Which Ford Accessories are “Good Values” when ordering?

[sajohnson]

I don't believe that's what the poster was saying. I think they were suggesting better uses for the Ford Points than something that, in their opinion, is more expensive through Ford and that the points could instead be used toward things that aren't as marked up. YMMV.

Exactly! That's the dilemma we're in.

Some people don't seem to realize that the FordPass points are essentially cash -- the same as $USD except they can only be spent on Ford parts & service. When something is purchased with points, it is not 'free' as I've seen some people suggest in other threads.

I appreciate getting the 42,000 points, but I have a hard time purchasing something that is severely overpriced -- like the Curt hitch mounted cargo carrier that can be bought for $125 less (I just ordered one). Ford is giving customers 42,000 points (worth $210) for buying a BS, but because Ford overcharges for accessories (the ones I've looked at anyway) the actual value is much less than $210.

We do our own maint. & repairs, but if the Badlands was no longer under warranty and needed repairs that we could not do -- THAT would be a good use of the points, because Ford service is something you can't find for less $ elsewhere.

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[JerryC]

Just to be clear, you're saying that the price on the fender flares listed on Ford's "Build Your Own" site includes dealer installation?

Yes
If you order them with the BS, it becomes a DIO and Ford pays the dealer to install it.

 

[fsjdw2]

tow package isn’t just a hitch , it includes software for anti sway ,Wiring, hitch and up towing capacity couple hundred lbs. I got It because a trailer of a cord of firewood is 4500 lbs but half a cord Is about 2200. (Trailer not included, when I fell and load my self the old “back weighting meter” usually gets me under safe weight for soke
Reason…

 

[sajohnson]

Yes
If you order them with the BS, it becomes a DIO and Ford pays the dealer to install it.

Thanks Jerry. That's what I originally assumed -- until I was lied to/'misinformed'.

Initially, my wife wanted the flares. We both assumed that for $500(!) the 4 pieces of plastic would include installation. Nope. The salesman insisted that installation was extra. He claimed to have checked with the body shop to get an estimate, and the shop foreman said they had never installed them before (unlikely but possible) -- so he was unsure of what was involved and gave a rough quote, "as much as $300" (which we all know would be $300, or close to it).

At that point, my wife decided she didn't want the fender flares that bad. The salesman acted hurt/confused by her decision. I thought he would "discover" that installation was included after all (to get the additional commission on a huge profit margin item) -- but no.

Misleading us (lying?) and saying the installation was *not* included makes three (3) serious things that we were "misled" over -- the other 2 being: we were told that we would have to pay any MSRP increases after the order date, and we were told the $1,000 order credit did not apply -- when in fact it was in effect both when we ordered and when we took delivery.

As to the OP's question -- order with BS or not? -- I found people here on the BS Forum (and elsewhere) selling the flares new in the box for $250-$300. There are probably different mfrs/styles as well. IDK what a body shop would charge to install them, but you might be able to save a few bucks going that route. Otherwise, if your dealership will actually install them (correctly) for free, that may be the way to go.

I say 'correctly' because some posts I read said it was impossible (or very difficult) to get them to go on without gaps between the fender and the flare -- not a good look.

 

[JerryC]

I guess I could cynically say that you were told that because they get paid very little by Ford for the install versus charging you the body shop hourly rate.
But it could just be an honest mistake.

 

[sajohnson]

I guess I could cynically say that you were told that because they get paid very little by Ford for the install versus charging you the body shop hourly rate.
But it could just be an honest mistake.

You're absolutely right -- there's a (very slim) chance that every time were 'misinformed' it was just an honest mistake. It seems highly unlikely though, since the employees involved have decades of experience between them.

Let's say though that the flares are not a DIO -- in that case there should be a fixed labor charge for installation. They said they didn't have a clue how long it would take, and that's why they quoted us 'up to $300.'

I know many dealers see warranty work as a necessary evil, for the same reason you mentioned -- because the mfr pays well below retail for parts and labor -- and sometimes there are more hoops to jump through. This could be the same.

I'm just glad we don't buy new cars every few years. I last one I purchased was a 2002 WRX, from that same dealer. Also special order. There were no hassles that I recall. There were several recalls, which they handled well (got us a rental car, etc.). In addition, their current reviews/ratings were better than most -- especially for sales. So I guess you just can't tell.

 

[Elegance]

Does the Badlands come with some type of standard floor mat? I noticed "Unique Floormats w/ Logo" listed on my sticker. Trying to decide what to throw in with my Big Bend trade in and what to keep.

 

[sajohnson]

Does the Badlands come with some type of standard floor mat? I noticed "Unique Floormats w/ Logo" listed on my sticker. Trying to decide what to throw in with my Big Bend trade in and what to keep.

Ours did, but the way things have been going -- parts deleted without notice -- there's no guarantee. The mats we got are decent. They are not designed to catch/hold water and dirt, but the BL has the rubber flooring so that isn't as much of an issue as it might be with carpet.

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