Ford dealership

Paul in MN · Nov 7, 2015

I went in to pick up a few parts and then went to the sales floor. I asked one of the salesmen for a brochure on the new 2016 F 350s so I could start thinking about possibly upgrading from my 02. I was blown away with his response that Ford is no longer publishing sales brochures. "You can get all that stuff on the internet". Like this 70 yr old guy is going to eat breakfast or lunch or dinner while sitting at my computer? What is wrong with these people???? In my decades of experience, if you want to sell something (especially big ticket stuff), you need to sell the customer a dream first. I think Ford has forgotten about our "mature" segment of the population and is aiming to sell mainly to the young crowd who can't put down their "smart" phones.

We finally got to a place in life when wife wanted a step up from the Ford nameplate for her car, so we have owned a couple of Merc Grand Marquis. So in their infinite corporate wisdom, they killed off the Merc line. Of course the corporate people want to up-sell us into the Lincoln line. Well, we are NOT Lincoln or Cadillac people, so Ford leaves us the choice of going back to the Ford nameplate, or avoiding their hassle and buying a good Buick. The full size Buicks have pretty good reliability ratings now. Besides the Lincoln line now has different model cars named by 3 letters, but the first 2 letters in all lines are "M" and "K". How the heck am I supposed to make 3 letters into a dream that becomes a car I am proud of. Maybe I am just a wretched product of the 60's and 70's when cars had real names that somehow stirred the imagination and maybe some adrenaline.

Sorry Ford! You are not stirring up my dreams or imagination. Looks like I'll just have to be satisfied with running the next 100 K miles up on the 12 year old Marquis.

Rant over for now.

Paul in MN

David G · Nov 7, 2015

That is unbelievable, no brochures for a 60K vehicle.

onefarmer · Nov 7, 2015

If they aren't going to offer preprinted brochures, they should have the ability to print one on the spot. They do have computers and printers don't they?

Old bob. · Nov 7, 2015

Just got a brochure in the mail from Chevrolet today in the mail. Had the trucks in it. Not as specific as the brochure on the 350 would have been.

Also the other day we were at a Chevy dealership looking at a 3500 High Country. The salesman gave my wife a brochure on it.

Traditional Farmer · Nov 7, 2015

As far as cars go buy a Toyota much better car than a Ford or GM product.

Ray · Nov 7, 2015

I was happy to see you could still get a full size spare in my 2014 chevy pickup. However, after a flat tire I discovered my tires are 18 inch and my spare is 17 inch.

Janicholson · Nov 7, 2015

Get a friend to print one off of the net. I know It is a shame. The Ford car lineup has very nice cars and they have a good reputation. They took pains to scale the company before the crisis, and GM didn't. The GM company lost several badge engineered cars. Most of the mercury lineup was the same platform and engine/sheetmetal as the Ford branded cars with a different color/trim/interior list. All three companies found themselves competing with their own divisions for the same customer. (no profit in that) Chrysler (and IHC tractors among others) are owned by Fiat in Italy, go figure. I like Subaru automobiles (made in Lafayette Indiana of as many USA parts as in a Ford or GM car. Jim

Old weldor · Nov 7, 2015

I for one will buy an American made car, not an assembled in the us, made in Japan car. Because I am an American, I prefer to support American company's and keep the profit in the United States. So it will be a Ford, Chevy or Chrysler product for me.

Don-Wi · Nov 7, 2015

Chrysler is out. Owned by Fiat, of Italy now. So that leaves Ford and GM, and if you've got lots of $$$$, Tesla.

Donovan from Wisconsin

oldtanker · Nov 7, 2015

(quoted from post at 17:38:42 11/07/15) As far as cars go buy a Toyota much better car than a Ford or GM product.

LOL does a lot of good when the only Toyota dealer closer than 90 miles has a poor reputation. And until they build something I want why on earth would I buy something that doesn't meet my needs or desires? 3/4 ton pickup or a Suburban sized SUV.

Rick

MN Scott · Nov 7, 2015

My sister has been looking at new cars. She was showing me brochures on the Ford crossover SUV's, can't remember the models. They had lots of pictures, option lists and charts in them. So maybe your dealer is just to cheap to buy them?

Janicholson · Nov 7, 2015

Not Chrysler! it is owned by Fiat of Italy! The profit from Subaru corporate is shared between Subaru USA, and Subaru Japan. The wages and salaries of US employees and US suppliers corporate and employees stays here. It is for sure that ford sources major components in Japan and Europe as well as Canada and Mexico. It is a Global world with little to do with the full product plant in the big US city making the whole thing. Jim

Old Scovy · Nov 7, 2015

yes Paul, I know what you are talking about. We have bought Lincoln Town cars for years. All of them used. try to find one with under 80 thousand on it and drive it another 125,000. They don't make them any more. We are retired and want to travel some, So we bought a new Chrysler town & country. Want to get a couple mobility scooters to go to the tractor shows and truck shows. We never sat in the thing before we paid for it. What a mistake. We don't like it. Thank god we didn't get rid of the old Lincoln. It has 200,000 is nice and sound doesn't use any oil so I had 4 new Michelin's put on it and I plan to run it another 100,000. Stupid ? Maybe, but it is paid for and we like it. When it's shot we will try to get along with the Chrysler.

Tom-NoCenTX · Nov 7, 2015

It is kind of funny to read all the posts below about only buying "an American made car" like Ford or GM. As pointed out Chrysler is a foreign motor company. Also, if you really dig in the details, each car will give you the percentage of parts from US, and foreign. You will be shocked to look closely at some of your Fords and GMs. Some Hondas and Toyotas have more US origin parts than the "American made cars" have. Tom

Jon Hagen · Nov 7, 2015

Paul, look at one of those 3 letter Lincolns

I have driven a Toyota Prius hybrid for 6 trouble free years and AVERAGED an amazing 50 mpg. This fall I decided I wanted a little more room, comfort and toys with the hybrids amazing economy.
I bought a 15 Lincoln MKZ hybrid. The thing is the most comfortable, quiet and good riding car I have ever owned. We love to take long road trips to just sight see, we went on one that was 350 miles today.
The Lincoln MKZ hybrid is so quiet and comfortable to ride in, a huge improvement from a little econo car like the Prius. The miles slide away twice as fast in that quiet comfortable car with all the premium toys(sound system and power everything). The Lincoln is 1000 pounds heavier than the Prius (3300 VS 4300), but still made an amazing 40 mpg today on a still tight new car with only 1500 miles.
And yes everything I learned about the car was found online. I am 67 years old with failing eyesight, so It is much easier for me to read a 21 inch computer screen than a small printed folder,+ 10 times more info.

Billy Shafer · Nov 7, 2015

The only American made car is the Toyota Camry. Chrysler has or is stopping car production in the US. Ford and Chevy are made with parts from overseas

CrabbyJack · Nov 7, 2015

My Ford Fusion was built in Mexico

tractorguy2 · Nov 7, 2015

Who can afford anything new? I have a 1987 Chevy. Will be driving it for at least four more years.

MarkB_MI · Nov 8, 2015

Brochures cost money, and they don't do the dealer any good if they sit collecting dust on the showroom floor. These days, most customers do all their research online before they ever set foot in the dealership.

Ford killed the Mercury brand for the same reason GM killed Oldsmobile and Pontiac: Too many dealers and not enough customers.

Don't like three-letter acronyms for model designations? I guess you didn't like the Pontiac GTO or Olds 442.

oldtanker · Nov 8, 2015

(quoted from post at 07:05:39 11/08/15) Brochures cost money, and they don't do the dealer any good if they sit collecting dust on the showroom floor. These days, most customers do all their research online before they ever set foot in the dealership.

Ford killed the Mercury brand for the same reason GM killed Oldsmobile and Pontiac: Too many dealers and not enough customers.

Don't like three-letter acronyms for model designations? I guess you didn't like the Pontiac GTO or Olds 442.

Mark is correct. Add in the cost of tire kickers picking up that expensive to print brochure and never buying.

The lines ended buy both Ford and GM were losing money too. Why run a line that's losing money just to keep a few customers happy?

Rick

oldtanker · Nov 8, 2015

(quoted from post at 22:11:47 11/07/15) The only American made car is the Toyota Camry. Chrysler has or is stopping car production in the US. Ford and Chevy are made with parts from overseas

You going to tell me that not one single part of a Camry is made outside of the US? Want to bet on that? How much do you have to loose?

Rick

dhermesc · Nov 8, 2015

If you don't mind a gas peddle that has a mind of its own. Better keep the brakes in tip top condition.

Traditional Farmer · Nov 8, 2015

Got a Toyota with 230,000 miles has been as trouble free as a car can be,most of the gas pedal stuff was proved to be false and what Idiot can't shift into neutral of turn the key off if the throttle stuck anyway? Good thing they weren't driving Detroit engines they'd run away all the time

ss55 · Nov 8, 2015

Next time walk outside and look at a few vehicles, you'll get your brochure if the salesman thinks you are a serious buyer. Many printed brochures are not especially helpful. Better information is available at the manufacture's websites, I would start there, most people do.

Do Consumer's Guide and Consumer's Report still publish their Auto Buyer's Guide and Truck Buyer's Guide? Those used to be a fairly good overview of what was available across the market. Around $12 at Amazon or Walmart.

Rick Kr · Nov 8, 2015

Paul,

Im joking but.... Do you realize you are complaining on the internet, about having to look up a vehicle on the internet??

I do agree with you 100%. I like to read the brochure of what I am going to buy before I buy it. Especially in your case when a new F350 is likely north of $70 with a diesel.

Rick

bison · Nov 8, 2015

(quoted from post at 19:25:08 11/07/15) I for one will buy an American made car, not an assembled in the us, made in Japan car. Because I am an American, I prefer to support American company's and keep the profit in the United States. So it will be a Ford, Chevy or Chrysler product for me.

t's not like a car is made in the US,...assembled maybe.
1/2 or more of the parts are made overseas anyways.

M-MAN · Nov 8, 2015

I woulden't hold it against Ford because your local dealer is too cheap to buy the brochures. I do agree with you on the Mercury line though but evidently there weren't enough other buyers that did.

Buick isn't what it was in the old day's either.

CKain(MI) · Nov 8, 2015

Well I did ! Bought a 1965 GTO, in 1965. My local town (Coldwater) had a Pontiac dealer but they did not carry a GTO, so I designed it from their sales brochure and ordered it from the factory. Oh ya I do regret not hanging on it !

Winchester1 · Nov 8, 2015

GMC has been very good about sending me brochures in the mail. I did not ask for them just to try to sell me another truck. If you want a deal shop the internet, there are still a few new 2014 trucks around.

Jim Naden · Nov 9, 2015

(quoted from post at 18:03:13 11/07/15) Get a friend to print one off of the net. I know It is a shame. The Ford car lineup has very nice cars and they have a good reputation. They took pains to scale the company before the crisis, and GM didn't. The GM company lost several badge engineered cars. Most of the mercury lineup was the same platform and engine/sheetmetal as the Ford branded cars with a different color/trim/interior list. All three companies found themselves competing with their own divisions for the same customer. (no profit in that) Chrysler (and IHC tractors among others) are owned by Fiat in Italy, go figure. [b:22175322a8] [i:22175322a8]I like Subaru automobiles (made in Lafayette Indiana of as many USA parts as in a Ford or GM car.[/i:22175322a8][/b:22175322a8] Jim

The Outback, Legacy and Impreza are built in Lafayette as well as some Toyota Camrys. Other Subarus are built overseas.

The SIA plant in Lafayette is a zero landfill plant that recycles everything and also cleans it's own wastewater, they also maintain a thriving wildlife habitat on their property.

rustyfarmall · Nov 9, 2015

If luxury is what you want, take a good look at the Chevy Silverado. We bought a new one in 2012. It is NICER to ride in than ANY Cadillac, Lincoln, or Chrysler I have even been in, and I'm talking about the BIG cars of the 60s and 70s.

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