Normal dealer practice?

[MikeFreas]

My special order 12 limited AWD was delivered to the dealer about a week ago. Last night I visited their site just for fun and was surprised to find my truck listed for sale. Though I haven’t actually signed the paperwork I have put money down and agreed to the price. The salesman/dealer knew when I ordered I would not be picking the vehicle up until mid Oct.
Am I out of line expecting the vehicle to not be driven on test drives? If they want to allow people to look at a fully loaded example that’s one thing but having miles on my truck is another.

 

[RandyH2]

Until you sign paperwork you have nothing but their good faith. Once you've been through the car buying experience you learn the value of the dealership's good faith.

If you still plan to buy the Explorer and it has been test driven I would negotiate another $200 off of the price, a free oil change, something, because you have no way of knowing what happened during that test drive (did they red-line the motor?)

 

[Joe Dirt]

What does "listed for sale" mean- if it means that you search the dealer inventory and it still shows up, that's normal. It won't come out of their inventory until the ownership transfer/transaction goes through the system. If it means it's being driven and they are taking offers on it, yeah, that's a sign of a s**t dealership.

 

[MikeFreas]

Until you sign paperwork you have nothing but their good faith. Once you've been through the car buying experience you learn the value of the dealership's good faith.

If you still plan to buy the Explorer and it has been test driven I would negotiate another $200 off of the price, a free oil change, something, because you have no way of knowing what happened during that test drive (did they red-line the motor?)

I know I have no legal grounds to complain about it being listed. I spoke at length with the salesman on the phone and via e-mail about keeping it on the lot for me until I get there.

They don't have any obgliation to not allow someone to test drive it but I'm under no obligation to buy it either. I seriously doubt they want a 50k sale walking out the door in these times.

 

[new to ford]

They don't have any obgliation to not allow someone to test drive it but I'm under no obligation to buy it either. I seriously doubt they want a 50k sale walking out the door in these times.

when I bought ours, prior to signing and taking delivery, the dealership asked for a "good faith" $100.00 fully refundable deposit. I agreed and they assured me that for test drive purposes it could not be used for any other potential customers as it was being considered "sold" to me even though I could back out any minute and get my deposit back. Did you give them some kind of deposit? if yes, I don't see how they can let anyone else test drive it.

 

[MikeFreas]

What does "listed for sale" mean- if it means that you search the dealer inventory and it still shows up, that's normal. It won't come out of their inventory until the ownership transfer/transaction goes through the system. If it means it's being driven and they are taking offers on it, yeah, that's a sign of a s**t dealership.

They only have 9 12 X's on the page currently with mine being the most equiped. If someone wanted to see what a "balls out" loaded model looked like thats fine, having 1k miles on it when I get there in three weeks is not.

 

[new to ford]

I read your original post and you say you put money down:
THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THEY SHOULD LET ANYBODY "TEST DRIVE IT"

If the dealership is ethical, nobody should be "test driving" your vehicle.
I remember in February, explorers were so scarce, we couldn't even find one to have my wife check out the interior, seats, etc. We called several dealers and only one had one in stock but it had been customer ordered by somebody else and ther were very firm on not letting us test drive (which I can understand why) but they did allow us to sit in it and they gave us a little explanation on the basic features.. That was enough to convince my wife that the ex was going to be our next vehicle

 

[MikeFreas]

when I bought ours, prior to signing and taking delivery, the dealership asked for a "good faith" $100.00 fully refundable deposit. I agreed and they assured me that for test drive purposes it could not be used for any other potential customers as it was being considered "sold" to me even though I could back out any minute and get my deposit back. Did you give them some kind of deposit? if yes, I don't see how they can let anyone else test drive it.

500.00 deposite down when the order was placed plus a agreement about the final price minus any additional rebates that come along.

 

[MikeFreas]

I read your original post and you say you put money down:
THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THEY SHOULD LET ANYBODY "TEST DRIVE IT"

If the dealership is ethical, nobody should be "test driving" your vehicle.
I remember in February, explorers were so scarce, we couldn't even find one to have my wife check out the interior, seats, etc. We called several dealers and only one had one in stock but it had been customer ordered by somebody else and ther were very firm on not letting us test drive (which I can understand why) but they did allow us to sit in it and they gave us a little explanation on the basic features.. That was enough to convince my wife that the ex was going to be our next vehicle

I may be getting upset for no reason. During the first few months, when 11's were just hitting the streets and I was still looking from Japan, the local HI dealership showed like 10 vehicles (with window stickers) on their site but there wern't actually on the lot. My point is they may list all vehicles regardless of how they were ordered. I'm going to call as soon as I can.

 

[MikeFreas]

Called and spoke with the sales manager because my salesman is off today. My truck is in the back building with a hold sign on it and not for sale.

 

[FordService]

Called and spoke with the sales manager because my salesman is off today. My truck is in the back building with a hold sign on it and not for sale.

That’s great news, MikeFreas! Now there’s no need to worry about anyone ogling your new ride!

Cory

 

[peterk9]

They only have 9 12 X's on the page currently with mine being the most equiped. If someone wanted to see what a "balls out" loaded model looked like thats fine, having 1k miles on it when I get there in three weeks is not.

Hey, when I ordered mine back in December, there weren't any Explorers to look at except on the Internet. It is the first vehicle I've ever ordered without actually having seen, touched or driven.

I'm sure you will enjoy your new ride and October is just around the corner.

 

[alexk]

Thats normal. Even though its an order the vehicle has to be stocked. Sales dept will know that its an ordered vehicle and not for sale but the vehicle still needs to be put into inventory so they can report it sold when you pick it up.

 

[Spengracin]

Don't worry Mike, Joe is right, it will show in the inventory, your x should be in a corner hiding until younget there. I don't know about the rest of the states, in California any vehicle driven over 100 miles before it's first sell off, is no longer considered new, it must be sold as a dealer demo.
Our forum checklist has that also, check it out.