Hybrid Purchasing Process

[chubbnig]

Having read this forum for the last eight weeks, I was completely satisfied with my decision to purchase the Fusion Hybrid and I know that the correct decision has been made. Many purchasers seem to have had problems with Ford dealerships and I am but another. A visit last year to elicit information from my local Ford dealership and get a brochure was met with the response that they didn't have any. However, they could demonstrate a model for me. Now I had already test driven Toyota and Nissan hybrids, so the test drive was a revelation. But the revelation was marred by the fact that the dealer (sales rep) knew almost nothing about the hybrid, its options or availability. I decided to wait until 2010, when my faithful (12 year old) Buick Regal started to give problems and this pushed me into buying a new car. First of all, I obtained a wholesale price report from Car Cost Canada and then I went to the dealership to place the order and was quite shocked at the process. The salesman gave me a very inflated price, which was about $3000 higher than the wholesale report. When I told him this he replied that he had to go to his manager to get agreement to drop the price. Well, everyone probably knows this story well. But being from Britain where the ticket price is what you pay without the haggling, I was a little taken aback. We finally agreed upon a total sale price of about $4500 less than the retail price (per the Ford on-line build). At this point the salesman had to have the order written up by the business manager. What a waste of time as he knew even less than the sales rep. And wanted to charge me a tax for fuel consumption as well as convince me to pay for extended warranties etc. . That order was placed with the dealer on April 12 2010 and to-date they do not have a VIN. From other posts I assume that the Window sticker will give me some idea as to when I can expect it to be delivered by an entry in the Transport window!

[sullied]

Having read this forum for the last eight weeks, I was completely satisfied with my decision to purchase the Fusion Hybrid and I know that the correct decision has been made. Many purchasers seem to have had problems with Ford dealerships and I am but another. A visit last year to elicit information from my local Ford dealership and get a brochure was met with the response that they didn't have any. However, they could demonstrate a model for me. Now I had already test driven Toyota and Nissan hybrids, so the test drive was a revelation. But the revelation was marred by the fact that the dealer (sales rep) knew almost nothing about the hybrid, its options or availability. I decided to wait until 2010, when my faithful (12 year old) Buick Regal started to give problems and this pushed me into buying a new car. First of all, I obtained a wholesale price report from Car Cost Canada and then I went to the dealership to place the order and was quite shocked at the process. The salesman gave me a very inflated price, which was about $3000 higher than the wholesale report. When I told him this he replied that he had to go to his manager to get agreement to drop the price. Well, everyone probably knows this story well. But being from Britain where the ticket price is what you pay without the haggling, I was a little taken aback. We finally agreed upon a total sale price of about $4500 less than the retail price (per the Ford on-line build). At this point the salesman had to have the order written up by the business manager. What a waste of time as he knew even less than the sales rep. And wanted to charge me a tax for fuel consumption as well as convince me to pay for extended warranties etc. . That order was placed with the dealer on April 12 2010 and to-date they do not have a VIN. From other posts I assume that the Window sticker will give me some idea as to when I can expect it to be delivered by an entry in the Transport window!

I placed my order on 4/22 and received a VIN about 2 weeks ago and it was scheduled to be built on 5/19...no official word yet if that's the case. You should have a VIN by now. Speak to the order manager at the dealership...that's how I ended up getting my information. My dealer was a nobody and didn't know anything about the ordering process.

 

Also, if you have the dealer code and order number from the DORA or order receipt, you can call Ford's customer service and ask them for an update. I had to do this at first because the order manager was on vacation an as previously stated, my dealer is a nimrod. Contact info can be found at this link: http://www.ford.com/owner-services/customer-support/contact-ford

 

Your negotiation process seems to be what is normal. I don't really know why most people at a dealership are limited to one specialized job. Everyone there should be trained in every job to streamline the process and make it more customer friendly. I guess that'll never happen though.

[chubbnig]

I placed my order on 4/22 and received a VIN about 2 weeks ago and it was scheduled to be built on 5/19...no official word yet if that's the case. You should have a VIN by now. Speak to the order manager at the dealership...that's how I ended up getting my information. My dealer was a nobody and didn't know anything about the ordering process.

 

Also, if you have the dealer code and order number from the DORA or order receipt, you can call Ford's customer service and ask them for an update. I had to do this at first because the order manager was on vacation an as previously stated, my dealer is a nimrod. Contact info can be found at this link: http://www.ford.com/owner-services/customer-support/contact-ford

 

Your negotiation process seems to be what is normal. I don't really know why most people at a dealership are limited to one specialized job. Everyone there should be trained in every job to streamline the process and make it more customer friendly. I guess that'll never happen though.

 

Thanks Sullied. I followed your advice and Ford Customer service were very helpful. However, it seems that due to current demand and the fact that the factory is shut down for a week, there is a 10 to 12 week order process. So I guess my unit will appear in July sometime.

Edited June 2, 2010 by chubbnig