Seeking Advice for Day of Purchase

[knot_another_won]

This forum has been immensely helpful to me over the past 14+ months from reservation to build to near future delivery and I'm hoping to tap into the collective intelligence for advice again. I believe I am about 5 or 6 weeks away from my truck being delivered to my dealer so I would like to know what considerations, preparations, conversations people made prior to picking up their truck during the actual transaction or, perhaps more importantly WISH they had made prior to and during the transaction.

I already have my financing squared away but I have heard several people describe terrible interactions during the sale. We all know how challenging it can be working with a dealership and that there are various techniques many use to take advantage of under-educated and poorly prepared customers - especially when it comes to the mysterious sales manager and finance personnel (who I am hoping to avoid altogether). I'm not anticipating any hijinx from the dealer but I want to make sure I'm eyes wide open as to what to expect and how to short circuit any headaches before they appear.

Thanks in advance for any input.

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[metroshot]

Yes, the 14 month wait has been long but worthwhile.

I just picked up my Lariat Lightning this week and very happy.

The only issues I had which I wish the dealer experience should have been easier are:

1. Price protection - make sure the dealer knows how to pull up a Smart VINCENT report to allow you to benefit from either order date or delivery date.

2. Correctly applying your deposits (reservation & order) along with your state's rebates (if any) with F&I manager.

3. Get to meet your service manager to get an understanding of their service loaners (if any).

4. Ensuring a smooth handoff with an EV specialist/salesperson who will setup your Lightning to your Ford Pass app.

5. Ford customer satisfaction survey - being able to tell yourself if you are going to give them perfect 5 stars score or not...

 

[knot_another_won]

Yes, the 14 month wait has been long but worthwhile.

I just picked up my Lariat Lightning this week and very happy.

The only issues I had which I wish the dealer experience should have been easier are:

1. Price protection - make sure the dealer knows how to pull up a Smart VINCENT report to allow you to benefit from either order date or delivery date.

2. Correctly applying your deposits (reservation & order) along with your state's rebates (if any) with F&I manager.

3. Get to meet your service manager to get an understanding of their service loaners (if any).

4. Ensuring a smooth handoff with an EV specialist/salesperson who will setup your Lightning to your Ford Pass app.

5. Ford customer satisfaction survey - being able to tell yourself if you are going to give them perfect 5 stars score or not...

@metroshot , it was that exact thread about the customer satisfaction survey that got me thinking about this. I figure the more we know what people feel like they wish they'd known going in, the better prepared the rest of us can be. I appreciate the specific guidance in the other points. It is all valuable as I get my ducks in a row.

Thank you to all you guinea pigs out there helping to pave the way for the rest of us!

 

[vandy1981]

-Make sure your frunk is aligned and that your 360 camera images are stitched together well, if equipped
-Confirm you have your portable charger (should be in frunk)--I got NEMA and Tesla adapters too, but I don't know if they're still doing that
-Confirm you have your trailer backup assist stickers (if yours is equipped with the tow tech package) (should be in glovebox)
-Confirm that you have your frunk cargo net (should be in frunk)
-Confirm you have the plug covers for the tailgate wiring (should be in glove box)
-Make sure you have the card that shows your keypad code (should be in glove box)

 

[PV2EV]

Ensure jack and spare are onboard.

 

[Lightning.Dav]

4. Ensuring a smooth handoff with an EV specialist/salesperson who will setup your Lightning to your Ford Pass app.

@metroshot,
I set up FordPass as soon as I got my VIN. What else do they need to do when I actually get the truck? Thanks.

 

[metroshot]

@metroshot,
I set up FordPass as soon as I got my VIN. What else do they need to do when I actually get the truck? Thanks.

The sales rep will activate the account (Ford Pass) so that you will have full access to the additional menu items.

Before it got activated, I could only see the image of my truck and a few items (tow, wifi, etc) but not the entire list of other features which the app can do.

Albeit, the app is not as robust as the vehicle's infotainment system, but it can do basic stuff get notifications.

 

[MapleMan650]

@metroshot What’s the benefit of the Smart VINCENT report? What does that ensure for us during the sale?

 

[Lightning.Dav]

@metroshot What’s the benefit of the Smart VINCENT report? What does that ensure for us during the sale?

@metroshot has a thread discussing it here:
metroshots smart VINCENT thread

 

[broncoaz]

My dealer showed me a screen when I stopped in last week that had the invoice price higher than MSRP for my order. He was making the claim that they are losing money on EV’s. I told him I knew about the programs that compensated the dealership 10% of MSRP if they followed all the programs, so $4600 on my truck. He said it only nets $2500 on my Pro for the dealer. I don’t think they would be willing to chase the $100 difference in D&D for me, but whatever. They were great to work with on my Bronco and sofar on the Lightning.

 

[SoFLALightning]

If you’re doing a trade in get the value agreed beforehand.

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