Ask a Ford salesman anything (Incentives, Inventory, etc)

[imccrea]

Originally Posted by SlateTheGreat

Hello,

So I'm bringing my 08 auto sedan in again for transmission repairs. The dealership has repaired it once about a month ago and its having issues again. This is the 3rd total time they've repaired it, twice for the transmission within a month. How hard is it to get a dealership to buy the car back because of faulty parts or inability to repair?

EDIT: Trying to get into a 2012 5 speed

They will give you a couple grand less I'd assume for your trade because of transmission issues.

[Merrigan]

I know this is probably more of a regional thing (I'm in Canada's big truck capital). But why do the sales guys try to push a young guy towards big expensive trucks. I bought my Focus on Friday, I started test driving and going to deals a few weeks before. Most of the dealerships including two local ford dealers tried to convince me that I wanted a fully loaded and jacked up F150 or something similar which ran a bill around $50k. I know what I wanted and I told them up front I was there to look at a specific car. Is it just because of commission?

[SlateTheGreat]

Originally Posted by imccrea

They will give you a couple grand less I'd assume for your trade because of transmission issues.

what about after it's fixed? and what do I do to get more for the trade/less on the MSRP? Can my mom get a discount for working for a Sheriff department? Are there student discounts? Am I better waiting for the holidays?

[Nik00117]

I know this is probably more of a regional thing (I'm in Canada's big truck capital). But why do the sales guys try to push a young guy towards big expensive trucks. I bought my Focus on Friday, I started test driving and going to deals a few weeks before. Most of the dealerships including two local ford dealers tried to convince me that I wanted a fully loaded and jacked up F150 or something similar which ran a bill around $50k. I know what I wanted and I told them up front I was there to look at a specific car. Is it just because of commission?

Because they suck at their job. I never push a guy into a vehicle they don't want. I may throw up some suggestions though. Very few people know what they want.

[disturbed932]

New member here. Been scouting the forums and pricing for an ST. I think I have a lot of the information, but want some clarification. Let's begin.

I'm looking for an ST w/ 202A (ST3), Moonroof, & Tangerine Scream Paint
MSRP - $29,525
X-PLAN Price - $28,741? According to Build and Price

I have conflicting differences on how I should calculate a "fair dealer profit" based on this PDF Price List (This is accurate right?)
http://fordstnation.com/2013my-focus.../c-attachment/

X-Plan Calculation

I know that most dealers won't give in to holdback very often.

On FordSTNATION, the VOC's I see showing up have the DEALER INVOICE listed at 22,100, which is labelled as "DEALER INVOICE W/ HOLDBACK" on the PDF Price List. Now, the left column, which is "DEALER PRICE" starts at 20,856. Running down the column, and dividing the numbers from "SUGGESTED RETAIL (MSRP)", the holdback seems to be 12%(!)This can't be right can it?

Isn't holdback for Ford 3% of the total MSRP including options?
So, for an ST3 + Moonroof + Tangerine Scream at $29,525, the 3% would be $885.75.

HOWEVER, the difference between DEALER INVOICE w/ HOLDBACK & DEALER PRICE is around $1100 for the base! (22,100 - 20,856). This is where it doesn't make sense. What else is "under the table" in fees for the dealer here? Am I to include the things I've been seeing on the invoices such as ADV ASSESSMENT and FUEL CHARGE into this difference? Or are these not truly "dealer fees"? I tend to believe not for both. Isn't DESTINATION, ADV ASSESSMENT, & FUEL CHARGE manufacturer fees from Ford or are they legitimate dealer costs?

I'm just trying to find a solid starting price to start negotiations UP from, factoring in giving the dealer a FAIR 3-5% profit on the sale (they'll get much more from the LIEnance office and service departments.)

I've read as much as I can about the X-Plan pricing and know that it is a non-negotiable price as well as the capped $100 doc fee, which SHOULD be the only additional fee BESIDES the $275 ADMINISTRATION FEE for X-Plan before TTT. Right now, according to the X-Plan Build & Price website, it is $28,741, which is higher than what I calculate as.

X-PLAN = Dealer Invoice - (0.4% * Dealer Invoice) + $275 Administration Fee

Dealer Invoice = Invoice + Options - Options Discount + Fuel + ADV ASSESSMENT + Destination

$22,100 + $4,840 - $405 + ~$47.16 + ~$400 + $795

IMHO, the Fuel Charge better have 93 octane int he car if I would take delivery.
Advertising Assessment varies by region, but a ballpark is around $350-$450 according to STNation members

When it comes down to it, I'm looking for 1) a solid number to start negotiations with that is BELOW X-PLAN that INCLUDES a FAIR DEALER PROFIT less Destination, 2) clarification on Holdback pricing for the ST according to the PDF link and 3) clarification on whether the fees listed on official invoices such as ADV ASSESSMENT and FUEL CHARGE are legitimate fees and should factored into calculating TRUE DEALER COST

I want to be confident in my numbers and want no run-around with dealers trying to include dealer markup, VIN etching, alarm installation, "dealer prep", "limited production".

Sorry for the long post, but I've done alot of research and just need some clarification. Yeah, I said clarification a lot lol.

P.S. Ira, my zip is 18848 for incentives, inventory, etc.

[imccrea]

Originally Posted by SlateTheGreat

what about after it's fixed? and what do I do to get more for the trade/less on the MSRP? Can my mom get a discount for working for a Sheriff department? Are there student discounts? Am I better waiting for the holidays?

if it's fixed no biggie.

I doubt the sheriff dept receives pricing discounts but you can check. 13's have same incentives as 12's so really no big push til year end I think.

[imccrea]

Originally Posted by disturbed932

I'm looking for an ST w/ 202A (ST3), Moonroof, & Tangerine Scream Paint
MSRP - $29,525
X-PLAN Price - $28,741? According to Build and Price




I know that most dealers won't give in to holdback very often.



I'm just trying to find a solid starting price to start negotiations UP from, factoring in giving the dealer a FAIR 3-5% profit on the sale (they'll get much more from the LIEnance office and service departments.)

I've read as much as I can about the X-Plan pricing and know that it is a non-negotiable price as well as the capped $100 doc fee, which SHOULD be the only additional fee BESIDES the $275 ADMINISTRATION FEE for X-Plan before TTT. Right now, according to the X-Plan Build & Price website, it is $28,741, which is higher than what I calculate as.

When it comes down to it, I'm looking for 1) a solid number to start negotiations with that is BELOW X-PLAN that INCLUDES a FAIR DEALER PROFIT less Destination, 2) clarification on Holdback pricing for the ST according to the PDF link and 3) clarification on whether the fees listed on official invoices such as ADV ASSESSMENT and FUEL CHARGE are legitimate fees and should factored into calculating TRUE DEALER COST

I want to be confident in my numbers and want no run-around with dealers trying to include dealer markup, VIN etching, alarm installation, "dealer prep", "limited production".

P.S. Ira, my zip is 18848 for incentives, inventory, etc.

I cut out some of the meat on your post to make it easier to read. Don't be offended by this but many dealers around me are refusing X plan on ST's so I wouldn't see you being able to negotiate a number below that at all. Regular Focus all day but not an ST, at least not yet.

Your link is from our order guides, you are correct on X plan caps on Dealer fees, etc. I wish I could say your link is 100% true but it's not. From FMCdealer.com on the ST order guide there is no such thing as "Dealer Price".

Dealer invoice with holdback is the only option besides suggested retail. I'd be curious to see who made this document and why though. Our true cost on a vehicle is invoice less holdback. Dealers receive money from Technology Delivery allowances, F series incentives, etc but typically that money is put into the dealership, never into a given vehicle.

With regard to fees listed on invoices, that is from Ford not from the dealership so you will be paying those. That actually cuts out of our profit as it gets charged to the invoice cost but not the MSRP cost so it cuts my profit by $1,000+ on each car.

Funny you also mention fair profit of 3-5%, I wish more customers thought that way. 3-5% would almost put a ST2 Focus at MSRP for what I get paid off. Our margins really aren't that big anymore.

[SlateTheGreat]

Originally Posted by imccrea

if it's fixed no biggie.

I doubt the sheriff dept receives pricing discounts but you can check. 13's have same incentives as 12's so really no big push til year end I think.

Yea I was there today and they couldn't find a problem with mind so I decided to wait until early next year

[Raven0215]

I have a question about current rebates for 2013 titaniums. I see a 2k rebate and a 395 dollar rebate. Can these be used in conjunction with the competitive conquest bonus cash program 34244 for 500? I think i am also showing a regional rebate for 250 program 51052.

[biking4life]

Hi Ira, my local dealer has failed to impress me and I'm hoping you can help. I'm currently abroad until early December and everybody has refused to deal with me through email- obviously it's impractical to talk by phone because that would be extremely expensive.

1) I'm looking to buy/lease in December. What is the trend in selling for December because the year is ending?
2) I'm specifically looking for an SE Hatchback 5 Speed Manual with the 201A and Winter Package for sure. I could deal with a Black Pack depending on the color, as well as a moonroof but neither is a must have. Colors I'm interested in are Performance Blue, Tuxedo Black, and Oxford White, with blue my first choice and the other two tied for second. Could you locate ones in White and Blue? I've found a Tux at Washington Ford nearby.
3) My zip is 15238, Pittsburgh PA. I'm a college student graduating this May. What would be the price you could offer on a similar car today given student discounts, a fair price between invoice and MSRP, and the current incentives on 2013 Focuses?

Thanks, I really appreciate your help to this forum!