Plan Buying Made Easy
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Due to the high volume of threads asking about "Plan" sales, here is a concise posting of most items usually askedover and over.
Plan Buying Information
Everyday there is at least one new thread asking a question about buying on X-Plan, or one of the other plans offered by Ford. I will try to condense the Dealer Plan manual into this thread and hit most of the common topics.
A-Plan is designed for Ford employees and their immediate families.
Z-Plan is for retired Ford Employees and their immediate families.
D-Plan is for Dealership Employees and their immediate families.
Who's Eligible For X-Plan [since this is where most questions arise]
• Employees (full time, part-time and contract), retirees and their spouses of eligible partner companies (suppliers, fleets, etc.) and universities where Ford recruits.
• Members, Customers and spouses of selected organizations/associations with close strategic ties to Ford Motor Company.
• Selected individuals sponsored by a Ford Motor Company employee or retiree through the Friends & Neighbors Program.
• Participation is by invitation only, not all suppliers, fleets, etc. are eligible.
• Two new products per calendar year may be purchased/leased in total.
Dealers are NOT required to accept “Plan” deals. Some will and some won’t.
In order to buy under a “Plan” deal, the buyer is required to obtain a Pin number which is used by the dealer to confirm eligibility. This is to be done prior to contacting the dealership or negotiating price. On occasion some vehicles are excluded from “plan” deals. Currently those vehicles are: Escape Hybrid, GT supercar, and all trucks F450/E450 and above. Below is a quote right out of the plan guideline manual.
• The dealer is required to furnish a copy of the Ford invoice as well as complete a “plan” worksheet which spells out the details of the purchase as well as your eligibility. The dealership may also NOT charge separately for document preparation or other administrative services in connection with the sale of the vehicle. These expenses are considered to be part of the dealer's normal cost of doing business for which the dealership is compensated by the commission paid.
Unless you are eligible under one of the categories listed for a “plan” sale, about the only way for the average person to be able to buy under a “plan” program is to obtain a Pin number from a Ford employee under the Friends and Neighbors plan. Dealership employees do not have the capability to hand out Pin Numbers under the program. There is a website that has a forum section for Ford Employees and I am told that a person might possibly obtain a Pin number there but due to “Plan” rules I can not publish the information. It is readily available however.
On “Hot” vehicles like the Mustang, some dealers may only allow the use of a Pin on an ordered vehicle at a lower priority than a regular retail sale so make sure you play 20 questions with your dealer.
To give an idea, here is approximate plan pricing:
A&Z – 4% under factory invoice
D-Plan- same as “A” plus $100
X- has a long formula but normally it is at or just under dealer invoice.
In each case, all retail factory invoices for vehicle that are eligible will clearly show the Plan price which is why the dealer is required to furnish a copy at delivery.
FAQ’s from the Plan guidelines:
WHAT ARE SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?
May the participant purchase or lease?
Yes. They can purchase or lease any qualified vehicle in the New Vehicle Purchase Plan provided you are a qualified participant with a good credit rating. Financing, whether purchase or lease, may be obtained at the customer's discretion from any source.
How long do participants have to keep an "A/X/Z/D" Plan vehicle?
They must keep an "A/X/Z/D" Plan vehicle in their possession and registered in their name for at least six months from the date of purchase or lease.
Do dealers make a profit on the New Vehicle Purchase Plan?
Yes. Dealers receive a commission from Ford Motor Company on each New Vehicle Purchase Plan transaction. On X-Plan sales, the amount paid over the A-Plan price is retained by the dealer.
Can I sell a used vehicle or dealer demonstrator on the "A/X/Z/D" Plan?
Not a used vehicle, however, a dealer demonstrator is eligible, as long as the demo has less than 250 miles.
May I charge a "document fee" or other added fees. Is this allowed?
No. Fees for document preparation or similar administrative services are not allowed.For those living in states where state law requires dealers to assess fees on a vehicle purchase to all customers, dealers should indicate documentation fees have been paid by Ford Motor Company as part of the AXZD Program dealer reimbursement on the buyer's order.
How do participants obtain a PIN?
• Ford Motor Company employees visit www.axz.ford.com or 1-800-348-7709
• Dealership employees visit www.dplan.ford.com or 1-800-828-7746
• Partner Recognition participants visit www.fordpartner.com or 1-877-XPLAN-00
Are participants eligible for other incentives?
Yes, for most. A/X/Z/D-Plan participants are eligible for all public incentives and many incentives normally paid to the dealer. There are some special offers that are not compatible with this offer. Participants are encouraged to contact a dealer to best determine which incentives they are eligible for.
Are Plan participants eligible to receive dealer cash?
Yes, if the dealer cash is a flat pay, the full amount must be passed along to the participant. In the case of a stair-step program, there is typically an A/X/Z/D-Plan flat pay amount.
Are trade-in's allowed under these programs?
Yes, a customer may chose to trade-in a vehicle while using this program. However the dealer determines the amount of the trade-in allowance. Dealerships should take extra time to explain the trade valuation process, as some plan customers believe that trade valuations are unfair.
How long are these programs in effect?
There is no effective expiration date, however, Ford Motor Company reserves the right to modify the program, remove eligibility, or cancel the program at any time. In the case of D-Plan, the dealership must be certified for employees to be eligible for the program.
How long is a PIN good for?
PIN's remain active for 12 months from date of issue.
Are there restrictions on model years eligible?
Yes, prior model year vehicles are only eligible through March 31st of the current model year.
Can a vehicle be obtained for my business or for another person?
No, vehicles must be titled and registered in the eligible participant's name for a minimum of six months. Certain family members may be eligible for A/Z/D-Plan.
What if the PIN provided doesn't work?
The participant may obtain a forgotten or verify their PIN by logging onto the web site where they obtained it, or contacting the call center. In either case, they will need to reference their name and Social Security Number.
Are customers who recently purchased or leased eligible for the program?
No, This special pricing offer is only available when a customer identifies himself or herself as a participant and provides a PIN prior to completing the purchase or lease transaction. The program is not retroactive.
Plan Buying Information
Everyday there is at least one new thread asking a question about buying on X-Plan, or one of the other plans offered by Ford. I will try to condense the Dealer Plan manual into this thread and hit most of the common topics.
A-Plan is designed for Ford employees and their immediate families.
Z-Plan is for retired Ford Employees and their immediate families.
D-Plan is for Dealership Employees and their immediate families.
Who's Eligible For X-Plan [since this is where most questions arise]
• Employees (full time, part-time and contract), retirees and their spouses of eligible partner companies (suppliers, fleets, etc.) and universities where Ford recruits.
• Members, Customers and spouses of selected organizations/associations with close strategic ties to Ford Motor Company.
• Selected individuals sponsored by a Ford Motor Company employee or retiree through the Friends & Neighbors Program.
• Participation is by invitation only, not all suppliers, fleets, etc. are eligible.
• Two new products per calendar year may be purchased/leased in total.
Dealers are NOT required to accept “Plan” deals. Some will and some won’t.
In order to buy under a “Plan” deal, the buyer is required to obtain a Pin number which is used by the dealer to confirm eligibility. This is to be done prior to contacting the dealership or negotiating price. On occasion some vehicles are excluded from “plan” deals. Currently those vehicles are: Escape Hybrid, GT supercar, and all trucks F450/E450 and above. Below is a quote right out of the plan guideline manual.
• The dealer is required to furnish a copy of the Ford invoice as well as complete a “plan” worksheet which spells out the details of the purchase as well as your eligibility. The dealership may also NOT charge separately for document preparation or other administrative services in connection with the sale of the vehicle. These expenses are considered to be part of the dealer's normal cost of doing business for which the dealership is compensated by the commission paid.
Unless you are eligible under one of the categories listed for a “plan” sale, about the only way for the average person to be able to buy under a “plan” program is to obtain a Pin number from a Ford employee under the Friends and Neighbors plan. Dealership employees do not have the capability to hand out Pin Numbers under the program. There is a website that has a forum section for Ford Employees and I am told that a person might possibly obtain a Pin number there but due to “Plan” rules I can not publish the information. It is readily available however.
On “Hot” vehicles like the Mustang, some dealers may only allow the use of a Pin on an ordered vehicle at a lower priority than a regular retail sale so make sure you play 20 questions with your dealer.
To give an idea, here is approximate plan pricing:
A&Z – 4% under factory invoice
D-Plan- same as “A” plus $100
X- has a long formula but normally it is at or just under dealer invoice.
In each case, all retail factory invoices for vehicle that are eligible will clearly show the Plan price which is why the dealer is required to furnish a copy at delivery.
FAQ’s from the Plan guidelines:
WHAT ARE SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?
May the participant purchase or lease?
Yes. They can purchase or lease any qualified vehicle in the New Vehicle Purchase Plan provided you are a qualified participant with a good credit rating. Financing, whether purchase or lease, may be obtained at the customer's discretion from any source.
How long do participants have to keep an "A/X/Z/D" Plan vehicle?
They must keep an "A/X/Z/D" Plan vehicle in their possession and registered in their name for at least six months from the date of purchase or lease.
Do dealers make a profit on the New Vehicle Purchase Plan?
Yes. Dealers receive a commission from Ford Motor Company on each New Vehicle Purchase Plan transaction. On X-Plan sales, the amount paid over the A-Plan price is retained by the dealer.
Can I sell a used vehicle or dealer demonstrator on the "A/X/Z/D" Plan?
Not a used vehicle, however, a dealer demonstrator is eligible, as long as the demo has less than 250 miles.
May I charge a "document fee" or other added fees. Is this allowed?
No. Fees for document preparation or similar administrative services are not allowed.For those living in states where state law requires dealers to assess fees on a vehicle purchase to all customers, dealers should indicate documentation fees have been paid by Ford Motor Company as part of the AXZD Program dealer reimbursement on the buyer's order.
How do participants obtain a PIN?
• Ford Motor Company employees visit www.axz.ford.com or 1-800-348-7709
• Dealership employees visit www.dplan.ford.com or 1-800-828-7746
• Partner Recognition participants visit www.fordpartner.com or 1-877-XPLAN-00
Are participants eligible for other incentives?
Yes, for most. A/X/Z/D-Plan participants are eligible for all public incentives and many incentives normally paid to the dealer. There are some special offers that are not compatible with this offer. Participants are encouraged to contact a dealer to best determine which incentives they are eligible for.
Are Plan participants eligible to receive dealer cash?
Yes, if the dealer cash is a flat pay, the full amount must be passed along to the participant. In the case of a stair-step program, there is typically an A/X/Z/D-Plan flat pay amount.
Are trade-in's allowed under these programs?
Yes, a customer may chose to trade-in a vehicle while using this program. However the dealer determines the amount of the trade-in allowance. Dealerships should take extra time to explain the trade valuation process, as some plan customers believe that trade valuations are unfair.
How long are these programs in effect?
There is no effective expiration date, however, Ford Motor Company reserves the right to modify the program, remove eligibility, or cancel the program at any time. In the case of D-Plan, the dealership must be certified for employees to be eligible for the program.
How long is a PIN good for?
PIN's remain active for 12 months from date of issue.
Are there restrictions on model years eligible?
Yes, prior model year vehicles are only eligible through March 31st of the current model year.
Can a vehicle be obtained for my business or for another person?
No, vehicles must be titled and registered in the eligible participant's name for a minimum of six months. Certain family members may be eligible for A/Z/D-Plan.
What if the PIN provided doesn't work?
The participant may obtain a forgotten or verify their PIN by logging onto the web site where they obtained it, or contacting the call center. In either case, they will need to reference their name and Social Security Number.
Are customers who recently purchased or leased eligible for the program?
No, This special pricing offer is only available when a customer identifies himself or herself as a participant and provides a PIN prior to completing the purchase or lease transaction. The program is not retroactive.
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