A little frusrtrated..

[TedBundy70]

I'm a die-hard Ford fan. If you cut me, I bleed Ford Blue. I've had Fords all my life - maybe 100-150 of them - mostly older ones. I bought 7 NEW Fords in the past ten years - a '95 Cobra, a '96 V-6 (for the wife), a '98 Ranger (for my son), an '00 GT, an '03 Mach I, an '03 Escape, and an '04 F-150. All brand brand new.

 

In '95, I wanted to buy a Cobra R but there were restrictions on who could buy one - you needed some sort of racing license or something. I didn't meet the restriction so I bought the regular Cobra instead. Then in 2000 they announced another Cobra R - this time without the license restriction. I went to the Ford dealer, talked to the Sales Manager, and made a deal for 3% over MSRP. I failed to get it in writing though. The Sales Manager called one afternoon to tell me that he had another buyer for it - someone in Michigan. The Sales Manager tried to get me into a bidding war with the other buyer. At that point I bailed out.

 

I thought my opportunity to get the Mustang I allways wanted had come when Ford announced the GT 500. Finally, a high-performance Mustang that won't be a limited production car that I might finally have a chance to buy. I was encouraged... then I went to the dealership to order one. The dealer says they're only getting 3 of them and that they're going to sell them to the highest bidder over MSRP.

 

I dealt with some of this when I bought the Mach I. I just looked around until I found a dealer who wan't trying to gouge it's customers. I actually got it for x-plan pricing.

 

I really want a GT 500 and Ford has stated that they'll make as many as they can sell, but the dealers are creating this notion that they're only getting 1 or 2 or 3, so they want to mark them up $10-20,000 over MSRP.

 

I know that it's the dealers who are trying to take advantage of it's customers. Ford, however, is taking some of the heat for this by association. Ford needs to either control the dealers or offer the option to buy directly from them.

 

As I stated before, I a little frustrated with Ford, the dealerships in particular, for taking advantage of loyal customers.

 

I'll probably keep buying Fords, but the next time I buy a new Ford, I'm going to remember the dealers that were price-gouging thier customers.

[68fastback]

I'm a die-hard Ford fan. If you cut me, I bleed Ford Blue. I've had Fords all my life - maybe 100-150 of them - mostly older ones. I bought 7 NEW Fords in the past ten years - a '95 Cobra, a '96 V-6 (for the wife), a '98 Ranger (for my son), an '00 GT, an '03 Mach I, an '03 Escape, and an '04 F-150. All brand brand new.

 

In '95, I wanted to buy a Cobra R but there were restrictions on who could buy one - you needed some sort of racing license or something. I didn't meet the restriction so I bought the regular Cobra instead. Then in 2000 they announced another Cobra R - this time without the license restriction. I went to the Ford dealer, talked to the Sales Manager, and made a deal for 3% over MSRP. I failed to get it in writing though. The Sales Manager called one afternoon to tell me that he had another buyer for it - someone in Michigan. The Sales Manager tried to get me into a bidding war with the other buyer. At that point I bailed out.

 

I thought my opportunity to get the Mustang I allways wanted had come when Ford announced the GT 500. Finally, a high-performance Mustang that won't be a limited production car that I might finally have a chance to buy. I was encouraged... then I went to the dealership to order one. The dealer says they're only getting 3 of them and that they're going to sell them to the highest bidder over MSRP.

 

I dealt with some of this when I bought the Mach I. I just looked around until I found a dealer who wan't trying to gouge it's customers. I actually got it for x-plan pricing.

 

I really want a GT 500 and Ford has stated that they'll make as many as they can sell, but the dealers are creating this notion that they're only getting 1 or 2 or 3, so they want to mark them up $10-20,000 over MSRP.

 

I know that it's the dealers who are trying to take advantage of it's customers. Ford, however, is taking some of the heat for this by association. Ford needs to either control the dealers or offer the option to buy directly from them.

 

As I stated before, I a little frustrated with Ford, the dealerships in particular, for taking advantage of loyal customers.

 

I'll probably keep buying Fords, but the next time I buy a new Ford, I'm going to remember the dealers that were price-gouging thier customers.

 

Ted, this topic has come up in several other threads and you are certainly not alone in your feeligs. You may want to write to Bill Ford. Even though he has no direct control over dealer pricing, his name is on the door and a well-written letter to him describing your experience and feelings is worth a lot. Ford is trying to get to an on-line order system, ideally with a 2-week build cycle time. But that will be tough to make happen under the present dealer francise contracts (long story) and those contract are not likely to change unless Ford is fully aware of just how annoying/insulting/underhanded the present process has become.

 

Good luck to you in your search. Personally, I'm waiting in the hopes ADMs will dry up over the winter or when the next flavor-of-the-year is announced. We shal see....

[JETSOLVER]

Know that you are not the only one. Some of us are approaching this from other angles as well. Take 68fastbacks advice and write a reasoned letter. It can't harm and in conjunction with other efforts just might help.

[regalt87]

Don't waste your time, Bill Ford will never get it nor does he want to read them. There's no way he has time in his schedule. The people reading them just tell you they are filing it and sending it to marketing. They said they would make one for any one who wants one or meet the demand. They also said around $39,000. Bull Shit FMC has limited this car by allowing the allocation process which in turn promotes the ADM and they know it. They want it that way or they would change it. We should be abel to walk into any Ford dealer any where and order one. It also really rips me when some short timing salesman laughs at you when you inquire about it. Or you get some smart ass attitude, what happioned to respect toward customers. Whats really sad is that there are alot of people FMC could have put back into a Ford product with this car. In turn they would buy other Fords. Between the dealers who have gone against thier word after making a deal with a customer and the ADM's, This Shelby is going to end up costing FMC big unless they make some changes real soon. Most importantly, When the ship sinks (and it will, its already listing, there just too stupid to know it) The first to drown are the guys at the bottom who suffer the consequences of poor management decisions. There are many intelegent people right here on this forum who have offered several great suggestions FMC could do to improve marketing and thier overall well being. These same people have written letters. Some say they read these, Bull Shit, the only thing they are reading is when thier next Tee off time is. I work my ass off 2 full time jobs. Im not the sharpest tool in the shed so at times I have not always made the best informed decisions in my life. I wish I had people writting me letters giving me some advice, I would read every one of them!!!

[Guest evilchris]

The Ford GT didn't teach them apparently. It rots in dealer showrooms and only sold 1300 units last year. 3 years ago Ford was blabbing about how they would sell at LEAST 3500 a year. Then dealers asked $250,000 for the car, lol! 250k and you still get CHEAP FORD PLASTIC in the interior!

[BadTony]

if Ford would have priced the car at about 80 to 100k (about what the car is really worth) and if dealers did not screw public with way high ADMs on the GT's, Ford as a would would have built and sold many more of them.

[68fastback]

If you address a letter directly to Bill Ford, it will most likely be opened by his office staff and given to one of his administrative staff. If it touches on a defect or technical issue, it may be given to General Council staff or technical staff as well. It is customary that complaint letters written by consumers directly to Bill Ford are summarized and tracked by staff -- whether or not they get a formal response, which depends on the nature of the letter. Key-topic public correspondense used to be (and likely still is) a regular topic in his weekly staff meetings, e.g. poignent personal letters that best express key customer issues of which customer treatment and dealer ADMs are very likely a part (just a guess on that but, remember, performance mustangs are one of his pet-projects -- there would be no GT500 if Bill Ford did not personaly believe in the mustang enthusiast -- it probably distresses him greatly what's going on with the dealers, but that's another topic). I've heard (indirectly, of course) that Bill Ford has been known to occasionally ask to see key-issues letters to read himself -- you can't 'feel' a letter unless you actually read it.

 

Bill Ford is not your typical CEO. His name is on the door and he has waived all salary and other compensation indefinately and until Ford returns to profitability (this has been going on now for two years, I believe). While he's clearly not poor, I know of no other CEO to do that for an extended period; and we're talking about 100s of millions of dollars here. All CEOs care about their success; this CEO is serious about his business and he takes matters of customer perception and opinion very seriously -- even if not easy to solve or even control. Is it likely he'll personally read your individual letter with his own eyes? Admittedly not. But he will be kept informed and, if your letter is well written it just might be seen by him personally -- you never know.

 

But, if you do write a letter, do it because it's something you believe in and represents your true feelings. Taken together, they can, and do, influence an executive -- frustration is motivation for executives too. If one letter doesn't matter, why vote in elections or stand up for anything you believe in? Executives have a sixth sense on what's important. Admittedly, letters just provide insight and 'ammunition' but that can be very influential. For me, there's no point in being upset with something unless I'm willing to invest a little time in it. If you feel genuinely/deeply slighted in your interaction with any aspect of Ford Motor Company, and many do, you owe it to yourself and Ford to write and express what you feel. If we don't, we already know what the outcome will be -- nothing!

 

The above is based on two things (former contacts inside Ford, and my own corporate experience in which I've worked regularly with CEOs and division presidents both as staff and as management -- you'd be suprised at some of the things that are very important to them.

 

One last thought -- don't count Ford out yet... I've seen other great American companies get hit between the eyes with similar problems (executives milking-the-cash-cow for 'stockholder performance' at the expense of the business, product complacence and struture issues) like Motorola and IBM. However, if you bought either of their stock when they were in the dumps you'd be wealthy now (I'm certainly not qualified to give advice on this). Both of them came back leaner, stronger and with a renewed sense of purpose. I fully expect Ford to do the same though it will take time. They named Bill Ford "Automotive Executive of the Year (2006)" for a reason, I think.

 

Ok, stepping off now... To sum: if it bothers you and you truly care, say something and it will have some affect.

 

PS - the hardest part of sending a letter is finding a good address for Bill Ford. The one I've used in the past came back twice recently (April) before 'sticking.' But, you can use any Ford Corporate address, just be sure to do two things: address it to William Clay Ford, Jr., CEO Ford Motor Company, and send it Certified Mail with a Return Receipt Requested (Registered Mail is unnecessary and Certified is cheap -- you can't ad the return receipt unless it is Registered or Certified). The receipt will just be signed by a mailroom employee. Alternatively, you can sent it regular mail without a return receipt to this address:

 

William Clay Ford, Jr.

C/o Board of Directors

Ford Motor Company

Box 685

Dearborn, MI 48126-0685

 

 

<and good luck if you decide to write>

 

 

[TxKingCobra]

I'm a die-hard Ford fan. If you cut me, I bleed Ford Blue. I've had Fords all my life - maybe 100-150 of them - mostly older ones. I bought 7 NEW Fords in the past ten years - a '95 Cobra, a '96 V-6 (for the wife), a '98 Ranger (for my son), an '00 GT, an '03 Mach I, an '03 Escape, and an '04 F-150. All brand brand new.

 

In '95, I wanted to buy a Cobra R but there were restrictions on who could buy one - you needed some sort of racing license or something. I didn't meet the restriction so I bought the regular Cobra instead. Then in 2000 they announced another Cobra R - this time without the license restriction. I went to the Ford dealer, talked to the Sales Manager, and made a deal for 3% over MSRP. I failed to get it in writing though. The Sales Manager called one afternoon to tell me that he had another buyer for it - someone in Michigan. The Sales Manager tried to get me into a bidding war with the other buyer. At that point I bailed out.

 

I thought my opportunity to get the Mustang I allways wanted had come when Ford announced the GT 500. Finally, a high-performance Mustang that won't be a limited production car that I might finally have a chance to buy. I was encouraged... then I went to the dealership to order one. The dealer says they're only getting 3 of them and that they're going to sell them to the highest bidder over MSRP.

 

I dealt with some of this when I bought the Mach I. I just looked around until I found a dealer who wan't trying to gouge it's customers. I actually got it for x-plan pricing.

 

I really want a GT 500 and Ford has stated that they'll make as many as they can sell, but the dealers are creating this notion that they're only getting 1 or 2 or 3, so they want to mark them up $10-20,000 over MSRP.

 

I know that it's the dealers who are trying to take advantage of it's customers. Ford, however, is taking some of the heat for this by association. Ford needs to either control the dealers or offer the option to buy directly from them.

 

As I stated before, I a little frustrated with Ford, the dealerships in particular, for taking advantage of loyal customers.

 

I'll probably keep buying Fords, but the next time I buy a new Ford, I'm going to remember the dealers that were price-gouging thier customers.

 

It's nice to hear from others that feel the same way. I have bought Fords my whole life and finally the car of my dreams is introduced and becuse of GREEDY DEALERS the dream of having a car like this have just about gone away. I have been first on the list at my local dealer and I was told this last weekend that they will be putting their GT's up for auction. It doesn't take a higher educated man to figure out what that does to a working person such as myself. Thias was very dissappointing information, but something I was force fed and will have to live with. I agree that Ford should do something to these dealers that are gouging their customers. I feel that it is FORDS DUTY to watch over their dealerships to ensure that the ford customer is treated fairly. Maybe Ford could increase the production numbers on the GT500 so that us working class buyers can afford GREAT cars such as the GT500.

[68fastback]

It's nice to hear from others that feel the same way. I have bought Fords my whole life and finally the car of my dreams is introduced and becuse of GREEDY DEALERS the dream of having a car like this have just about gone away. I have been first on the list at my local dealer and I was told this last weekend that they will be putting their GT's up for auction. It doesn't take a higher educated man to figure out what that does to a working person such as myself. Thias was very dissappointing information, but something I was force fed and will have to live with. I agree that Ford should do something to these dealers that are gouging their customers. I feel that it is FORDS DUTY to watch over their dealerships to ensure that the ford customer is treated fairly. Maybe Ford could increase the production numbers on the GT500 so that us working class buyers can afford GREAT cars such as the GT500.

 

Yeah, it sucks being treated like that. I'm sure you know Ford has no control of dealer pricing. But have faith.... Ford has already upped production commitment on the GT500 once and has exercised their perogative to prevent broker sales of the GT500 (even though some is still occuring). The GT500 will be produced for at least two years (likely 3 [my opinion] in some form) and other flavor-of-the-year offerings (e,g, Boss, etc) are coming too. Add to that reemerging competition from GM and DCX and I believe we will see prices come down to MSRP eventually (many disagree with that, but that's my assessment) as these other rollouts occur. So, don't give up on your dream to own one just yet.... hopefully our patience will be rewarded.

[TxKingCobra]

Yeah, it sucks being treated like that. I'm sure you know Ford has no control of dealer pricing. But have faith.... Ford has already upped production commitment on the GT500 once and has exercised their perogative to prevent broker sales of the GT500 (even though some is still occuring). The GT500 will be produced for at least two years (likely 3 [my opinion] in some form) and other flavor-of-the-year offerings (e,g, Boss, etc) are coming too. Add to that reemerging competition from GM and DCX and I believe we will see prices come down to MSRP eventually (many disagree with that, but that's my assessment) as these other rollouts occur. So, don't give up on your dream to own one just yet.... hopefully our patience will be rewarded.

 

Ford might not have controll, but it's to bad they can't. If I remember correctly Ford layed emplyees off due to slumping sales not to long ago. If they keep treating customers like there is an endless supply there come be more hard times for Ford in the future. The consumer sometimes sticks together and when that happens companies to take note. I agree with you about uping the production numbers and even the part about going more than two years. If they do that us working people might have a chance. If not as much as I hate to say it on this forum I have thought about looking at the new corvette. A lot less horse power, but still I bet it would be a lot of fun. It's just hard to look at other cars when your heart was set on one certain type of ride and due to the GREED of FORD DEALERS you are put in a position to look else where. The Boss wouldn't be a bad option though.

[TxKingCobra]

Don't waste your time, Bill Ford will never get it nor does he want to read them. There's no way he has time in his schedule. The people reading them just tell you they are filing it and sending it to marketing. They said they would make one for any one who wants one or meet the demand. They also said around $39,000. Bull Shit FMC has limited this car by allowing the allocation process which in turn promotes the ADM and they know it. They want it that way or they would change it. We should be abel to walk into any Ford dealer any where and order one. It also really rips me when some short timing salesman laughs at you when you inquire about it. Or you get some smart ass attitude, what happioned to respect toward customers. Whats really sad is that there are alot of people FMC could have put back into a Ford product with this car. In turn they would buy other Fords. Between the dealers who have gone against thier word after making a deal with a customer and the ADM's, This Shelby is going to end up costing FMC big unless they make some changes real soon. Most importantly, When the ship sinks (and it will, its already listing, there just too stupid to know it) The first to drown are the guys at the bottom who suffer the consequences of poor management decisions. There are many intelegent people right here on this forum who have offered several great suggestions FMC could do to improve marketing and thier overall well being. These same people have written letters. Some say they read these, Bull Shit, the only thing they are reading is when thier next Tee off time is. I work my ass off 2 full time jobs. Im not the sharpest tool in the shed so at times I have not always made the best informed decisions in my life. I wish I had people writting me letters giving me some advice, I would read every one of them!!!

 

AMEN BROTHER.... You have said it all. I am first on the list at one of my local dealers because when they first announced this car they were going to build as many as the consumer wanted and they were going to be around the $40K price tag. Now FMC has once again changed there plan in mid stream. They must have forgotten about the employees they layed off a year ago or so due to slumping car sales. Like you said they had a chance to make plenty of money and earn new customers and even bring back old Ford customers with the GT500, BUT NO FMC is going to continue to SCREW the consumer when they can. My local dealer told me over the weekend that they would be putting their GT's up for auction. What happen to customer friendly dealers? What happened to doing what you say you are going to do? FMC is just going to gouge the consumer with this car and they do CARE and they can because there are consumers with more money than since..... Once the ship sinks and like you suggest it might I will laugh my ass off when they announce on World News Tonight that FMC has announced more employee lay offs.

[JETSOLVER]

Ford is now in an untenable situation. If they had announced prior dealership restrictions, then we might have a leg to stand on. As it is, they pretty much forfit control of this market. It is giving them a bad name with the faithful and they have to control this better next time. I wonder how many people have been turned right off over this. The real shame to me is that so many of these cars are going right into collections and not being driven. Hard to polish the oval from inside plastic wrappers.

[68fastback]

I guess we'll see what Ford is made of if there's still demand at the end of the two year run. If they go to the next flavor-of-the-year (better for the dealers) instead of extending production on the GT500 (better for Ford, no retooling expense), then we know who is more favored: the customer or the dealer. Of course, they could do both given parts availability. We shall see....

.

[kb67]

My .02 cent would be Ford may not have the oppportunity again to get it right. Chevy and Dodge are getting into this now Ford had a captive audience so to speak now they are going to have to compete with the other two makers and what they bring out. No matter what Ford brings to the table some people have been rubbed the wrong way by all that has happened so far with the GT500. I'm not against dealers making money or saying that the car is to expensive. I've been treated like I was expendable by 2 dealers they didn't care what I wanted or that I was seriously inquring about the car. Its like there a zillion people who want this car whats this guy to us. Thats a bad attitude to convey maybe I miss read them and its all in my head, but I have a lot of car buying years left in me. Maybe they might wonder why they aren't selling cars to people like me after its to late. Some folks here have been treated way worst than myself its a shame really we all want to give hard earned money for a car we want to buy. Ford needs our business or you think they would their stocks not burning up the chart.

 

And if a KR version comes from SA in 08 some of the shrinkwrap the car for my collection folks are going need to be tranqulized after paying big money to get a car. Only to have a more desireable one out and be a Mustang modified by Shelby be out there and have all the things they wanted the 07 to be.

 

The window of opportunity may have closed on Ford. I'm sure they have great things in mind for the future but if things keep going this way its kind of a moot point just my humble opinion.

[68fastback]

My .02 cent would be Ford may not have the oppportunity again to get it right. Chevy and Dodge are getting into this now Ford had a captive audience so to speak now they are going to have to compete with the other two makers and what they bring out. No matter what Ford brings to the table some people have been rubbed the wrong way by all that has happened so far with the GT500. I'm not against dealers making money or saying that the car is to expensive. I've been treated like I was expendable by 2 dealers they didn't care what I wanted or that I was seriously inquring about the car. Its like there a zillion people who want this car whats this guy to us. Thats a bad attitude to convey maybe I miss read them and its all in my head, but I have a lot of car buying years left in me. Maybe they might wonder why they aren't selling cars to people like me after its to late. Some folks here have been treated way worst than myself its a shame really we all want to give hard earned money for a car we want to buy. Ford needs our business or you think they would their stocks not burning up the chart.

 

And if a KR version comes from SA in 08 some of the shrinkwrap the car for my collection folks are going need to be tranqulized after paying big money to get a car. Only to have a more desireable one out and be a Mustang modified by Shelby be out there and have all the things they wanted the 07 to be.

 

The window of opportunity may have closed on Ford. I'm sure they have great things in mind for the future but if things keep going this way its kind of a moot point just my humble opinion.

 

 

Yeah, it really is disheartening. Hopefully, there will be future goodies that are even better and we'll forgive and forget. The really unfortunate part is that Ford is delivering a dynamite car here, but the dealer 'system' is frustrating the whole process -- it sure is a turnoff and it's the faithfull, be definition, who are taking the brunt of it. I don't blame Ford as much as the situation. It's unfortunate -- free-market economics at its worst IMHO.

 

Were different though. If I go into our local specialty store they have coffee from $8 to $50/lb. Is the $50/lb coffee really $50/lb coffeeor is it $30/lb (it's top grade Hawaiian Kona) selling for $50 because those who know how good it is will pay that? And doesn't that then make it $50lb coffee? I think Ford priced the car honestly -- they have to. That's why I blame the dealers for acting like their customers are disposable. Regardless of price, no one on business should ever make a customer feel that way -- it's just bad business to do that. And only a minority of dealers are the worst offenders.

 

I'm numb from this... it pisses me off yet there's no way to fix it quickly, if at all.

 

<edit:> Actually, I think competition will fix the dealer problem... no way to play the ADM game when there's stiff competition... I like that!

[CobraCrazy]

I feel the way most of you do; I'm an absolute Ford fanatic, but almost everything about my experience as I've tried to get my hands on a Shelby has been rotten to say the least. The lack of information and the confusion to start with. Last year about this time I started calling SVT dealers only to be told they weren't yet taking deposits, starting lists of prospective buyers etc. Six months later, I was told they already had 15 -20 people on their lists! (So why didn't they call me as promised to give me a chance) Then when word finally got out that all dealers would have a shot at the Shelby, I started calling every dealer in the western states (CO, UT, WY, MT, etc); most had no idea what I was talking about, but after they did their homework, they too suddenly had lists of buyers and I was so far down the list I was out of luck. Over and over again I heard that their only Shelby was going to the owner or the owner's son, etc. I swear three dozen dealers promised to call me back--not one actually did so. I finally found one dealer willing to order me one for 5k over MSRP (and somehow I'm supposed to feel like that's a good deal-and I suppose relatively speaking it is--still I feel like I'm getting hosed). Now I can't get any info about when I might actually get the car and I worry, based on what I've read in so many posts, that it will be sold out from under me. I've got a 96 Cobra that had a rear stabilizer bar break when it was a year old--SVT told me I would have to wait 6 -10 weeks to get a replacement-- no one at SVT, in spite of all the hype about it being an organization that recognized and cared about its loyal high-performance customers, gave a crap about my Mustang being out of commission for two to three months, and I finally ordered a better, cheaper unit from Steeda (who treated me quite well). This was the first crack in my Ford foundation, now the 07 Shelby is souring me as well, to say the least. When Ford fans as loyal as those who have posted to this site are as discouraged as we are, something is very wrong. I think I will write Bill, but I hope he's reading these posts as well (I know--dream-on)

[JETSOLVER]

I'm numb from this... it pisses me off yet there's no way to fix it quickly, if at all.

 

<edit:> Actually, I think competition will fix the dealer problem... no way to play the ADM game when there's stiff competition... I like that!

 

We have dealers here sitting on and rebating 06's even as they get a truck loads of 07's in. If Ford was to build a weeks worth of GT500's and just SHIP the darn things things would start to ease in the key volume markets were the price pressure is highest. Wouldn't that be as cheap and easy a fix as is possible? That is the third essentially no cost solution I have proposed and still NOTHING other than a dissapointing puff piece from the "bold moves" blog on design. If I was a FORD employee without much union tenure and a chunk of the company in my 401k I would be pissed that MY premium customers are being treated this way. C'mon FORD at least aknowledge publicly that your learning a lesson or something. Give me something to work with. Its getting hard to defend you out here in the cold interweb .

[68fastback]

We have dealers here sitting on and rebating 06's even as they get a truck loads of 07's in. If Ford was to build a weeks worth of GT500's and just SHIP the darn things things would start to ease in the key volume markets were the price pressure is highest. Wouldn't that be as cheap and easy a fix as is possible?

 

That would be great! Supposedly the Tremec 6060 production rate is the limiting factor for the GT500 so that might prevent a short term bump in production -- I dunno -- the whole GT500 program's critical path supplier, I had herd, was/is Tremec.

 

Part of the problem I think is also that, unless some Ford execs happen to look on these boards, they're possibly largely unaware of just how things are going down out here. (Problem? What problem!) That's why I've been encouraging people to write. Even if Bill Ford doesn't see one of them, he'll be made aware once his staff spots a complaint trend and someone will have the monkey to feed (not that we'll necessarily see any changes given dealer franchise agreements, etc).

[kb67]

Does Ford ever do random checks on their dealers to see how they are representing them ? Like a secret shopper program they come in as a random customer for a car or service and see how things go down. Seems to me it would be to their benefit to have something like that in place with some of the situations that are popping up. It would atleast show a effort by them to put customers first. Its only the dealers that aren't treating people to nicely that are going to be remembered If I was Ford I'd want to be on top of that so I could handle it before it became a thorn in the side situation.

[shel-b001]

That would be great! Supposedly the Tremec 6060 production rate is the limiting factor for the GT500 so that might prevent a short term bump in production -- I dunno -- the whole GT500 program's critical path supplier, I had herd, was/is Tremec.

 

Part of the problem I think is also that, unless some Ford execs happen to look on these boards, they're possibly largely unaware of just how things are going down out here. (Problem? What problem!) That's why I've been encouraging people to write. Even if Bill Ford doesn't see one of them, he'll be made aware once his staff spots a complaint trend and someone will have the monkey to feed (not that we'll necessarily see any changes given dealer franchise agreements, etc).

68 fastback:

With Ford shutdown for two weeks maybe they can catch up a bit making the 6060.

[68fastback]

68 fastback:

With Ford shutdown for two weeks maybe they can catch up a bit making the 6060.

 

Good point! Maybe they'll ramp up production now since Flat Rock will be going to 3 shifts soon.

.

 

 

Does Ford ever do random checks on their dealers to see how they are representing them ? Like a secret shopper program they come in as a random customer for a car or service and see how things go down. Seems to me it would be to their benefit to have something like that in place with some of the situations that are popping up. It would atleast show a effort by them to put customers first. Its only the dealers that aren't treating people to nicely that are going to be remembered If I was Ford I'd want to be on top of that so I could handle it before it became a thorn in the side situation.

 

Hmmm. Don't know. Sure seems like a good idea though. If it was my business I'd want to know even if I had no control over it. I think Bill Ford's cousin (Eileen? Ford) is in charge of marketing and dealer service in the US -- but I understand she fought against hi-po programs like the GT500.

[JETSOLVER]

If it was my business I'd want to know even if I had no control over it. I think Bill Ford's cousin (Eileen? Ford) is in charge of marketing and dealer service in the US -- but I understand she fought against hi-po programs like the GT500.

 

Yikes! :o If that is true that may have a lot to do with the way things are working out.....

[68fastback]

Yikes! :o If that is true that may have a lot to do with the way things are working out.....

 

 

Actually, her name is Elena Ford. Can't find a mailing address for her yet... I think she's the one we need to flame

[lambbo]

Actually, her name is Elena Ford. Can't find a mailing address for her yet... I think she's the one we need to flame

 

 

 

Play nice.... to those to those who Can't Understand Normal Thinking......S

[srk1959]

Well at least I don't feel alone, was treated poorly by all but 2 Ford dealers I contacted about purchasing a new Shelby. Still didn't help couldn't order one so now my time has passed for this year, I have spent the money on other things. I may still consider one for 08 but with the new Challenger coming out and a very close friend owning a Dodge dealer it may be an option as well, I told him about what I was put through to order one and he laughed, we will see what he does when it's his turn to do an order. "Unless of course Ford lets me order an 08 at M.S.R.P.. Time will tell, everyone that got their new Shelby's have fun this summer!!! Lets see them on the road!!!

[68fastback]

Well at least I don't feel alone, was treated poorly by all but 2 Ford dealers I contacted about purchasing a new Shelby. Still didn't help couldn't order one so now my time has passed for this year, I have spent the money on other things. I may still consider one for 08 but with the new Challenger coming out and a very close friend owning a Dodge dealer it may be an option as well, I told him about what I was put through to order one and he laughed, we will see what he does when it's his turn to do an order. "Unless of course Ford lets me order an 08 at M.S.R.P.. Time will tell, everyone that got their new Shelby's have fun this summer!!! Lets see them on the road!!!

 

 

Remember also that the '08 Shelby will be available this time next year, but the '08 Challenger won't be available until calendar year '08 as an '08 per DCX (which would typically be called an '08 1/2 or '09, but I guess they want to pretend they aren't so late to the party;-) ).

 

I'm waiting too -- still feeling confident I'll get a Shelby at MSRP or considerably less, depending on how long I wait. we shall see.. good luck!

.

[kb67]

Something else may come into the mix that may effect prices.

-> http://www.stangsunleashed.com/forums/inde...?showtopic=2116

This could turn people off and make some decide to go for the look rather than deal with all the crap thats swirling about dealing with this car. As I posted in that thread non consecutive vins are going to make it tempting to someone to try and fake one why because they saw one on Ebay go for X amount of dollars. Its speculation but you throw in the fact that a Shelby done KR is a strong possiblity which version is a real Shelby to me its a moot point but to some its a real concern. Those folks paid or might pay a ADM thats above what they really wanted to but the lure of the car pushed them over the edge. Now you have possible clones running around and a car that would be done by Shelby American out there to. Ford is already making about 8000 cars this year for sure maybe more. The ADM may stay where it is or it may drop faster than dealers or anyone for that matter thought it would.

 

 

I like you will wait and see what happens I still want one but I can't justify paying a ton of ADM just to have one. Also I think it sucks that people could be asking me so how much over sticker did you pay ? I would rather be asked whats it like to drive. You would think Ford would want that too. But we will have to see what becomes of all this later on.

[68fastback]

Proabably wouldn't be hard to tell them apart, either by eye or by 'foot.' Actually, it appears they're illegally using copyrighted pix and they are surely copying a Ford design, which is totally illegalif you then refer to the GT500 in the add. If Ford wants to prosecute someone these would be the clowns to go after.

[carnut]

68 fastback:

With Ford shutdown for two weeks maybe they can catch up a bit making the 6060.

 

 

It is no different than the other car manufacturers, I shopped my new ZO6 Corvette for months. The only dealers that had them were adding 20-30K on top of them, finally found one at MSRP but it was luck. Try and buy any other high demand/limited production car and in most cases it will be the same thing. It was when the Dodge SRT 10 cam out, when the last new Viper came out and on and on. It is the law of supply and demand.

 

I am going crazy waiting for mine, had a serial number on 6-7-06 and still no car. I was lucky enough to cut my deal at MSRP, but I have been doing business at the same dealer since I purchased the ark.

[LuckySnake]

Ted, this topic has come up in several other threads and you are certainly not alone in your feeligs. You may want to write to Bill Ford. Even though he has no direct control over dealer pricing, his name is on the door and a well-written letter to him describing your experience and feelings is worth a lot. Ford is trying to get to an on-line order system, ideally with a 2-week build cycle time. But that will be tough to make happen under the present dealer francise contracts (long story) and those contract are not likely to change unless Ford is fully aware of just how annoying/insulting/underhanded the present process has become.

 

Good luck to you in your search. Personally, I'm waiting in the hopes ADMs will dry up over the winter or when the next flavor-of-the-year is announced. We shal see....

 

 

Hello, I find it hard to beleive that Ford is unable to deliver the GT500 built June 27 before August 11. I am told it is waiting for stripes. I don't want to be impatient, but 45 days from the day it was built to delivery is excessive and is cutting into my summer driving time. I know Ford had a two week shut down and the car is just sitting in some parking lot, darn! I want to drive it and I'm pretty sure Ford wants my money. Can anyone explain this? I know I'm very lucky to be getting one.