[PowerShift]

Well, I broke down and went to a dealer and put down a deposit on a Fiesta. Basically, I want assurance that if there is a stampede for this car as some predict I can be at the front of that stampede. I really don't want to wait and then find myself at the end of a six-month waiting list, as has happened to other people who have tried to buy a "hot" car without an advance order. And, yes, I'm aware that I've really hurt my negotiating power.

When I walked in and was waiting for my sales rep I stated eyeing a Flame Blue Focus in the showroom. The rep asked "are you sure you still want the arriba?" as if he could badmouth the Fiesta and get me to drive out that day in a Focus. I was surprised later on when I showed him my specs and he did not try to upsell me to an SE or SEL.

While there I was given a full document explaining the inner workings of the online reservation program. The truth is, the online reservation is little more than fancy window dressing on the usual "contact a dealer" form. Here's some quotes:

Note at this time we are not planning on formal Consumer Event at the Dealership (like car premier nights) for the Fiesta launch

supported by a dedicated staff of four Reservation consultants. (Meg, Mahi, Matt, and Megan)

If they quit, will they hire Mortimer, Molly, Monty, and Matilda?

Consultants will.. qualify the lead (18 or older, confirm all contact information)

So if you're over 18 and are who you say you are, you qualify.

$595 Early Order Incentive... is available to reserving customers who reserve an SE series or higher

Priority Order Handling: Deployed successfully on prior launches, this process inserts Retail orders into production when optimal throughput is expected.

What it Isn't: Note Ford Reservations is 1) NOT an official order or price quote (that is done through the dealer) 2)NOT binding and 3) NOT guarantee of "1st on the block" delivery timing. It is a managed system of pre-qualified leads for the Dealer to merchandise, establish a final price and order, and stay in the loop on the status of those early orders automatically.

I want the "1st on the block" delivery timing. I assume what I'm doing is the way to get that.

Designed to Stimulate Retail Orders which are above and beyond allocation for stock

VIP Treatment of Customers (including surprise gift postmarked form dealer)

Beginning mid-May 2010: when receiving the final Build Update (at rail), The final update the customer and Dealer will receive from Fiesta Reservations HQ is Arrived at Rail. At that point, contact the customer per your prep and conditioning process and ensure a remarkable delivery.

 

[bramos09]

how much is the deposit?

 

[golf strom]

.

When I walked in (to the dealer) and was waiting for my sales rep I stated eyeing a Flame Blue Focus in the showroom. The rep asked "are you sure you still want the arriba?" as if he could badmouth the Fiesta and get me to drive out that day in a Focus.]

Same old stealership practices. It makes you steam as the customer that these lizards never learn. If I were you I would have aksed for another salesman, and explained why you did to the store owner or manager.

 

[PowerShift]

how much is the deposit?

Varies by dealer, ask them what the minimum is.

 

[streetfiesta]

Seriously, that sales rep sounds like a douche. Congrats on your car, man!

 

[PowerShift]

He just sent me an e-mail saying he has another car I'd be interested in.

I swear, one more strike and I'm taking back the deposit and notifying Meg, Matt and Mahi.

 

[Fiesta Brand Manager]

Hey, it's Sam - the Fiesta Brand Manager at Ford.

First, congrats on the pre-order/reservation at the dealership!

Second, I apologize for some of the confusion around the reservation system. Our primary goal during this launch has been to do things differently and the reservation system is one initiative that is very different for our company and our dealers. We revealed specs and pricing earlier than ever - so we could be transparent as possible.

Bottom line is your order/reservation will be "prioritized" above the other units being built - but we can't guarantee that the units will be the very first at your dealership (due to some very early orders that dealers place to get the plant running). The Reservation customer service center was established to give you another point of contact before you need to go into the dealership.

If you have any specific questions - you can always reach me via twitter at @samdelag or via email at [email protected]

Again, thanks. The Fiesta is going to be an incredible car!

Sam

 

[Mattdoommaster]

He just sent me an e-mail saying he has another car I'd be interested in.

I swear, one more strike and I'm taking back the deposit and notifying Meg, Matt and Mahi.

Maybe you should try another dealer in your area.

 

[FocusFan]

Congratulations, good choice.

 

[GhiaFan]

He just sent me an e-mail saying he has another car I'd be interested in.

I swear, one more strike and I'm taking back the deposit and notifying Meg, Matt and Mahi.

Be patient, its just a sales tactic used by the salesperson that doesn't have the proper people reading skills of knowing when to use the tactic and when not to.

If you want to cool the salespersons jets reverse the tactic and call them everyday maybe twice a day and ask "has my FIESTA arrived yet" or "Iam just so excited about getting my Fiesta I called you just so we can talk about it.
I guarantee after 2 or 3 days, the desperate sales tactic of offering another vehicle to you will be dropped.

 

[PowerShift]

Hi Sam, thanks for dropping by....

As you can see I'm very excited about buying a Fiesta, but I'm having some trouble figuring the most painless way to get one in a reasonable timeframe (like before August).

Since the reserve process is just a doorway to a dealer order I decided to just go straight to the dealer, but now he's trying to pitch me on other cars I know I don't want.

If this is they way dealers are going to treat pre-orders, I'd rather just go down to the lot when cars arrive and pick one out and negotiate then. From what you say it looks like dealers will have inventory on hand over and above the pre-orders. I hope when I get there I'm not faced with massive price-gouging.

I do want a Fiesta but i don't want purchasing one to come with the headaches of other recent "hot" cars like Camaro or Smart. Please do everything you can to make the customer experience as smooth as possible.

 

[Matthew Wolfe]

Hi! I really am Matthew Wolfe, and I am the Matthew that you heard about at the dealership. I am one of the reservation consultants.

Have you reserved your Fiesta? If not, I highly reccomend that you do. It is worth the 5 minutes it takes, and you will literally have us at your beck and call M-F. It will be worth it.

 

[BRGT350]

Since I have one reserved, I am not going to be putting money down before the car arrives. I will order the car from the dealer as retail, so I doubt they would sell it to somebody else. I had the first order for a ZX3 at the dealer back in 1999, and did not put any money down to secure the car. I ordered it for retail and picked it up when it arrived. My dad put money down on a GT500 to reserve it, but somebody put down more money than my dad, so he lost the GT500. Getting into a bidding war at a dealership is stupid, and I won't be playing along with that game.

 

[mrbirdman330]

You know thats why I love a non-commissioned dealership. You're not going to have a war or worry about a car getting sold you've put money down for. Ever since buying my Focus from one, I won't go to any other dealership. When the salesman told me he was salaried not commission paid I was pleased to get the car I wanted not what they wanted to sell me. My Grandfather told me about the time he bought one of his Mustangs and the only reason why he got it was because he didn't have a trade in. The salesman was talking to him and another guy who wanted the Mustang but since my Grandfather didn't have a trade in the salesman sold to him.

 

[blueovaldave]

You know thats why I love a non-commissioned dealership. You're not going to have a war or worry about a car getting sold you've put money down for. Ever since buying my Focus from one, I won't go to any other dealership. When the salesman told me he was salaried not commission paid I was pleased to get the car I wanted not what they wanted to sell me. My Grandfather told me about the time he bought one of his Mustangs and the only reason why he got it was because he didn't have a trade in. The salesman was talking to him and another guy who wanted the Mustang but since my Grandfather didn't have a trade in the salesman sold to him.

I would prefer the guy with the trade-in. You can hold more money on the trade and make more of a profit on the deal. That was a) A lazy sales guy, or b) a sales tatic to make the sale faster.

 

[PowerShift]

I am certainly not trying to start a bidding war and if one broke out I'd probably just back out of the process.

I was mainly trying to give myself some sort of priority over what will probably be a few thousand reservations when they start processing them on Feb. 1.

However, from what I'm seeing paying deposit was probably not necessary and maybe not even helpful. I think I just got caught up in the excitment.

 

[mrbirdman330]

Basically in most sales marketing a deposit will guarantee you a car or what ever you're paying a deposit on. You're guaranteed a Fiesta, an apt room, etc.. etc... Just nothing fully specifically unless you're ordering it from the Dealer laying down a deposit without an order with specifics, color, wheels etc.. etc... Its a common problem I have telling people with my line of work because they refuse to understand. Your deposit guarantees you a truck for rental, sometimes you might end up getting a larger truck if the size you want comes in and can not be rented (Break down of some kind) as a simple example.

 

[TeamFord]

Not sure where most of you are from, but I am a sales manager at a Ford Dealership in Las Vegas (Team Ford). If anyone is willing to fly and drive, or drive and drive I will certainly help you out. I have already reserved one of my own Fiesta's and can't wait to officially order it. I have been waiting for this car since I first heard it was coming to the US. I have driven it twice, once at SEMA and once at the Barrett Jackson auction. Loved it both times.

Now my goal is to possibly be the #1 dealer in the US for Fiesta. Right now we are the #1 dealer in the world for F-150 Raptor trucks. We have sold more than twice as many as the next closest dealer. We are also the #1 dealer in Nevada for 2008 and 2009.

So I will be here, just like the Fiesta agents and Brand Manager(s) for any type of help you need.

 

[PowerShift]

Actually I've been having discussions with the reservation team and Sam and I'm much more comfortable with the whole process now.

This really is a new way of launching a car and the good news is that Ford is going to be there to directly support buyers. If you want to have a Fiesta during the first few months its available you should definitely reserve before Feb.

 

[iamz]

I'm not going to lock in until I actually see the US Fiesta in person. I'm hoping they will have them at the Mpls. Auto Show and that isn't until March.