So I just bought my first Shelby GT500 a couple days ago. I paid cash and brought in my $750 private cash coupon that ford sent me. Multiple dealers said the private cash was valid. I gave the dealer the check and the private cash and after waiting the for salesperson to come back and say the check and private cash were good I went and signed my contract. The contract stated that I made one payment plus the $750 private cash making my final price, etc etc. I took the keys and drove off. The next morning I got a call from the dealer saying the private cash coupon was enter'd and would not work for the shelby and I need to come in and give them a check for $750. The coupon fine print doesnt say anything about shelbys(just not valid with fiest hybrid or something). Another coupon next too it says that if I buy a v6 I get $500 back. The fine print for that says not valid with 6 speed or shelby conv. blah blah they tried to tell me that fine print counted for my coupon. long story short I said that is the wrong the way to do business and they are now "contacting" ford higher ups to see if they will allow the private cash.

Anyone else used the ford private cash to buy a shelby?

Does this sound like they are just trying to get extra money?

Can I say too bad I have a contract signed?

Just read this on another Mustang forum.

just received the 2011 mustang brochure and the last page has an awesome $750 cash off coupon. This will work with the 2011 5.0. Which means I just saved 750 bucks!!! You can get your coupon at fords site where you can order a mailed brochure. I selected 2011 Mustang.

The offer is good thru July 18 delivery but does not apply for 2010-11 hybrids, Fiesta S, Raptor, Shelby GT500.


You may want to do some more research.

Good luck.

Dealer should know this before contract is signed, whoever allowed it should pay for it. I don't see that they can ask for it back.
Eric

Tell them the deal stands or they get the car back. Those are the only two scenarios. There's nothing they can do about it except cry, whine, and make empty threats. Besides, I'm sure they made enough profit to cover the $750 and have some left over. Believe me, they won't want the car back.

I can't feel bad for the dealer since them not knowing what's going on is the norm.


.

You said you paid cash plus the coupon. Did you pay for the total in cash plus coupon? If so and they signed it, too bad. It's a done deal. Either way I would not give them another dime.

Tell them the deal stands or they get the car back. Those are the only two scenarios. There's nothing they can do about it except cry, whine, and make empty threats. Besides, I'm sure they made enough profit to cover the $750 and have some left over. Believe me, they won't want the car back.

I can't feel bad for the dealer since them not knowing what's going on is the norm.


.

They probably would want the car back. If you signed the contract, them tell them it is on them and you have a valid contract they prepared and both parties signed making it a legal contract. They will end up eating the $750. If they dont, place a call to their GM and tell them how you are going to report them to the better business bureau for deceptive practices.... It is their mistake not yours! I bet he eats that $750 quick. I hope this helps..... Im a manager at a ford dealership... shhhh!!! Enjoy your new ride gnarnorton!

"No cooling off period" in SoCal....you got it...you bought...you have a contract.

As long as it doesn't reference the $750.00 in the contract as "a coupon" you are free and clear.

you have the car? you paid as per the contract? IMHO - it's on them. Only issue I can see in them making trouble is the registration and title processing.

you have the car? you paid as per the contract? IMHO - it's on them. Only issue I can see in them making trouble is the registration and title processing.

One trip to the General Managers office should fix that.

Obviously it's their mistake and they are at fault. Enjoy your car!


James

its been a couple days and 150 miles later and I recieved an email today from my salesperson saying: "Hey John, just talked to the Ford rep.....and it looks like everything is going to be fine.....Ill call you this afternoon and let you know for sure, but I really explained to him you should have it.....Ill call you later.....Rob...."

Funny part is that they said if for any reason when i do my survey i dont hit completely satisfied, to call them. So maybe when i mentioned i wouldnt give him a good rating he realized i wasnt going to pay.

...........................

No to stray off the path but I have bought 3 Fords now including the Shelby and I never get any mail from ford let alone coupons. How Can I get some of these??? Looking to trade in F-250 for new truck.


Thanks a million

So I just bought my first Shelby GT500 a couple days ago. I paid cash and brought in my $750 private cash coupon that ford sent me. Multiple dealers said the private cash was valid. I gave the dealer the check and the private cash and after waiting the for salesperson to come back and say the check and private cash were good I went and signed my contract. The contract stated that I made one payment plus the $750 private cash making my final price, etc etc. I took the keys and drove off. The next morning I got a call from the dealer saying the private cash coupon was enter'd and would not work for the shelby and I need to come in and give them a check for $750. The coupon fine print doesnt say anything about shelbys(just not valid with fiest hybrid or something). Another coupon next too it says that if I buy a v6 I get $500 back. The fine print for that says not valid with 6 speed or shelby conv. blah blah they tried to tell me that fine print counted for my coupon. long story short I said that is the wrong the way to do business and they are now "contacting" ford higher ups to see if they will allow the private cash.

Anyone else used the ford private cash to buy a shelby?

Does this sound like they are just trying to get extra money?

Can I say too bad I have a contract signed?

How did everything turn out? Did you get it taken care of?

How did everything turn out? Did you get it taken care of?

I havent heard anything in a couple days. I sent an email out to confirm that everything is ok, and I'm awaiting a response..

In regards to where i got the $750 private cash, I went on the ford website and requested information on a car. I'm not sure if they always send 750 or if they are just random. I know I read somewhere else that a guy had to have his wife request one and they got different different rewards

I used my 750 for a new fusion. got the GT500 from AAFES new car sales. I would't give them a dime more either. Contract was signed and the deal is done. Enjoy

UPDATE

so i got an email today:

Hey John, Well talking to these guys from Ford it dosent look like they will let the rebate stand on the Shelby.....My Ford rep is saying he will give me some number you can call to fight your case, but I dont know what else to do......
I talked to my boss today and he says I just have to have you bring the money, taking it out of my hands again.....Im really sorry about this......
Give me a call and let me know what you want me to do......
Rob.....

what a load.

I live in bakersfield so there are no dealers around here except these guys. I think I'd rather just give the car back and not deal with this idiots ever again.

The fun part is I own the 2 swap meets here in town and have about 25000 people walk into my gates each week. I wonder how they would like some negative advertising?

Even funnier part, I gave the finance guy a card for a free space at my swap meet. I think if he comes, I'll wait till he gets all his merchandise set up and then I'll let him know I cant accept his free space voucher and ask him for full price on his selling space?

Tell 'em they can either take you to court or they can compromise and split the difference - you'll pay $375 for being ignorant and they'll pay $375 for being stupid.

<added> Not using "ignorant" in a harsh way. Will Rogers said "Everyone is ignorant, only on different subjects." </added>

UPDATE

so i got an email today:

Hey John, Well talking to these guys from Ford it dosent look like they will let the rebate stand on the Shelby.....My Ford rep is saying he will give me some number you can call to fight your case, but I dont know what else to do......
I talked to my boss today and he says I just have to have you bring the money, taking it out of my hands again.....Im really sorry about this......
Give me a call and let me know what you want me to do......
Rob.....

what a load.

I live in bakersfield so there are no dealers around here except these guys. I think I'd rather just give the car back and not deal with this idiots ever again.

The fun part is I own the 2 swap meets here in town and have about 25000 people walk into my gates each week. I wonder how they would like some negative advertising?

Even funnier part, I gave the finance guy a card for a free space at my swap meet. I think if he comes, I'll wait till he gets all his merchandise set up and then I'll let him know I cant accept his free space voucher and ask him for full price on his selling space?

This is great, do this, do this! Morons, its a breach of contract isn't it? I'd tell them to go to court, they will write it off. OR, feel free to point out that it's their mistake, take the $750 out of the salepersons commission. (Mrs. SubSailors idea, she's full of good ones, lol)

I would call them and tell them they can have the car back this afternoon and make sure they have my down payment IN CASH ready when I get there!
The dealership is most likely NOT going to pay the Salesperson his/her commission! (25% of the gross profit about $750) They are putting the blame on him, although its a few peoples fault including yours.

I've noticed that several here have tried to put some blame on the buyer. I beg to differ. Even if he did notice the coupon said it excluded SVT vehicles, what would be wrong in asking if they would honor it anyway? It's extremely common for a business to take coupons that might not apply, coupons that expired, coupons from competetors.

So just because it's a car dealer why should the buyer be criticized for bringing in the coupon, knowingly or not? For crying out loud, if the dealer don't know what's going on then why blame the consumer? That's ridiculous. The dealer could've chosen to honor it out of their own pocket. Let's not forget the little hidden profits such as holdback. They just think they can do better selling it to someone else instead. I'm sure the $750 wasn't going to put them in the red on this sale.

In short, the dealer had a choice: Make a customer for life or pick this battle.


.

I've noticed that several here have tried to put some blame on the buyer. I beg to differ. Even if he did notice the coupon said it excluded SVT vehicles, what would be wrong in asking if they would honor it anyway? It's extremely common for a business to take coupons that might not apply, coupons that expired, coupons from competetors.

So just because it's a car dealer why should the buyer be criticized for bringing in the coupon, knowingly or not? For crying out loud, if the dealer don't know what's going on then why blame the consumer? That's ridiculous. The dealer could've chosen to honor it out of their own pocket. Let's not forget the little hidden profits such as holdback. They just think they can do better selling it to someone else instead. I'm sure the $750 wasn't going to put them in the red on this sale.

In short, the dealer had a choice: Make a customer for life or pick this battle.


.

I literally told them that I had the private cash and they said if it didn't say gt500, which it doesnt, that they would take it. Another dealer saw the coupon and said they would except it even after it was expired, because he wasn't going to lose a sale over $750.
I also sat in the salesmans office for 15 minutes while he went and verified the coupon/voucher, and my cashiers check. I went out of my way to make sure the coupon was good. The finance guy even talked about how he thought i was lucky for getting it since they dont usually see gt500 discounts. They had plenty of opportunity to say no.

I stand corrected about the coupon NOT excluding the GT500. That just makes this particular dealer clearly wrong.

Here is the private cash coupon.

I also have the authorization with the finance business managers signature showing "I certify that the above customer qualifies for program incentive's"

These guys are crooks, I guess I'll tell them to bring me a cashiers check and they can pick up the car, or to talk to my lawyer.

if you like the car- keep it...their fault and their burden to rectify :)

Still cannot believe they are pressing you on this over 750.00. Guess they are trying to run off customers. They agreed to accept it and you have it in the contract, don't see where they have a leg to stand on to get that money back.

I just got this coupon myself. I have a 2012 GT500 on order but was going to see what kind of deal I could get on a 2011 using this coupon. Im not going to even bother looking at the 2011 now knowing I cant use the coupon.

I just got this coupon myself. I have a 2012 GT500 on order but was going to see what kind of deal I could get on a 2011 using this coupon. Im not going to even bother looking at the 2011 now knowing I cant use the coupon.

In my opinion you can do whatever you want, its your money. If it doesnt say "no gt500" then they have to honor it. or tell them that you have another dealer that will happily honor it. they arent going to lose a sale over 750. settle on your price then whip it out. show them this thread so they can see that i used it :)

In my opinion you can do whatever you want, its your money. If it doesnt say "no gt500" then they have to honor it. or tell them that you have another dealer that will happily honor it. they arent going to lose a sale over 750. settle on your price then whip it out. show them this thread so they can see that i used it :)

No where on the coupon does it say it cant be used on a GT500. I think I will try what you suggested, If they wont honor the coupon I'll just walk and stick to my ordered 2012.

No where on the coupon does it say it cant be used on a GT500.

It does say "Exclusions Apply. See Dealer for details"

That being said the burdon falls on the dealer, they cleared it its yours..period.

Tell them to go suck an egg :boohoo:

Went to the dealer today to see if I could work a deal on a 2011. I mentioned the $750 coupon and they checked in there system to see if the GT500 was eligable and they said it was. Unfortunetly I wasnt able to work out a deal on the car.

Went to the dealer today to see if I could work a deal on a 2011. I mentioned the $750 coupon and they checked in there system to see if the GT500 was eligable and they said it was. Unfortunetly I wasnt able to work out a deal on the car.

NOT suprised at all

last email i got from the dealer said i can call some number to fight it. I just ignored it.

NOT suprised at all

last email i got from the dealer said i can call some number to fight it. I just ignored it.


Im very sorrry to hear your still having problems with your dealer. :(

Here is the private cash coupon.

I also have the authorization with the finance business managers signature showing "I certify that the above customer qualifies for program incentive's"

These guys are crooks, I guess I'll tell them to bring me a cashiers check and they can pick up the car, or to talk to my lawyer.

That receipt says the dealer says the car qualifies for the discount, and they signed it.

As far as I can see this is not your problem. I would provide them a photocopy of that (I'm sure they have a copy) and tell them their reimbursement from Ford isn't your problem.

****UPDATE****

So I got a call from the dealership today. First the guy was real friendly and was wondering if I had already paid the $750. I said no. There was a long pause and he asked if I was still planning on paying. I said no. Another long pause. He began to tell me that my exact words were that if there was a problem with ford that i would bring a check. Of course I dont remember my exact words. but that just sounds stupid and thats not what i said. I tried to explain that i would pay the difference if it did say i couldnt use it(which it didnt). blah blah, he interrupted me and began to tell me that he was dissapointed that i said i would pay and he went and told everyone i would pay and now he has to go back and tell them that i wasnt going to pay. we bickered for a little and he tried to tell me what i said. so i tried to turn it around and explain how dissapointed i was and that we made a deal blah blah. he tried to basically guilt me it seems. he interrupted me while i was explaining my side and said, that it was clear i wasnt going to change my mind no matter what he said, i said ok and he hung up.

I cant believe they are still trying to get this money out of you.

I came across this thread, and signed up so I could reply here. I am a sales manager at a Ford dealership, so I wanted to give you some input.

1. "exclusions apply, see dealer for details"... this does put the burden on the dealer first. Dealers are required to verify incentives and their compatibility with the car deal through Ford's Vehicle INCENTive system, or VINCENT for short. Obviously this dealer did not. GT500's are excluded from those private programs, always. The dealer should have known that, but maybe its a dealer that doesn't sell many GT500's, or perhaps doesn't see many $750 coupons and they were simply ignorant to the matter.

2. With that said, the next burden (on you, the buyer) comes in the F&I office when the buyer signs an incentive agreement form. This form has wording in it that says if for any reason a special pricing program (A,X,Z,D plan, etc) or any incentive/rebate is declined by the manufacturer, that you agree to reimburse the dealership in full, within a specified timeframe. YOU SHOULD ASK THEM IF THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT THAT YOU SIGNED REGARDING THE INCENTIVE. IF THEY DO NOT....KEEP YOUR 750, ENJOY YOUR CAR, and CASE CLOSED.

3. The dealer certainly made a few thousand dollars on the sale of a new GT500, and should take that in consideration when "battling" with a customer about an incentive that was declined, when the dealer should have caught this well before the papers were signed and car was driven off the lot.

4. The reality of it is this: The dealer isn't going to take you to court over $750. They need to just eat it, and take it out of their profit in the deal. Truthfully, you were not entitled to this incentive from the beginning, but they are equally at fault for not knowing or verifying this themselves. Worst case scenario, you guys should split it.

5. Don't expect the salesperson and manager to be very happy about it. The salesperson especially, if the profit in the deal gets adjusted down $750 due to the dealer eating it, the salesperson gets charged back his 25-30% commission amount of that as well. $187-225 right out of his/her pocket.

got one more email today from the salesman

hey John, fyi......the boys told me to stay out of it but just wanted you to know they are going to pay that $750, so dont worry about it....
I hope you can still give me a good survey.....Its part of my pay plan, but if not I understand....If you need anything please just give me a call....
Rob......

should I even do the survey

For $ 750, I would ! just be positive so he makes it up in the future. LESSON LEARNED !!!:boohoo:

Check your sales agreement. Most contracts have an integration clause. If you negotiated a lifetime oil change but it ain't in the contract, you ain't gettin' it. Same thing with whatever you might have promised about the $750. If it ain't in the contract . . .

got one more email today from the salesman

hey John, fyi......the boys told me to stay out of it but just wanted you to know they are going to pay that $750, so dont worry about it....
I hope you can still give me a good survey.....Its part of my pay plan, but if not I understand....If you need anything please just give me a call....
Rob......

should I even do the survey

I would. I can tell you from personal experience those surveys have a much bigger impact than people usually think when they fill them out.

In the end they gave you a credit they had to eat and you got the price and car you wanted (with some speed bumps). I'd give the guy a glowing survey even if it's just for karma ;)

got one more email today from the salesman

hey John, fyi......the boys told me to stay out of it but just wanted you to know they are going to pay that $750, so dont worry about it....
I hope you can still give me a good survey.....Its part of my pay plan, but if not I understand....If you need anything please just give me a call....
Rob......

should I even do the survey

Nobody is "paying" the 750, they just aren't getting reimbursed for it thats all. In all reality, you were never entitled to it in the first place, so yeah, i'd give them a great survey. Sounds like they just bought a good survey for $750!

got one more email today from the salesman

hey John, fyi......the boys told me to stay out of it but just wanted you to know they are going to pay that $750, so dont worry about it....
I hope you can still give me a good survey.....Its part of my pay plan, but if not I understand....If you need anything please just give me a call....
Rob......

should I even do the survey

Im glad to hear everything worked out for you. I would probably give the salesman a good review being that he probably has absolutely nothing to do with working the numbers.

I came across this thread, and signed up so I could reply here. I am a sales manager at a Ford dealership, so I wanted to give you some input.

1. "exclusions apply, see dealer for details"... this does put the burden on the dealer first. Dealers are required to verify incentives and their compatibility with the car deal through Ford's Vehicle INCENTive system, or VINCENT for short. Obviously this dealer did not. GT500's are excluded from those private programs, always. The dealer should have known that, but maybe its a dealer that doesn't sell many GT500's, or perhaps doesn't see many $750 coupons and they were simply ignorant to the matter.

2. With that said, the next burden (on you, the buyer) comes in the F&I office when the buyer signs an incentive agreement form. This form has wording in it that says if for any reason a special pricing program (A,X,Z,D plan, etc) or any incentive/rebate is declined by the manufacturer, that you agree to reimburse the dealership in full, within a specified timeframe. YOU SHOULD ASK THEM IF THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT THAT YOU SIGNED REGARDING THE INCENTIVE. IF THEY DO NOT....KEEP YOUR 750, ENJOY YOUR CAR, and CASE CLOSED.

3. The dealer certainly made a few thousand dollars on the sale of a new GT500, and should take that in consideration when "battling" with a customer about an incentive that was declined, when the dealer should have caught this well before the papers were signed and car was driven off the lot.

4. The reality of it is this: The dealer isn't going to take you to court over $750. They need to just eat it, and take it out of their profit in the deal. Truthfully, you were not entitled to this incentive from the beginning, but they are equally at fault for not knowing or verifying this themselves. Worst case scenario, you guys should split it.

5. Don't expect the salesperson and manager to be very happy about it. The salesperson especially, if the profit in the deal gets adjusted down $750 due to the dealer eating it, the salesperson gets charged back his 25-30% commission amount of that as well. $187-225 right out of his/her pocket.


When I was looking at 2011 GT500 a couple a weeks ago I mentioned that I had the $750 private cash coupon and asked if the GT500 i was looking at was eligable. There first response was he (internet sales manager) didnt think it was but he would he would check to make sure. He brought me over to a computer and pulled up my name out of the system that showed i did indeed have the coupon, he then entered a number and said the car came back as eligable. I asked if he was absolutely sure and he said yes because he had to enter the exact vehicle I was looking at in order to get a verification. Im curious as to what you think about this, were they pulling my leg and just trying to get me in the finance office? Or does Ford have a glitch in there system that is creating alot of confusion for the dealers?

When I was looking at 2011 GT500 a couple a weeks ago I mentioned that I had the $750 private cash coupon and asked if the GT500 i was looking at was eligable. There first response was he (internet sales manager) didnt think it was but he would he would check to make sure. He brought me over to a computer and pulled up my name out of the system that showed i did indeed have the coupon, he then entered a number and said the car came back as eligable. I asked if he was absolutely sure and he said yes because he had to enter the exact vehicle I was looking at in order to get a verification. Im curious as to what you think about this, were they pulling my leg and just trying to get me in the finance office? Or does Ford have a glitch in there system that is creating alot of confusion for the dealers?

makes sense to me. i honestly feel like they wanted to get me in the car first so there wouldnt be any risk of me walking if they said the coupon was no good. then they can call later and say "oh btw".

on a funny note i got a check in the mail from them today for $2 for dmv fee over charging.

btw I LOVE THE CAR. got almost 500 miles on it, so much fun to drive.

When I was looking at 2011 GT500 a couple a weeks ago I mentioned that I had the $750 private cash coupon and asked if the GT500 i was looking at was eligable. There first response was he (internet sales manager) didnt think it was but he would he would check to make sure. He brought me over to a computer and pulled up my name out of the system that showed i did indeed have the coupon, he then entered a number and said the car came back as eligable. I asked if he was absolutely sure and he said yes because he had to enter the exact vehicle I was looking at in order to get a verification. Im curious as to what you think about this, were they pulling my leg and just trying to get me in the finance office? Or does Ford have a glitch in there system that is creating alot of confusion for the dealers?

Thats a loaded question, but I'll give you my best answer. To get to the screen to check for active certificates in VINCENT, you do have to run an incentive search on a given vehicle. However, the certificate inquiry searches for active certificates, but does not qualify them against that vehicle. It is odd. You have to enter a vehicle to get to that screen, but you have to go several screens past the certificate search in order to do a compatibility search. (not sure if he did this, usually salespeople only know how to do the first part)

When the active certificate comes up in the search, clicking on the program # will bring up the full details of the program which would spell out what vehicles it is compatible with.

Your best bet is to have the dealership's sales manager or F&I manager qualify it.

From past experience, GT500's have always been excluded from this, and MANY other programs and private offers. But.....anything is possible.

Thats a loaded question, but I'll give you my best answer. To get to the screen to check for active certificates in VINCENT, you do have to run an incentive search on a given vehicle. However, the certificate inquiry searches for active certificates, but does not qualify them against that vehicle. It is odd. You have to enter a vehicle to get to that screen, but you have to go several screens past the certificate search in order to do a compatibility search. (not sure if he did this, usually salespeople only know how to do the first part)

When the active certificate comes up in the search, clicking on the program # will bring up the full details of the program which would spell out what vehicles it is compatible with.

Your best bet is to have the dealership's sales manager or F&I manager qualify it.

From past experience, GT500's have always been excluded from this, and MANY other programs and private offers. But.....anything is possible.



Thank you for the explanation. Im not sure how deep into the system he went, I do remember seeing 3 different pages on the screen though.