Hello all, I’m new here but have been browsing on & off for a while. I decided to order a 19 Raptor but they’re scarce in California, and as you all know the local prices for raptor’s are insane. I’ve seen threads of other members ordering there raptors out of state so I decided I’d search and try to order one. I found one at a dealer in Alabama and placed a deposit on it to have them hold it for me while it arrived to there dealership. After it’s arrival we would follow up with paperwork. All was going well until about 20 minutes ago when I received what I thought to be a strange phone call from the salesman I’ve been dealing with. I was told an FBI agent (invoice investigation I believe he said) would call me in order to confirm I wouldn’t be reselling the raptor. Apparently buying a raptor out of state for a lower price and reselling it for a higher one in California is illegal. I didn’t know this, or if it’s even true, but my point is I find it odd that this type of “investigation” has to take place in order for me to purchase this truck. Mind you prior to this, the salesman had asked if I was going to resell because ford didn’t allow that and I said no. In the aforementioned phone call he also said that he had told the Investigator I didn’t want to resell; however this wasn’t good enough and he needed to confirm it with me personally over the phone. Does this sound remotely similar to anyone else’s experience when ordering a raptor out of state?
Ok,
First, I want to reach out and try to put you at ease.... I work for a dealership. I deal in and ship HUNDREDS of Raptors all over the country each year. We get more Raptors than most any dealer in the US.
So I can tell you... The FBI is absolutely NOT involved in Raptor sales. None whatsoever. I agree with whoever said, "Are you dealing with a legit business".
Here are the facts.
Ford doesn't want ANY Ford vehicle shipped out of the country. Their position behind that is that it creates more competition to their dealers in those other countries who they keep limited allocation for. Their other reasoning behind it is that different environments, such as the middle east, has a different climate and needs different cooling and programming. There are a lot of black market exports on vehicles and they especially watch the Raptors for this and threaten their dealers with possible action for knowingly selling vehicles to exporters. They have an export black list available to dealers of know brokers. So unless your on that list, it shouldn't matter.
So again, Ford says NO NO to exporting. The FBI is not involved. Even if you did, it isn't a capital crime therefore, the FBI isn't involved. With Fords stern response to dealers about exporting vehicles, it may be possible some small mom and pop dealership is scared out of their mind that selling a Raptor to a potential exporter might lose them their franchise. Perhaps in this terror they made up a story to you about the FBI calling you to try to "Shake You Down"... lol. Or maybe it isn't a legit place?
This is on the dealer, not the consumer.
Either way, Ford cares about one thing. That the truck is TITLED in the USA to the person who bought it. If you decide to sell it in 2 months... for WHATEVER price you want. it is your choice and not illegal. However, the dealers ask that you title it first to appease Ford. (Chevy is the same way).
The Ford GT was a different thing. It was a contract direct from FORD to the buyer that they wouldn't sell the car for 2 years. The GT was applied for from the consumer direct to Ford and sold direct. The dealer (who can be chosen by the consumer) was just the deliverer. Ford sold the GT DIRECT.
Fact 2: If you live in California and you buy a Raptor out of state, you run a HUGE risk of not being able to register it. Raptors come 2 ways. With California Emissions and with Brown State Emissions. If you don't get one with California Emissions, California will blacklist you and you will not be able to title it. Most states have Brown Emissions unless ordered specifically with California Emissions.
I have 6 - 2019 Raptor 802A Premium Crew Cabs available now as well as 4 remaining 2018's
These trucks of OURS fortunate for you are California Emissions compliant.
So if you want to call 317-885-8147 or shoot an email to
[email protected] I can send you info on what's available, or I can special order whatever you want.
Either way, hope this answers your concerns and anyone else who was confused about your situation.
Good luck and let me know if I can help.
John
