Sneaky Dealerships

[AZT9]

Just sitting here killing time on Cars.com and I come across this…

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[AZT9]

Let the Shenanigans commence.

 

[Sdctcher]

That VIN# denotes a Mannequin, which, according to Ford, cannot be sold by the Dealer for 6 months after delivery to the Dealer. The Dealer, however, can pre-sell it with delivery to the customer after the 6 months has elapsed. The only thing "Sneaky" would be the mark up of $15,000, which this Dealer is probably also charging on it's Reservation Orders (if any). Given the stated MSRP, this is a Basic XLT with no options (after adding Destination Charge) - not necessarily what I would want to buy - and if the Dealer has multiple offers he will probably start taking the highest bidder.

Buyer Beware!

 

[AZT9]

That VIN# denotes a Mannequin, which, according to Ford, cannot be sold by the Dealer for 6 months after delivery to the Dealer. The Dealer, however, can pre-sell it with delivery to the customer after the 6 months has elapsed. The only thing "Sneaky" would be the mark up of $15,000, which this Dealer is probably also charging on it's Reservation Orders (if any). Given the stated MSRP, this is a Basic XLT with no options (after adding Destination Charge) - not necessarily what I would want to buy - and if the Dealer has multiple offers he will probably start taking the highest bidder.

Buyer Beware!

Great investigating skills. I had a hunch that it might be a mannequin. we’re gonna start seeing the bidding wars begin before trucks are even off the trains.

 

[GDN]

That VIN# denotes a Mannequin, which, according to Ford, cannot be sold by the Dealer for 6 months after delivery to the Dealer. The Dealer, however, can pre-sell it with delivery to the customer after the 6 months has elapsed. The only thing "Sneaky" would be the mark up of $15,000, which this Dealer is probably also charging on it's Reservation Orders (if any). Given the stated MSRP, this is a Basic XLT with no options (after adding Destination Charge) - not necessarily what I would want to buy - and if the Dealer has multiple offers he will probably start taking the highest bidder.

Buyer Beware!

What about that VIN indicated it was a Mannequin?

 

[Sdctcher]

00001 - 002800 (approximate) are dealer stock built first in March.

Probably many are being built out of number sequence since it was really not possible for Ford to build many more than 500-700 per week. **

**My Opinion - No Source

 

[GDN]

00001 - 002800 (approximate) are dealer stock built first in March.

Probably many are being built out of number sequence since it was really not possible for Ford to build many more than 500-700 per week. **

**My Opinion - No Source

Thanks - I assumed likely the same, but you answered that with such authority like there was something there that said Mannequin.

Today seems to be the day dealers are going to ramp up their crazy game. Another one posting their mannequin on FB. He noted it as such and is just taking names of interested parties for the sale in 6 months. However, it is also an XLT, but posted it with pictures of a Platinum.

I truly wonder how many of these guys try to be slimy and see what they can get away with or if they are just that dumb.

 

[vandy1981]

Thanks - I assumed likely the same, but you answered that with such authority like there was something there that said Mannequin.

Today seems to be the day dealers are going to ramp up their crazy game. Another one posting their mannequin on FB. He noted it as such and is just taking names of interested parties for the sale in 6 months. However, it is also an XLT, but posted it with pictures of a Platinum.

I truly wonder how many of these guys try to be slimy and see what they can get away with or if they are just that dumb.

@Sdctcher is right--it's a mannequin. The mannequins contain "F001" in the "ITEM #" sequence.

If it was a retail order, the window sticker would state "SPECIAL ORDER" in the box beneath "TOTAL MSRP."

This is an example of a sticker from a retail order.

 

[beatle]

While I'm certainly no fan of dealer markups, my axe to grind with them is markup on orders, not inventory. If this is inventory, let them find a sucker willing to pay that markup and make the most of it. It just won't be me.

 

[SCandTC]

Gotta pay to skip the line

 

[Amps]

While I'm certainly no fan of dealer markups, my axe to grind with them is markup on orders, not inventory. If this is inventory, let them find a sucker willing to pay that markup and make the most of it. It just won't be me.

I agree, but their lack of transparency qualifies as a shenanigan when advertising a vehicle that has never seen their lot, and cannot be sold for six+ months. Sure, an ad that isn't transparent would be but a drop in the ocean of deceptive ads....

 

[beatle]

I agree, but their lack of transparency qualifies as a shenanigan when advertising a vehicle that has never seen their lot, and cannot be sold for six+ months. Sure, an ad that isn't transparent would be but a drop in the ocean of deceptive ads....

That's a good point. I suppose they're just trying to line up a buyer early, but that should be disclosed in the description. I find it amusing/lazy that they obviously used a canned description in the seller notes. This thing has power windows!? You'd think for such a special listing they would at least put 5 minutes into the description and copy/paste something from Ford's product page.

 

[LightningShow]

Wait...are there dealerships that aren't sneaky?

 

[williams]

Dealers have a pricing tool, Im going to bet this one was dropped into the inventory and the Rules for lighting setup by that dealer are +15k. They will likely leave it to drive foot traffic, not that it matters you cant conceivably get one for 3 years if you walked in today.

 

[jazzmanmonty]

I agree, but their lack of transparency qualifies as a shenanigan when advertising a vehicle that has never seen their lot, and cannot be sold for six+ months. Sure, an ad that isn't transparent would be but a drop in the ocean of deceptive ads....

I've run into this a lot on cars .com lately looking for a pickup for my uncle. They'll post a truck saying they have it, you call them and they say to come in to check it out. You get there and they say "sorry its sold, but check out this other truck we have." In one instance, they posted a truck, so i checked ford's dealer inventory website before i called to see if they actually have it. Sure enough it hadn't even arrived to their dealer yet.. still on order.

I'm surprised an attorney hasn't put together a class action lawsuit with all the crap going on. Cars .com needs to step it up too and require better validation if the dealer has a vehicle.. and one step further- force dealerships to disclose ADM when posting.

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