The best reason to order online is that you can track your entire order process on the ford website. If you order in person, you're left in the dark and can't access the info. You'd have to rely on calling dealer for any updates. I don't remember if he mentioned it in this video or a prior video, but i can confirm that is what my dealer told me before i placed my lightning order.
The best reason not to order at your dealer is that you don't have to order at your dealer..LOL
At least not until your vehicle arrives at the dealer. What is Ford going to do about the sudden increase in doc fees to $15K or other creative ridiculous fees the dealer may come up with to help you leave your Lightning on their lot? Ford has not given any guarantees that the price you see when ordering online is what you will pay. I think it will be an interesting ride. All that said, not dealing with the dealer at this point does sound very attractive.
When you place the order and eventually sign paperwork with your dealer it is a contract for what you will pay for the vehicle at delivery…they can’t all of a sudden say you owe me when you go to pick up your truck.
The issue is what happens between when you place the order and when you sign the paperwork. If you order only online without dealer signing the buyer's order which includes all the fees, dealer has not committed to anything except may be just the ADM (if that). If you do it online and go to dealer and get them to sign the buyer's order you may have some protection but Just ordering online may be a crap shoot. It seems like English language is open to interpretation for dealers. Fees apparently are not considered a part of ADM. We really don't know what each dealer is going to do and how much of an impact Ford can have on their behavior. If they see the direct sale as the future and see themselves eventually out of sales, why not make as much money as they can while they can.
