how to deal with, is the "Spot Delivery." A spot delivery is when you take delivery of the car as soon as you have committed to buy it. The purpose of "spotting" a customer is simple: if you sign the papers and take delivery, the car is yours. If you change your mind the next morning when you wake up and see the car in your driveway, it's too late. Dealers consider spot deliveries the best defense against buyer's remorse because by the time the buyer has a chance for any remorse, they already own the car. Some dealerships may not offer spot delivery, which is to your advantage. Others will practically insist on it. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]DON'T DO IT. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]The salesperson will make it seem that taking immediate delivery is the most natural thing in the world, and for some car buyers, perhaps it is. It is much better, though, to protect yourself and take delivery of the car the next day, than to lock yourself into a commitment that you may not be able to undo. Unraveling a deal after you have taken delivery, even if it is within hours (or minutes) of buying the car, can be a nightmare. There is a good possibility that the deal cannot be undone, depending on the attitude of the dealership. Be aware that if you take delivery and sign the contracts, you will be considered by most or all courts to have closed the deal. Giving yourself a cooling off period, even if it is only for a day, will not only release a lot of the tension associated with buying a car, it will give you an escape hatch if you determine that you simply cannot live with the car or the deal.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Regular Delivery: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]If you are going to pick up the car some time after you have made the deal, set an exact time for delivery with the salesperson. Complete any final financing details. Notify your insurance agent that you will need coverage transferred. When you arrive at the dealership, make sure that anything that was promised has been done to the car. Examine the car closely. Reporting a dent on the fender a week after you have taken delivery gives you little chance that the dealership will handle it, but if you note it immediately, they will have no choice but to repair it.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]New Car Delivery Checklist[/FONT]

• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Check the operation of all equipment--especially any items that the dealer may have added.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Check for dents, scratches or mismatched paint. Even brand new cars can have paint defects.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Check the interior--fabric, carpeting and make sure that you look up at the headliner.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Make sure that the owners manual, service schedule, and warranty book are with the car.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Review procedures for the service department--how appointments are handled and who to contact if you need service.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Check over all of the financial papers and the sales contract. Make sure that they match the figures that you and the dealership agreed on. Confirm that no additional items (and costs) have been added.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Have you switched your insurance?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]If anything is not right[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica], either get it fixed on the spot or, if that is not possible, get it in writing and signed by a manager. If considerable additional work is needed, leave the car without signing any contracts or financing papers. If you need transportation (for example, if you have already sold your old car) insist that the dealership gives you a loaner car while the work is done to yours.
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[Phlyguy]

Ford is pretty strict about using a comprehensive pre-delivery checklist that is consulted by both the sales rep. and the customer prior to acceptance. Both the sales rep. and the customer are required to sign it prior to completion of the purchase

 

[fionic]

Ford is pretty strict about using a comprehensive pre-delivery checklist that is consulted by both the sales rep. and the customer prior to acceptance. Both the sales rep. and the customer are required to sign it prior to completion of the purchase

do you have a copy of this we can see?

 

[Sal JC]

no front plate bracket ~~~ throw it in the trunk lol

Yes but don't throw it in the trunk, take it with you, don't leave it with the car.
If you leave it in the car, even in the trunk, some dope might accidentally put it on not realizing he wasn't supposed to.

 

[Clink]

do you have a copy of this we can see?

Here is the one I did when I traded my '13 GT in on a Focus a few months back, I'm sure it's similar and just changes based on options purchased.

This is where we had the conversation about the survey too btw, just me and the salesman.

 

[Jrhogger]

Hopefully I will be there when mine comes off the truck also. Check everything out, I agree last new mustang in 2001 Ford even had a check list for delivery. I still have it!

Also I put in written form for the dealership to not stick their name on the car and to leave the front license plate off.

 

[Jims2015]

Hopefully I will be there when mine comes off the truck also. Check everything out, I agree last new mustang in 2001 Ford even had a check list for delivery. I still have it!

Also I put in written form for the dealership to not stick their name on the car and to leave the front license plate off.

+1 already talked to my dealer about this as well and he has agreed to no front bracket and no dealer sticker on the car.

 

[B-Fox]

Typically, there will be a dealership employee checking the vehicles for shipping damage as they come off the truck, or they will be dropped after hours and noted to be inspected later.

Traditionally, the car will then be given to a Certified Technician to perform most of the Pre-Delivery Inspection. They will take the vehicle out of "transport mode", check all functional items including taking the vehicle on a 5-10mile test drive, stopping to put a few gallons of fuel in it(if the vehicle is hitting the lot for test drives).

They will set the final tire pressures, set the clock, install wheel center caps, antenna masts or any other items like the GT500's had a lower splitter that was installed at the dealer.

When I do PDI's, being in FL, I never install the front plate bracket to allow the customer to choose if they want it.

Next in line, the vehicle would go to the detailing department where all the protective coverings are removed, the vehicle is cleaned and they affix the dealer sticker and tags.

Lastly, your salesman will put a full tank of fuel in the car before delivery.

The thing I would be worried about, is the that some larger dealerships now have a "PDI department" that will do the PDI start to finish, but it's usually performed by an inexperienced low hourly waged employee.

 

[TorkN8R]

Taking delivery

Here's what i'd be concerned with:

1. The obvious scratches and scuffs.

2. FRONT MOUNTED PLATE! NO!

3. The test drive by dealer staff. I.e. dealer owners son works there and he gooses the GT cold just for kicks.

4. The free tank of gas. It probably won't be super, more like cheep regular. Now you have to burn that entire tank, fill up with super and burn that tank before the PCM adjusts.

5. The wash. This is especially important with dark colors because of swirl. I always use 3 different micro wash mits. One for the top half, one for the lower panels with all of the road crap and one for the wheels. I usually ask the dearler to skip the wash because they just use the same old rags for multiple cars.

 

[gzstang]

I'm glad I get to do the PDI on my own car and get paid for it. As soon as the truck driver unloads it no one drives it but me!

 

[martin]

Hopefully I will be there when mine comes off the truck also. Check everything out, I agree last new mustang in 2001 Ford even had a check list for delivery. I still have it!

Also I put in written form for the dealership to not stick their name on the car and to leave the front license plate off.

in RI a fromt plate is required

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