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Vehicle Ordering

ESMD

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ESMD Enthusiast

ESMD

Posted
Posted

About 15 years ago, I was looking at a vehicle (Chevrolet to be exact) and when taking to the dealer, couldn’t find one locally with the options and configuration I wanted. So I brought up ordering the vehicle. You would have thought I asked for a kidney! The sales guy was absolutely against the idea and talked me out of that nonsense quickly. He ended up finding one like three states away, still wasn’t 100% what I wanted but took it anyway. So now I’m looking at a 2016 Sierra 2500 – and I’ve been watching local inventory and have yet to see anything close to what I want. If I’m going to be paying $50K on a truck I really want exactly what I want. So I’m sure I will have to order this thing.

 

My question is - how difficult is it to order a vehicle from a dealer today? Am I going to expect a lot of hoops to jump through and/or is ordering seen a taboo?

 

I do have a follow up question already but I’ll ask that in another post just to keep things on topic.

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Z45 Senior Enthusiast

Z45

Posted
Posted

Back then you just got a ahole of a salesman who likely wanted to sell something from the lot for instant commission.

 

Ordering is easy but the salesman you choose it key to any deal. I sat down with salesman, we built the truck in less than 30 min. They order went in next day, 6 weeks later he calls and said, its hear, when do you want it.

DanL Enthusiast

DanL

Posted
Posted

I haven't bought a vehicle off the lot in many years and am about to order another. Always do a factory order by, usually, sitting down with the sales manager and getting it done. I agree with elcamino--sales guy was didn't want to wait for his commission. Find a new salesman!

jsm174 Enthusiast

jsm174

Posted
Posted

Hello.

 

The dealer will always try to find you a vehicle first, because I think financially it works out better for them in the long run.

 

Last Monday (1/12) I went to my dealer during lunch and ordered a 2016 Silverado LTZ. I've done a ton of research so I knew all the RPO codes, packages, etc.

 

It took about an hour and half and they had the truck built correctly in the OrderWorkbench. I then confirmed the build and left a $1000 deposit.

 

Yesterday (1/18) I did the online chat on Chevrolet's website, and they said it already has a TPW of 2/1/2016. The status code is 3300.

 

The dealer said delivery is usually 8 - 10 weeks, while the Donlen site is stating 10 - 11 weeks. Either way, I'm looking at sometime in March.

 

Here are some websites that could help you:

 

http://www.gmfleetorderguide.com - (useful for RPO and Package codes)

 

http://www.donlen.com/production-trucks-gm.html- (useful for build times)

 

https://prechat.chevrolet.com/prechat.xhtml?channelID=a9dk6f- (useful for order status - takes two minutes and don't have to bother dealer)

 

-- Jason

MMC Enthusiast

MMC

Posted
Posted

I always order everything I buy, but they don't like to do it because people are impatient and don't want to wait, so they keep looking and find something close and buy it before the order comes in and the dealer gets stuck with an ordered vehicle with options people don't want. Then the deposit issue comes up and no one is happy.

I had one salesman order for me and I never signed anything or made a deposit, just a handshake, that's how you get return customers.

ESMD Enthusiast

ESMD

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you all for your input. I can understand the dealer wanting to sell off the lot immediately verses waiting several weeks. And I can understand their hesitation about ordering a specific vehicle and having someone back out at the last second. Unless there was some major defect in the truck when it arrived, I wouldn't be backing out. But like you said, probably just got a stubborn sales guy last time. I just found very little information on this and wanted some first hand experience. Plus those links should help!

 

One other question, I'm sure there is some downtime between the 2016 and 2017 models. Typically, when is the latest you can order for the current model year and when can you order for the next? I plan on purchasing the truck this spring/summer and don't want to get caught in that "blackout" period.

xelli Enthusiast

xelli

Posted
Posted

Never having custom ordered a vehicle before, I don't know the process.

 

Have you signed on the dotted-line for the vehicle as part of the ordering process? I certainly understand the dealer not wanting to get stuck with some strange configuration no one else will want. Which factory incentive are in play as part of the purchase? The ones offered when you order or when you take delivery (whenever it shows up) ??

SMiller Senior Enthusiast

SMiller

Posted
Posted

When I ordered my '14 I walked in and the salesman pulled up the GM program and we went line through line and checked off every option I wanted, he placed the order the next day and two months later my truck came in and I went home.

 

I put zero down and the dealer could care less if I took the truck when it came in.

xelli Enthusiast

xelli

Posted
Posted

When I ordered my '14 I walked in and the salesman pulled up the GM program and we went line through line and checked off every option I wanted, he placed the order the next day and two months later my truck came in and I went home.

 

I put zero down and the dealer could care less if I took the truck when it came in.

 

At what point did you agree on a price ?

therink Enthusiast

therink

Posted
Posted

I too have ordered my last 3 trucks. When dropping that kind of $, there is no reason to not get exactly what I want. What I have done is first build the vehicle using Edmunds. Then I decide what I am willing to pay. I then send emails out to multiple dealers with all RPO codes. The dealer that accepts my offer for the exact build gets my business. I will provide a $500 deposit once I have seen a written sales order that matches the terms I wanted.

I have done this without stepping into a dealer showroom until day of delivery. This process work work is there is a trade. Needs to be a clean deal. I also secure my own financing and give the dealer an opportunity to beat it.

jsm174 Enthusiast

jsm174

Posted
Posted

 

At what point did you agree on a price ?

 

In my case, we only agreed on the trade in value of my 2009 Silverado. I get supplier pricing, so it is what it is...

 

When you do pick it up, you're eligible for incentives currently available, not from when it was ordered.

SMiller Senior Enthusiast

SMiller

Posted
Posted

 

At what point did you agree on a price ?

No trade in, GM employee price (GMS), I had a pin #, plus all rebates and incentives at time of delivery. I tried to get the dealer to split the holdback with me but he wouldn't do it, I said it was bs he got a extra $1500 when the truck would never see the lot, it cost the dealer $500 in financing before my bank cut a check.

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted

I'd give them a chance on finding one, only a day or two tops.

 

I ordered my 15 HD (nobody wants a near loaded regular cab but me I guess lol). Was worth every penny and the 5 month wait (I was in no hurry at all trust me). Nothing like getting one EXACTLY the way you want it (whether you order one or not).

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