Read Before You Register for an Off-Roadeo Rip Off!

jho125

Fellow Bronco Owner,

Make sure you know Ford's incredibly unfair rescheduling policy before you pony up your hard earned money for this event. I paid $525 for 1 driver & 2 attendees back on Feb 24. Due to an illness, I needed to reschedule (less than 30 days out) for a date later in the year.

Ford wants to charge me $550 to simply change the date. That breaks down to:

• $50 reservation rescheduling fee
• $100 rescheduling fee per person x 3
• $100 per non-driver upcharge because the fees went up after I registered.

Since no sane person would pay this fee twice to change a date, you might as well go in knowing that if you have to reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances, you'll be charged the same event price again (and more).

Thanks Ford!

That sucks, maybe @Laura can Steer you towards someone who MAY be able to assist. Feels like I've seen something like this on here before. No personal experience but from some posts I get the impression talking directly to the organizers at your particular Off Rodeo works better then going through Ford and the Bronco Nation staff are always very helpful when and where they can be. If nothing else they are a wealth if knowledge

Did Ford make this policy clear in their terms? I'm no cheerleader for FoMoCo, but these types of refund/cancelation/rescheduling policies are usually made pretty clear from the start. I had originally planned for my daughter to attend with me. I had to reschedule and cancel her attendance, several months before my date and had no issue. The Rep from Off Roadeo was very accommodating.

Contact Bronco OffRoadeo directly in an email or phone call. I have found them to be very responsive. I know that there is a partnership between them and Ford, but as far as I remember they are a separate entity from Ford.

I have no interest in the off Rodeo just due to the cost alone, even though it’s “included” with the purchase of my bronco. I wish I could trade in my invitation for some swag instead. Flying to one of the locations, paying for hotel, taking time off work, etc. and that’s not even counting taking my wife. Easily over a grand. Give me a cooler or something else instead and let’s call it a wash.

Calgecko

I have no interest in the off Rodeo just due to the cost alone, even though it’s “included” with the purchase of my bronco. I wish I could trade in my invitation for some swag instead. Flying to one of the locations, paying for hotel, taking time off work, etc. and that’s not even counting taking my wife. Easily over a grand. Give me a cooler or something else instead and let’s call it a wash.

It can cost a bit. I went to the Moab Off-Roadeo in February 2022 and LOVED it. I did spring for the host hotel and the extra insurance coverage, which drove up the cost a little but in hindsight, it was totally worth it. The truth is, I was swimming in cash at the time because I had just made a $20K profit on the sale of my Challenger, so the initial outlay was not a consideration.

The only wrinkle in the process was in getting my deposit back from the Off-Roadeo people. They refunded my deposit to a bank account I no longer used, so I had to wait a couple of weeks for my old bank to redirect the funds to my new bank. Other than that, there were no unpleasant surprises, and the Off-Roadeo itself was the experience of a lifetime. Well worth the price, IMHO.

@TK1215, I believe that the Off-Roadeo is affiliated with Ford, but not with Bronco Nation. It's a distinct entity.

I did a search regarding the Off-Roadeo. This was separate from the one on our site. It explains in depth the process and if you need to cancel or change your reservation.
And it is exactly the same as the link here on the BN site.

jho125

Fellow Bronco Owner,

Make sure you know Ford's incredibly unfair rescheduling policy before you pony up your hard earned money for this event. I paid $525 for 1 driver & 2 attendees back on Feb 24. Due to an illness, I needed to reschedule (less than 30 days out) for a date later in the year.

Ford wants to charge me $550 to simply change the date. That breaks down to:

• $50 reservation rescheduling fee
• $100 rescheduling fee per person x 3
• $100 per non-driver upcharge because the fees went up after I registered.

Since no sane person would pay this fee twice to change a date, you might as well go in knowing that if you have to reschedule due to unforeseen cirmstances, you'll be charged the same event price again (and more).

Thanks Ford!

This is why I never signed up. Can take mine into the woods later this summer and figure out the stuff. They wanted a $200 non-refundable from me as my Bronco had not been built, becuase they couold not get parts to build it, but I was going to be the porker. I had the order number and it was in the system, but they still wanted $200 they would have held for 546 days.

MIGeezer

This is why I never signed up. Can take mine into the woods later this summer and figure out the stuff. They wanted a $200 non-refundable from me as my Bronco had not been built, becuase they couold not get parts to build it, but I was going to be the porker. I had the order number and it was in the system, but they still wanted $200 they would have held for 546 days.

To think of all the stupid crap I've bought over the years. $200 is a drop in the bucket. 😝

BuckYeah

To think of all the stupid crap I've bought over the years. $200 is a drop in the bucket. 😝

Kinda like WTF is a hundred bucks to reserve...

PSUTE

Kinda like WTF is a hundred bucks to reserve...

Seriously, though. I gauge most of my purchasing decisions on my past performance. What may seem expensive at first pales in comparison to the money I’ve spent (squandered) on other trifles or enterprises. You can’t take it with you.

For me, with very limited experience off road, the rodeo was an eye-popping experience that showed me what the Bronco (and I’m sure lots of Jeeps out there) can do in the back country. Being able to ask questions and having a “Bronco to break” that wasn’t mine was helpful, but the real value was in the instructors…

OrangecrushBronco

That sucks, maybe @Laura can Steer you towards someone who MAY be able to assist. Feels like I've seen something like this on here before. No personal experience but from some posts I get the impression talking directly to the organizers at your particular Off Rodeo works better then going through Ford and the Bronco Nation staff are always very helpful when and where they can be. If nothing else they are a wealth if knowledge

Here is the number and their email!
(888) 260-5744 and [email protected]

Bluestreak57

For me, with very limited experience off road, the rodeo was an eye-popping experience that showed me what the Bronco (and I’m sure lots of Jeeps out there) can do in the back country. Being able to ask questions and having a “Bronco to break” that wasn’t mine was helpful, but the real value was in the instructors…

Someone didn't read the fine print, unless you pay for the insurance you're responsible for any "breaking" or damage. You are correct instructors were great although I'm not sure it's an exact representation of what all Broncos can do. The Off Rodeo I attended only had SAS Broncos with all the hero switches.

OrangecrushBronco

Someone didn't read the fine print, unless you pay for the insurance you're responsible for any "breaking" or damage. You are correct instructors were great although I'm not sure it's an exact representation of what all Broncos can do. The Off Rodeo I attended only had SAS Broncos with all the hero switches.

My Bronco was non-Sas and still perfectly capable of handling everything the guide asked of me. The supplemental insurance was $75, which basically covered you for damages exceeding $4,500 (I think). So I believe drivers are responsible for any repairs up to that dollar amount. Again, I’d have to check those facts. And things may have changed in that department since February 2022.

OrangecrushBronco

Someone didn't read the fine print, unless you pay for the insurance you're responsible for any "breaking" or damage. You are correct instructors were great although I'm not sure it's an exact representation of what all Broncos can do. The Off Rodeo I attended only had SAS Broncos with all the hero switches.

In my case the instruction was heavily on technique, with less on hero switch use… good technique over technology works no matter the trim level

Bluestreak57

In my case the instruction was heavily on technique, with less on hero switch use… good technique over technology works no matter the trim level

Exactly. That's why I wish they had a Bronco that was closer to mine so I could be testing what I'd be using. It did create some hero button envy though. Lol.

BuckYeah

My Bronco was non-Sas and still perfectly capable of handling everything the guide asked of me. The supplemental insurance was $75, which basically covered you for damages exceeding $4,500 (I think). So I believe drivers are responsible for any repairs up to that dollar amount. Again, I’d have to check those facts. And things may have changed in that department since February 2022.

That sounds about right on the insurance terms and I went in June 22. My non SAS can handle everything I've only even needed 4 wheel drive in the dunes. Even snow l and ice storm was fine in 2 wheel drive. I do wish that my rodeo had a non sas though so I wouldn't have had to wonder if mine would be capable. Fortunately it is!

OrangecrushBronco

Someone didn't read the fine print, unless you pay for the insurance you're responsible for any "breaking" or damage. You are correct instructors were great although I'm not sure it's an exact representation of what all Broncos can do. The Off Rodeo I attended only had SAS Broncos with all the hero switches.

Actually I did read the fine print, and had the waiver in case I did break something.

Bluestreak57

Actually I did read the fine print, and had the waiver in case I did break something.

I declined the waiver, did not need it, and folded up the $75 and put it in my pocket. No one in my group needed it either. I have only heard of one mishap at an off rodeo. Just a money maker for them...