Missed out on 2022 because dealer lied to me about my reservation, what now?

[craptacular]

Here is the TFL article too. TFL Article

Yes, I did see that post and article. Glad you got it sorted out even though you had to get the TX AG & DMV involved. Sucks that Ford is saying one thing, but doing another. I don’t really expect any recourse against the dealer in my situation. My hope is that maybe someone higher up inside Ford sees my case and makes sure I get an early 2023 order, but that is probably wishful thinking.

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[DrZoidberg]

Yes, I did see that post and article. Glad you got it sorted out even though you had to get the TX AG & DMV involved. Sucks that Ford is saying one thing, but doing another. I don’t really expect any recourse against the dealer in my situation. My hope is that maybe someone higher up inside Ford sees my case and makes sure I get an early 2023 order, but that is probably wishful thinking.

You might have more energy than I did. I gave up on Ford but it if it wasn't for TXDMV stepping in I would have walked away.

Ford corporate had no response. Even after I called them out about the letter. I sent them the TFL article and reddit post with comments to their FB, insta, twitter, and here on the forums. Not a single f**k given from them .

 

[MickeyAO]

I made a post but the tl;dr

1. Made reservation last May and visited dealer in June. Told first on list and no markup.

2. When started rolling out in January for wave ordering inquired and said I made the list 6/6 allocations and no markup.

3. Get my wave invite. Order my lariat and see that in fact the dealer did not charge a markup in the ordering program like others reported. Ordered and paid the $500.

4. Dealer accepted order.

5. Called later and said there's a $10k markup (originally $20k).

6. I said bullshit and to contacted Ford to send my order to another dealer and Ford corporate said that since they accepted it they own the allocation build and I would have to reserve a new one from step 1. I said bullshit.

7. Contacted Texas AG who transferred me to the TX DMV. They sent an inquiry of records and I showed the purchased order, etc. From what I'm told they gave them an ultimatum because I got an email from dealer principal saying he's personally handling my order with no markup .


Here is the TFL article too. TFL Article

When Red McCombs said they have no ADM but a mandatory package, I started looking to other dealers. I tried contacting Northside Ford about ADM, but they were such F*&^%ng idiots, that I just stayed with Red McCombs (where I was #1 inline). I will hold your story in my back pocket just in case they try to add ADM on delivery!

Now the question turns to who will have the first Lighting in San Antonio? I have a 5/23 build date...you?

 

[monsterlag]

I can empathize. And I can also tell you Ford Corporate won’t do shit. They’re bigger cowards than dealers.
It took Texas DMV for me to get a resolution.

You do know that Ford can’t do shit is because of actual laws that mandate dealers sell cars to people and not Ford? All they can do is change allocations but they can’t force an Independent company to do anything.

Especially in your backward ass redneck state where no manufacturer can sell direct to consumer.

 

[Mike G]

I reserved on 5/19/21 at 9:09 CST and selected the dealer closest to me (Helfman Ford in Stafford, TX). Never received any communication from them. Got the December 2021 email stating that ordering would begin at the beginning of the new year. Lost track of time and was searching for something about the F-150 unrelated to the Lightning, and then realized that I had missed the first 2 ordering waves. Called my dealer and found out I was 12/300. Reading that most non ZEV dealers would be lucky to get between 2-6 allocations for 2022 and fearing that I would miss out, I spent hours on the phone calling 13 other rural dealers within 100 miles of me. I thought I may have found a unicorn (Cavender Ford in Columbus, TX). The salesman I spoke with confirmed that they had 0 reservations and that I would be the first with them, and they had no ADM. I called Ford and immediately transferred my reservation to them. They had me sign a buyers order and send my drivers license. After I missed out on wave 3, I called Ford and they told me I was actually 3rd in line at Cavender and they had placed 1 order already. The salesman assured me this was incorrect and that they had 2 allocations for 2022 and I was 1 of those lucky 2 (the other was the GM's accountant). After I missed out on wave 4, I received a call from a new salesman telling me the guy I had been dealing with previously no longer worked at the dealer. After not receiving a wave 5 invite, I contacted the new salesman and asked if he could contact their Lightning rep to verify that I'd be receiving a wave 6 invite. Then the new guy tells me that I'm #6 on their list and the 3rd person has yet to receive an invite. He never responded when I told him what I was previously told and question my place in line. Later that day I received the unfortunate email about 2022 ordering being closed. I called Ford and asked to file a complaint against Cavender Ford. I was told my case would be escalated to a supervisor, but I haven't heard anything since (per the reps suggestion, I also sent an email to [email protected] but have received no response). The rep was super helpful and hoped that I would get some kind of resolution, but what exactly can I hope for here? Are they going to magically open a spot for me to order a 2022, probably not. Can they prioritize my 2023 status, who knows with the uncertainty of how "Model E" ordering is going to work. For disclosure, I would have placed an order for the Lariat ER.

I know a lot of other first day reservation holders missed out on ordering a 2022, but it's hard not to feel angry about how I missed out based on what the dealer told me. Maybe if I knew that I'd be getting one of the first 2023's, then I wouldn't be too upset.

So go back and ask them what their mannequin is going to be, Lariat? Platinum? and if the color and trim is okay with you talk them into taking your deposit on that until it becomes available after the mileage and showroom demo time is expired..and you might just get your 2022.

Mike

 

[DrZoidberg]

When Red McCombs said they have no ADM but a mandatory package, I started looking to other dealers. I tried contacting Northside Ford about ADM, but they were such F*&^%ng idiots, that I just stayed with Red McCombs (where I was #1 inline). I will hold your story in my back pocket just in case they try to add ADM on delivery!

Now the question turns to who will have the first Lighting in San Antonio? I have a 5/23 build date...you?

I don’t have a build date ?

 

[craptacular]

So go back and ask them what their mannequin is going to be, Lariat? Platinum? and if the color and trim is okay with you talk them into taking your deposit on that until it becomes available after the mileage and showroom demo time is expired..and you might just get your 2022.

Mike

Thanks, that is a good suggestion. However, I don’t really consider demo units with a couple thousand miles to be a new car anymore even though the dealers are still allowed to sell it as new.

 

[pstansel]

Yet he got relief in this "backward ass redneck state'...what are you going to do when a dealer in NY Ford dealer tries the same thing?

I'm not going to defend the lack of direct sales, but there is no need to call out an entire state and its residents because of it.

Hell I live in one of the most progressive states in the US (CT) and they have refused to bring forward the bill to end direct manufacturer sales and service for years. I've heard under the table next year it will be done because it's not an election year. And the dealer I am getting my Lightning from is one of the most active in suing towns and the State to keep Tesla/Rivian/Lucid from selling in state.

 

[DrZoidberg]

I’d rather TX allow sports betting or casinos before direct sales, personally.

 

[MickeyAO]

I’d rather TX allow sports betting or casinos before direct sales, personally.

I completely agree with this! Sports betting is going on all around us, and in Texas through offshore books...capture that revenue! I'll live without direct sales for a couple more years but would prefer it when my Lighting lease is up in three.

Unfortunately, the Texas legislation believes in personal freedom and accountability unless it is something they don't like (like gambling)

 

[monsterlag]

Yet he got relief in this "backward ass redneck state'...what are you going to do when a dealer in NY Ford dealer tries the same thing?

I'm not going to defend the lack of direct sales, but there is no need to call out an entire state and its residents because of it.

Why would NY vote to ban something like direct to consumer sale? We are a ZEV state that actually cares about the consumer. Of course we actually pay taxes as well.

We have tons of rednecks in Upstate, Western NY and Long Island but thank god for NYC that’s the bastion of liberalism and doesn’t vote to restrict a woman’s right to choose.

 

[Pioneer74]

doesn’t vote to restrict a woman’s right to choose.

It's a little presumptuous to assume their gender, isn't it?

 

[Roy2001]

Same situation, ordered 5/19, dealer contacted me before wave 4. No more info, so I contacted them after wave 5, was told would be in wave 6, and now 2022 gone.

 

[FlasherZ]

Why would NY vote to ban something like direct to consumer sale? We are a ZEV state that actually cares about the consumer. Of course we actually pay taxes as well.

This isn't about caring about consumers, or ZEV states, or anything like that.

Bottom line, car dealers produce a *lot* of sales tax revenue and so they have an outsized role in politics because they know how to work the lobbying.

Years ago, I was part of a Tesla caravan to Jefferson City, MO. We were allowed to park our cars directly in front of the Capitol. The assemblycritters that came outside to talk to us said "you're all making a hell of a mess for me". Consumers were calling, but the dealers were replying with "yeah, remember how much tax money we give you to spend on your favorite entitlement programs!"

We managed to get the bill shelved that year, but they kept trying and eventually created limits.

96% of people dislike the dealer model, and 25% of 35-45 year olds would rather get a root canal than deal with car dealers.

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