I like my dealer, and I trust my dealer. I don't think there's any malintent on their part. BUT, I made the mistake of buying a "dealership employee discounted ESP" from them for my new '13 GT500. Just for laughs, I quoted the identical plan through Ford direct - via their website. Buying direct would have saved me a hair below $1,000. I kid you not.
The dealer is baffled but not entirely suprised - suggesting that sometimes Ford's direct price is lower than what dealer's offer, and sometimes it's higher. Apparently Ford is not aware - or doesn't care - that it's creating channel conflict for the same exact product (i.e. their extended service plan).
So, unless my dealer can somehow fix the issue (which they likely can't), I'll have to cancel the plan I signed with them, and resign for a new one with Ford direct. It's a hassle - but won't cost me more than effort.
Moral of the story: don't buy ESP from dealers without first researching Ford direct pricing. I stupidly assumed Ford would keep prices in synch across channels, and that I was getting a reasonable deal given my $400 dealership employee discount!
The dealer is baffled but not entirely suprised - suggesting that sometimes Ford's direct price is lower than what dealer's offer, and sometimes it's higher. Apparently Ford is not aware - or doesn't care - that it's creating channel conflict for the same exact product (i.e. their extended service plan).
So, unless my dealer can somehow fix the issue (which they likely can't), I'll have to cancel the plan I signed with them, and resign for a new one with Ford direct. It's a hassle - but won't cost me more than effort.
Moral of the story: don't buy ESP from dealers without first researching Ford direct pricing. I stupidly assumed Ford would keep prices in synch across channels, and that I was getting a reasonable deal given my $400 dealership employee discount!