Okay, for the sake of time, I'll make this as short as possible, but its still long. Please offer any help if you all can.
Last week, I went with my friend to a dealership in Orlando, FL. She was intersted (not planning to that day) on buying an Escape. We have an x-plan through our work, so no big deal, right? However, she wanted an 06', basic, no bells or whistles, in a choice of a few colors. There basically are NO 06's in central FL that are base models. So they start looking and find the one she wants in Indiana, but she will have to pay freight. No deal.
They then, start talking about an 07' with less rebates. Regardless, she enteretains the offer and they still don't have what she wants on the lot. No big deal. We can just go home and find happiness elsewhere. Then, the dealer brings out an invoice (with a VIN #) of the exact Escape she wants and says, "Well, we have this one that is on its way to the dealership by the end of the month. It is allocated to us, so we can sell it. Would you be interested." Again, to make this short, we ended up talking them into a hell of a deal and they gave her another Escape from the lot to drive until hers comes in. The only thing she needs to do is bring in the title to her trade in (Honda CR-V) and secure financing.
On Saturday, she drives to the dealer to bring in her title. They (3 men) sit her (1 young woman) down at a table and attack like hounds. They say "the price has changed from the factory". Apparently, because Ford has be announcing shut downs, that the MSRP of vehicles has been adjusted up. Odd, they said that the vehicle she techinally purchased was not only built already (hence the VIN number), but was on it's way to be here by the end of the month. Now, they are saying Sept 11th delivery, with higher price. They told her it was because she had one built. Hello, she didn't have it built, and even if she did, she wouldn't have a bunch of paperwork with a VIN already on it (I believe it takes a week or so to get a VIN right?)
She does have the contract she signed which she was to use for financing with the credit union. They tried to tell her that was an "estimate". I might be mistaken, but even if it were an "estimate" (which its NOT - it says sale contract) don't they need buyer approval to change it? Regardless, it does say in small print on the back that the dealership can change the contract if the manufacturer changes the price. They kept crutching on that. Did Ford change the prices? she called another dealership and they said no. I don't trust either of them.
So now, they have her trade-in, with the title. She has a loaner vehicle (07' escape from the lot) which I told her to drive the hell out of since they lose money ever day and every mile, and a contract to buy an 07' titanium green Escape. I also told her to contact an attorney and see what they have to say.
By the way, to rub salt in the wound....this is GREENWAY FORD in Orlando, FL. Their service department has been great to me, but apparently their sales department needs a lesson in morals.
Last week, I went with my friend to a dealership in Orlando, FL. She was intersted (not planning to that day) on buying an Escape. We have an x-plan through our work, so no big deal, right? However, she wanted an 06', basic, no bells or whistles, in a choice of a few colors. There basically are NO 06's in central FL that are base models. So they start looking and find the one she wants in Indiana, but she will have to pay freight. No deal.
They then, start talking about an 07' with less rebates. Regardless, she enteretains the offer and they still don't have what she wants on the lot. No big deal. We can just go home and find happiness elsewhere. Then, the dealer brings out an invoice (with a VIN #) of the exact Escape she wants and says, "Well, we have this one that is on its way to the dealership by the end of the month. It is allocated to us, so we can sell it. Would you be interested." Again, to make this short, we ended up talking them into a hell of a deal and they gave her another Escape from the lot to drive until hers comes in. The only thing she needs to do is bring in the title to her trade in (Honda CR-V) and secure financing.
On Saturday, she drives to the dealer to bring in her title. They (3 men) sit her (1 young woman) down at a table and attack like hounds. They say "the price has changed from the factory". Apparently, because Ford has be announcing shut downs, that the MSRP of vehicles has been adjusted up. Odd, they said that the vehicle she techinally purchased was not only built already (hence the VIN number), but was on it's way to be here by the end of the month. Now, they are saying Sept 11th delivery, with higher price. They told her it was because she had one built. Hello, she didn't have it built, and even if she did, she wouldn't have a bunch of paperwork with a VIN already on it (I believe it takes a week or so to get a VIN right?)
She does have the contract she signed which she was to use for financing with the credit union. They tried to tell her that was an "estimate". I might be mistaken, but even if it were an "estimate" (which its NOT - it says sale contract) don't they need buyer approval to change it? Regardless, it does say in small print on the back that the dealership can change the contract if the manufacturer changes the price. They kept crutching on that. Did Ford change the prices? she called another dealership and they said no. I don't trust either of them.
So now, they have her trade-in, with the title. She has a loaner vehicle (07' escape from the lot) which I told her to drive the hell out of since they lose money ever day and every mile, and a contract to buy an 07' titanium green Escape. I also told her to contact an attorney and see what they have to say.
By the way, to rub salt in the wound....this is GREENWAY FORD in Orlando, FL. Their service department has been great to me, but apparently their sales department needs a lesson in morals.
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