Good or bad offer?

Hintza

You have to buy the parts and oil (which is fine) but get an idea of how much they will be charging for them. Normal mark-up is about 30%-40% so anymore than that might be taking the pith a bit.

The deal looks OK though (but I would be worried I was missing something).

mikey72

colino wrote: »

In general, someone calling at your door to sell is from a low rent business, hoping to mug a gullible punter. Usually, as in this case, they allude to being something they are not. He for example is not a, "Ford Manager", just a cold-calling salesman for a service reselling marketing company.
If you want a good deal, call your local, friendly independent. If you want the dealer stamp, call a local dealer and haggle.

http://footprintfm.com/index.html

that's the footprint homepage.

But SMC are a large Ford group, so it looks like what it is.

s_b

wow the local ford manager door knocking to drum up business
thats a new one
this thing youve signed is it underwritten in case the dealership goes bang next month?

bikebarbie

colino wrote: »

In general, someone calling at your door to sell is from a low rent business, hoping to mug a gullible punter. Usually, as in this case, they allude to being something they are not. He for example is not a, "Ford Manager", just a cold-calling salesman for a service reselling marketing company.
If you want a good deal, call your local, friendly independent. If you want the dealer stamp, call a local dealer and haggle.

Are you implying that he was carrying a fake Ford Badge or a genuine Ford badge with a fake Job title? I think this would be too risky, easily found out. :shocked:

Hintza wrote: »

You have to buy the parts and oil (which is fine) but get an idea of how much they will be charging for them. Normal mark-up is about 30%-40% so anymore than that might be taking the pith a bit.

The deal looks OK though (but I would be worried I was missing something).

Yes this is exactly what I am being aware of, as I mentioned in my first post, inflated costs or finding issues where there are none. But the deal does not look too 'extravagant' I have not seen anything dodgy written on it.

s_b wrote: »

wow the local ford manager door knocking to drum up business
thats a new one
this thing youve signed is it underwritten in case the dealership goes bang next month?

As Mickey said, it's a large Ford Group, they have been around for years and this local dealership is quite large, supplying private and business ford vehicles - like vans.

Anyway I have till Friday to cancel. No money have been taken out nor will be if I cancel by Tuesday as I have deferred the £99 payment till Wednesday 29th.

mikey72

He's probably "Ford liasion new customer sales service lead Manager"
It looks legit, if SMC are usng Footprint to find new contacts, the guy could work for either, or just be knocking on doors for the £10 commision that footprint say they pay.

colino

Hi OP, I didn't mean to imply that the caller wasn't from Ford. I wanted to categorically assure you that the caller is not from Ford, he'll be paid on commission from a marketing company, who will have been hired by a franchise, not Ford and Ford themselves would probably blow a gasket about their misrepresentation.

mwardm

Hey there, BikeBarbie (or anyone).
What did you decide to do on this?

I just signed up this evening. Ordinarily I turn these fellas away quickly, but my car is overdue a service and of an age where I'm up for trying a local garage.

As someone mentioned (can't see it above - must have been another thread), there seem to be two ways to look at this: Either it's a bit deceptive and you end up paying (at least) as much as you'd pay anyway. The alternative viewpoint is that garages are having a hard-time of it and they're letting you have a bit of a discount in return for getting in a bit of work while it's quiet and (emotionally at least) locking you into using them for the next year (or two in my agreement's case).

On the carservicingoffer.co.uk site (which I guess doesn't necessarily cover my agreement, since I've just signed on the basis of the leaflet) it says...
<<
All parts & oil prices are charged at our standard rates, which you expect to pay at any garage. The aim of the promotion is to introduce new customers to the garage, with the intention that you become a loyal customer. Therefore prices will not be inflated. An example of the average prices for your local garage can be found on the servicing page for your nearest garage. If you would like a quote for parts and oil for your individual car, the garages will be more than happy to do this for you before booking your car in.
>>
Which sounds okay?!

One other thought: Just because you go to a garage outside of such a scheme, doesn't necessarily mean they're not going to charge over the odds or nudge you in the direction of work that doesn't necessarily need to be done.

Having said all that, I still might cancel, though!
If something seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement, I can be pretty sure *I'm* paying over the odds.

mwardm