Dealer size - wait? - Diesel Forum

Cisco Ranger · 09-07-2001, 05:59 PM

Does the size of the dealer make any difference in how long it takes to order a new truck?

SmokeyWren · 09-07-2001, 08:39 PM

No, size doesn't matter - when discussing ordering a new truck.

Allocation matters. But only when demand for a specific vehicle is greater than the supply of that vehicle at the moment. And at this moment, allocation on SuperDuty pickups doesn't matter much because the "factory" is shipping out every order to every dealer - large or small - about as soon as the paperwork can be processed.

When allocation does matter, a huge Ford dealer in New York City might not have much allocation for SuperDuty pickups - because they haven't sold very many F-350s over the years. But a tiny Ford dealer in west Texas might have plenty of allocation, because he's been selling lots of heavy duty pickups for years.

A dealer that's 10 times bigger doesn't necessarily have 10 times more allocation for a specific vehicle. But even if he has 10 times more allocation, he also has 10 times more customers demanding those allocated units. (Or else he wouldn't be 10 times bigger.)

But one way that size does matter is if you want to go to the dealership and drive home that day with your exact choice of a dream truck. The dealer that's 10 times bigger should also have 10 times more vehicles in stock - so is more likely to have a truck that's close to what you want. Gene Louder probably has 10 or so SuperDuties in stock. Cochise Willis probably has more than a hundred.

I'd never pick a dealer because of the size of the dealership. Find yourself a good dealerperson and stick with him. If he's worth a darn, he'll tell you if he has an open allocation to get you the truck you want on the next order cycle. Whether you pick Gene Louder at the itty bitty small-town Ford store, or Cochise Willis at the humoungous big-city Ford store, doesn't really matter.

Cisco Ranger · 09-07-2001, 09:50 PM

Thanks for the information. I know am not as patient as I probably should be but not being able to get at least a production date is really wearing on me. I have taken a lot of this dealer's time and want to give them my business, assuming of course they can actually deliver.

There was a "parts hold" that is susposedly no longer showing up and it is now "clean unscheduled." Whatever that means. I hope it is progress.

SmokeyWren · 09-08-2001, 02:48 PM

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />
Originally posted by Cisco Ranger:

There was a "parts hold" that is susposedly no longer showing up and it is now "clean unscheduled." Whatever that means.

[/ QUOTE ] The order status stages are listed in the '99-up FAQ: Click here

Most of the stages are self-explanatory, but if you don't understand one, holler back.

Your "clean unscheduled" means Ford has received your order and they have checked it out and the order meets all of Ford's rules. Ford knows of no reason that the order won't be scheduled for production as soon as your dealer has an open allocation for that truck and the assembly plant has received all the parts necessary to build your truck.

pilldoc · 09-09-2001, 01:35 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Smokey Wren:
No, size doesn't matter<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now we all know that size matters a little bit [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ...

But seriously, whats worse is the distance you live from Kentucky [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

Everyone in Midwest getting their trucks 2-3 weeks early and I still wait. Sometimes it sucks to be near the west coast! (truck built Aug 27th.... dealer sucks with info... truck lost in iowa or something)

I need my PSD [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

tri-pod · 09-09-2001, 02:25 PM

Got mine a week ahead of time. From Bobbie Williams [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

pilldoc · 09-09-2001, 03:23 PM

Tri-pod

What was your build date?????????

Cisco Ranger · 09-09-2001, 04:05 PM

It sounds like I need to talk to my dealer about this allocation issue. I am concerned this could be my problem, as the dealer is very small!

Diesel Virgin:

I hope they find your truck soon and it's at your dealer. Based on the wait some of us are experiencing, it is hard to believe there is an economic downturn.