Our NEW 2004 Ford diesel pickup, dead and with only 1,542 miles on it. We went shopping for a new Ford diesel pickup on Saturday, December 6, 2003. This would be our third diesel and second 4 wheel drive. Our old 1993 truck has 175,000 miles of good service. It is still good. We are keeping it. We like Fords. (We used to like Ford diesels.)

We told the sales person that we were in a time crunch and had to have the truck by 6 AM Tuesday, December 9. We found the truck we wanted, but it had an electronic four wheel drive transfer.

We talked price. Window sticker said $42,000 plus. Were there rebates? How about a business discount? We gave him our business information. They offered a bonus of a $750.00 Gift Certificate. Sounds like a good deal.

We did not like the electronic transfer. We wanted the manual transfer. The nice salesman offered to find a truck just like this one but with the manual transfer. He said it could possibly cost $200 or $300 more depending on features. Normally the manual transfer cost less. Charge for the electronic transfer was $185 on the window sticker.

He called and said they found one and it was silver grey. Did we want it? We said yes. He said, they would have it about noon Monday. Then Monday, they called and said they were having trouble on the road and it would be about 2 or 3 PM before the truck would be ready. They finally got the truck after dark, did not have time to put on the running boards. It was after closing and most everyone was gone. We climbed up into the truck, drove it out, and it seemed to be okay.

We went in to sign papers. We were charged $400 more for this truck. They said it had better CD player and special heavy duty tires. Did we want GAP insurance? We said no, since we were financing only $15,000.00. (This GAP insurance is something new to us.) We asked what about the business discount. Office lady said the supervisor was gone. She would ask him Tuesday about the business discount. She said to sign the papers and they would mail them to us. We signed the papers. We took the truck.

While getting the truck ready to leave the next morning, we noticed there was no sliding rear window. What else was missing? Where is the cute barbed wire decal? I called the Ford dealership and asked to speak to the salesman, he was busy with a customer. I asked that they send me copy of the window sticker from the Sand Beige truck that was on their lot and a copy for the truck that we purchased. The original window sticker was not on the truck we purchased. They faxed me copies on a Arizona Beige truck and our Silver one. (The copies came right off the internet, not the original stickers or a dealer invoice.) On the fax was a hand written note. "Your new truck was $140 more and $260 added for delivery and fuel". Well, that accounts for the $400 difference.

Sand Beige truck? They said they did not have a Sand Beige color. I have bifocals. I must have read the sticker wrong. That happens when you get old, but I also saw the sliding window and the barb wire decal. All illusion?

Excuse me. What is the delivery and fuel charge?
What about the business discount?

We get the papers in the mail and we were charged for the GAP insurance. "There is a form to sign and it will be taken off the amount we financed."

Everyone who has ever bought a car knows that when you sign the papers and drive off... you keep that car. Okay, we don't like it, but we know that.

Monday, December 22, 2003 I call the dealer for an appointment to get the running boards and truck detailed. "Okay, appointment for 10 Am Friday, December 26."

Christmas eve, Wednesday, 7 PM and raining, near Tarpley, Texas, 60 miles from home, going along fine, then the truck stalls, dead. It will not start. We called our AARP Motor Plan for a wrecker to get it home. It was full of Christmas gifts. We did not try to call for Ford Warranty help. Christmas Day the Ford place was closed. We called the Ford dealer on Friday, December 26, 2003. They sent a wrecker to get it about 11 AM.

They called 10 AM Saturday and said it had a short. A wire came loose and touched the valve cover causing the stall, both batteries tested DEAD also ABS light was on. "There will be no charge for repair." I asked about the running boards and the lady said "What running boards?" I reminded her of our Friday appointment and she did not have any record of the appointment. So she calls for the salesperson and I guess he is busy because he does not come to the phone. She finally comes back to say the truck will all be ready when we get there.

We had it 16 days. We put 1248 miles on it.

We drove the 40 miles to get our new truck and bring it back home. They were very nice and gave us a hand written, detailed note explaining what all they fixed on the truck.... at no charge.

They also explained that when they look up a truck on their computer for you and go to another dealer to get it, there IS A CHARGE for the service: $1.00 per mile plus fuel. I assumed this to be a courtesy to sell their products. Not so. Our charge was $260.00 plus tax. Since we had not been told of the transport charge, the manager was nice enough to write us a check for the amount.

I hope this is the end of the story and we all live HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

*When buying an auto: always take notes, write VIN numbers, write details, what salesperson said, start price, trade in price, discount price, be sure to take your time, read the fine print (most loan contracts have arbitration clause: you can not sue them), get the salesperson to sign your notes, don't be afraid to walk away. They may have a better deal next week or maybe try another dealer with the best deal that you got from this guy. Be sure you have EVERYTHING in writing, model numbers, tires, CD player, etc. All of the deal. Ask for a copy the factory sheet on the window. If they are honest, they will give it to you.