Ford UK Fraud?

simonmcl

Question: When is a piece of standard equipment in a Ford motor car not a piece of standard equipment?

Answer: When Ford UK decide it is not despite ALL publications and websites (including independent ones) saying that it is.

I recently purchased a Ford Galaxay and ALL the brochures, web sites and independent assessment sites for the car clearly stated that Galaxy came with a tonneau cover as standard. fine you might thnk but when it finally gets delivered there is something missing. The STANDARD tonneau cover. When queried you are told that although it states it is standard equipment it is in actual fact an OPTIONAL EXTRA!!! Ford UK seem not to understand the difference between these two phrases. Even if you take this to director level, Mark Ovenden contact him via email on [EMAIL="movende1@ford.com"]movende1@ford.com[/EMAIL], you are still told that the web site and brochures are out of date and has not been standard equipment since early 2010. Despite sending them copies of the website in 2011, 2012 and picking up the 'new 2012 brochures' ALL which state it is standard, Ford UK still insist that it is not.

Ford's new slogan - More as Standard.. should really read....... 'More as standard as long as you pay through the nose for the standard equipment which we will class as optional extras even though we clearly state it is standard. Complain and we will ignore you and tell you that you are wrong and did not understand, and we will treat you like the scum of the earth as we have your money now so we dont care..'

Not much of a slogan for increasing its customer base I know but at least it would be accurate.

photome

Seems Out of order to me especially if they are still advertising it as standard equipment.

Trading standards maybe?

pitkin2020

Threaten to reject it for not as described?? TBH as you seem to have kicked up a fuss about it you would have thought you would just give it to you to save the hassle especially as you have pointed out its listed as standard in a few of their own publications.

s_b

Ford UK Fraud?

sounds like a cover up to me

laidbackgjr

Well I can't see why a Galaxy would need a tonneau cover - definition - describes a hard or soft cover used to protect unoccupied passenger seats in a convertible, roadster, or for a pickup truck bed.

For me a Galaxy has a roof to cover these areas, so by the above definition a Galaxy does come with a tonneau cover as standard, in the form of a roof. Unless you are telling us you have a Galaxy convertible?

Monkeeboy

The response from laidbackgjr doesnt particularly help.

I would tend to agree with Photome and also contact the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Information can be found at http://www.motorcodes.co.uk/motorist/the-codes/new-car-code.html The download fo the New Car code of practice 1.1 would seem to cover the issue. Stay calm and continue to pursue your argument as the current online brochure clearly states the car comes with the cover as standard.

good luck

atrixblue.-MFR-.

advetising standards fail.

if they still publicise that a cover is a "standard equipment" and then tell you its not despite stating it is in many publications website brochure etc then they have broken advertising standards, if the vehivle did not come with the standard feature advertised the vehcle is not as described, refusal of delivery or return can be warranted under the SOGA for vehicle not as described.

personally i would expect a car to come with a standard feature as advertised no matter what the feature or standard accessory is, i would sit in the dealers office with both this and last years brochure, and point out the relavent law of advertising standards, and the sales of good act, and tell him he can either give me the standard equipment advertised or take the vehcile back and sales of good act as vehicle not described and have your money back, then after he hands over the cover tell him that you will report them to advetising standards authority anyway and that trading standards have been informed, its not fraud parse but is an advertising breach and a mis description of vehicle features.

adamc260

You will find the following statement on the back of the brochure

"This brochure was correct at the time of going to print. However, Ford policy is one of continuous product development. The right is reserved to change specifications, colours and prices of the models and items illustrated and described in this publication at any time"

I agree the website does state "Standard" but companies do make mistakes and have seen many before (Ford are not alone).

Paul_the_Painter

Come on guys - be fair to the OP, It is how Ford describe it

http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/Galaxy/Models

I'd have called it a boot cover but thats just me

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Galaxy-VW-Sharan-Tonneau-Cover-parcel-shelf-/120840841488?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c22ace910

photome

Paul_the_Painter wrote: »

Come on guys - be fair to the OP, It is how Ford describe it

http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/Galaxy/Models

I'd have called it a boot cover but thats just me

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Galaxy-VW-Sharan-Tonneau-Cover-parcel-shelf-/120840841488?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c22ace910

I am guessing they all know that, but just wanted to be awkward

adamc260

photome wrote: »

I am guessing they all know that, but just wanted to be awkward

I didn't know it? Google it and see if it comes up with what has been linked... it doesn't!