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Ford Escape Hybrid Prices Paid and Buying Experiences

712 messages,  Last post on Sep 22, 2012 at 9:42 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Escape Hybrid, Hybrid Cars, SUV

    

Messages Page 49 of 72

#480 of 712 Re: Has anyone received their 2009 Escape Hybrid? [warrentool] by fmorriso

Jul 15, 2008 (6:50 am)

Replying to: warrentool (Jul 14, 2008 11:48 am)
My salesman claims (and I have some doubts about the veracity of what he's saying) that he can only get an allocation for a FEH if he agrees to take two allocations for Expeditions, presumably because Ford can't get rid of them with gasoline priced the way it currently is. He says the owner refuses to play this "allocation game" since Expedtions are a sure-fire money loser in terms of being unable to sell and the $4000 in carrying costs incurred every six months.
 
All this adds up to one thing: no allocation to order my vehicle and the only other FEH in this particular dealer's USOB.
 
From where I'm sitting, I figure one of two things has to happen before my vehicle can get an allocation slot:
  • The owner of the dealership bends over, grabs the ankles, and screams "Thank you sir [Ford HQ], may have another [Expedition]", possibly trying to add a "premium" to the MSRP of the FEH in order to recoop his expected loss on the two Expeditions.
  • Ford HQ "blinks first" during this game of "allocation chicken" with the dealer and decides they need to book the revenue from a sale of a FEH that's been sitting in the USOB since April 21, worse than they need to get rid of Expeditions.
    When I spoke to my salesman and the inventory guy this past Saturday, they assured me they were doing everything they could to get my vehicle built but still didn't have any allocation "slots".
     
    In lieu of all the other folks who ordered 3-6 weeks after I did that have, as a minimum a VIN and in some cases, actual production dates, I find it hard to believe I'm being told the full story. Throw in the fact that this is the first Ford I have ever tried to buy and you can see why Ford is blowing their "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" opportunity.
     
    I'm not new to custom car ordering. I've ordered the following cars since I began driving in 1970:
     
  • 1978 Chevrolet Chevette
  • 1983 Renault Alliance
  • 1986 Chrysler LeBaron Turbo (mid-life crisis car)
  • 1992 Saturn SL2
  • 1993 Saturn SL2
  • 1997 Saturn SL2
  • 2000 Saturn LS2
     
    Except for when UAW went on strike for a few months shortly after I ordered the '86 LeBaron in late 1985, I've never experienced the kind of delays and lack of believable information that I'm experiencing with the ordering of my fully loaded 2009 FEH Limited (U59/750A/WS+60N+187).
     
    It's one thing to have material availability, vacations, annual plant shutdowns affect the scheduling of production. I'm OK with that. But to have the "allocation game" be responsible for the nearly 3-month delay just seems like somebody isn't being completely open/honest about what's really going on behind the scenes.

    • #481 of 712 Re: Has anyone received their 2009 Escape Hybrid? [fmorriso] by burnsva

    Jul 15, 2008 (9:02 am)

    Replying to: fmorriso (Jul 15, 2008 6:50 am)
    My dealer explained to me that often dealers make "trades" of allocation spots or popular vehicles and will attach hard to move vehicles as part of the deal. My dealer won't take on any extra Expedition inventory, so he is limited to the allocations he has from Ford hq.
     
    Considering that production just started on June 23rd of the FEH - I am choosing to start my "waiting clock" then - not from the date I placed my order, (beginning of May).

    #482 of 712 Received a Ship Date!! by cwgmls

    Jul 15, 2008 (10:43 am)

    Receipt Date: 5/9/2008
    Serialize Date: 5/22/2008
    Segment Date: 5/22/2008
    Sequence Date: 6/9/2008
    Blend Date: 6/13/2008
    Produced Date: 6/23/2008
    Gate Release Date: 6/25/08
    Ship Date: 6/25/08
    Arrival Date:
    Sold Date:
     
    The blueovalforum.com poster said there was a weather related delay in shipping. Called my dealer and he said it should have been here (NJ). Hopefully it didn't get flooded in the Midwest rains!!

    #483 of 712 Re: Has anyone received their 2009 Escape Hybrid? [burnsva] by fmorriso

    Jul 15, 2008 (1:08 pm)

    Replying to: burnsva (Jul 15, 2008 9:02 am)
    You are certainly entitled to read the clock whatever way you wish, but given all of the following exist for every order, to my way of thinking, the only way to compare experiences between customers is to check all of the following dates:
     
    Receipt Date:
    Serialize Date:
    Segment Date:
    Sequence Date:
    Blend Date:
    Produced Date:
    Gate Release Date:
    Ship Date
     
    In my case, all I have is the first date, 4/21/2008. Check the next message in this thread and compare my experience to his, especially given how far after my order his was processed:
     
    Receipt Date: 5/9/2008
    Serialize Date: 5/22/2008
    Segment Date: 5/22/2008
    Sequence Date: 6/9/2008
    Blend Date: 6/13/2008
    Produced Date: 6/23/2008
    Gate Release Date: 6/25/08
    Ship Date: 6/25/08
     
    I smell a rat. A BIG SMELLY RAT!

    #484 of 712 Re: Has anyone received their 2009 Escape Hybrid? [fmorriso] by michaelweho

    Jul 15, 2008 (7:00 pm)

    Replying to: fmorriso (Jul 15, 2008 1:08 pm)
    I just called my dealership and now have the VIN #. I was also told that my car is on a train heading west ( I am in Los Angeles) and should arrive in 9 days. The guy I spoke to at my dealership is apparently using a good tracking system and was very awesome. We will see.
     
    Once again - does anyone have any other updates or has anyone received their vehicle. From what my dealer said - the train first headed east to make a drop and is now headed West. Some must be somewhere now!!!
     
    Thanks!

    #485 of 712 Re: Has anyone received their 2009 Escape Hybrid? [michaelweho] by ddawes

    Jul 15, 2008 (9:51 pm)

    Replying to: michaelweho (Jul 15, 2008 7:00 pm)
    My FEH was shipped on 7/1/08 (per info on Blue Oval Forum) and had an ETA to my dealer in SW Washington of 7/14/08 (per their Vehicle Visibility System). So far no FEH. Now I'm not sure if the 14th was the day or they meant the week of the 14th.I guess I'll contact my dealer tomorrow and have them do a check and see where it's at. I probably shouldn't complain as there are others who ordered their FEH earlier and have not made it very far in the process. It seems odd that they only have one train out of the factory going east them coming back west. Somewhere there's a train load of FEH.

    #486 of 712 Re: Has anyone received their 2009 Escape Hybrid? [michaelweho] by crysnsteve

    Jul 16, 2008 (4:47 pm)

    Replying to: michaelweho (Jul 15, 2008 7:00 pm)
    My Dealer called today and they have just received the 09 FEH hybrids on his lot. . I guess they have made it as far west as Denver. Should be coming soon to a town near you.

    #487 of 712 Re: Has anyone received their 2009 Escape Hybrid? [bjcarter] by ddawes

    Jul 16, 2008 (4:50 pm)

    Replying to: bjcarter (Jul 11, 2008 3:15 pm)
    I checked with my dealer today and he was also told about the "weather" delay, but could not get more of answer. My FEH is still in Kansas City, probably on a rail car. Since it was "shipped" on 7/1, but is still in KC, I imagine the lack of others reporting that they received their FEH may mean they're all still in KC. Frustrating to say the least! I would guess that it may be three to four weeks for those on the west coast to receive their FEH once the "weather" clears up. This afternoon I took a short 30 mile Motorcycle trip and saw at least six auto transports full of Toyotas heading north from Portland, OR.

    #488 of 712 2009 FEH Navigation System Question by burnsva

    Jul 17, 2008 (5:12 am)

    In the 2009 FEH Order Guide, it describes the Navigation System as "AM/FM 6 disc in dash changer,..." - but on the published window stickers with Navigation Systems it says, "Navigation/Single-Disc Radio" and there is no mention in the Navigation System user guide refering to multiple CD use (I haven't found it anyway)...
     
    Does anyone have any other information regarding the Nav System?

    #489 of 712 Re: Has anyone received their 2009 Escape Hybrid? [burnsva] by troybarwick

    Jul 18, 2008 (10:21 am)

    Replying to: burnsva (Jul 15, 2008 9:02 am)
    I ordered my Escape Hybrid Limited on May 31. It still shows unscheduled clean. WTF? Should I be concerned?

    Messages Page 49 of 72

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