u/ilovesparky42

It may be too late, as the Ford Employee Pricimg incentive is almost over… but maybe this helps someone in the future.

It seems that dealers can play a bit of gamesmanship with the way they build (and ultimately price and DISCOUNT) their vehicles.

I noticed that while shopping for an Active Max 202A package, some dealers had the power panoramic roof listed as an $1575 add-on.

But, there are also 202A Actives that come with the panoramic roof that don’t have it listed as an optional equipment add-on. In fact, when you look at the window sticker, it won’t even explicitly list that the vehicle is equipped with the panoramic moon roof - the only way to know for sure is to look at pictures of the vehicle.

So, why is this a big deal? Let’s say there are two expys that you are looking at being sold by different dealers.

Both nearly identical in build, (exterior color, second row seat configuration, etc) but Dealer A has one has an MSRP of say $75,585 and Dealer B has another with MSRP of say $73,120… Dealer A may show a discount off of MSRP of say $8740 (purchase price = $67,445) and Dealer B may only show a discount of say $5675 (purchase price = $67,445).

In the end, Dealer A looks like they are giving a much better discount. Yes, on paper, they are. But in reality, you are getting the same vehicle for the exact same price at both dealers.

This comes into play when you are buying from a retailer like Dealer A… if you aren’t aware of this, Dealer A may show a less drastic discount of say $7700… which still seems a lot better than a $5675 discount… but in this scenario, you are paying $1000+ more for the same vehicle at Dealer A’s lot.

When shopping, compare the full build and only look at the out the door pricing. Discounts off of MSRP are good, but it’s important to know how the MSRP is configured and how the discounts are being applied.

I’m sure similar shenanigans are about with the Platinum and other trims… this is just based off of my experience shopping for an Active trim where the panoramic moonroof wasn’t a standard option.

It may be too late, as the Ford Employee Pricimg incentive is almost over… but maybe this helps someone in the future.

It seems that dealers can play a bit of gamesmanship with the way they build (and ultimately price and DISCOUNT) their vehicles.

I noticed that while shopping for an Active Max 202A package, some dealers had the power panoramic roof listed as an $1575 add-on.

But, there are also 202A Actives that come with the panoramic roof that don’t have it listed as an optional equipment add-on. In fact, when you look at the window sticker, it won’t even explicitly list that the vehicle is equipped with the panoramic moon roof - the only way to know for sure is to look at pictures of the vehicle.

So, why is this a big deal? Let’s say there are two expys that you are looking at being sold by different dealers.

Both nearly identical in build, (exterior color, second row seat configuration, etc) but Dealer A has one has an MSRP of say $75,585 and Dealer B has another with MSRP of say $73,120… Dealer A may show a discount off of MSRP of say $8740 (purchase price = $67,445) and Dealer B may only show a discount of say $5675 (purchase price = $67,445).

In the end, Dealer A looks like they are giving a much better discount. Yes, on paper, they are. But in reality, you are getting the same vehicle for the exact same price at both dealers.

This comes into play when you are buying from a retailer like Dealer A… if you aren’t aware of this, Dealer A may show a less drastic discount of say $7700… which still seems a lot better than a $5675 discount… but in this scenario, you are paying $1000+ more for the same vehicle at Dealer A’s lot.

When shopping, compare the full build and only look at the out the door pricing. Discounts off of MSRP are good, but it’s important to know how the MSRP is configured and how the discounts are being applied.

I’m sure similar shenanigans are about with the Platinum and other trims… this is just based off of my experience shopping for an Active trim where the panoramic moonroof wasn’t a standard option.

Just wanted to share my employee pricing incentive deal… maybe it will help someone the next couple of days while this incentive is going on.

I ended up getting into a 2025 Active Max, 4WD, Space Silver exterior and Space Grey interior. It is equipped with the 202A package (with moonroof) and also had the 1-time connectivity package and the 1-year BlueCruise plan (MSRP = $76,130)

This was the color combo we wanted, but there were only two Expys with this color. Dealer A was about an hour away, and had a 2WD, that didn’t have the extra connectivity options, everything else was the same, except it was a 2026. (MSRP = $74,195).

I emailed Dealer A Wednesday evening to get their “best” pricing on their 2WD 2026. Their pricing sheet showed a discount of $8515 giving a purchase price of $65,680. With tax, title, license, and fees, they came back with an out-the-door price of $70,130.

I was happy with this price and asked them to hold it for a pickup on Friday.

As a backup, I also contacted Dealer B who was 3 hours away to get their techy 4WD 2025 price. Their initial offer showed a discount of $7,630 with a purchase price of $68,500 and an out the door price of $73,220. He also mentioned that while it was still “new” it did have 985 miles on it. He said it must have been used for a couple of extended weekend test drives… but it wasn’t a courtesy or demo vehicle. Either way, tech subscriptions and warranty would start on purchase.

I emailed back, and said I thought a 2025 would have a bigger discount and mentioned that I was also looking at a 2026 with discount of $8515.

Dealer B responded and said thanks for giving him a second chance, and showed a discount of $9030, giving a purchase price of $67,100 and a new out-the-door price of $71,730.

I was really hoping for the 2025 to come in a little closer in price to the 2025. I again replied, but Dealer B said he couldn’t go any lower. I told him I was going to go with the 2026 had lined up. The choice was initially because the 2026 was closer, and that it had a newer model year.

Thursday morning, Dealer A called and said they had their 2026 2WD in the back, off the lot and wanted contact information to start the paperwork. I sent everything they needed over. Later, in the afternoon, Dealer A called and said “Uhhh, looks like we sold that vehicle last night.” He offered to find another comparable vehicle. But we were pretty set on the Space Silver with the light interior, and I knew these were the only two witching about 750 miles of where I live.

So, I wasn’t happy about the situation, but wasn’t going to cry too much about it. I immediately called Dealer B and caught him on his way out the door.

I told him the situation. He said the 2025 4WD was still available, and he had the keys on his desk. I told him to get it ready for us to pick up in the morning.

My wife and I drove in and around 10:00 he called to get some information for paperwork. We already had our own financing lined up, so they didn’t need much from us. It’s too bad Ford couldn’t provide any additional incentives for using their financing, but that’s on them I suppose.

We arrived to the lot at 11:00. Took a 15 minute test drive, checked everything over. Since there were 1000 miles on the engine, I also asked them to change the oil, and they obliged.

We were out the door with the keys by 12:30. Fastest and easiest deal I’ve made since I picked up my F150 in 2018.

In all, I think we got a pretty good deal. The 4WD and tech packages added about $4200 in extras over the 2WD 2026 and the out the door price was only about 1700 more.

I think in 10 years or so, if/when I’m looking to sell, I think the 2025 with 4WD will be worth a bit more than a 2026 2WD.

Anyway, hope this helps someone.

It may be too late, as the Ford Employee Pricimg incentive is almost over… but maybe this helps someone in the future.

It seems that dealers can play a bit of gamesmanship with the way they build (and ultimately price and DISCOUNT) their vehicles.

I noticed that while shopping for an Active Max 202A package, some dealers had the power panoramic roof listed as an $1575 add-on.

But, there are also 202A Actives that come with the panoramic roof that don’t have it listed as an optional equipment add-on. In fact, when you look at the window sticker, it won’t even explicitly list that the vehicle is equipped with the panoramic moon roof - the only way to know for sure is to look at pictures of the vehicle.

So, why is this a big deal? Let’s say there are two expys that you are looking at being sold by different dealers.

Both nearly identical in build, (exterior color, second row seat configuration, etc) but Dealer A has one has an MSRP of say $75,585 and Dealer B has another with MSRP of say $73,120… Dealer A may show a discount off of MSRP of say $8740 (purchase price = $67,445) and Dealer B may only show a discount of say $5675 (purchase price = $67,445).

In the end, Dealer A looks like they are giving a much better discount. Yes, on paper, they are. But in reality, you are getting the same vehicle for the exact same price at both dealers.

This comes into play when you are buying from a retailer like Dealer A… if you aren’t aware of this, Dealer A may show a less drastic discount of say $7700… which still seems a lot better than a $5675 discount… but in this scenario, you are paying $1000+ more for the same vehicle at Dealer A’s lot.

When shopping, compare the full build and only look at the out the door pricing. Discounts off of MSRP are good, but it’s important to know how the MSRP is configured and how the discounts are being applied.

I’m sure similar shenanigans are about with the Platinum and other trims… this is just based off of my experience shopping for an Active trim where the panoramic moonroof wasn’t a standard option.

I recently accepted a job as a facilities manager for a company that will be building their production line over the next few years.

I was contacted by the company’s recruiter for a facilities engineering position. After interviews with HR, the VP of operations, and VP of product development, they decided to offer me the role of facilities manager (rather than engineer). I felt this was because of the questions and concerns I had about the role as they were originally looking for a single person to fill multiple shoes. I also think that they needed to justify my salary expectations, and offering the role of the facilities manager made that possible.

Discussions with the VP of operations (who I will be reporting to) were more along the lines of how we will need to build a small team of technicians, and other SMEs to fill the needs that expansion of the facilities will eventually require (occupational health and safety , facilities engineering, janitorial services, maintenance techs, project managers, etc).

These are all areas to a lot of experience in, but I’m not an expert by any means In any one particular area (outside of mechanical engineering). I’ve always been the Jack of all trades, but master of none.

I’m all for hiring experts where expertise is needed going forward. I think my philosophy I’d to hire people smarter than myself to tackle the tasks I would struggle with. I only hope I will actually have the ability to find and hire such talent with the budgets I’ll be given.

As someone that has no formal management training, and has only managed third party vendors that provide facilities services (no direct reports), what do you recommend I study, read, listen to, etc for some excellent pointers on how to manage effectively? Are there any recommended courses to take? Any sort of certifications that are actually worthwhile?