Stay away from Covert Ford in Texas.

So here is the long winded story. Sorry. But Im debating leaving the Ford family.

My family has fords. My wife has a 2013 Explorer and I purchased a 2015 F150 King Ranch. But between this and her paint bubbling and transmission issue, I might not purchase another.

So after trying like all hell to get a $750 coupon (requesting brochures for the golden ticket to no unveil) my wife got an email and like from the Ford god himself, she got a $750 rebate. BINGO!

I was currently already in talks with Covert Ford. The salesman said no problem because it was the same household. Sent contract, rebate form (I think because he said he didn’t want to retype contract). I signed, and I thought “that’s all she wrote”.

Here is the kicker. I was traveling for work, so used FEDEX for contracts. Miscommunication between wife and myself, and we didn’t keep any copies (hindsight is 20/20 right). But I figured FORD is a giant company. They will definitely stand behind their product and dealer network. I mean I own a small company, and I always stand behind my product. This was my FIRST NEW vehicle.

I also used X-plan. Sales guy requested additional documentation like a month later, which was strange, but gave info anyhow.

A few months pass. Wondering where this rebate is. So wife calls.
They give us some run around.

More time passes and a few more phone calls. Then the truth comes out. They say that since the contract was dated 1 day before the rebate started, it isn’t being honored. Even though, when purchasing we brought this to their attention. Their reply at time of contract was…. no problem, and had us sign the rebate. So we reminded them of this. Then they say, well you didn’t really qualify for x-plan, so you should just feel lucky. I got the X-plan pin or code and gave them everything they asked for at time of sale.

So, getting the feeling the sales man is taking advantage of us because we are not local (bought the truck from ford dealer in texas, we live in florida) we end up talking to owner. Owner and brother own a few ford dealerships. Owner is who we originally spoke to before the sale, then sent us to salesman (which is fine, don’t expect owner to do all the sales). So now the owner says he will look into it. HURRAY, finally after months something will get done!

Nope, owner dodged calls for quite a while (at least 3 weeks). I think they were thinking we would just go away. Owner eventually tells us we need to call ford. But we did already call ford corporate and they said we had to deal with the dealership. Once we told him that, he gave us the same runaround that we should be so happy we got x-plan and shouldn’t have. (By the way, I guess we were a week or two short on our membership, but would have definitely waited 2 weeks. I was already waiting for months for the truck. The dealership should have looked into that before they sold the truck).

Honestly, I feel if we were local, this would have never happened. Well at least it should never happen.

I cant believe FORD corporate wont step in to do something.

So if any of you are buying a Ford any time soon. Skip Covert Ford. They are not honorable people, and Im sure (well I hope) there are better Ford dealerships.

IF anyone has an idea or connection in Ford, It would be greatly appreciated. I love my truck, but this definitely puts a sour taste in your mouth when you spend around 60k for a new truck and you’re trying to chase them down for a YEAR.

Thanks for reading my rant and hopefully avoid them.

Eric

 

Perhaps it's just the fact that my better half is in law, or that I like the people's court, but unless it was in writing you're SOL. Verbal contracts are still a contract, but don't hold up easily. Additionally the rebate seems to come from Ford (just assuming based on what I read) so it wasn't the dealerships place to promise Ford would reimburse you.

While it would be nice for the dealership to do the right thing, it's unlikely, but I definitely think you should venture down all avenues about this dealership.

 

I get the sour taste, but this seems like a lot of stress for a $750 coupon. Won't make a huge difference out of a 60k truck. No reason to leave the ford family. Maybe just not deal with that dealer again. You've probably wasted more time dealing with this than the $750 is worth.

 

I have a feeling this rests solely on the dealership mentioned and isn't a direct reflection of FOMOCO. Sounds like they tried to grease-ball you..effectively lying about the rebate.

 

I can guarantee that there are better dealers. Two weeks after delivery, with the deal done, I get a letter from Ford Country Las Vegas, saying that they owe me a $250 rebate.

I called, and apparently their billing dept. audits all deals. The lady said that one rebate that showed up for $750 should have been $1,000.

I have the check, how can you beat that service?

 

I signed for the rebate. Just didn't keep the copy. Dick move by the dealership all around.

 

What part of Florida? There's a dealer just across the state line in Atmore Alabama (Escambia County) that will treat you right, I worked there for 11 years before leaving for a career change.

 

That sucks. The thread kind of rings with me too, we just purchased a 2016 Escape, and after having the salesman tell me "well, the website isn't always right" then saying somewhat snottily "here- show me where it says that" and offering his computer to me, I found and pointed out the $2,000 trade in assistance he was denying us. When he saw it and "talked to his boss" he comes back and says "oh yeah- it's good, they had it labeled as 'cash assistance' instead of a rebate so I didn't see it in our system." He then went on to plead for us to give him all 5's on his dealer review from Ford (after a BUNCH of lies on our order such as telling us it was built and shipped when the plant hadn't even received the order yet) and how he cares about his customers, that's why he's still there after 35 years even though he could retire.

Yeah, a 35 year Ford vet salesman doesn't know the difference between a rebate and a cash assistance offer? They were most likely going to brush that rebate waiver form at us at signing, hope we didn't see it, and apply the $2,000 to the trade in they thought was too high. Nice try, liars.

People wonder why sales reps are so hated? This stuff is why.

 

Orlando.

 

That's only a 7hr drive.
.