Fighting with dealer

[PaulTalb]

So it's a long story but the dealer is still holding the title. During the purchase the dealer said there was a $7500 rebate, that I "should" qualify for. With the rebate I was willing take $2k less than I wanted for my trade. 30 days after the sale the dealership called and said "there's a problem with the rebate". They've requested for the $7500 back, and have refused to negotiate for the $2k. I've filed a complaint with the Dept of Rev. and still waiting for the results of the complaint. The dealer didn't put anything in writing and I have a bill of sale without any contingencies.

So the question is; Should I file a complaint with Ford?

TIA..

Sponsored

 

[astricklin]

You need to look into the laws in your state and possibly consult a lawyer. You have a written sales contract executed by both parties. In most states I'd imagine that is binding. You owe the dealership nothing.

 

[astricklin]

What's the 'problem' with it? It's not your fault that they failed to confirm that it was going to apply. Unless there were specific conditions stated for rebate eligibility and you misrepresented your qualifications.

 

[PaulTalb]

You need to look into the laws in your state and possibly consult a lawyer. You have a written sales contract executed by both parties. In most states I'd imagine that is binding. You owe the dealership nothing.

Have talked to a lawyer, and yes I owe them nothing.

BUT, I still have to get the title.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I've filed a complaint with the Dept of Rev. and still waiting for the results of the complaint.

Why are you involving the state department of revenue, does your state have a rebate or tax credit for buying an EV?

Or are you expecting the $7,500 Federal tax credit? If so, that will come into play when you file your 2023 personal federal income tax return in the winter/spring of 2024.

If neither of these, then are you expecting a price protection credit to be issued by FORD to the dealer, who will/should refund it to you out of their checkbook.

 

[PaulTalb]

Why are you involving the state department of revenue, does your state have a rebate or tax credit for buying an EV?

Or are you expecting the $7,500 Federal tax credit? If so, that will come into play when you file your 2023 personal federal income tax return in the winter/spring of 2024.

If neither of these, then are you expecting a price protection credit to be issued by FORD to the dealer, who will/should refund it to you out of their checkbook.

Dept of Revenue handles car dealers' licenses in Colorado and dealers have 30 days to file the title paperwork, complaints are though AID division.

 

[Monkey]

So it's a long story but the dealer is still holding the title. During the purchase the dealer said there was a $7500 rebate, that I "should" qualify for. With the rebate I was willing take $2k less than I wanted for my trade. 30 days after the sale the dealership called and said "there's a problem with the rebate". They've requested for the $7500 back, and have refused to negotiate for the $2k. I've filed a complaint with the Dept of Rev. and still waiting for the results of the complaint. The dealer didn't put anything in writing and I have a bill of sale without any contingencies.

So the question is; Should I file a complaint with Ford?

TIA..

You should file a complaint with Ford, although in my experience they won't do anything to hold the dealership accountable.

In Colorado (I'm there too), once an auto sale is signed and you take delivery, the deal is 100% done. They can't go back and renegotiate the deal. If they screwed up and misrepresented the rebate, that's on them. They can't hold your title for ransom, they can't ask for more money, it's done. Do not give them the money. Tell them you expect the title to be delivered to you if you paid cash, or to your lien holder/lender if you financed and they have no right to hold it. You're probably done dealing with your salesperson at this point, or should be, and you should communicate directly to the dealership GM. Only communicate via email so there is written account of everything, nothing verbal over the phone.

The Colorado Dept. of Revenue has a specific automotive division to report to. Also file a complaint with the State Attorney General's office for automotive fraud. In the mean time, do everything else as you normally should like getting your plates/registration, etc.. If they're not releasing title work to enable that, tell the DMV as well so you get proper temporary/ extension/ etc..

If you still don't get anywhere, I can recommend a Denver-based attorney that deals with this sort of shit. Feel free to DM me. I went through a bad deal late last year, trying to buy a '22 Lariat ER demo/ mannequin.

EDIT> Want to add a bit more about the deal being done and the rebate being their problem. It is *THEIR* responsibility to understand and offer these rebates. Ford makes it pretty clear. By them trying to pull this stunt now means that they misrepresented the deal and that is unacceptable. This is a "yo-yo" sales practice and outlawed most everywhere. Once the paperwork is signed, you drive the truck off the lot, the deal is done. Unless their is some provision in the sales paperwork that allows them to re-verify such things, which there is not or should not be, because it's not allowed here, then it's a done deal. The only way for them to get that $7500 back without straining the law and screwing with you in an unjust way is to request, if you're willing, to completely unwind the deal in which you give back the truck, they give back your trade and any down payment and all that.. Nope...

 

[PaulTalb]

should communicate directly to the dealership GM. Only communicate via email so there is written account of everything, nothing verbal over the phone.

They stopped communicating with me when I informed them I was filing a complaint with the AID, the General Manager never returned my call (no email for him). They really didn't like using email. The case manager for the AID says they have until Thursday to respond. So will see what happens.. You might get a DM, hard to find a lawyer that deals with this..

NEVER buying another vehicle from Phil Long.

 

[Amps]

It almost sounds to me like they thought they could apply the $7500 federal tax credit at point-of-sale, like they can in a few months. Oops.

 

[Henry Ford]

Failing to deliver titles is one of the behaviors for which Carvana lost their license to operate in Michigan. There was more to it than that but it was the thing that got the State's attention.

I don't even understand the reasoning of the dealership here. They signed a bad deal which sucks but it's not worth destroying your reputation over. It should have taken exactly one phone call, "Hey, will you give us some money back? No? Okay, tell all your friends and family what a great dealership we have. Please buy your next Ford from us!"

 

[RickLightning]

Most car sales paperwork has language indicating that corrections might be made. Any rebate should be in the numbers. Get a lawyer on Friday.

 

[FirstF150InCasco]

Get a lawyer to handle it for you.

 

[Adventureboy]

It almost sounds to me like they thought they could apply the $7500 federal tax credit at point-of-sale, like they can in a few months. Oops.

I doubt the dealer is that naive.... This sounds more like they were just trying to manipulate.

 

[PaulTalb]

It almost sounds to me like they thought they could apply the $7500 federal tax credit at point-of-sale, like they can in a few months. Oops.

No, they said it was a rebate, and didn't give any details, and at the time I should have been more judicious. and they said I might not qualify for it, but due to the rebate I took less for my trade (stupid on my part).
Per the dealer 30+ days later:

I pulled the Wave Report from the C&I Site to verify Paul's Wave invite and it shows his Wage Assignment was Wave 5. After reviewing the announcement details for both programs, this customer is not eligible. No exceptions are eligible for this rebate

• Program # 38570 is for customers who were invited to Wave 1 or 2, who were previously asked to ‘Extend My Reservation’ for an unavailable configuration.
  • Furthermore, his order had to be in entered on or before 9/30/22. This customer’s order was entered 11/16/2022 and scheduled on 11/21/22.
• Program #11014 – Dealers must claim Prgm # 38570 prior to claiming this incentive, which this customer does not qualify for.

 

[PaulTalb]

Get a lawyer to handle it for you.

That's the next step after the AID investigation, they should fix this.

Sponsored