Production Time?

[wally107]

Noobie here. And I'll apologize up front if this is covered in another thread...did a quick search and couldn't find anything.

I'm copying this over from another forum, as I believe there's a Ford Customer Service Rep on here that may be of some help...

My father ordered his 2011 Ranger in early July. Has been given the royal run-around by EVERYONE - dealer, Ford (several levels of supervisors) and has been given (in writing) numerous delivery dates and excuses (dealer allocation, parts from Japan, etc).

Obviously, the truck still isn't here, and he's been unable to even find out if it's been built.

I should note - he ordered a plain-jane, vanilla truck - no options what so ever. The dealer he ordered it from just received 3 Rangers - but all are 4X4's with numerous options (which he doesn't want).

Anyone know what's going on?

 

[Joe Dirt]

You might PM FordCustSrvc, Cory can probably check for you. He's the resident Ford rep around these parts, and has been checking the Explorer orders but I don't see why he can't help with this one...

 

[wally107]

You might PM FordCustSrvc, Cory can probably check for you. He's the resident Ford rep around these parts, and has been checking the Explorer orders but I don't see why he can't help with this one...

Thanx Joe. Cory is the Rep I was thinking of. Sadly, I don't have enough posts to PM, so I'm hoping he sees this.

Pop talked to the dealer last night. The truck is now "IN TRANSIT" coming in to Selkirk, NY (by rail, I presume). Dealer has now promised to contact the Selkirk yard and ask for it to be expedited...but I'm not holding my breath.

Again, the biggest frustration has been the bold face lies from Ford. About 3 weeks ago, Pop filed a complaint with the BBB (useless, but it made him feel better). I guess the BBB contacted Ford, who sent a response letter back to the BBB. This letter had completely contradictory info from what they had told him (all of which is in emails - Pop's very **** about his documentation).

On top of that, (if there was such a thing)...the 2012 Rangers would be out now, so in some respects (warranty, resale), this truck will be a year old when he gets it.

I'm trying to get him to get some sort of consideration from the dealer...we'll see.

Thanx again. Wally

 

[RangerX]

Wally, I sent Cory a link to this thread, let's see if he can do anything for you.

 

[wally107]

Thanx Ranger.

As I said, as of Friday, it's IN TRANSIT - although I've heard that can sometimes drag on too. The dealer "promised" delivery this week (11/28-12/2).

Honestly, even if it is delivered this week, I really would like to address this with someone. We've all had poor service. Sadly, we almost expect it anymore. Nonetheless, Ford's conduct during this whole thing far exceeded "poor customer service." When a company out-and-out lies to you (and knowlingly, I believe)...it's just not right...no one should be treated this way.

 

[Scott B.]

Wally,

I think the problem is your dealer, not Ford. I had similar bad dealer experience when I ordered my 2006 Ranger.

 

[wally107]

Wally,

I think the problem is your dealer, not Ford. I had similar bad dealer experience when I ordered my 2006 Ranger.

Well, it's sort of a "how much did he know, and when did he know it?" thing. Did he know it would take 5 months? If he did, why didn't he say so? I think the dealer bears some of this, just not sure how much.

As far as Ford...that's a whole different story. Aside from giving us several different dates (some in Oct, some in Nov), they said the dealer ordered it wrong...then said he didn't. They said it was a "dealer allocation" problem...but then said it wasn't. It seems every phone call/email contradicted the last. Pop went through several levels of supervisors, but I think some were actually the same people. Shameful, just shameful. Ford is most definitely the problem.

And now he has a year-old truck that he hasn't even driven yet.

I'm on my second Ford, this will be Pop's 4th. I can't speak for him, but I won't even consider a Ford for my next vehicle.

 

[Scott B.]

Well, pick your battles. I know what you are experiencing is frustrating, but you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

Ford's are quality products - not to buy another because of a little miscommunication is rather ridiculous. Talk to any other automobile manufacturer/dealer - I would be really surprised if you had any other experience.

And, the truck is not a year old - it is brand new. Not only that, Rangers will be out of production (forever?) in 19 days.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I sort of agree- while frustrating, your salesman may have been giving them bad info, and I'm sure to some degree, both of them are telling you less than the whole story just to cover themselves.

Just a thought, since it's a possible scenario-

The problem with dealer allocation type orders is very well documented, and that dealer may have in fact sold your truck in the hopes that they would receive the one that you ordered (and they reordered) before anyone was the wiser. Problem is, they got caught waiting for the thing to arrive because it didn't come in as fast as they needed.

Ford isn't perfect, but it's frightening how many issues end up being true dealer issues and Ford shoulders the blame for them. Not saying that it isn't true in this case, I'm just saying in general... In the end though, Ford should be on top of these dealers- because to me, if you have a Ford sign outside, you're Ford- which is how most other people think too. Bad dealers are not healthy for a company that is having issues, especially with the stupid dealer allocation problems, and stuff like MFT. They compound the issues in an effort to appease the customer. Just be honest, and we'll be more satisfied- nobody is perfect, but lying to people sucks.

 

[Scott B.]

Ford isn't perfect, but it's frightening how many issues end up being true dealer issues and Ford shoulders the blame for them. Not saying that it isn't true in this case, I'm just saying in general... In the end though, Ford should be on top of these dealers- because to me, if you have a Ford sign outside, you're Ford- which is how most other people think too. Bad dealers are not healthy for a company that is having issues, especially with the stupid dealer allocation problems, and stuff like MFT. They compound the issues in an effort to appease the customer. Just be honest, and we'll be more satisfied- nobody is perfect, but lying to people sucks.

I agree with that - unfortunately, that is not how Ford views it...

 

[FordService]

Thanx Joe. Cory is the Rep I was thinking of. Sadly, I don't have enough posts to PM, so I'm hoping he sees this...

Welcome to the forum, Wally! I’d be happy to help by checking on your order. For me to do that, I would need your dealer name/dealer code & order number or VIN. I sent you a PM, so please check your inbox to see if you can reply with those details.

You might PM FordCustSrvc, Cory can probably check for you. He's the resident Ford rep around these parts, and has been checking the Explorer orders but I don't see why he can't help with this one...

Wally, I sent Cory a link to this thread, let's see if he can do anything for you.

Thanks for the shout-out, Joe Dirt & RangerX!

Cory

 

[wally107]

Pop got a call from the dealer this afternoon. Truck arrived today and is being prepped. He'll pick it up tomorrow. I'm sure he'll be a little more upbeat once he's in it, but today he said "They've taken all the excitement out of it." and he's just glad the nonsense is over.

Well, pick your battles. I know what you are experiencing is frustrating, but you are making a mountain out of a molehill....Ford's are quality products - not to buy another because of a little miscommunication is rather ridiculous.

Well, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. However, I could easily find just as many people that feel Chevy are quality products...and Dodge are quality products...and Toyota, Nissan, and on and on. The reality is, it's more than product quality, it's service, and more importantly, how the customer is treated that generates customer loyalty. This went beyond "miscommunication" early on.

And, the truck is not a year old - it is brand new.

Not necessarily. Most people are aware that the new model year vehicles come out the previous fall. And many people keep this in mind when buying a used vehicle. Also, I'm not exactly sure how warranties are determined...i.e. date of order, date of delivery...but that may be impacted as well.

Not only that, Rangers will be out of production (forever?) in 19 days.

Not quite sure what that has to do with anything...but you are correct.

I suppose my venting and ranting are over. Thanx to all for listening! Wally

P.S. to Cory - sent you a PM.

 

[fifthranger]

Not necessarily. Most people are aware that the new model year vehicles come out the previous fall. And many people keep this in mind when buying a used vehicle. Also, I'm not exactly sure how warranties are determined...i.e. date of order, date of delivery...but that may be impacted as well.

Warranties shouldn't be impacted since the warranty kicks in when you receive the vehicle. Dealerships order all vehicles (whether you special order your vehicle or not) or there would be nothing on the lot. Depending on previous sales or future expectations, dealers try to stock what will sell. That is why die-hard stick shift fans or other not so common packages are harder to come by. Dealers don't want to be stuck with inventory they can't sell. My wife and I both got new vehicles in spring/fall of 07'. She leased a 2007 Ford Edge in May 2007 (late build), and I bought a 2008 Ford Ranger in August 2007 (early build). The warranty for my wife's vehicle was 3 years/36,000 miles (whichever comes last), while my warranty was 5 years/60,000 miles. Any safety related recall, is in essence a warranty, and you are covered for life of the vehicle. My dad bought a 92 Cougar used with nearly 60,000 miles (in fall 1994), and the vehicle was recalled in 97/98 for having issues with the fuel system leaking. He had already paid an independent shop to fix it, but recalls not announced before-hand are still the manufacturer's responsibility, so Ford reimbursed him for what they rate the "time and labor spent". He still received nearly 90+% of the repair cost. I can understand the frustration dealing with the dealer vs. Ford, etc. I had a situation that I won't go into, and I agree with the response by Joe Dirt in that the manufacturer takes the blame despite not owning the dealer. The good news is that the problem is finally resolved, and Rangers are good quality vehicles. You shouldn't have any issues to worry about, and a 2011 vehicle is still a 2011 vehicle -- regardless if it was manufactured in May or Sept. A used vehicle has mileage, and a brand new from the factory vehicle shouldn't have more than 3 or 4 miles (after I test drove my 08' the title listed only 8 miles). The fact that Ford is discountinuing the Ranger should add to the resale and not hurt it since less used vehicles would turn up on the used car lots. Remember, the Ranger in its prime sold 500,000 units a year, and the last couple of years, have been lucky to see 30,000 built. I truly hope everything works out well in ownership, and don't be a stranger. We like to hear about post buying experiences, too.