Total price?

[tsunami]

I ordered a convertible on 31 Dec. I was given the VOC immediately.
The dealership required a $1,000 non-refundable deposit.
When I asked what the total price would be: VOC, plus doc fees, tax/license, rebates, etc. I was told that they couldn't give me a final price until after the VIN# was generated.
Because of the Holidays, Mustang won't be generating VINs until after 15 Jan. I asked my dealership how soon after the VIN# is generated would the total price be available. The Sales Manager has started to hem and haw about when they are going to be able to tell me what my total cost will be.

This is the first time in 40 years of buying new cars/trucks that a dealership won't/can't tell me what my final cost is going to be for weeks after I agree to purchase a vehicle. Is this now a standard dealership procedure? I would understand if they need the 'late' VIN#.

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[JimmyTwoTimes]

I've never gotten a total price until the actual delivery of the car, since they can't finalize trade-in values until then. And dealers are always going to try to upsell you warranties and back-end garbage at the time of the transaction while your car is sitting there waiting to be driven off; giving a "final price" would prevent the back-end salesman from ever making any money.

The VIN really shouldn't have anything to do with it, though.

 

[mkenny28]

I ordered a convertible on 31 Dec. I was given the VOC immediately.
The dealership required a $1,000 non-refundable deposit.
When I asked what the total price would be: VOC, plus doc fees, tax/license, rebates, etc. I was told that they couldn't give me a final price until after the VIN# was generated.
Because of the Holidays, Mustang won't be generating VINs until after 15 Jan. I asked my dealership how soon after the VIN# is generated would the total price be available. The Sales Manager has started to hem and haw about when they are going to be able to tell me what my total cost will be.

This is the first time in 40 years of buying new cars/trucks that a dealership won't/can't tell me what my final cost is going to be for weeks after I agree to purchase a vehicle. Is this now a standard dealership procedure? I would understand if they need the 'late' VIN#.

You ordered it they should be able to give you an exact dollar amount of what it will cost. With Incentive Protection programs you are protected for the amount of incentives available at time of order. You are also protected by any price increases that may occur after you order. I refused to order my car until I got an out the door price. Sounds like the dealer you went with wants to lock you into the car and then get more money out of you. I absolutely would not put down a deposit unless I had firm pricing.

 

[tsunami]

Add-on costs at delivery...

I understand that the dealership may want to sell me add-on products or services at the time of delivery (paint sealants, seat fabric protectants, etc.).
The problem is their refusal to tell me at this time what my 'initial total order' cost may be. I know that there might be an increase.
They have a $1000 non-refundable deposit already. It sort of re-assures them that I won't be walking away from the deal. But maybe that was their plan all along. I have decided not to contact Ford at this time. I have read stories from others who have complained to Ford before the car was received and the dealer pulled the order.
With the assistance of this Forum and others...my VOC confirmed my X-Plan prices and qa.cotus item list was identical. I checked with my state and determined how much my sales tax and license registration would be. I know the max amount of dealer fees.
The dealership has affirmed orally that my EAA and Dream Big rebates have been accepted. I even emailed my EAA eCertificate to Ford Incentive Protection Program.

So, I personally know within a few dollars what my 'present' total cost should be. I have a paper and email trail with both my dealer and Ford.
I warned my dealer that I tend to be very meticulous whenever I buy an expensive item. So this is an experiment to see just how non-transparent my dealership is to a novice customer.
Some Forum members have commented on being a 'newbie' buying a new car and how they were taken advantage of by their dealership.
My dealership had better not try anything with me...they will find that not every buyer is stupid

 

[ShoNuff]

I was told that they couldn't give me a final price until after the VIN# was generated.

My salesperson said the same thing; however, he (without me asking) grabbed a VIN of a similarly priced car to mine and we worked out the pricing details that way. They did have me sign something saying that the final price could fluctuate +/- some because the price of the VIN he grabbed was like $75 more than what I optioned my car to be - so our numbers (although a very close estimate) would not be 100%.

 

[tsunami]

I guess my problem is the 19th Century method of getting the total price for a new car.
VOC and Cotus reflect the same items. A Ford computer generates a VIN# using the exact same items and values. Yet the dealership can't figure out how much extra are the known fees and taxes without having to wait for the VIN# to enter into another computer.
I guess I have answered my own question...no one at the dealership knows how to use a calculator or look up published Ford fees or state taxes. I guess they all are just older versions of part-time school girls who majored in cheer leading. (I teach at a University and have had several women tell me that they can't balance a check book...they have their boyfriends do it for them).

What other industry quotes you a price and then says give us a deposit and we'll get back to you about how much more we are going to charge you.

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