There are Ford coupons/rebates and dealer coupons/rebates Generally speaking dealer have their own specials. seen it a dozen times when I was stationed in CA two Ford dealers across the street from each other having their own rebates and not accepting each others. Dealers also choose their type of relationship with Ford so you would have to read the fine print to see the exclusionary rules etc.

 

But don't they still make money if I get "the works" for 99.99 ? That is my issue. If they make money what is the big deal?

 

Can't answer that for ya sorry. Every Dealership is different. I would just be super nice and ask if they can work with you esp if you come in regularly etc. kind of like a customer loyalty thing or something.

 

Read the coupons....if it's ONLY for the crappy dealer...well.....it's only for them. If it's truly from Ford HQ (per se) then whatever dealer you use should honor it.


What's wrong with paying a fair price at a place that does good work? Would you rather snub the management over paying a tech? Maybe you could ask the tech if he does side-work off hours for cash?? You buy the parts, throw in some "refreshments", make a friend???


I like turning a wrench on my own vehicle as much as the next guy, sometimes it's a matter of convenience getting it done at the dealer. Pick your poison.

 

These are coupons from FORD not anyone else but they are from the dealer where I bought the truck and they were very dishonest with me when I bought the truck. Spent my entire day haggling when I had told them what price I could afford the payment on. They got within I think 10K (memory isn't perfect) but it was still over my comfort zone. ALL DAY at this. I decide to go home and decide IF I can afford a higher payment though I really really didn't want to go that route and I checked online only to discover with the allowances this salseman had already allowed using the online price it was RIGHT where I needed it to be. Wasted ALL day of my time. There were other issues but this is the one I remember the most.

Then I go for servicing and they need more than 2 weeks to schedule and takes hours. The other dealer I have been using gets me in much quicker. In that instance within the same week. They are quick and professional and all together a much better experience.

I don't mind paying profit but with a truck payment for 8 years that is $100 less than my mortgage payment I need to get discounts whenever I can. I wish I could use the mechanics away from the dealer! I don't know the guys and they have it set up so you don't interact with the mechanics but the service manager. I never even know who is working on my truck other than seeing them thru the window. Civilians not allowed in the service bay.

 

At most dealerships, it seems the sales department and the service department almost act as separate entities. If your problem is with sales, their service department might be awesome. I always dealt at one dealer to buy the truck and took it to the other for service. One was great to buy from but their service department was terrible. The other dealer, vice versa.

 

In truth BOTH sales departments have been dishonest with me. I don't think you can trust any of them. They will do whatever they can to pad their commission and it really irritates me. If you are buying one of these trucks you need to research all reachable local dealers online before you even talk to them. I wish sales weren't on a commission scale. It promotes dishonesty.

 

I dealt with 2 dealers on my truck before I bought it. Dealer A was a flat commission dealer that paid its employees a flat $500 per vehicle they sold. Dealer B was a normal commission based dealer. I had way better service from dealer B. The sales department was more knowledgeable and professional. Dealer A would return my phone calls 3 days later, if at all and the sales staff didn’t know he difference between a locking rear differential and a house plant. I think that dealer B, that is commissioned based, drove the sales team to be more knowledgeable about their products. Dealer A, that was a flat rate commission, didnt care about knowledge because they got paid the same if the sold a $10,000 focus or a $100,000 superduty. (I’m not sure they make the focus anymore but it makes my point)

I should point out that I basically bought my truck over the phone. I called both dealers, gave them a list of options I needed and told them I would pick it up on the weekend. I was away working and had my father go and test drive each truck. On the Saturday I picked up the truck, I pulled up to the dealer at 3pm and was out the door at 4:00pm. My work made it impossible to actually physically be at a dealer during their hours of operation.

 

When I purchase a new vehicle, I shop around for the best price period. Since I hate the haggling aspects, I do everything in email which also gives me a paper trail. The dealers are given my specs and they have 1 shot to give me the best price. They are told up front that I'm sending this "RFP" out to several dealerships and the best price will win. On one vehicles the best price was some 1100 miles round trip for me but the cost savings easily covered my 1 way car rental, gas etc. On my current F350, I gave 2 local dealers (less than 15 miles away each) a chance but the winner was 60+ miles away.

My philosophy is simple....go with the best price for purchase as the warranty is honored anywhere. And with my local dealership, they don't treat me any differently service wise for vehicles purchased thru them or not.