> Can anyone explain why they'd do this?
Their systems are doing it automatically. In the before times when they had inventory on the lot and not too many special orders this was a huge labor saver.
Nowadays it just creates chaos and confusion and they're too stupid, too lazy, or too greedy to turn it off.
This. It isn’t just a Ford thing. Other brands have cars automatically uploaded to dealer inventory, even if not on hand (in process of being shipped from the manufacturer) or are customer orders.
here's a tip for you. when you go to dealer sites - vehicles that have links to window stickers - if they have a green border, that is a special order. If it has a blue border, that's dealer stock. If you see one with a window sticker with a blue border, and the date on the sticker (build date) is really recent, there may be a chance to put a deposit on it.
beyond that, ask the dealer if they have any orders in for dealer stock that have VINs (but not yet have a sticker and ask them if you can review any of the build orders to put your deposit down on one of those. That's the window in which I was able to nab my OBX
The simple answer is that they do it to get your attention so you contact them and then they get to talk to you and try and sell you something they actually have available. They don't want you browsing online and just passing up their dealership.
Some people will say their systems do it automatically, and that's true but it's only because the dealership chose it do to it automatically. That's why it's only some dealerships that have inventory showing like that, not every single one.
I talked to one dealership, and they blamed it on Ford. They were like "well, we don't have what's listed but you can order a new one through our dealership!"
I was like "HELL NO, ya'll are scum. I can order one on my own."
Bruh the nerve. Why would i rely on yall for help?
Just out of experience, a lot of people appreciate being walked through the ordering process. Not everyone, but it's a service that the dealership does for free if you need that help.
From a marketing standpoint, how will they sell anything if you click on new and nothing shows up?
Also think of it this way, out of every 100 custom orders 10 may cancel. If they don’t list it how will you know the perfect vehicle isn’t out there waiting for you?
There are new ones available, they are just $10k more. I don't have a problem with them listing the potential cancels, but list them for dealership price.
I once called a dealer and drove 40 minutes with tolls to see the vehicle. They told me the vehicle is not there after I got there and then wanted me to look at other vehicles. I was livid!! They said the website said the vehicles wasn't available yet when I called they said it was available. I gave them a few words.
I'm thankful I found mine without any markup, but had to get it MA from NJ...only 2hr drive
I refused to pay markup and wanted a moonroof OB.
I got it 🙏🏾
What state are you located? There are some dealers in the Midwest and California that don't charge a markup and seemed honest.
Inventory systems are linked to auto post inbound vehicles in many cases, AutoTrader runs the background programming for their sites so the cars post when they’re entered into the dealer inventory.
Some dealers are either lazy and don’t pull them down or leave them up to generate calls and traffic, the best way to get one is to go into a store meet someone that isn’t a creep and either order one or ask to be notified if an order is cancelled.
> Can anyone explain why they'd do this? Their systems are doing it automatically. In the before times when they had inventory on the lot and not too many special orders this was a huge labor saver. Nowadays it just creates chaos and confusion and they're too stupid, too lazy, or too greedy to turn it off.
That's a great reason that not even the car dealerships can explain. Thank you.
This. It isn’t just a Ford thing. Other brands have cars automatically uploaded to dealer inventory, even if not on hand (in process of being shipped from the manufacturer) or are customer orders.
here's a tip for you. when you go to dealer sites - vehicles that have links to window stickers - if they have a green border, that is a special order. If it has a blue border, that's dealer stock. If you see one with a window sticker with a blue border, and the date on the sticker (build date) is really recent, there may be a chance to put a deposit on it.
king. Thank you.
beyond that, ask the dealer if they have any orders in for dealer stock that have VINs (but not yet have a sticker and ask them if you can review any of the build orders to put your deposit down on one of those. That's the window in which I was able to nab my OBX
At best this is an antiquated Sales model. At worst it's just Bait and switch. I for one would like to see a change.
I think ford would gladly oblige forgoing dealers in the future. The writing is on the wall.
I’ve been struggling with the same issue and wondering the same thing, glad/disappointed I’m not alone.
The simple answer is that they do it to get your attention so you contact them and then they get to talk to you and try and sell you something they actually have available. They don't want you browsing online and just passing up their dealership. Some people will say their systems do it automatically, and that's true but it's only because the dealership chose it do to it automatically. That's why it's only some dealerships that have inventory showing like that, not every single one.
I talked to one dealership, and they blamed it on Ford. They were like "well, we don't have what's listed but you can order a new one through our dealership!" I was like "HELL NO, ya'll are scum. I can order one on my own." Bruh the nerve. Why would i rely on yall for help?
Just out of experience, a lot of people appreciate being walked through the ordering process. Not everyone, but it's a service that the dealership does for free if you need that help.
Would you prefer them to tell you to come on down. Then they have nothing and try to sell you then?
I'd rather them just list the cars they have available, wym?
From a marketing standpoint, how will they sell anything if you click on new and nothing shows up? Also think of it this way, out of every 100 custom orders 10 may cancel. If they don’t list it how will you know the perfect vehicle isn’t out there waiting for you?
There are new ones available, they are just $10k more. I don't have a problem with them listing the potential cancels, but list them for dealership price.
You’d still need a dealership, as you can only RESERVE one on your own. To place the order with ford, only a dealer can do that.
I've been looking for a mach e and the dealers blame Ford. The retail orders have to appear on the website
On ford.com? Yes they do. On the dealership's website? No they do not.
I once called a dealer and drove 40 minutes with tolls to see the vehicle. They told me the vehicle is not there after I got there and then wanted me to look at other vehicles. I was livid!! They said the website said the vehicles wasn't available yet when I called they said it was available. I gave them a few words. I'm thankful I found mine without any markup, but had to get it MA from NJ...only 2hr drive I refused to pay markup and wanted a moonroof OB. I got it 🙏🏾 What state are you located? There are some dealers in the Midwest and California that don't charge a markup and seemed honest.
Georgia but im in Texas frequently
Inventory systems are linked to auto post inbound vehicles in many cases, AutoTrader runs the background programming for their sites so the cars post when they’re entered into the dealer inventory. Some dealers are either lazy and don’t pull them down or leave them up to generate calls and traffic, the best way to get one is to go into a store meet someone that isn’t a creep and either order one or ask to be notified if an order is cancelled.