Today I went out to one of the local Ford dealerships (SVT Certified).

Standing around with his hands in his pockets was an overweight, middle-aged salesman. I went over to him and as we were chatting I asked him if he'd seen the new '05 Stang. He replied he had. So I asked him if the one he'd seen was here in Canada (cause there haven't been any in western Canada, to my knowledge).

That's when he made the wise-hiney remark: "Last time I checked, this was Canada."

Ignoring the smart remark, I asked him when he had seen it, and he told me that it had come through the dealership a while back as part of a cross-Canada tour for Ford dealers. According to him, the plates said Minnesota.

So, of course, I asked him what he thought of the car. He told me he wasn't impressed. I asked him why not. He said there were too many cheap plastic bits on it. I asked him where, specifically. He told me that the interior was cheap and plasticky. I reminded him that it was a significant improvement on the current generation car, particularly with the IUP, to which he replied: "Not really."

He went on to tell me that the improvements in overall quality seemed minimal to him. He thought the car looked nice, and "went like a bat out of heck," but he really wasn't terribly impressed overall, and didn't seem to mind telling me so. He just really couldn't have cared less, frankly.

Way to sell your product, there, bubba. This would seem to tie in to the horror stories that are frequently reported about Ford dealerships, sales staff and after-sales service.

 

This story gave me a laugh. Thanks for posting it!

 

What a moron. You expect car salesmen not to know too much about their product or competitors product(most don't seem to..this counts double for consumer electronics salesmen) but you would think that they would at least be reinforcing whatever your excitment is on the '05 so he can get you to buy the darn thing. After all, it's his livelyhood, yes?

If you don't love everbody you can't sell anybody.

-Old dude in Jerry Maguire

 

Speaking of rude Ford salespeople (they're more common than anyone here can imagine), here's an all-too-polite reply my Ford dealer sent me when I emailed them asking why no one will answer my 2005 Mustang questions (note: I placed an ORDER at this dealer!) I did throw in a vague threat to cancel my order if nobody responds... let's see how they handle that, shall we...

"If you want to cancel your order, that is fine, it allows us a vehicle to sell that we would normally not be allotted. I am sure the sales force will be quite happy. As soon as we have the ability to recover the computer system, I will have the order canceled and have your deposit returned."

Lovely, ain't it.

I replied saying that I could be spending $30,000 on a BMW. If I did that well- I get a BMW!- and I get amazing customer service. Funny how the same $30,000 is looked at so differently between a "proud buy-American!" brand and a "snooty Euro" brand (I am enjoying the latter at this point and there's still 2 months before my Stang' comes in... ugh.)

 

Ford needs to completely revamp it's customer relations from the top on down, IMHO.

Lexus, Infiniti and Acura learned this lesson 15 years ago. Strict attention to customer service is an axiom in sales. Take a look at the following post from Phil Edmonston - the guy who publishes Lemonaide. With competition so stiff now, and Ford in financial difficulties, this kind of treatment is anathema to success, and taking a chance buying a Ford product is starting to scare me, frankly.

http://www.lemonaidcars.com/index.html


No wonder so many people buy imports!

 

When I was looking for my car I had a bad run in with a "dealership". Salesman, Finance Guy, and Sales Manager. They wanted 2K more then my car was worth, they stated it was due to the color, right. So, I went down the street and another dealer had the same car but in better condition. I had a beautiful saleswoman, she knew the car and it's specs better then anyone at the other dealership, the sales manager worked with me and I got the price I wanted. 2 hours later I had it and drove back to the other dealership with her in the passanger seat and flashed them the contract. It was alot of fun. I can be a snot when someone treats me wrong.

Ignore the salesman, he might have been having a bad day and took it out on the car. I'm sure other salespeople have different opinions. It's going to be a great car for the money, no doubt.

 

Hey bro i live in vancouver too..what dealer did you go too? i talked to a "john lippold" head sales manager at richportfordlincoln.com today and he couldnt of been any nicer.He really seemed to know his stuff,and said he would email any info he gets as soon as possible.He said he was taking orders now,but doesnt think he will have any cars till like early oct.

ps: i got 2005 lemon aid book also...does make ya ponder dont it...they really trashed mustangs in review part of book,but then on page 8 they give "smart buys" ford mustang...so go figure book?
You might wanna also try getting "the canadian used car guide 2004" by daniel heraud.He says some good things about the mustang "The mustang is a versatile and affordable sportscar thats way ahead in the race against it rivals"

 

Yup, I was at the Richmond Auto Mall dealership yesterday afternoon, and whoever this guy was, he just couldn't have cared less. He did say late September, early October too, though.

Mind you, my experience is that most people who sell cars, fall into it, and don't really want to be selling cars.

Occasionally, you do get the ones who truly like what they do...and care about what they do.

This guy tried to tell me that the new Mustang isn't any better quality than the outgoing SN-95 model.

I guess I'm just going to have to wait to see the car in "the flesh" to judge for myself.

Maybe we can connect out there one weekend when the '05s come in, and see for ourselves. I'm looking forward to the Vancouver Mustang Club's Pony Show at Spanish Banks next month, though!

 

Since we're all ragging on dealerships... I took my '98 Mustang to Beechmont Ford in Cincinnati for some routine warranty work. Nothing huge, I don't even remember what the problems were 3 years down the line. I was on spring break, so I took the car in on Monday and told them that I needed it back by Friday - this was scheduled way in advance. Friday rolls around, and my car still isn't ready. I asked when they thought it would be, and they replied that they hadn't even LOOKED at my car yet. Uh... so why did you need it all week? THEN, they refused to give me a loaner. 30 minutes later, they called back and apologized and got me a loaner, and to make matters worse they never fixed any of the small problems.

I had practically forgotten about all of this... crud. Maybe an '05 Mustang isn't in my future.

 

Goes to show how absorbant that jerk was. That only plates are Michigan, its had to be a Blue Manufactures Plate. Most likey He was too fat to be interested in anything less than an F-350

 

don't broad-brush all sales people with one stroke...just like the rest of us, there are hineyholes and decent folk. i will say this, though: you're going to THEM, not the other way around...that may sound simplistic but it sets the tone for the interchange: they have something you want.

my advice: don't even bother talking to a dealer about product info, especially FUTURE product info...remember, they're in business to sell the metal that's "on the floor" not what may be coming down the pipe in a few months. also, when the car comes in to the dealers, take the car for a testdrive and see how it feels. when you come back from the drive, DO NOT talk price under any circumstances...never...strictly a no-no. don't bring up price at all...if the salesman mentions sitting down to strike a deal or talk about price, get his email and conduct all negotiations over the net, this takes away his comfort zone, to a certain degree. tell him you will be contacting him after you get home and go over the options and pricing info you have. at that point you should be walking out the door...either with his number or email...but either way don't stay.

once the test drive is done, it's easier to this consumer, to conduct the transaction over the net or the phone. jackg 90seville 95k

 

Yes you are going to them, but without us, they have nothing......
....we have something THEY want.... $$$$
2 way street....

....they may not be knocking down our doors, but once your in there and they have your name/number... see what happens
They WILL come back to you.

 

I have grand plans when Eleanor comes home.
I had THE dealer picked out. They did me wrong.
Sooooooo in turn, I plan to go to the new dealership I picked out, get her, and drive her to the dealer who did me wrong, and tell them thanks.

 

Justgreat, Awesome post... I'll have to keep that in mind... since any time I've gone to buy a car they use the "sweat tactic" and make ya haggle for hours on end... one sec got a phone call, have to go talk to sales manager... ie I am gonna go take a 30 minute coffee break while you sit there and do nothing. :bang: I will definitly use that tactic the next time I visit a dealership.

 

I will walk to where I am going before I go through Finance at the dealer- when I bought the Olds it was a WORLD RECORD SEVEN!!! Hour ordeal.Worst thing is, the car was six months old when I bought it. I am getting $$$$ from my bank, walking in and driving out.
I have a wonderful distrust of ALL Car dealers- Last time I stepped foot on a lot, I made the stupid mistake of giving my real # instead of a fake one, the salesman called me 2 times a day for weeks. I once bought a (cough) neon from which the clutch plate promptly dropped out, Did they fix it? Noooooooo. (Youre a woman and women can't drive manuals, you broke it. HUH?). And the "largest" car dealer in rolltideabama. Indeed. they can KMC.
So I am at the same time drawn and repelled by the shiny car dealer lot. I have taken to window shopping when theyre closed- to avoid the sharks and snakes.
I absolutely feel wronged- Monday I am "approved" but I am going to the beach Tuesday, be back Friday. In my unconfirmed suspicions, someone came along willing to pay sticker for it in those 3 days and on Friday "sorry, you were not approved" I didn't fight it, I just found another dealer- Ford Dealers are plentiful in Alabammy. Barring that, there are plenty of em on Long Island I can play with.

 

From my experience, you simply can't have a fun/relaxed time at a ford dealership. I worked for 2 years in the service department for my local dealership in TN. I was just a guy to help out around since I was only 16 when I started. The salesmen did not like the repair technincians and they really felt they were better than everyone. I actually left after the 2 years becuase it was just too ridiulous and I let the sales manager know. I really don't know what makes ford dealerships such a black hole for common decency. I hope my experience is not accurate of them all, but I have a bad feeling that it is.

 

AMEN!

I don't like the fact of things you HAVE to have are a pain in the crack to get. Slithery snakes they are...

 

AMEN!

I don't like the fact of things you HAVE to have are a pain in the crack to get. Slithery snakes they are... [/b][/quote]
OW!! That one really hurts.

 

Most salesmen at Dealerships Don't know about cars they are saleing only thing they what do is what time is tee off for their golf game :nono:

 

heheh
Unfortunately crappy salespeople have given other GOOD sales people a bad name......