This is why I hate dealing with Ford (and other domestic) Dealerships

"Battery Tender Unnecessary" (carac)
02/01/2016 at 11:12 • Filed to: None

I’ve begun my search for a Focus RS build slot to place an order and this is the type of reply I get. I explicitly state I’m looking for a 2016/17 Focus RS and nothing else and that I will be trading in a ‘14 Fiesta ST....and this is what I get in return...

Ugh.

DISCUSSION (19)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:17

Do you Twitter?

It might actually be of use, as you could talk with reps at Ford HQ who could help arrange contact with a dealer that can actually pay attention to your request.

Just a thought anyway.

functionoverfashion > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:17

Is this all via email? If so, I’d say you have to call and talk to a human, even if it’s the SAME human sending you those irrelevant emails. At least then you have a better chance of them listening, maybe? Or maybe you’re already dealing via phone, in which case, God help you.

Needmoargarage > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:18

Meh...close enough, right?

I’d call specific dealerships and start trying to figure out which one is the most helpful. Having a relationship with a dealership makes a big difference in trying to get a special car lined up.

On a related note, I hate dealing with (most) dealerships from the OEM side.

wiffleballtony > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:21

I’ve noticed this with many dealers. Trying to move what’s in stock.

JustAnotherG6 > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:22

If you live in the middle of the country (or you are willing to drive to Nebraska) I can recommend a dealership.

MLGCarGuy > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:24

What do you mean you don’t want a Focus SE? It’s the trim above the RS and it’s proven to be faster and save gas too. It even has an auto transmission so you can relax and enjoy the drive.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:24

I went through this when I placed an order, and that was just for a regular car.

Example email:

Hi I want to place an order for a 16 Tacoma with these options.

Example reply:

Great we have some coming in next week that aren’t what you are looking for and aren’t optioned the way you want. Which one of those will work for you?

I would delete it and go to the dealership in person.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:29

Same results here. It’s like they don’t listen at all.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:30

Did you specify everything for them? When I ordered mine, I sent out a list of the exact options I wanted (402A, 30M, Oxford White) and asked them for their best price. Most responded. The one I bought from not only responded with the best price, but they also knew what I was looking for and found a 2014 with the equivalent specs that they said they could get in because they didn’t know exactly how long it would take to get it in for me.

Basically, just email any you’d consider a possibility and let them try to win your business...

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
02/01/2016 at 11:37

Might also help point out to Ford HQ which dealers have FUCKING DOLTS managing their reply systems. I mean, BTU is the definition of a “big fish” customer that they would be smart to catch, but no - time to treat him like some imaginary version of a 21 year old pizza driver.

Tripper > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:37

Lol, I hate those responses. You’re going to have to call, and probably show up in person. When I was kicking around the idea of a Golf R. I had to call 3 dealers before I made any traction.

The first two had no idea what I was talking about but they did mention that they had a couple of GTI’s that would “work great for what I wanted”. My 5th phone call was the winner, they said that I could order one but to expect a undisclosed markup and that I could not get one until Feb at the earliest (this was early August). So I bought an S3 instead.

Brian, The Life of > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:38

This looks like a system generated response from their poorly-configured (or just shitty) CRM system. Research and contact their Internet Manager directly ... and be sure to point out the silly response you got. They will appreciate it.

macanamera > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:41

Email contact with dealerships is essentially a waste of time.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
02/01/2016 at 11:58

I was in no way implying that Ford/Domestics do not have far too many drooling simpletons in management and customer-facing positions.

Only offering a possible solution to get around the grunting Neaderthals who cannot process very simple emails correctly.

jim > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 11:59

that’s all dealerships. a few years back i was interested in a mazdaspeed 3 and emailed a dealer saying i wanted a black one with GPS. they wrote back telling me they have just what i was looking for! a silver one without GPS.....

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
02/01/2016 at 12:04

No, I got that - I was just saying that going to Ford over this via Twitter might accomplish more than one good.

Battery Tender Unnecessary > macanamera
02/01/2016 at 12:06

Yeah, and personal contact is sometimes not any better. Went to a local Cadillac dealer a month after the new CTS-V was unveiled and asked about getting on a list, was told they “stopped building CTS-V’s months ago” and that he had no idea about a new one. I never went back.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/01/2016 at 12:29

They just want to sell what is already in stock. Who cares what the customer actually wants?

marshknute > macanamera
02/01/2016 at 12:38

I managed to negotiate 3K off MSRP via email when I bought my 15' WRX. That's not to say 95% of it was a sea of auto-generated replies, but I eventually got through to a real human.