List: F-150 Lightning dealers that do / don't apply ADM (price markup)

[TaxmanHog]

Ford recently shared info with dealerships on their projection numbers for what they will produce this year across all models and your dealership (if they attended the virtual meeting) should have this information to set realistic goals. I'm getting the impression dealerships may not be telling people the truth. Have the 3rd waves gone out yet? I believe there's only 3 waves to cover the entire model year.

Reading this makes me want to sit tight and take my 30 lashes (some ADM) from the dealer I'm already attached to instead of taking the gamble of having them rejecting my order and moving it to a no ADM dealer at the risk of not getting scheduled at all nor getting a MY22.

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[Ccarm6]

Dealerships were actually told not to share allocation with the public because it's extremely low. Like very low. Some "waves" have 0. Your waves go out directly to the customer from Ford. You get an invitation to convert the order and the dealership is hands off it. This was to prevent dealerships from altering or screwing it up. It's all on the reservation holder. The rest are going to be next year and later until the chip shortage gets straight. The dealership should be giving realistic times for these builds. Have you told them you need another vehicle while you wait? That in itself could be an incentive for them to be forthcoming with you.
Your timestamp stays with you even if you change dealerships. I've had people email me asking how many orders we have, and our allocations too and I've been honest about it. I am seeing a ton of customers thinking they'll get 1 this year when the ones who will are far and few. Ford recently shared info with dealerships on their projection numbers for what they will produce this year across all models and your dealership (if they attended the virtual meeting) should have this information to set realistic goals. I'm getting the impression dealerships may not be telling people the truth. Have the 3rd waves gone out yet? I believe there's only 3 waves to cover the entire model year.
I would do my best to contact someone (showing up is best) who's above the salespersson's pay grade. GSM, GM, new car mgr. I know this isn't an answer but it's what I know for now.

No NayNay, that is incredibly helpful and appreciated. I will communicate the fact that I may need a car in the interim so that I can hopefully get a more transparent answer. And yes, 3rd wave invites were last Thursday. I truly hope for customer’s sake there are 3 more waves of invites but I guess time will tell. Much appreciate the straightforwardness, if only all car dealers operated in the same manner!

 

[NayNay]

Reading this makes me want to sit tight and take my 30 lashes (some ADM) from the dealer I'm already attached to instead of taking the gamble of having them rejecting my order and moving it to a no ADM dealer at the risk of not getting scheduled at all nor getting a MY22.

GM, Ford face competition from automakers who sell directly
As the US car market accelerates its transition to electric vehicles, both GM and Ford face competition from rival automakers like Tesla, which sells directly to customers rather than going through dealerships.

Meanwhile, the popularity of new cars introduced by traditional automakers to better compete in the EV market is fueling some dealers’ rationale for price gouging. Last month, Ford warned dealers specifically against raising prices for its the electric F-150 truck, following reports that they were being advertised as high as $30,000 above their sticker price, and at least one dealer reversed course.

Was just reading this posted by "quartz"

 

[Ken]

I think the point about super low allocations is right on point. My dealership told me they expect less than 10, however they have 6 orders so far through wave 3. Ford has enough reservations for years, even with a small reservation to order turnover rate.

 

[NayNay]

No NayNay, that is incredibly helpful and appreciated. I will communicate the fact that I may need a car in the interim so that I can hopefully get a more transparent answer. And yes, 3rd wave invites were last Thursday. I truly hope for customer’s sake there are 3 more waves of invites but I guess time will tell. Much appreciate the straightforwardness, if only all car dealers operated in the same manner!

I've worked in this business (currently a finance director) since 2008. It's sad that so many dealerships treat people like meat. I've always told my customers I work for them. I'm VERY aware if people don't buy from me I am homeless. Literally. If I take the time to actually do my job correctly I can pay my bills. I've found over time that if I remain honest and take the time to educate the consumer (treating them like human beings) things go so much smoother. You can and absolutely do build trust and people come back.... and bring friends and family too. Funny what being decent will do....

 

[NayNay]

I think the point about super low allocations is right on point. My dealership told me they expect less than 10, however they have 6 orders so far through wave 3. Ford has enough reservations for years, even with a small reservation to order turnover rate.

And that's it. All they get this model year. If they mark the EVs up they'll be losing allocation too.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I've worked in this business (currently a finance director) since 2008. It's sad that so many dealerships treat people like meat. I've always told my customers I work for them. I'm VERY aware if people don't buy from me I am homeless. Literally. If I take the time to actually do my job correctly I can pay my bills. I've found over time that if I remain honest and take the time to educate the consumer (treating them like human beings) things go so much smoother. You can and absolutely do build trust and people come back.... and bring friends and family too. Funny what being decent will do....

If I were to use Ford Finance, I would think Corporate would have a fast feedback loop seeing the details of undesirable transactions, giving them more ammunition to use against dealers when it comes time to evaluate their adherence to the corporate directive about no markup.

Big Data, correlate and take action

 

[NayNay]

If I were to use Ford Finance, I would think Corporate would have a fast feedback loop seeing the details of undesirable transactions, giving them more ammunition to use against dealers when it comes time to evaluate their adherence to the corporate directive about no markup.

Big Data, correlate and take action

Ford will have standard rates for these. You may want to check your credit union rates prior. FYI that irritates a dealership. As a finance director I can promise you that. I'm off today but, I'm going to try and reach out to my old rep and see what information I can gather and pass on to everyone about these trucks.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Ford will have standard rates for these. You may want to check your credit union rates prior. FYI that irritates a dealership. As a finance director I can promise you that. I'm off today but, I'm going to try and reach out to my old rep and see what information I can gather and pass on to everyone about these trucks.

Enjoy your time off!!!!

Yup, my bank has a very favorable rates right now, hopefully it's as good come time for delivery.

 

[meazer]

SOOOOO been on the phone with Ford's Customer Service and basically I am screwed. Every dealer in my area that wont charge an admin fee has reached their allocation limit and I Cant order through them. I Can only order through a dealer that will charge me an admin fee which means i cancelled my order and after I get rid of my 2018 F150 will NEVER EVER buy a Ford product again. Also just signed into Etrade and sold my Ford stock. SCREW EM

 

[RavenYZF-R6]

SOOOOO been on the phone with Ford's Customer Service and basically I am screwed. Every dealer in my area that wont charge an admin fee has reached their allocation limit and I Cant order through them. I Can only order through a dealer that will charge me an admin fee which means i cancelled my order and after I get rid of my 2018 F150 will NEVER EVER buy a Ford product again. Also just signed into Etrade and sold my Ford stock. SCREW EM

So an admin fee and not ADM? $699? I’d just eat that and order.

And also, this is the first we’ve heard of someone moving using up that dealers allotment. So for the people that moved their order to Granger have taken away from grangers allotment for the year, that really blows for people who originally chose Granger.

 

[jazzmanmonty]

Considering all the people w/no invite that were early and dream of getting a chance to order, and others getting shafted for $5k-$30k ADM, I would not cry about a $699 admin fee. I think mine was originally $750(?) before dealer honored my A plan. Hope ur invite goes to someone that deserves it rather than giving ur dealer a free lightning order.

 

[Sam James]

So an admin fee and not ADM? $699? I’d just eat that and order.

And also, this is the first we’ve heard of someone moving using up that dealers allotment. So for the people that moved their order to Granger have taken away from grangers allotment for the year, that really blows for people who originally chose Granger.

If my dealer had said $699 “dealer fee” and called me in advance of the invite to order, I’d have been mad but said sure. However, my experience with the surprise $30k ADM has lead to confusing conversations with Ford and members here. My understanding—after having received a case number from escalation, so may not work for everyone—is that my invite to order is still good once moving, that switching would not put me at the back of the line, and this should not affect the new dealer’s allotment.

We won’t know if that’s true or not until I get a VIN or someone at Ford says otherwise (again). IF it does affect the dealer’s other customers, then I’m sorry Granger buyers!

 

[Marshall]

My understanding—after having received a case number from escalation, so may not work for everyone—is that my invite to order is still good once moving, that switching would not put me at the back of the line, and this should not affect the new dealer’s allotment.

Has Ford actually done something for you? I called customer service who supposedly escalated my call, and said that they would call me back, but never did. Then I chatted with a Ford guy online who gave me a case number and said that ford would email me, which they also did not do. My hope has been fading.

 

[RavenYZF-R6]

If my dealer had said $699 “dealer fee” and called me in advance of the invite to order, I’d have been mad but said sure. However, my experience with the surprise $30k ADM has lead to confusing conversations with Ford and members here. My understanding—after having received a case number from escalation, so may not work for everyone—is that my invite to order is still good once moving, that switching would not put me at the back of the line, and this should not affect the new dealer’s allotment.

We won’t know if that’s true or not until I get a VIN or someone at Ford says otherwise (again). IF it does affect the dealer’s other customers, then I’m sorry Granger buyers!

A lot of dealers have the dealer fees written on the walls. My Kia dealer had one that said $599 on every car. Those cases would fall under proper diligence. The bait and switch ones are the terrible ones imo.

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