Honest Mistake, or Stealership Deception?

Turning Blue

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Hello all,

My blood is still boiling so I thought I'd ask for opinions from my fellow forum members. It all started when I made a reservation for a Bronco in July, 2020. When the dealership I selected contacted me to come in and place the order I told them I wasn't ready because I hadn't even seen one in person, not to mention not having driven one. I told them to let me know when they get one so I would be able to see one in person, and then we would take it from there.

Fast forward to about September, 2021, and as I drove past the dealership on a Sunday afternoon I saw a Rapid Red Bronco on the lot, but no call from them. I stopped to check it out and found it to be exactly the Bronco I had spec'd with the addition of the roof rails. Two-door Base, Sasquatch package, modular bumper, auxiliary switches, top panel and door storage bags...you get the idea...lol. What is the chance they ended up with the same build? I stopped in a few days later and asked them about it. Of course it was all just a coincidence. I drove the Bronco, and they said they couldn't sell it until January, 2022.

I went back in December, 2021 to find that they sold the Bronco, but didn't want to go into any details as to how that happened when they said they couldn't sell it until January. I test drove a four door Bronco and told them I was still undecided between ordering a Bronco, a new Raptor (I have a 2019), or a Mustang. I know this sounds crazy, but I was looking for a new toy...lol. They didn't want to deal on anything, including the used 2019 GT350 they had in the showroom, so I walked. On December 30, 2021 I bought a 2021 Mustang GT, California Special from a different dealer. I had it transported in an enclosed trailer, straight to a storage garage for a four-month nap.

January 24, 2022, I received an email from Ford asking if I'm interested in using my Bronco reservation to order a Bronco Raptor. I replied within minutes that I am interested!
Screenshot_20220129-202208_Email.jpg


This afternoon, January 29, 2022, I received an email from Ford congratulating me on ordering a 2022 Bronco, Outer Banks.
20220129_202825.jpg

I immediately called the dealership and asked to speak with the General Manager. I ended up speaking with the Sales Manager and asked why I received the email saying they ordered a Bronco in my name. He said they had made a mistake and it was a priority 99, so it wouldn't matter. I told him about having recently replied to Ford that I wanted to order a Bronco Raptor, and that if they screwed-up that opportunity I would be very upset. He assured me it wouldn't, and commented on how it was a great that I received the email about the Bronco Raptor.

When we got off the phone I replied to the Ford email and explained that I hadn't ordered the Outer Banks Bronco and was waiting to order the Bronco Raptor. I asked for a reply to confirm that the dealership didn't mess up my chances at ordering a Bronco Raptor.

If you're still with me here, what do you think? Honest mistake, or stealership deception? Only time will tell if they screwed me over. I'm still Hot!!!
 
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LuckyKnuckle36

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Hello all,

My blood is still boiling so I thought I'd ask for opinions from my fellow forum members. It all started when I made a reservation for a Bronco in July, 2020. When the dealership I selected contacted me to come in and place the order I told them I wasn't ready because I hadn't even seen one in person, not to mention not having driven one. I told them to let me know when they get one so I would be able to see one in person, and then we would take it from there.

Fast forward to about September, 2021, and as I drove past the dealership on a Sunday afternoon I saw a Rapid Red Bronco on the lot, but no call from them. I stopped to check it out and found it to be exactly the Bronco I had spec'd with the addition of the roof rails. Two-door Base, Sasquatch package, modular bumper, auxiliary switches, top panel and door storage bags...you get the idea...lol. What is the chance they ended up with the same build? I stopped in a few days later and asked them about it. Of course it was all just a coincidence. I drove the Bronco, and they said they couldn't sell it until January, 2022.

I went back in December, 2021 to find that they sold the Bronco, but didn't want to go into any details as to how that happened when they said they couldn't sell it until January. I test drove a four door Bronco and told them I was still undecided between ordering a Bronco, a new Raptor (I have a 2019), or a Mustang. I know this sounds crazy, but I was looking for a new toy...lol. They didn't want to deal on anything, including the used 2019 GT350 they had in the showroom, so I walked. On December 30, 2021 I bought a 2021 Mustang GT, California Special from a different dealer. I had it transported in an enclosed trailer, straight to a storage garage for a four-month nap.

January 24, 2022, I received an email from Ford asking if I'm interested in using my Bronco reservation to order a Bronco Raptor. I replied within minutes that I am interested!
View attachment 143

This afternoon, January 29, 2022, I received an email from Ford congratulating me on ordering a 2022 Bronco, Outer Banks.
View attachment 144
I immediately called the dealership and asked to speak with the General Manager. I ended up speaking with the Sales Manager and asked why I received the email saying they ordered a Bronco in my name. He said they had made a mistake and it was a priority 99, so it wouldn't matter. I told him about having recently replied to Ford that I wanted to order a Bronco Raptor, and that if they screwed-up that opportunity I would be very upset. He assured me it wouldn't, and commented on how it was a great that I received the email about the Bronco Raptor.

When we got off the phone I replied to the Ford email and explained that I hadn't ordered the Outer Banks Bronco and was waiting to order the Bronco Raptor. I asked for a reply to confirm that the dealership didn't mess up my chances at ordering a Bronco Raptor.

If you're still with me here, what do you think? Honest mistake, or stealership deception? Only time will tell if they screwed me over. I'm still Hot!!
Ford has prioritized actual customer orders over dealer stock orders, I know in 21' dealers only received orders tied to customers, in 22' dealers have a very limited allocation they can get to resale. SO, I would bet they used your name to order a Bronco. No coincident. I know when I ordered my Gen3 they wanted my drivers license copy to tie the order to it. The Salesman said it was because dealers have been using customers names to place orders that they intend to resale. So the license provides more proof that the customer actually placed that order. Sounds just like what Ford was trying to avoid happened to you IMO.
 

Shaggy

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Wow. Can't be 100% sure but seems to coincidental. What I don't understand is why they sold the one you liked without giving you a chance to buy it?
 
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Turning Blue

Turning Blue

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Wow. Can't be 100% sure but seems to coincidental. What I don't understand is why they sold the one you liked without giving you a chance to buy it?
They were pretty tight lipped about it. I'm guessing someone offered a huge amount over msrp and they took it. They seem to be employing unethical business practices.
 

DRJ.Raptor

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if you call ford and tell them your dealer placed the order without you they should be able to stop the order.
 

Shaggy

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They were pretty tight lipped about it. I'm guessing someone offered a huge amount over msrp and they took it. They seem to be employing unethical business practices.

So my local dealer had a new bronco on ther lot awhile ago, maybe one of the first. My friend of mine said they couldn't sell it at all as it was just a demo to show it off. They still have it today so I'm not sure if they will eventually sell it or ship it back to Ford?
 

Shaggy

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if you call ford and tell them your dealer placed the order without you they should be able to stop the order.

From what he said, it seems they did but he had no idea until he saw it on their lot.
 
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Turning Blue

Turning Blue

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From what he said, it seems they did but he had no idea until he saw it on their lot.
The first one that was supposed to be a demo was optioned the same as I specified when I signed up for the reservation program. They said it was a coincidence. It didn't change my status with the reservation program, so that may be true?

The order that I received an email about on Saturday is nothing like I would order (Outer Banks). Today, Monday, the sales manager left me a voicemail saying he straightened out the order mistakenly placed in my name, and my status on the reservation program is in good standing. I stopped by to talk to him in person and he still claims it was a mistake, that he inadvertently clicked my name when he was placing the order for the Outer Banks Bronco. I'm not so sure I believe that.

We did discuss the possibility of being able to use the reservation to order a Bronco Raptor. He said they weren't informed about that email about the Bronco Raptors in advance, and he has no idea how Ford is going to handle that. February 11 won't come soon enough...lol.
 

Iceman

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Not surprised. I have a reservation for the Ford Lightning (dated 9/23) and I still have nothing back as well. Not even an update on the status of where I am in line or something similar. If/when I do get the confirmation, I probably will just not even bother and ask for my deposit back
 
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Turning Blue

Turning Blue

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Not surprised. I have a reservation for the Ford Lightning (dated 9/23) and I still have nothing back as well. Not even an update on the status of where I am in line or something similar. If/when I do get the confirmation, I probably will just not even bother and ask for my deposit back
I'd let it ride. You might end up getting some freebies over time. I've received a few things with my Bronco reservation. I received a ball cap, a compact nylon hammock that I haven't removed from the storage bag, and most recently, a 3-D desk calendar.
20220110_114139.jpg


Who knows if they'll send you anything, but if it was only $100.00 the only thing at stake is most likely 0.10% interest on your money...lol.
 

Iceman

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I'd let it ride. You might end up getting some freebies over time. I've received a few things with my Bronco reservation. I received a ball cap, a compact nylon hammock that I haven't removed from the storage bag, and most recently, a 3-D desk calendar.
View attachment 154

Who knows if they'll send you anything, but if it was only $100.00 the only thing at stake is most likely 0.10% interest on your money...lol.
That's pretty cool to get that stuff. Great way for them to advertise and keep you not as upset as you should be lol

Ya, it was $100 deposit. I just don't understand why they don't have some type of email or update for all the people with reservations. Maybe Ford is just not a big enough company to have someone in charge of the mailing list 😝
 

SpeedRacer

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Wow. Can't be 100% sure but seems to coincidental. What I don't understand is why they sold the one you liked without giving you a chance to buy it?
Could it have something to do with determining weather or not they can apply a huge market adjustment to the price if they sold to someone other than the person who ordered directly?
 
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Turning Blue

Turning Blue

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That's pretty cool to get that stuff. Great way for them to advertise and keep you not as upset as you should be lol

Ya, it was $100 deposit. I just don't understand why they don't have some type of email or update for all the people with reservations. Maybe Ford is just not a big enough company to have someone in charge of the mailing list 😝
Today I received the following invitation:
Screenshot_20220209-201558_Email.jpg


The wife and I were already planning to go to the Chicago Auto Show, but this was a surprise. Once I clicked on the Register Here button it had me choose a date and then gave me a QR based invitation to use at the attraction. Jeep has had a similar course in the past, and the line can be pretty long, so skipping the line will be much appreciated. We're going later in the week.
 
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Turning Blue

Turning Blue

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Could it have something to do with determining weather or not they can apply a huge market adjustment to the price if they sold to someone other than the person who ordered directly?
I agree that's probably why it sold early...someone probably offered a large amount over msrp.
 
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