I know why Ford can't sell all Lightnings on dealer lots.

[mme_and_lightning]

It's the dealerships. Say one thing to get you in the door and another when you try to buy.

Why would I have assumed things have changed.

I may end up with a CT or a Rivian, but I won't need to work with a crappy Ford dealership. I thought there may be one, but I guess I'm wrong.

In the long run I'm pretty sure I'll be a much happier buyer.

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[jmc6020]

Is there a story behind this?

 

[Jseis]

I like our Ford dealer.. where we purchased our Lightning.

 

[TaxmanHog]

 

[Randall Stephens]

It's the dealerships. Say one thing to get you in the door and another when you try to buy.

Why would I have assumed things have changed.

I may end up with a CT or a Rivian, but I won't need to work with a crappy Ford dealership. I thought there may be one, but I guess I'm wrong.

In the long run I'm pretty sure I'll be a much happier buyer.

I wound up buying mine, but my dealer experience, specifically one person, means I won't be taking my service needs to that dealership.

 

[cdherman]

I think there a lot of bad dealerships and bad people in dealerships. There are lots of reasons for this, and its kind of a protected monopoly.

But I cannot say that Ford or Ford dealerships have struck me as more egregious than any other company.

My local dealership took MSRP through the whole time, and they are still are wanting MSRP. Guess I can accept that. Same $250 doc fee they have always had.

 

[Avalanche]

Doc fees are such bullshit. $250 is low, mine were $499. Every other business would just build this into the cost of business (except Ticketmaster, they suck too). They want me to believe after spending $73k they can't help by filling out a few forms without charging me for the "service"?

My local dealership took MSRP through the whole time, and they are still are wanting MSRP. Guess I can accept that. Same $250 doc fee they have always had.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

It's the dealerships. Say one thing to get you in the door and another when you try to buy.

Why would I have assumed things have changed.

I may end up with a CT or a Rivian, but I won't need to work with a crappy Ford dealership. I thought there may be one, but I guess I'm wrong.

In the long run I'm pretty sure I'll be a much happier buyer.

As a 4x owner of Teslas, and an ex-owner of a Rivian, and a 2x owner of the Lighting..your dealer must be TERRIBLE.

The good thing about dealers is you can always find another one.

My Lightning 1 from Dealer 1 (7 miles from me) had no surprise. They even rushed prep on my request so I could take it on a road trip.

My Lightning 2 from Dealer 2 was done all via email. They then delivered it to my driveway 125 miles away/ea way! - no surprises. 15 minutes of paperwork on my porch and we were done.

Neither had any surprise fees, charges and were at my agreed price, no markups.

Beyond sales, I called Dealer 1 for recall work. It’s going in next week (2 week lead time) the dealer is picking it up from my house, dropping off a loaner, and will drop off the truck when it’s done.

In comparison, my Tesla is going in for recall work - also next week (1.5 month lead time) and I had to argue with them as they wanted to charge me for the recall - had to threaten complaints to the NHTSA for them to “waive” it for goodwill. Despite screenshotting NHTSAs website with my vin and recall notice. I have to drop it off an hour away from me, take a rideshare on my own dime back and then back to the SC to pick up the car when they’re done.

For me..I’ll take the dealer.

 

[flyct]

I’ve found that each Ford dealer has different ethics. My recent Lightning purchase was very easy, i did everything on the phone, email and text. Once final Buyers order was sent I drive the 2 hours to the dealer and picked it up with no Surprises. I was also dealing with 3 other dealers at the same time. Some were really shady.

Actually my experience with Tesla service has been excellent. The one time I needed it to go to a service center they offered a loaner. The other 2 times they sent a mobile tech to my house. Rotated my tires in my driveway once. Just last eeek they came to my house and replaced a taillight that had condensation in it. I scheduled service with their app, attached a picture of the condensation in the taillight and scheduled a date and time for mobile tech a week later.

 

[BedFullOfElectronZ]

My Ford dealership experience (Lynch Ford, Mount Vernon, Iowa) has been very positive so far. I was fortunate to work with a younger sales person who acknowledged that EVs are the future, helped me to set up my truck upon delivery "to learn more about the Lightning," and followed up to make sure all was well with my first few weeks of ownership.

 

[TheBigBezo]

I also had an easy experience, but I also had to go out and find this dealer based off word of mouth. I showed up, gave them my trade in, got my Lightning, set it up while they printed forms, signed for it, and left.

It was that easy, but it definitely takes knowing which dealers to look for. Likewise for servicing. Needed some work done, drove a few miles to the nearby service center and got everything handled easily for free (CSP work).

 

[mme_and_lightning]

I am the OP. I apologize for being GRUMPY yesterday. I had a bad experience with a dealership.

I am not yet ready to talk about it because I am still livid.

 

[Maquis]

I am the OP. I apologize for being GRUMPY yesterday. I had a bad experience with a dealership.

I am not yet ready to talk about it because I am still livid.

Based on your experience, that’s understandable. Hopefully, you’ll have better experiences going forward, whichever brand you choose.

 

[mme_and_lightning]

Based on your experience, that’s understandable. Hopefully, you’ll have better experiences going forward, whichever brand you choose.

I will buy a Lightning, just need to start the buying process at ground level again.

I have a 2022 MME and it's been perfect. Unfortunately, the local dealer I used for the MME does not have any Platinum Lightnings in stock. I think that has me more PO'ed than anything else. My favorite Ford dealer has no stock.

 

[gregoryhcain]

All positive for Lakewood Ford in Lakewood WA. Owned by Titus Will. Unfortunately they are now Titus Will’s used vehicle sales center and no longer sell new vehicles since I bought mine. But they service the Ford EV’s. Happy with my sale and service now at nearly one year out.

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