Ford Is Redesigning Dealers to Make Car Buying Feel Easier

[Nasto]

My last experience buying a F150 was less than enjoyable. I walked in ready to pay cash and it still took over four hours to complete the deal. The dealership finance "minister" could not get it through his thick head that I wanted to pay for the truck and be gone.

As already mentioned in this thread, knowledge is power. Know exactly what you want before going in and it makes for a better experience. But it's also wise to listen to options. We walked in pretty sure we were going with a V8 but walked out with the Power Boost after listening to the suggestion. Even got a free spray bedliner out of it. 4 years later, absolutely no regrets. Our sales guy calls us every year on the buy date just to check in. That's impressive to me. Seems to be a roll of the dice on how good the dealer is. BTW, also paid cash. Handed over a check to our sales guy, signed the contract and that was it. Done.

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[Kritas]

My last experience buying a F150 was less than enjoyable. I walked in ready to pay cash and it still took over four hours to complete the deal. The dealership finance "minister" could not get it through his thick head that I wanted to pay for the truck and be gone.

I expect you know this, but the finance guys don't make money unless they sell financing, warranties and other add-ons. I feel your pain as I just went through the same experience with my dealer (but not 4 hours worth). I won't put enough miles on my truck to justify extended warranties. I'm retired and have 4 vintage vehicles that I love to drive. The truck is primarily for long trips and hauling a car trailer. Paying for an extended warranty on a vehicle that will be driven 4k miles per year makes little sense for me.

 

[WalterMitty]

I really prefer the Granger buying experience.

Look at the order forms. Pick what you want. Add the total of the invoice price column, multiply by 97% (or whatever the current deal is) and then add like a few bucks for a doc fee….I cannot remember what it was…something like $50 or whatever. That’s it. Use their financing, use your own, pay cash, whatever. The truck arrives, the prices is the same, drive home.

I wish all manufacturers would go this route.

 

[Old Hat]

I bought my second new vehicle back in 1994 from my brother who was a Jeep sales manager. We went down the option list and built a factory order Cherokee Sport 2 door with a 5 speed manual trans. Anti-lock brakes were new at the time and one of the options I chose! In Navajo Turquoise Metallic I never saw another one like it.

After doing all his calculations he slid a number across the desk to me. Of course I offered him $500 less! He took great offense and snapped back "If you think I'm making anything on this deal I'll show you my check and take you to dinner." lol Confident I was given a good price I didn't have to deal with any finance guy either. Easily my most pleasant sales experience.

 

[mkennedy009]

Don't they have quote the word transparency?

"Ford is redesigning dealer spaces and shopping experiences to simplify car buying for customers with more transparency and convenience."

 

[OldCrowEW]

It would be cool if they didn't pull customers out of the finance office to give a hard sell on clear coat. I wish I were joking.

 

[wayne1948]

Car salesman are the bottom of the barrel. Drinks, liars, people that lie the way through life. Most if you ask technical questions have no idea what they are selling. My best experience was I went to a ford dealership that was actually owned by Ford at the time. I bought a new 2013 Ford raptor for $200 above invoice. I was in and out of dealership in less than 45 minutes driving away. Until the factories start having their own retail outlets you will always be dealing with not so smart employees.
FORD YOUR JUST PUTTING LIPSTICK ON A PIG. Get rid of dealerships and watch your profits go sky high and buyer will be flocking to buy your cars. That ford owned dealership that I got my truck from has never been as busy as when Ford owned it.

 

[wayne1948]

FORD, DO YOU WANT SUBSTANCE OR SYMBOLISM THAT IS THE QUESTION YOU NEED TO ASK YOURSELVES

 

[Pelican]

I' m not a fan of kiosks at my local grocery store, but I do find myself using them at larger regional stores. Maybe it's time dealerships install point of sale kiosks. The incentive for the dealer would be eliminating the sales person commission and others involved in the transaction and maybe the buyer would see more consistent pricing and buy from dealerships based more on prior service experience or online service reviews. i have a desire to buy everything knowing the exact price before actually buying the item. if one can buy real estate online using a computer, why not a vehicle from a kiosk at a dealership?

its a thought; although, there's undoubtedly a lot of details that would need to be ironed out before this could/would happen.

 

[MarkY]

I really prefer the Granger buying experience.

Look at the order forms. Pick what you want. Add the total of the invoice price column, multiply by 97% (or whatever the current deal is) and then add like a few bucks for a doc fee….I cannot remember what it was…something like $50 or whatever. That’s it. Use their financing, use your own, pay cash, whatever. The truck arrives, the prices is the same, drive home.

I wish all manufacturers would go this route.

I've got a 2026 on order from Granger. I'm expecting a pleasant experience just like yours.

 

[Snakebitten]

I'm pretty sure Ford, and other brands, would love to own and operate the dealership. You can complain about it to Ford all you want, but it's not their call.

 

[Suns_PSD]

One of the main reasons I kept my previous truck so long was because I hated the thought of having to deal with the sales people at any of the local dealerships.

This!!!

And you know what's crazy, I'm a vehicle salesperson myself (commercial trucks however).

 

[TrumpetChris]

Based on the experiences I have had buying Ford and Lincoln vehicles, I love the vehicles, but loath the buying experience. Getting told, "Sorry, corporate policy currently is that all vehicles are sold at MSRP." "Let me check with my manager" "Sorry, I just sold the vehicle you wanted to test drive" or worse, getting the 3rd degree from the finance/warranty guy has me running for the hills. We don't have a Granger(or similar) here in the Northeast, but fortunately a small 3rd party buyer industry has popped up and everyone I know that has used them have been impressed with getting the deal they want... even good trades. Of course the 3rd party guy makes $ on the margins... but still saves thousands for buyers. So, next time around I won't be talking to sales or wasting time at the warranty/financing desk... I will let someone else deal with the bull so I only have to sign and drive away.

 

[wayne1948]

I'm pretty sure Ford, and other brands, would love to own and operate the dealership. You can complain about it to Ford all you want, but it's not their call.

Yes it is there call. Just look at any franchise contract. They all have basic language that say the franchise has the right to cancel or dictate products, marketing, and anything needed to protect the company name.

 

[WalterMitty]

Based on the experiences I have had buying Ford and Lincoln vehicles, I love the vehicles, but loath the buying experience. Getting told, "Sorry, corporate policy currently is that all vehicles are sold at MSRP." "Let me check with my manager" "Sorry, I just sold the vehicle you wanted to test drive" or worse, getting the 3rd degree from the finance/warranty guy has me running for the hills. We don't have a Granger(or similar) here in the Northeast, but fortunately a small 3rd party buyer industry has popped up and everyone I know that has used them have been impressed with getting the deal they want... even good trades. Of course the 3rd party guy makes $ on the margins... but still saves thousands for buyers. So, next time around I won't be talking to sales or wasting time at the warranty/financing desk... I will let someone else deal with the bull so I only have to sign and drive away.

You can always to a fly and drive to Granger…that’s what I did….but considerably less miles away than you.

I refuse to buy any vehicles from the two Ford dealerships closest to me. When I was shopping back in late 2022, and they wanted over MSRP…like $10k for a Tremor and $25K for Raptor, that left a mark. Then it was on here where I saw someone mention Granger….looked into it, and ordered my 2023 Tremor for 3% below invoice….which I loved but sort of made me even more pissed at the local guys.

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