Complaint Letter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 29
From:
RE: Complaint Letter
Try the mustang source forums. There are dealers there who will help you order your car and drop ship it. Or try Gary Yoemans (Daytona beach)I heard that Carlos will take care of you. I ordered mine through the military because of the dealers around here were (are) doing the mark-up, and were trying to pass used 05's for over 30k (1 was for 32k).
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 167
From:
RE: Complaint Letter
Here's what I did to find my 'stang. I went to the Ford web site and did the build your Mustang option. Then used the locate button to find Dealers with the closest match to the what i wanted.
I went the dealer and told them I have A-Plan and a trade. I got the invoice for the car with the a plan price on it. They appraised my Explorer and it came back low. After that, I started to negotiate witht the dealer. There was a $5000 gap between what I owed on my truck and what I was getting.
I knew I was going to take a loss but was trying to control how much I was going to roll into the finance. After several rounds of going back and forth, I was able to get $3000 more for my trade-in by having the dealer talk to the appraiser. After I got the truck price all set, then I squeezed another $1000 from the 'stang which was in the dealer hold back on the invoice. I ended up only rolling a grand into my stang with the a-plan(which knocked off about 4K) Still below MSRP!!!
The important thing is to make the dealer know that you will drop the deal anytime during negotiation and go elsewhere. If you can get the dealer to put the trade-in value in writing the better. You can use it to negotiate a higher price with another dealer.
Remember, you can always find another dealer who is willing to take your business away from a competitor. Be sure to mention that you looked at other dealer's lot before going to them. If you don't have any quotes in writing, bluff them. Just make sure you bluff is reasonable.
Find the dealer that has your 'stang that your original dealer was going to trade. Its usually is pretty close. Maybe next state but not across the country.
Good Luck
I went the dealer and told them I have A-Plan and a trade. I got the invoice for the car with the a plan price on it. They appraised my Explorer and it came back low. After that, I started to negotiate witht the dealer. There was a $5000 gap between what I owed on my truck and what I was getting.
I knew I was going to take a loss but was trying to control how much I was going to roll into the finance. After several rounds of going back and forth, I was able to get $3000 more for my trade-in by having the dealer talk to the appraiser. After I got the truck price all set, then I squeezed another $1000 from the 'stang which was in the dealer hold back on the invoice. I ended up only rolling a grand into my stang with the a-plan(which knocked off about 4K) Still below MSRP!!!
The important thing is to make the dealer know that you will drop the deal anytime during negotiation and go elsewhere. If you can get the dealer to put the trade-in value in writing the better. You can use it to negotiate a higher price with another dealer.
Remember, you can always find another dealer who is willing to take your business away from a competitor. Be sure to mention that you looked at other dealer's lot before going to them. If you don't have any quotes in writing, bluff them. Just make sure you bluff is reasonable.
Find the dealer that has your 'stang that your original dealer was going to trade. Its usually is pretty close. Maybe next state but not across the country.
Good Luck
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 233
From: Carver, Ma.
RE: Complaint Letter
ORIGINAL: stangxs
I am an Internet / Fleet manager at a Ford dealership, and there's no way I would give anyone a Mustang GT on A- Plan.
Reason I (or we) don't sell GT's on A-Plan is b/c we can get FULL sticker for it, all the GT's we've sold were for full sticker, and we will continue selling them like that till the market for them goes down. Suprisingly, we sell a fair amount of GT's.
It's one of the FEW new cars we can actually make a little money on, so we won't be giving them out for below invoice.
Nothing against anyone hear, it's just how business' operate, if you can get someone else to give it to you for A-Plan, more power to you.
I am an Internet / Fleet manager at a Ford dealership, and there's no way I would give anyone a Mustang GT on A- Plan.
Reason I (or we) don't sell GT's on A-Plan is b/c we can get FULL sticker for it, all the GT's we've sold were for full sticker, and we will continue selling them like that till the market for them goes down. Suprisingly, we sell a fair amount of GT's.
It's one of the FEW new cars we can actually make a little money on, so we won't be giving them out for below invoice.
Nothing against anyone hear, it's just how business' operate, if you can get someone else to give it to you for A-Plan, more power to you.
I got mine, $200 UNDER Dealer Invoice.[sm=bounceybounce.gif]
Isn't America Great![sm=americanasmiley.gif]
Dave...
I ♥ Acer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 132
From:
RE: Complaint Letter
ORIGINAL: Sonic Boom NH
First, I can understand and agree with the dealership about the trade-in. Nobody will ever guarantee you a trade-in value for a later date, even if it is for tomorrow.
First, I can understand and agree with the dealership about the trade-in. Nobody will ever guarantee you a trade-in value for a later date, even if it is for tomorrow.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,020
From:
RE: Complaint Letter
Let me say a few things here. First of all, welcome to the modern day world of buying a car. Dealers hips exist for 1 reason, and 1 reason only. To make a proffit. If you are buying a gt on A plan, and want fair market value for your car, you're gonna have a tough go. If you are buying a car on A plan and trading in your Firebird, they WILL screw you on the trade in value. It's a real easy game. If you get a good deal on your trade in, you'll get screwed on the new car's purchase price. That's the way it works, and it's life.
That is from his side of the table. Trust me, you did it exactly right, negotiate the used car trade in, then throw the A plan at them. If you would have thrown the A plan at them first, you would have really gotten low balled on your trade. That's the reason the salesman turned nasty. As soon as he realized that you guys weren't pigeons and paying on A plan, his commission went out the door. I could understand the saleman being frusterated but not rude. Why not continue on with the A plan, and sell the car on your own? You get the most out of it that way. If you proceed with the A plan special order and wait to negotiate the Firebirds price upon arrival of the new gt, they will offer you next to nothing for the Firebird. I bet if you started trying to sell the Firebird now, by the time your order was in the Firebird will be sold. This practice happens at all of the american car makes' dealerships (except Saturn) and is not a 'Ford only' problem. There is a book I highly recommend for anyone wishing to buy a new car. It's called " What Car dealers don't Want you to Know" by Mark Eskeldson. It is availible at Barnes & Noble. This book outline ALL the circumstnces of buying and trading in. It is an excellent read. Great for folks without A plans, that want to walk in, negotiate, and buy a car. Understanding such pricipals as 'dealer holdback' and invoicing allows you to understand EXACTLY what a dealer is making as a proffit on your sale. It's funny, you'd think that shady dealers would get exposed by the media more often, but they don't because they advertise with the local media. Local newspapers are often reluctant to print stories about shady car dealers because often dealers will band together and threaten to not advertise with that paper. This happened in San Jose a few years ago.
I am an Internet / Fleet manager at a Ford dealership, and there's no way I would give anyone a Mustang GT on A- Plan.
Also, on the trade in, it clearily says on the KBB sheet that their "fair market value" won't be accurate for a trade in, since the car has to go through smog, saftey, reconditioning, detail, and be re-sold.
You should have asked if you can get a GT on A-Plan before you went in and started talking about the trade, it would have saved you a lot of grief.
Also, on the trade in, it clearily says on the KBB sheet that their "fair market value" won't be accurate for a trade in, since the car has to go through smog, saftey, reconditioning, detail, and be re-sold.
You should have asked if you can get a GT on A-Plan before you went in and started talking about the trade, it would have saved you a lot of grief.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,068
From: Tampa, FL
RE: Complaint Letter
ORIGINAL: 05SatinSilver
[sm=bangbang.gif] Wow, THANK GOD there are other dealers to go to! [sm=dontgetit.gif]
I got mine, $200 UNDER Dealer Invoice.[sm=bounceybounce.gif]
Isn't America Great![sm=americanasmiley.gif]
Dave...
ORIGINAL: stangxs
I am an Internet / Fleet manager at a Ford dealership, and there's no way I would give anyone a Mustang GT on A- Plan.
Reason I (or we) don't sell GT's on A-Plan is b/c we can get FULL sticker for it, all the GT's we've sold were for full sticker, and we will continue selling them like that till the market for them goes down. Suprisingly, we sell a fair amount of GT's.
It's one of the FEW new cars we can actually make a little money on, so we won't be giving them out for below invoice.
Nothing against anyone hear, it's just how business' operate, if you can get someone else to give it to you for A-Plan, more power to you.
I am an Internet / Fleet manager at a Ford dealership, and there's no way I would give anyone a Mustang GT on A- Plan.
Reason I (or we) don't sell GT's on A-Plan is b/c we can get FULL sticker for it, all the GT's we've sold were for full sticker, and we will continue selling them like that till the market for them goes down. Suprisingly, we sell a fair amount of GT's.
It's one of the FEW new cars we can actually make a little money on, so we won't be giving them out for below invoice.
Nothing against anyone hear, it's just how business' operate, if you can get someone else to give it to you for A-Plan, more power to you.
I got mine, $200 UNDER Dealer Invoice.[sm=bounceybounce.gif]
Isn't America Great![sm=americanasmiley.gif]
Dave...
I got mine for about 1000 under msrp, plus free delivery from the plant to tampa. the only thing i had to pay for at the dealership was taxes and stuff, plus it took forever for the guy to get his papers straight. PLUS i got a VIP card that i can show a dealer when i take it in and get fast service and stuff.
Gentleman's Relish
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,188
From: AZ
RE: Complaint Letter
ORIGINAL: Sonic Boom NH
First, I can understand and agree with the dealership about the trade-in. Nobody will ever guarantee you a trade-in value for a later date, even if it is for tomorrow.
Second, the dealer did indeed treat you like crap so you should take your business else where. It is obvious from their attitude they are not in the business to sell vehicles.
Third, do NOT give your business to ANY dealership that would refuse to sell even a GT at any Ford plan price. A sell, from an order, is a sell and the dealership losses absolutely NOTHING. The only kind of dealerships that would refuse to “order” you a GT on any Ford plan have no intentions of ever taking care of their customers nor do they care for repeat business. I can understand a dealership not wanting to sell a GT at one of the Ford plans that they have in stock but to refuse to order one just proves they are out to soak the customer.
There are “hundreds” of dealerships that are indeed willing to sale a GT at any of the Ford plans “if” you order it. I have 3 Ford dealers near me and all 3 told me they would order me a 2006 GT at X-plan price.
Call around and take your business to a true customer oriented dealership, one that accepts ALL Ford plans regardless of what the vehicle is, so long as the vehicle is eligible for one or more of the Ford plans. The GT is eligible for ALL Ford price plans.
It’s amazing how many dealerships, those that don’t accept Ford plans, stay in business since they don’t have any body with an education or degree in “business” at the dealership. If someone did have an education or degree in “business” they would know that customer satisfaction is what makes the dealership money, not soaking them…
First, I can understand and agree with the dealership about the trade-in. Nobody will ever guarantee you a trade-in value for a later date, even if it is for tomorrow.
Second, the dealer did indeed treat you like crap so you should take your business else where. It is obvious from their attitude they are not in the business to sell vehicles.
Third, do NOT give your business to ANY dealership that would refuse to sell even a GT at any Ford plan price. A sell, from an order, is a sell and the dealership losses absolutely NOTHING. The only kind of dealerships that would refuse to “order” you a GT on any Ford plan have no intentions of ever taking care of their customers nor do they care for repeat business. I can understand a dealership not wanting to sell a GT at one of the Ford plans that they have in stock but to refuse to order one just proves they are out to soak the customer.
There are “hundreds” of dealerships that are indeed willing to sale a GT at any of the Ford plans “if” you order it. I have 3 Ford dealers near me and all 3 told me they would order me a 2006 GT at X-plan price.
Call around and take your business to a true customer oriented dealership, one that accepts ALL Ford plans regardless of what the vehicle is, so long as the vehicle is eligible for one or more of the Ford plans. The GT is eligible for ALL Ford price plans.
It’s amazing how many dealerships, those that don’t accept Ford plans, stay in business since they don’t have any body with an education or degree in “business” at the dealership. If someone did have an education or degree in “business” they would know that customer satisfaction is what makes the dealership money, not soaking them…
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 334
From:
RE: Complaint Letter
ORIGINAL: TexaStang
My dealer said they'd give me 4000 for my trade in on September 29th, when my car came in on order. Come November 15th, they gave me no hassles and gave me the 4000 for my truck, even after putting a little over 1200 miles on it. No problems at all.
ORIGINAL: Sonic Boom NH
First, I can understand and agree with the dealership about the trade-in. Nobody will ever guarantee you a trade-in value for a later date, even if it is for tomorrow.
First, I can understand and agree with the dealership about the trade-in. Nobody will ever guarantee you a trade-in value for a later date, even if it is for tomorrow.
ORIGINAL: Derf00
snip… The second statement though..unfortuneatly it's supply and demand. The Mustang is so high in demand that if a dealer pisses off a few people in the process, no big deal to them. Of course not everyone thinks like that and many inevitably return to that same dealer for service or another time to purchase something else.
snip… The second statement though..unfortuneatly it's supply and demand. The Mustang is so high in demand that if a dealer pisses off a few people in the process, no big deal to them. Of course not everyone thinks like that and many inevitably return to that same dealer for service or another time to purchase something else.
When you think about it, it is smart business. It’s more profitable to move many items at lower price (cash flow) then it is to move very few items at higher prices even if in the end you come out even.
The one moving more products at lower prices will “usually” always out do those who don’t. Today it is about customer service and keeping the customer happy. Today the customers are much smarter then just 10 years ago (thank you internet) and know good deals and bad deals.
The customer also has ten times the power today then just 10 years ago. Look at Chevy and the others who continually have to have some “price reduction”, or “friends and family” discounts. They are NOT doing that to win customers they are doing that because the customer is FORCING them to do so.
Gentleman's Relish
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,188
From: AZ
RE: Complaint Letter
ORIGINAL: Sonic Boom NH
Ok, well I stand corrected. I would “bet” that its not a common thing or if it is I am sure there must be a clause in there to allow the dealer to back out of the quote if for example something happened to the car either mechanically and/or appearance wise.
True, however what you have to think about is there are a lot of outlets that have this supply to sale. Some will hold out for the big win fall of money by charging equal to or greater then MSRP. Then you have the other outlets that are willing to supply the demand at or a little above invoice.
When you think about it, it is smart business. It’s more profitable to move many items at lower price (cash flow) then it is to move very few items at higher prices even if in the end you come out even.
The one moving more products at lower prices will “usually” always out do those who don’t. Today it is about customer service and keeping the customer happy. Today the customers are much smarter then just 10 years ago (thank you internet) and know good deals and bad deals.
The customer also has ten times the power today then just 10 years ago. Look at Chevy and the others who continually have to have some “price reduction”, or “friends and family” discounts. They are NOT doing that to win customers they are doing that because the customer is FORCING them to do so.
ORIGINAL: TexaStang
My dealer said they'd give me 4000 for my trade in on September 29th, when my car came in on order. Come November 15th, they gave me no hassles and gave me the 4000 for my truck, even after putting a little over 1200 miles on it. No problems at all.
ORIGINAL: Sonic Boom NH
First, I can understand and agree with the dealership about the trade-in. Nobody will ever guarantee you a trade-in value for a later date, even if it is for tomorrow.
First, I can understand and agree with the dealership about the trade-in. Nobody will ever guarantee you a trade-in value for a later date, even if it is for tomorrow.
ORIGINAL: Derf00
snip… The second statement though..unfortuneatly it's supply and demand. The Mustang is so high in demand that if a dealer pisses off a few people in the process, no big deal to them. Of course not everyone thinks like that and many inevitably return to that same dealer for service or another time to purchase something else.
snip… The second statement though..unfortuneatly it's supply and demand. The Mustang is so high in demand that if a dealer pisses off a few people in the process, no big deal to them. Of course not everyone thinks like that and many inevitably return to that same dealer for service or another time to purchase something else.
When you think about it, it is smart business. It’s more profitable to move many items at lower price (cash flow) then it is to move very few items at higher prices even if in the end you come out even.
The one moving more products at lower prices will “usually” always out do those who don’t. Today it is about customer service and keeping the customer happy. Today the customers are much smarter then just 10 years ago (thank you internet) and know good deals and bad deals.
The customer also has ten times the power today then just 10 years ago. Look at Chevy and the others who continually have to have some “price reduction”, or “friends and family” discounts. They are NOT doing that to win customers they are doing that because the customer is FORCING them to do so.
Good example is that instead of keeping the prices high this year, the domestics have lowered many of their prices on the 2006 compared to 2005. Now Chrysler is offering a free gas card which doesn't cost them anything. It's a perceived value. Why not just give me the lower sticker price AND the $2400 cash instead of a gas card?
Edit: not to mention, the higher sales volume at a lower amount vs. lower volume at a higher amount is Stock market economics where quantity not quality is key. Same goes for domestics. Americans will never want to pay an import price for a domestic but gosh darnit we demand the quality and the higher wages us americans demand to keep building the car. So there has to be a trade off. Can't have quality and quantity. Many jobs are getting outsourced overseas or the border where minimum wage is non existent..workers health care, not needed.