So I finally got the email I have been waiting for. Since I placed my reservation on day one, I figured I would have the best chance of anybody to get a Lightning. Um, nope. This is the exciting email...
When you click the button in the email that says "Order Your F‑150® Lightning™ Now", you have to log into your Ford account. I was super excited because it also said be ready to plop down your $500 deposit to secure your order, "subject to your local dealer availability", plus the disclaimer that they don't control the price or mark-up. I had my credit card in hand and butterflies in my stomach. Time to log in...
More butterflies as I clicked "Configure & Order". I couldn't believe it. I'm first to reserve and first to order...
loading....
then this.
Wait a minute. Pro Model "sold out"?!?!? XLT Model "sold out"?!?!? How could that be? I reserved first! I am a commercial customer with a business, customers, license, etc. I may have chosen the XLT just to add the cool LED lights on top of the hood. But "sold out"? That seems deceptive at the very least. I reserved first day, and tried to place my order the second I was notified that the ordering window was open. Ford even sent me a text...
My question is this. How can a model be "sold out" when they may not have even produced any. Did they take any orders or are they only producing the $70,000-$100,000 top of the line models? I actually understand if they decided to do that. Why sell Pro or XLT models that have less margin of profitability when you can sell the high end models. Plus, when people see the Ford F-150 Lightnings out on the street for the first time, people will be impressed with how nice they are. My biggest concern is trust.
When you buy a Ford product, you hopefully trust the brand and have pride in the "Blue Oval". Once a loyal customer gets burned by a brand, they usually don't forget. Ford could be making a big mistake by not only acting in bad faith (let's just say they are "sold out", when in fact we don't want to make the cheaper models). That pisses me off. Plus there are these stories out there... "Ford F-150 Lightning reservation holders face massive US$30,000 dealer markup as demand for the electric truck outstrips supply" https://www.notebookcheck.net/Ford-F-150-Lightning-reservation-holders-face-massive-US-30-000-dealer-markup-as-demand-for-the-electric-truck-outstrips-supply.589464.0.html
Anyway, I "extended" my reservation instead of cancelling since I really do want a new truck, and believe in the product. I just don't have $100,000.
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