Need advice. Am I getting "screwed"? Should I allow dealership to add this to new badlands I'm about to order?

[sajohnson]

Thanks so much for all the replies REALLY appreciate it!!!! Am I allowed to post link to the build I want on this forum? Not sure if forum allows this. But the car is $40,610 once I put in my build parameters.

... but this doesn't include the ($1,030) "fender flare kit II" I want because the ford website won't let me include that unless I REMOVE the "moon roof". So the sales guy said they will install the "fender flare kit II" at the dealership when car arrives. Below is photo of that fender... dealership said it'll be painted to be same color as AREA 51 body color... I really like how that fender looks.

So with this "fender flare kit II" added the vehicle cost is $41,640 before all the other fees were added.

I'm going to another dealership to get another quote to see if I have similar experience...

Just FYI -- my wife also wanted the flares, but we were told installation was not included. The dealer quoted us $300. To us, $500 for some plastic was already steep.

So then we thought we might install them ourselves, but after reading a few posts here it seemed like the install was a real nightmare (for some people). After spending hours they still did not fit right. They look good, but only if it is a snug fit.

You might consider waiting on the flares. You can have them installed at any time, and people sell them new in the box for about $250 (the black ones, which should be paintable).

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Good advice here, I agree see if you can find a dealer that will sell you the car without extras. The VTR and the alarm would be no goes for me. If all dealers do the desert package maybe you can negotiate it lower.

Also, since you are ordering is the 1000.00 rebate available in your market?
I would second the using flood ford or zeigler ford for an extended warranty, if you are interested in getting one. Shopping for financing is also a way to keep the dealer honest.

Granger is also offering 50.00 over cost on the ESP.

 

[sajohnson]

I'm in AZ. I just emailed the sales guy and told him to remove the "desert protection" and the "DT security system" or I cannot proceed. He replied with the below:

"I'm sorry but I cannot remove the add ons. We keep that on all of our incoming vehicles.
If you cannot proceed we understand.
Thank you,"

He then IGNORED all my other questions I asked in that same email. I've pasted below the exact email I sent him incase anyone's curous:

1. I really do not want the “desert protection package” or the “BT alarm system”. Please remove those addons or I can’t proceed. Pease do not add more things (add-ons) to the car… I simply want the build I specified and sent to you.
(Note: I’m going to be having my windows tinted with ceramic/carbon at another place (not at the dealership).

2. I need it in writing that the “fender flare II” will be included at dealership (fender flare to be in AREA 51 color). Is this fender PLASTIC? What material is it exactly?

3. Why is the DOC fee so high?

4. I also need to know what is the WARRANTY on this car… what does it cover and for how many miles?

5. What is the deposit amount I need to pay to secure this car and will it ensure 100% that NOBODY else can get this vehicle once it arrives? I don’t want to be in situation where, once car arrives, if someone else is interested in it that they can buy car if they are willing to pay higher price. I need to ensure the vehicle is SECURED to be sold to me at the price listed on the “buyer order form/ Purchase Agreement” you want me to sign right now. This signed Purchase Agreement needs to lock in my out the door price. I don’t want to be weaseled around on price once delivered.

6. Please remove VTR!

Thanks!

This is a huge red flag:

"I'm sorry but I cannot remove the add ons. We keep that on all of our incoming vehicles.
If you cannot proceed we understand.
Thank you,"

There is absolutely no reason why you cannot get the Badlands EXACTLY as you want it. That's the hole point of ordering! That, and a lower price.

For what it's worth, we ordered the base Badlands with just the tow package and the roof rack crossbars. As with most dealers (Granger is an exception) we had to pay MSRP plus a $500 doc prep fee (the legal max in MD).

MSRP in December was $36,465 (incl. dest. & delivery). That's the price on the sticker as well. I think Ford raised it $500 a couple weeks ago. AFAIK, there is a $1,000 rebate for ordering, so that's $35,465.

That's it. No add-ons. MSRP + $500 is a sweet deal for the dealership. In the "before times" no one would pay that. Slapping on dealer installed extras is just pure greed. Then playing hardball over it?!! That's inexcusable.

Have you checked the BBB; Dealer Rater; Yelp; Google; etc? You might find that one dealer stands out.

 

[sajohnson]

I would hope the dealer hadn't run OP's credit yet so the number there is just an example of payment amounts. That should happen only after the vehicle is delivered since the application only lasts about a month typically.

Current Ford Credit promo rates for those with qualifying credit ratings are:

36 months 0.9%
48 months 1.9%
60 months 2.9%
72 months 4.9%
75 months 5.9%
84 months 6.9%

Are those rates available with the $1,000 order rebate, or is it either/or?

 

[max the dog]

I'd be extremely appreciative for any advice possible. I'm a chick here by myself and don't trust car dealerships!! Want to make sure what the dealership told me is accurate and that I'm not being taken advantage of...

I'm about to order a brand new bronco sport badlands (I sent dealership the build I want). I'm getting it basically fully loaded minus things like "engine block heater" and no "cross bars" and no "splash guards" and no "assistance kit" and no "Center Console Vault" and no "Cargo Management System". I have NEVER ever bought a BRAND NEW car before.... usually buy used (I've leased car for the past several years so I'm very rusty when it comes to buying).

I live in arizona and the dealership added "desert protection package" (almost $1,200!) and also added (BT security system $700). This brings the total cost of the car from SELLING PRICE of $40,610 to $47,200 ... (included screen shot of the fees)

I'm going to be getting ceramic and carbon tinted windows done elsewhere (NOT at the dealership)... so I am confused why they are wanting me to pay for "desert protection package". Am I being played by them?

They also have a "VTR" ($300) and the "DOC FEE" ($500). I feel like this dealership might have me by the throat... want to make sure I'm not being taken advantage of! =(

Thanks in advance for any possible advice!

I ordered my 21 BL and had dlr undercoating and "special outer coating". Not impressed with outer coating does not do much in a Maine winter.

 

[BoxerBronco]

I ordered my badlands in Michigan but my sales person knew that I went to Arizona for the winter. She didn’t have me add any of that to my Bronco

Right? They didn't try and sell us a "Blizzard Protection Package" lol...

Unbelievable...

 

[delm]

I'd be extremely appreciative for any advice possible. I'm a chick here by myself and don't trust car dealerships!! Want to make sure what the dealership told me is accurate and that I'm not being taken advantage of...

I'm about to order a brand new bronco sport badlands (I sent dealership the build I want). I'm getting it basically fully loaded minus things like "engine block heater" and no "cross bars" and no "splash guards" and no "assistance kit" and no "Center Console Vault" and no "Cargo Management System". I have NEVER ever bought a BRAND NEW car before.... usually buy used (I've leased car for the past several years so I'm very rusty when it comes to buying).

I live in arizona and the dealership added "desert protection package" (almost $1,200!) and also added (BT security system $700). This brings the total cost of the car from SELLING PRICE of $40,610 to $47,200 ... (included screen shot of the fees)

I'm going to be getting ceramic and carbon tinted windows done elsewhere (NOT at the dealership)... so I am confused why they are wanting me to pay for "desert protection package". Am I being played by them?

They also have a "VTR" ($300) and the "DOC FEE" ($500). I feel like this dealership might have me by the throat... want to make sure I'm not being taken advantage of! =(

Thanks in advance for any possible advice!

I used to live in AZ and bought several cars there. That Desert Protection Package is one they all try to add on. They'll tell you that AZ is an extremely harsh environment for cars and you need it. It is 100% optional, and I've never bought it. I even had a dealer tell me that it was already on the car, and I told them I was not paying it. I've never been charged for that package and never regretted it.

Same with the security system. You absolutely don't need it. They will sell it hard, but it's fully optional. Reject it. Just Say No. You don't want it. It also may already be on the car, but that is the risk the dealership takes. They just won't activate it if you don't buy it.

I don't know what the VTR fee is. It looks optional on the invoice, so question that one.

The documentation fee....there is no getting out of that one, and in my experience, $499 is not out of line. You should be at peace over that one (as much peace as any of us can ever feel for them doing paperwork to sell us a car).

 

[delm]

Thanks for your reply! The sales guy said the "desert protection package" includes ceramic tinted windows... so maybe I should find out if ALL the windows... meaning the windshield and the side windows and the rear window will be ceramic tinted.. then maybe it is worth keepig this desert proctection package? I don't trust car dealership selling cars... this is why I rather go get my windows tinted elsewhere so I really know what I am really getting...

Unfortunately, decades of shady car sales people have created a justified mistrust. It's really too bad.

There are some good ones out there! I hope you find one that you can trust. The more knowledgeable you are, the more the BS stops, so good job coming here asking questions.

 

[delm]

I'm in AZ. I just emailed the sales guy and told him to remove the "desert protection" and the "DT security system" or I cannot proceed. He replied with the below:

"I'm sorry but I cannot remove the add ons. We keep that on all of our incoming vehicles.
If you cannot proceed we understand.
Thank you,"

He then IGNORED all my other questions I asked in that same email. I've pasted below the exact email I sent him incase anyone's curous:

1. I really do not want the “desert protection package” or the “BT alarm system”. Please remove those addons or I can’t proceed. Pease do not add more things (add-ons) to the car… I simply want the build I specified and sent to you.
(Note: I’m going to be having my windows tinted with ceramic/carbon at another place (not at the dealership).

2. I need it in writing that the “fender flare II” will be included at dealership (fender flare to be in AREA 51 color). Is this fender PLASTIC? What material is it exactly?

3. Why is the DOC fee so high?

4. I also need to know what is the WARRANTY on this car… what does it cover and for how many miles?

5. What is the deposit amount I need to pay to secure this car and will it ensure 100% that NOBODY else can get this vehicle once it arrives? I don’t want to be in situation where, once car arrives, if someone else is interested in it that they can buy car if they are willing to pay higher price. I need to ensure the vehicle is SECURED to be sold to me at the price listed on the “buyer order form/ Purchase Agreement” you want me to sign right now. This signed Purchase Agreement needs to lock in my out the door price. I don’t want to be weaseled around on price once delivered.

6. Please remove VTR!

Thanks!

Run away. You are placing an order. You can order it exactly how you want from the factory, but the dealer claims that you have no choice as to what they add onto the car once the car you ORDERED shows up on their lot?

That is completely unreasonable.

 

[jsus]

Are those rates available with the $1,000 order rebate, or is it either/or?

I'm not aware of any terms on either incentive (promo interest rate or $1k custom order bonus cash) that preclude the use of the other, and nothing on the $1k indicates it can't be used with AXZD Plans, so no concerns there.

 

[delm]

Thanks for all the replies so far it has been VERY helpful!!

I went to another dealership and this new second dealership did NOT hit me with the “desert protection package” ( $1,197) or the “BT security system” ($699) nor did they hit me with “VTR” ($229) like the first dealership did. Ha! Guess the FIRST (old) dealership I went to really was toying with me.

Both dealerships matched the MSRP listed on ford. The only reason the VEHICLE SELLING PRICE is shown as being “cheaper” on FIRST dealership’s quote is because I forgot to add the “splash guards” to that build. MSRP for the vehicle is $40,830 when splash guards are included.

I’ve included screenshot below showing FIRST dealership vs SECOND dealership’s quote. I have 3 worries remaining:

1. Second (new) dealership I went to says when I sign the below paper that I am “guaranteed” to be able to buy the vehicle at shown price without having to be weaseled around in price war. They told me all I need to do is sign below piece of paper and they will order the car. The problem I’m having is that the below piece of paper does not seem to BIND anything? It isn’t even a contract or is it? NOWHERE on that paper does it state that I am guaranteed to buy the car at noted price without fear of price war when car actually arrives at dealership!!
2. I am financing car. Dealership said there are NO pre-payment penalties and that pre-payment penalties became illegal? Is this really true? I plan to put ZERO down and will select 72 or 84 month finance but after the first year or so I will pay it off early… so hopefully there really are NO pre-payment penalties.
3. I feel insane for not negotiating MSRP lower than what is listed! But I guess in these crazy times I should be happy to just pay MSRP with no mark-ups?

Sorry for all my questions… kind of scary buying a car… I don’t trust dealerships ?

As for Item 1 - you are placing an order, not signing a purchase contract. That happens when your car arrives. That paper is what you are ordering, and the price you're ordering it at. It is the most you will pay, and you COULD pay less. You won't necessarily want to haggle on price when your car arrives. It's true - they are going for MSRP, but there may be Manufacturer rebates or other discounts you are entitled to when your car arrives. You'll be able to figure out what rebates are available when your car shows up.

I just placed an order for a Badlands myself. I get X-Plan pricing, which is about $1,000 off of MSRP, but the order doesn't reflect this. My order shows MSRP. Doesn't matter - the dealer knows that I will be getting x-plan pricing when the vehicle arrives.

So don't worry about Item 1. This is a sales order, not a contract. Anything can happen between now and the time your car comes in. You could declare bankruptcy, and the dealership won't be obligated to find you financing for the car. But what this order tells you is exactly what the sale person told you: It's your car and this is the most you'll pay for it.

Item 2 - it's true. No prepayment penalties, ever.

Item 3 - yeah....don't bother trying. Dealers are marking these things up crazy amounts, other than customer orders that go for MSRP.

 

[Hondo]

you're being taken for a ride cancel and move to another dealer the $499 processing fee is
a gimmick.

 

[Tucsonight]

I'd be extremely appreciative for any advice possible. I'm a chick here by myself and don't trust car dealerships!! Want to make sure what the dealership told me is accurate and that I'm not being taken advantage of...

I'm about to order a brand new bronco sport badlands (I sent dealership the build I want). I'm getting it basically fully loaded minus things like "engine block heater" and no "cross bars" and no "splash guards" and no "assistance kit" and no "Center Console Vault" and no "Cargo Management System". I have NEVER ever bought a BRAND NEW car before.... usually buy used (I've leased car for the past several years so I'm very rusty when it comes to buying).

I live in arizona and the dealership added "desert protection package" (almost $1,200!) and also added (BT security system $700). This brings the total cost of the car from SELLING PRICE of $40,610 to $47,200 ... (included screen shot of the fees)

I'm going to be getting ceramic and carbon tinted windows done elsewhere (NOT at the dealership)... so I am confused why they are wanting me to pay for "desert protection package". Am I being played by them?

They also have a "VTR" ($300) and the "DOC FEE" ($500). I feel like this dealership might have me by the throat... want to make sure I'm not being taken advantage of! =(

Thanks in advance for any possible advice!

We bought our Badlands at McSpadden Ford in Globe, AZ -- no add ons, dealer incentives, doc fees, etc. Straight forward purchase and they even delivered it to our house in Tucson. Good luck.

 

[delm]

We bought our Badlands at McSpadden Ford in Globe, AZ -- no add ons, dealer incentives, doc fees, etc. Straight forward purchase and they even delivered it to our house in Tucson. Good luck.

no doc fees? I've never seen a dealership wave doc fees.

 

[Art4All]

no doc fees? I've never seen a dealership wave doc fees.

Mine does - it's the first thing on their web page. Sounds like it's a pretty rare thing, though.

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