I got the bright idea to try and trade in my 1998 Explorer XLT for a 2005 Escape. I hopped online, got my a-plan pin, scoped kbb.com for a trade-in price ($6810, in Ohio).
I called around. Found a dealership that said they could get me what I wanted.
So off to the dealership I went, after cleaning out all my junk in the Explorer.
I told him everything hinged on the trade-in, so that's what I wanted to discuss first. He took down the specs. Took the vehicle, had it "inspected" (I do wonder exactly what they do for that 25 minutes).
Anyway, he comes back with a printout from kbb.com saying $4400 for 'fair' condition.
I said that's off. He wants to know what I want for the vehicle. So I read the 'fair' description. The only thing wrong with the vehicle is the windshield's cracked. It needs a new one. Fair states (from kdb.com):
"means that the vehicle probably has some mechanical or cosmetic defects, but is still in safe running condition. The paint, body and/or interior need work to be performed by a professional in order to be sold. The tires need to be replaced. There may be some repairable rust damage. The value of cars in this category may vary widely. A clean title history is assumed. Even after significant reconditioning this vehicle may not qualify for the Blue Book Suggested Retail value. "
I politely point out that I don't think that's the description of the vehicle, the tires are new, there's no rust, a couple scratches here or there, but no dents, no rust.
I told him I thought the good category was where the vehicle qualified for.
So he goes and prints out one with "good". His printout says $5330.
I tell him that still seems low, that's not close to what I got from kbb. So he asks what amount I got from kbb.com, and I tell him (mistake #1?).
Off he goes to talk w/ his manager, comes back and says that I must have put everything in wrong when I was on kbb.com. I said uh-uh. He asks "did you check off XLT". Yep. "Did also check off things like power windows, power locks, etc". Yes. He says that's my mistake. That everything is accounted for when XLT is chosen. So KBB was doubling up my options so that the price I got was inflated.
(I cannot substantiae whether he's correct, or I am, but the last vehicle I did this with I checked off the make, model, and then everything it had, and the amount was almost identical to what the dealership gave me, so I don't know, I haven't been able to find any definitive instructions on kbb.com)
I balked at that, but said fine, if I'm doing it wrong, we should be able to replicate this on kbb.com, and if I am doing it wrong then my expectations are obviously out of whack. I asked if he had a computer terminal with Internet access. He says yes. I say let's go try it.
So he hops on kbb.com. Does it up. It came back with $7,995.
I had to really try hard not to laugh. He says 'huh'.
So we go back out to his desk, he goes and talks to the manager, and comes back and says the manager is working on it, let's talk financing.
Mistake by me: letting him move the discussion.
So that's when I told him about my a-plan pin. He leavs to print out the invoice and talk to the manager.
He returns with the invoice (ie a-plan pricing sheet) and a new offer for the trade-in - $2-$3k.
I was shocked. I was like what is this. He says that's all my manager is willing to do for your trade-in.
I pointed out that 35 minutes ago you walked in with a sheet saying $4400.
He says that was just a printout, and that wasn't remotely what they were offering. He says the vehicle, since it is now over 100k miles, cannot be financed by someone purchasing it from them, so it's worth next to nill for them. It is also the older body type (it's a '98). So the most they'll give me is $2k-$3k for it. He then also states that was the amount it was appraised at.
I asked by whom. He said the dealership's staff. I asked to see the appraisal. He called in to his manager, saying that I wanted to see the appraisal, and his manager told him I could not see it.
At that point, I was fairly upset, and fed up. As soon as the a-plan pin is mentinoed this dealership (IMHO) dropped the trade in considerably, enough that they knew there's no way I'd take the deal.
I tell him fine. Take the 6700, less the 4400. split the difference, add it in, and let's go with that (~$5500), and we've got a deal.
No dice. He didn't want to do that. $2-$3k tops he says.
I ended up walking out. I've never had someone drop the trade in price once the a-plan is discussed.
Yes, I didn't have the trade-in price in writing, and obviously that was my big mistake.
I've never been lowballed (again, IMHO) like that at a Ford Dealership before. 99% of my family works for, and has worked for all my life, for Ford (engine plants, mostly in Ohio).
This is just disheartening.
Anyway, I'm wondering what your experiences have been when dealing with Ford Dealerships and the a-plan, and what you think of my description of my ordeal.
Thanks.